They wouldn’t expel a Lancaster, would they? I know he’s claimed they have zero tolerance with drugs, and even he could get kicked out, but what about a situation like this?
What if he’s gone already and I never get a chance to talk to him again? What then? I don’t even have his phone number, which is so stupid. I suppose I could contact him via social media but…
Okay, I’m getting way ahead of myself here. I need to get ready for school and leave a little early to see if he’s waiting out front for me like he usually does. If he’s not there…
I don’t know what I’ll do.
I get ready in a hurry, pulling on a thick pair of white wool tights and the bralette I wore last night, then I don my uniform. I slip a navy sweater over my white shirt, forgetting the jacket, then my skirt, rolling it up a little to show off more leg.
Tight-covered leg but who cares? I’m trying to catch someone’s attention.
Hopefully he’ll be there. Waiting for me by the entrance like he normally does. Before, when he used to level that cold stare on me, I’d run by him, just to get away.
Now I walk slowly, savoring that one-sided smile that appears on his face when he first spots me. He makes me feel beautiful.
What in the world was he doing with Natalie last night?
Once I’m finally out of the dorm hall, I make my way toward the main building, my steps careful thanks to the slushy mess the sidewalks are. The sun is out again, a little warmer this morning, and even though it’s still cold, it’s causing the snow to melt.
There are people all around me, most of them with their heads bent as they walk, whispering to each other. I hear Natalie’s name mentioned time and again, along with Crew’s.
It’s all anyone can talk about. The gossip is going to be rampant.
If they all think Crew and Natalie are together, I’m going to feel like a fool. Even if it’s not true.
Holding my head high, I pick up my pace, marching toward the building when I spot Ezra and Malcolm standing in Crew’s usual spot, frowns on their faces as they watch everyone walk by them.
There’s no Crew in sight, and I can’t fight the disappointment sinking in my stomach like a stone.
“Wren.”
Malcolm calls my name in that crisp British accent of his and I go to him, nerves making my entire body shake.
“Yes?” I ask, shoving my gloved hands into my coat pockets.
“You heard what happened to our boy?”
I like how he calls Crew our boy. He must be aware of what’s going on between us, and any other time, that would be embarrassing. Not right now, though.
Now, all I want is information about Crew. Where he is. If he’s all right. What in the world he was doing with Natalie.
“I know he was caught with Natalie last night,” I admit, taking a step closer, so I can speak to him more privately. “Where is he?”
“He’s got a meeting with Matthews,” Malcolm answers, referring to the headmaster of the school. “Right at eight o’clock. He wanted me to tell you.”
“Oh.” Hope rises within me, but I tamp it down. I can’t read into this too much. “Thank you for letting me know.”
Malcolm sends a quick look in Ezra’s direction before he returns his attention to me. He holds out a folded yellow Post-It Note between his fingers. “This is his phone number. Don’t know what the two of you are doing if you’re not texting or Snapchatting with each other on the phone like normal fucking teenagers, but he wanted you to have it.”
“Thank you.” I clutch the piece of paper in my hand, the edges biting into my palm. “Is he going to be all right?”
“Don’t know,” Ezra says, earning a dirty look from Malcolm for his oh-so-reassuring contribution. “Might get suspended. Fucker deserves it.”
“He’s a Lancaster,” Malcolm adds, ignoring Ezra. “He’ll be fine.”
I see the hostility filling Ezra’s gaze and I remember how he was always flirting with Natalie. The almost desperate edge to it, and how she ignored him.
How she was always staring at Crew instead.
“Thank you again,” I tell Malcolm because I’m polite to the point of being annoying and I can’t help myself. He nods. Ezra sneers.
I leave them where they stand, entering the building and immediately leaning against the wall, opening the Post-It Note to study Crew’s phone number.
He also wrote something else.
Text me when you can, Birdy. I need to talk to you.
My heart flutters in my chest and I grab my phone, punching in the number, and immediately send him a text.