Elite (Eagle Elite) (3 page)

This girl was like a walking advertisement to horny guys. For one thing, the dress she was wearing was so short I found myself gaping and then blushing when she leaned over to pick up a box to take to my room. Wasn’t there a dress code at this school?

“So, that’s all you have?”

She flipped her jet black hair back and pulled some lip gloss out of her bra. Her black dress inched higher again. Oh gosh, I was so completely out of my element.

“I… have a suitcase downstairs, but Nixon said—”

“—Screw Nixon. last time I checked, he wasn’t God, nor would he be wanted by Him. Now, let’s go grab your suitcase and I’ll show you where the elevator is.”

She linked her arm within mine and skipped down the hall. Somehow I had trouble keeping up with her even though she was the one in six-inch heels. We walked into the main corridor and then through a door facing the brick wall. As soon as we went through the door, I saw a row of elevators.

“Any reason they keep these hidden?” I asked.

Monroe nodded and then pointed up to the ceiling, several security screens showed each elevator. “Added security since last year someone tried to bomb the school. Thus all the access cards and secrecy about the elevator. Last year someone was able to make it to the top floor before security caught wind of it.”

“So it really is like prison?” I gulped.

Monroe laughed. “No, it’s not that bad. But I mean, when you have the type of students that Elite has, you can’t be too cautious.”

I didn’t ask what she meant, because everyone knew what type of people went here. Children of diplomats, celebrities, and even some of the presidents’ kids had attended.

Once we reached the bottom floor, the elevator door dinged open and she walked me outside.

“Uh, is that yours?” She pointed to my suitcase. Correction, she pointed to my open suitcase. Clothes were everywhere on the pavement.

I screamed and ran toward clothes before they blew away. All of my possessions were in the process of making a sweep of the campus.

Monroe, to her credit, ran after some of the things and helped me gather up as much as possible.

Pretty sure I lost some of my underwear.

“He’s a jerk.” Monroe helped me off my knees once I zipped up the suitcase. “Look.” She glanced behind her and hurried me inside. “He’s the favorite because he’s a suck ass and my dad believes women are beneath him.”

That apple sure didn’t make it far from the tree.

“Anyways, if I throw a fit, my dad will probably just turn the other way and say his hands are tied. I can help you with the other kids, but with Nixon, you’re kind of on your own. Did he give you a key card?”

“Yup.” I pulled it out of my pocket and flashed it to her. “Two meals a day and one elevator ride a week. I’m truly living the high life.”

Monroe threw her head back and laughed. “Stick with me, and you very well may be right. Come on, there’s a kickoff party tonight, and we have work to do.”

“Wait…”I dug in my heels. “Why are you being so nice to me?” I hated being suspicious, but then again, I’d never met people like those who went to school here.

“Oh, I’m sorry. I thought I told you. I’m your roommate.”

That made sense. We walked in silence to the elevator. “Are you this nice to all your roommates?”

“No. I killed two of them, but my dad covered it up…”

Speechless, my mouth dropped open.

“Wow, I’m totally kidding. I’ve never had a roommate before this year. My dad thought he was punishing me by cramping my space. Instead, I’m relieved. I can’t stand those bitches on the third floor.”

“So, does that make you and Nixon a year apart?”

“No.” Monroe flashed me a smile. “That makes us twins.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Oh, me too.” We had reached the top floor again. Monroe took my bag. “Let’s go, New Girl. People to see and boys to flirt with.”

****

She wasn’t kidding about not having much time. Three hours later and I was new woman. She’d used this weird rod thingy to curl my long brown hair into beach waves and then proceeded to pluck my eyebrows into oblivion. I’d always liked my eyebrows. Sure they were thick but they framed my face quite nicely. I hoped by the time she was done I would still have some hair.

I wasn’t allowed to look at myself until she was done with my makeup.

“Okay, almost done. Now, what did you bring to wear?”

I jumped from the chair and reached into my suitcase pulling out the tea length dress I’d worn to grandma’s funeral. It was the nicest thing I’d owned and I’d even ordered it offline from Forever 21. So it had to be trendy.

“That’s cute.” Monroe squinted her nose. “But it’s kinda young for you.”

“Young?” I repeated looking at the yellow and white striped spaghetti strap dress.

“Yeah, I mean, it’s cute and it would probably be killer for a picnic or something fun. But this is the first party where everyone’s going to meet you. You need to look serious, you need to look hot, and you need to look untouchable.”

“Okay.” I chewed my lip.

“Don’t worry, I think I’ve got the perfect dress.”

My stomach launched into nervous somersaults. If it was anything like the dress she was wearing now, then I was going to be put in prison for prostituting myself out.

“Here.” She threw me a short black leather skirt, an oversized sweater with holes and some tights that were completely black until they reached mid-thigh and then sheer.

I quickly threw everything on. She kept handing me things and I kept dressing. Two bracelets and one freakishly long necklace later she declared me ready.

I was finally allowed to look in the mirror.

I smiled at my reflection. I looked perfect. Not like her and not like a supermodel, but like me. The makeup made my brown eyes pop, and my outfit still looked classy but fun.

“Shoes!” Monroe yelled. “Crap, what size of shoe do you wear?”

“Eight?”

“Crap.” She began to pace. “I wear a ten.”

Of course.

“Um, I may have something.” I tore open my suitcase and pulled out grandma’s old vintage heels, the ones I always used to play dress up in when I was little.

“Nice! Where’d you get these?”

“My grandma.” I shrugged.

“Remind me to tell her what a kick ass dresser she is next time she visits.”

“She’s dead,” I said it quietly, quickly.

The room fell silent. My eyes shifted to the floor. I hated this part. The part where people don’t know what to say but all you really want is for them to say nothing.

“That sucks.” She exhaled heavily and then placed the shoes on the floor. “I think she’d want you to rock 'em, what do you think?”

I swallowed the knot in my throat and nodded with watery eyes. “I think she would too.”

“Great, now let’s go party and show my brother what a complete loser he is.”

We linked arms and made our way to the party. It was the first time in six months I’d had another female to talk to. The first time in my life I’d had a friend who was a girl. I really liked it.

Chapter
Four

The night air crackled with excitement. People talked excitedly down the main sidewalk as everyone made their way toward a huge building with a sign that said “Welcome Back!”

“Damn, Monroe, how do you walk in those things?” Tex fell into step with us and winked. What? Did he suddenly find me acceptable now that I was walking with Monroe? I glared back remembering our first meeting where he flipped me off because his idiot group leader told him too. Minion.

“Tex, I take it you’ve probably met Trace already?”

“I waved.”

“So you flipped her off?” Monroe stopped walking.

“Nixon said—”

“I swear if you finish that sentence I’m castrating you in your sleep.” Monroe poked his chest. “Now apologize to Trace.”

His red hair was spiked all over his head, his teeth were gleaming white in the dusk air as he walked around her and stood in front of me. “I’m sorry I flipped you off. I’m also sorry I didn’t get to see you this close up. You’re pretty. Care to ditch the party tonight? I’m sure we could find a way to entertain—”

“—I said apologize, not hit on her.” Monroe pushed him away. He laughed and then pulled her into a hug. “Excuse him, Trace. He’s almost as big of an ass as Nixon.”

“She said
almost
.” Tex laughed and walked in between us, putting an arm around each of us as we made our way into the main lobby of the building.

“Speaking of the devil…” Monroe said under her breath as Nixon held court in the middle of the room.

I felt like I was walking in slow motion. Like I wasn’t actually living this life but watching someone else live it. Or at least watching it on TV.

Nixon stood in the middle of the room. He was wearing black slacks and a tight baby blue shirt with a skinny tie and vest. He looked like he was modeling for Gucci or something. He even had aviators on. Oh gosh, I have officially died and gone to magazine model hell.

Chase was next to him, in tight black jeans and a sweater vest that could have done Tommy Hilfiger proud. Tex moved past us to knock fists with them. And then I noticed Phoenix make his way through the crowd and embrace Tex pumping him twice on the back.

Nixon took off his sunglasses and examined me slowly. His eyes narrowed until I could barely see the icy blue. He snapped his head to Monroe and nodded just once. “Nice work, Monroe. She looks like she actually belongs here.”

“She does belong here, you idiot.” Monroe moved past me and air kissed her brother on either side of his face before returning to me.

“The way I see it…” Nixon grinned. “She won a silly contest. The same contest we put on every year so that the poor underprivileged people of the world are able to join the high society. She…” He pointed at me and smirked. “Is just a number.”

“At least I’m not an ass,” I spat. To my utter horror and complete humiliation it fell silent all around us.

Nixon slowly approached me. Rage was evident in his eyes but I couldn’t back down. I refused to be bullied by some privileged rich kid who thought he ruled the known universe just because he was good-looking and had money.

“Is this on?” A guy spoke into a microphone. “Attention, everyone.”

Nixon shook his head and backed off, making his way toward the stage.

“Your student body president would like to welcome you all back to school!”

Okay, so maybe he was a type of president. I clenched my teeth and waited. Monroe patted me on the arm as Nixon made his way to the stage.

People chanted his name over and over again. Funny how his name was Nixon. I smirked to myself and noticed that Nixon’s eyes never left my face.

“I’d like to introduce someone….” Oh no, oh hell no.

“She’s new here…” He stared at me coldly. “And I want everyone to give her a warm, Eagle Elite welcome! Please clap your hands for… Dr. Tessa Stevens, our new history professor.”

I blew out the breath I’d been holding and struggled to keep my hands at my sides. The only way I could smile was by imagining my hands around Nixon’s throat.

A pretty middle-aged woman waved from the side of the stage. Nixon clapped in her direction and flashed a devastating smile.

Suck up.

“Now, I know all of you are eager to start the welcome party.” He winked in my direction. The bastard.

Monroe wrapped her arm around me and whispered for me to calm down. Did I look that angry? I got my answer the minute I felt another hand on my back.

I flipped around and saw Chase smile and touch me briefly on the shoulder, inclining his head in my direction. I seriously almost punched him in the nose. I felt manipulated when they were mean and I felt manipulated when they were nice. It was like I always had to watch my back.

“I’m sure you’ve all noticed we have a new student. The winner of the annual Eagle Elite lottery registered this morning.” Nixon’s dimples widened right along with his smile. “Trace, why don’t you come up here and say a few words?”

No. I shook my head and dug my heels into the ground. But Chase had a hold of my arm and tugged me toward the stage. I looked back at Monroe, but she was currently fighting her own battle with Tex. He had both of her arms firmly behind her back in a tight grip. At least he mouthed sorry to me.

Phoenix was nowhere to be seen, but I’m sure he was around for backup just in case I decided to attempt to break Chase’s nose.

Each step clanged in the large room. I could feel my own heartbeat as I made my way toward the stage.

Nixon held his hand out to me, but I was afraid to take it, afraid that if I did he would jerk back or embarrass me. I couldn’t trust him, and he knew it. Yet if I didn’t grab it, I would be insulting him, which was apparently an unforgiveable sin.

I prayed he’d take my hand.

Shaking, I reached out to grasp his hand.

Shock at his warm touch overwhelmed me. His eyes hooded as he looked down at our joined hands. Briefly, it looked like his face relaxed and I saw a different person. One who wasn’t in league with the devil.

As quickly as it had happened, his face tightened and he dropped my hand. I watched as he rubbed it on his slacks and then flexed it as if I had somehow held it too tight.

He cleared his throat. “Trace Rooks, everyone.”

People clapped because he was clapping. They weren’t actually excited to see me up there, nor did they even care. Most of them had bored expressions on their faces. I nervously scanned the crowd for Monroe, she was beaming. Her expression gave me strength. I immediately got choked up thinking of grandma, how she told me I could do this. That nobody could tell me I wasn’t worthwhile.

“Trace Rooks, if that isn’t a backcountry name, I don’t know what is. “ I joked into the microphone. “I come from a place where cows outnumber people and the local bartender knows everyone by name.” I took a deep breath. “I guess you could say I’m completely out of my element, but I’m thankful nonetheless. I’m thankful for the opportunity to expand my education and even more so, I’m thankful that while I’ve been standing here Nixon hasn’t attempted to trip me or knock me off the stage. Guess there’s hope for me yet. Moo.”