“That’s our boy. That’s it,” Caleb muttered to himself.
“Which one did you bet on?” I asked.
“Murphy’s Law,” Caleb said. “He’s in second right now. Look—”
The dark black horse—Murphy’s Law—cut around the final corner, his muscles rippled from under his freshly groomed pelt and his powerful legs carried him to the finish line. The crowd screeched as he raced alongside another horse, a golden one with a white spot on his nose.
“Come on. Come on...” Caleb muttered.
But at the finish line, the golden horse surged forward, along with a second horse, a brown one with black blotches along his backside. This left Murphy’s Law in third place and Caleb smashed his fist against his knee, muttering, “Dammit.”
“Doesn’t third get you some kind of cash?” I asked.
Caleb shrugged. “It isn’t winning.”
After the race finished, the crowd streamed down from the stands, working their way toward a bar area to the east of the stadium. Waiters in swanky black and white outfits passed out champagne, non-alcoholic drinks and other various cocktails, even to students. I scanned the crowd, noting that everyone was drinking—that it didn’t seem to matter what age you were. I grabbed a champagne flute and clinked glasses with Kieran, Caleb, and Dante, before tossing the liquid back. Bubbles turned over my tongue.
“There you are.” The voice was bright and cheerful.
The four of us turned to find Kieran’s father and mother, the Winters. Although Mrs. Winter’s voice was chipper, her face was sterile and hard, as though she’d had a few too many sessions with her plastic surgeon.
“Good to see you, boys. Did you make bets?” Governor Winters asked.
“Kieran and I did,” Caleb offered. “But we bet all wrong— on Murphy’s Law.”
“Shame,” Governor Winters said, although he didn’t sound regretful at all. Then his eyes fell to me and swept the length of my body, up and down, in a way that felt oddly sexual and invasive. “You must be the new girl from Ridgewood.”
He snuck his hand out and I shook it, hating the feel of his skin against mine.
“That I am,” I answered and feigned a huge smile. “Ridgewood girl.”
“This is Kennedy Harper,” Kieran said.
I gave him a half-smile, grateful that he gave me a name in a world that wanted to make me feel so small.
“What did you think of the festivities, Kennedy?” Mrs. Winters asked, showing bright, perfectly straight teeth, which were probably a very expensive set of veneers.
“Really flashy,” I said, looking back at the horses, struggling to come up with the right words. “It was incredible. I wish I could have bet, but I’m still too young.”
A waiter passed me, delivering another round of champagne. I made heavy eye contact with him, secretly wishing he knew that I was from Ridgewood just like him. Instead, at this moment, I was one of them and my stomach grew tense, full of knots.
Hailey weaved through the crowd, her long tanned legs looking gorgeous beneath her miniskirt. My eyes swept down to her five-inch Louboutin heels. Jesus, they were worth a small fortune and could probably pay our rent for the entire year. As she pushed past me like I didn’t exist, she cut her elbow out, connecting it with my champagne glass. The liquid splattered across my breasts, then danced across the belly of Mrs. Winters’ gown. Of course, Mrs. Winters hadn’t noticed Hailey and instead shrieked at me, her cheeks growing hollow.
“You really must be careful, Kennedy. My goodness...” She grabbed a handkerchief from her purse and began to press it against the fine fabric, muttering to herself.
Kieran squeezed my elbow, drawing his lips toward my ear. “They’re both massive bitches. Don’t worry about it.”
“And what in heaven’s name happened to your hand?” his mother said now.
Kieran spun back toward her, his face icy. “I got it caught in the car door.”
She smirked, as though she knew her son far too well to accept this lie. “Is that so?”
“I’ve dealt with it, Mother.”
I shifted, glancing down at the slowly-drying splatters of champagne. Why had I thought it would be okay for me to come to this event as if I would fit in? Was it out of some kind of morbid interest? Just to know what kind of torment Hailey would put me through?
Of course, a bit of champagne spilled on me wasn’t all that bad. It certainly didn’t measure up to having your sex video passed around at school.
After the cocktail hour had finished, Governor Winters announced that it was time to return to Crestwood Academy for dinner and the gala. Once at the school, all the winners would be announced and their bet money distributed among the winners. Of course, Governor Winters hinted that it would be most beneficial for the school if all the bet money would be donated instead. He said this into the microphone with a wink, then added, “But I know what kind of greedy bastards this race attracts.”
Laughter bellowed out among the crowd as we walked in a sea of other Crestwood students and their parents, making our way back toward the vehicle. I slipped in the back and allowed my head to fall against the headrest. Kieran drove us toward the school and no one spoke throughout the drive, all of us lost in our own thoughts.
The gala was held in the ballroom, located on the back end of Crestwood Academy. As we walked from the parking lot, my eyes returned to the flapping tarp, which still covered up my graffiti. I had heard whispers that they were struggling to figure out how to remove it properly without damaging the stone beneath.
“Such a horrible tarp,” I heard a mother say as she sauntered along with her son, her heels clicking on the pavement. “I do hope some of the money we raise tonight will go toward fixing it.”
I had never been inside the Crestwood ballroom, only the auditorium, which was enormous. The double doors were two-stories high and opened wide for the stream of guests to enter into the marble-floored foyer. On the far end of the foyer hung a large painting of the previous headmaster—probably Headmaster Blair’s father, Hailey’s great-great-grandfather. The man in the painting seemed to smirk down at us from the safety of his 1920s-era. I wondered what he would think of a Ridgewood student arriving at Crestwood.
An orchestra had been set up in the far corner of the ballroom. Already, they swung their bows over their instruments, sweeping into ridiculous and pompous dance music.
“Does everyone here know how to waltz or something?” I asked Dante as I took in my surroundings.
At this, he gave me what I thought to be a genuine smile. “We had to learn when we were kids.”
Jesus. This really is a different world.
Boundless tables had been set up for the guests. Waiters dipped in and out of the attached kitchen, carrying even more drinks. The smell of roasted meat, fresh-baked bread, and sweet desserts crested from the inner belly of the kitchen. My stomach whirled around with knots from hunger.
I sat at a table with the boys, just a few feet away from Hailey, her parents, and Headmaster Blair. I felt Hailey’s eyes on me and when I tried to make contact, she looked away with her chin up in the air. I watched a small evil grin playing at the corners of her mouth and a wave of fear passed over me. Hailey was up to something. I just didn’t know what or if I was just paranoid. I honestly thought I had been through enough already.
Dinner was served and everyone received the same plate, piled high with luxurious foods. The orchestra continued to sweep from one super-old orchestral tune to the next and the hum of conversation in the ballroom rose and fell as the meal continued. The boys seemed in sour spirits and I wondered if I had done something wrong. Maybe telling them about my Dad had been the wrong thing to do?
I had to make it right. They were the only people in the world I could currently trust right now. Teony had abandoned me and Hailey was out to make my life a living hell.
“Listen, guys...” I began, hardly able to touch another piece of food. “About what happened in the car—”
> “Shhhh.” Everyone in the crowd piped down, telling one another to hush. Hailey and Headmaster Blair walked to the center of the ballroom. Hailey snaked her arm through her grandfather’s as though she was helping him walk. I wondered how weak the old man really was. His movements seemed antiquated like his bones were crackling beneath him.
Someone rushed up to pass Hailey a microphone. You could see she had reapplied her coat of lipstick, and her lips looked all bloody and strange when she smiled.
“Good evening, everyone,” her voice sounded larger than life. “Thank you again for your incredible donations to our school, along with your wildly generous bets at the race track. I know most of you couldn’t help yourself, but it’s still much appreciated.
“Now, it’s time to announce who bet on the right horse! As you know, the stats were in line for Murphy’s Law to take it. But unfortunately for many of you, the horse Peanut Butter Fudge took the lead.” She chuckled, casting her grandfather a funny, false smile. “What silly names these people come up with!”
Headmaster Blair didn’t return the smile.
Hailey reached into her pocket and drew out a piece of paper. “Only three people bet on Peanut Butter to win,” she continued, her eyes downcast on the paper she held. “After I announce your names, please come up to the front so we can all pick you apart for cheating. Er—” She winked and then laughed. “That is, so we can all congratulate you on knowing the future.”
God, this was so boring. I glanced toward the doorway, wondering if anyone would notice if I walked out, jumped on the bus and went back to Ridgewood for the night. Maybe Wren would want to come over for a sleepover. We hadn’t done that in eons.
“Tyler Dirndl,” Hailey announced, “Peter Franklin. And—last but not least—our newest member at Crestwood Academy, Kennedy Harper.”
At once, Caleb, Dante, and Kieran’s eyes were upon me. My lips parted in shock as I looked out at the sea of people that were now staring at me.
“What?” I whispered.
“You bet? You bet on Peanut Butter Fudge?” Kieran asked, his voice low.
“No. I didn’t bet on any of them. I’m only seventeen...” I whispered, hoping they would believe me.
The other two winners had already reached the center of the ballroom. Hailey’s eyes tore into me and my legs were too weak. I couldn’t stand.
“Someone set you up,” Kieran stated. He turned his attention back to Hailey and his cheeks sagged. “I think I know what happened here.”
“Kennedy! Kennedy Harper! Don’t be afraid.” Hailey giggled into the microphone. Her voice was like venom. “Kennedy, here is a new student from Ridgewood. She isn’t accustomed to things like this, I suppose. We all have to have a great deal of patience with her, don’t we, Grandfather?”
What a bitch! I muttered to myself.
Every single eye in the ballroom was staring at me. I rose up on shivering legs, and my hands clenched at my sides as I walked toward Hailey. My heartfelt like it was going to explode through my chest.
“There she is,” Hailey pointed between the crowds of people. She reached an arm around my shoulder when I stepped beside her, still speaking into the microphone. “And—Kennedy, I must ask. You are eighteen, aren’t you?”
The words rang out, echoing from wall to wall in the massive ballroom and I swallowed hard, feeling her trap grow around me.
“Kennedy? It’s really best that you answer a question when it’s asked. Maybe that’s not how they do it back in Ridgewood,” Hailey continued and then cast a disappointed look on her pretty little face.
This got a few light laughs from the audience.
I took a slight step to the side, breaking her arm from my shoulder.
“Kennedy,” Hailey persuaded, her voice growing more ferocious. She dropped the microphone to her side, drawing a delicious smile across her face. “You aren’t telling us that you bet when you’re only seventeen years old, are you? Because that’s completely against the rules. In fact, that goes against all California law.”
Headmaster Blair’s eyes reached mine and his lips turned down. “Kennedy. I must insist that you go to my office immediately.”
I swallowed hard and then the rage tore through me. How was it possible that Hailey could do something like this and get away with it? Had she known that Peanut Butter Fudge was going to win? Or had she just slipped my name in after he had crossed the finish line?
“You did this on purpose; you set me up,” I muttered to her, my fists clenched at my sides.
Behind us, the orchestra flung into a frenzy, seemingly wanting to cover up the current awkwardness of the situation.
“You did this to me because you want me to be kicked out of Crestwood,” I seethed through clenched teeth, but only loud enough for Hailey to hear.
Her eyes shimmered with anger and excitement simultaneously. “You don’t deserve to be here,” she chided, her voice cruel.
Headmaster Blair had taken a few steps away and Governor Winters huddled close to him, muttering something in his ear. I imagined they were talking about how to handle the situation and my illegal activity.
“Says who?” I demanded of Hailey. “Why is it up to you who stays or who goes?”
Hailey smirked. “It’s not like you think you belong here. You’ve put a mark on your back since the beginning— that ridiculous graffiti outside? You never wanted to be here. And yet, here you are, taking my boyfriend...stealing my friends...”
“Come on,” I scoffed. “Kieran isn’t your boyfriend.”
Hailey’s smile grew even more demonic. “You know what the worst part of all of this is?”
I looked at her like she had just been released from a psychiatric ward. “What are you talking about?”
Slowly, Hailey snuck the microphone toward her lips. I had half a mind to leap toward her and tear the microphone away. I knew that whatever happened next would damage me in ways I couldn’t fully understand. Not yet, anyway.
But I was almost too curious to stop it. It was like watching a storm come in and not take cover. It was intoxicating.
“All these people don’t know what you did,” Hailey started. The words swept through the microphone, filling the air of the ballroom. “Admit it, Kennedy Harper. You’re a murderer.”
I took a step back as my lips formed a round O. Horror shook me as I stood there gaping at her. No. This was too terrible.
“You killed your father. You murdered him.”
I leaped back, tears springing to my eyes. I wanted to scream. Shock rollicked through me, making me weak at the knees. Everything went foggy, like I had been wearing glasses the whole time and just had them ripped off my face. The ballroom grew quiet with hushed gasps. All eyes were fixed on me and I knew they were thinking exactly what I had thought of myself for over a year.
I was a murderer. I was the one that killed my father. I hadn’t been paying attention. And I had forced him to come with me, thinking that I knew best. Why the hell did I always think I knew best? Why had I thought he would be safe with me?
As I fell to my knees, I felt strong arms wrap around my torso, lifting me up immediately and darkness shrouded my eyes. I mumbled something, my heart thudding. “The boys. They told her,” I whispered. “They were in on it the entire time.”
This was the only thing that made sense now. Every single part of my body felt exhausted and strung out. I shook wildly, even as I lost complete consciousness. I no longer knew who to trust or where to turn. I knew in the deepest part of my soul that there was no turning back from this. I would have to go back to Ridgewood. I would have to lick my wounds and admit who I was in front of everyone.
I was my father’s demise. I wasn’t worthy of any art accolades or spots in top-calibre colleges or whatever the hell else Crestwood kids got, just for being Crestwood kids.
I was nothing.
Chapter Seventeen
“Kennedy! Kennedy!”
My name rang out, echoing through my skull. I blinke
d my eyes open to find myself in an unfamiliar space and stretched out on a mattress. Above me was a beautiful window, tilted to show the higher mountains overlooking Crestwood and the backdrop of twinkling stars. I felt like I was in a dream and my brain couldn’t fill in the gaps of what had happened.
Large hands gripped my shoulders, shaking me awake. I turned to look at Kieran, hovering above me. His eyes were glossy with worry and a soft smile appeared across his normally stern face.
“There you are. You’re back.” He murmured and moved a strand of hair out of my face.
For a moment, I let myself live in the warmth of the moment. Kieran’s lips were just a few inches from mine, wet, full and hungry. His fingers traced slowly down my arms, the tips of them flickering near my breasts and I arched my back a little, bringing my belly toward his muscular chest.
“What’s going on? Why am I here?” I whispered, trying to remember the events.
“You fainted,” Kieran said. “At the gala. We drove you back to my house. Here. Have some water.”
He gripped a large glass and passed it toward me. I accepted it, drawing up so I could lean on an elbow and sipped it. Slowly the memories of the past few hours came back. My name added to the list of people who had won the bets at the race track—an effort to get me kicked out of the school. Then, Hailey announcing in front of everyone— students and their parents and the school faculty that I’d killed my dad.
“You were the only people I had told about that,” I said to Kieran then, my voice thick with confusion as I inched away from him. “Why the fuck did you tell Hailey? What kind of game are you playing?” I looked at him in horror, trying to study his face.
“We didn’t tell her anything, Kennedy,” Kieran claimed. “We wouldn’t do that. Secrets, gossip. That isn’t our game. It’s the bane of Crestwood. We’re above that shit.”
Wicked Blue Bloods: A Highschool Bully Romance - Crestwood Academy Book 1 Page 13
