Clear Lake Academy holds the worst of the worst delinquents from around the country. Each and every student there holds a notorious background that led them there and almost everyone avoids them.
After setting the tenth building on fire, which just...
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A D I R
I yanked the door open with far more force than necessary, patience already worn thin from the relentless knocking that had been echoing through the room for the past minute straight. By the time I finally pushed myself up and crossed the room, I was already irritated enough to snap at whoever stood on the other side. But the words died in my throat the moment I saw who it was.
Standing there, looking entirely too comfortable, was Sawyer. Dark hair, that same infuriatingly smug expression, and the exact presence Adir had hoped never to deal with again.
"Absolutely not." And with that, I slammed the door shut in his face.
Silence lasted exactly half a second. Then the knocking came back—louder this time, sharper, more insistent.
"Hey! Open the door!" Sawyer bellowed from the other end, his knuckles rapping impatiently on the door.
I turned away like I hadn't heard a thing and headed back toward my bed.
Laken appeared beside me out of nowhere, drawn in by the noise like a cat spotting movement. "Who is it?"
"Fucking Madron."
Laken's entire expression lit up in a way that could only be described as dangerous enthusiasm. He moved toward the door immediately. "Oh, this is going to be fun."
I didn't even bother stopping him. I just sat back against the wall, crossing my legs and letting my head rest against the headboard, already exhausted by whatever was about to unfold.
Laken swung the door open with full confidence and immediately took a hit straight to the forehead. He recoiled back with a sharp hiss, clutching his head. "Ow!"
"Dimwit." Sawyer muttered as he pushed past him without a second glance, stepping into the room like he owned the place.
"An apology would be appreciated." Laken shot him a foul look before shutting the door.
Sawyer didn't even look back. "How was I supposed to know you were going to actually open the door? Also, why was your head even there?"
Laken looked personally offended by that logic.
I didn't bother entertaining either of them.
"What do you want?" I asked, cutting straight through the noise.
Sawyer finally looked at me, hands shoved into his pockets as he scanned the room quickly. "I have something that could help—"
"Nothing you say is helpful or even remotely smart." Laken cut in instantly.
Sawyer's jaw tightened. "Just shut up and listen." He shifted his weight, clearly uncomfortable under the combined weight of our stares. "I should've said something earlier," he continued, voice rougher now, "but I didn't like you guys, and I thought it was irrelevant. Apparently not."
