Perfectly Flawed

Five - Screw Your Position

Chapter Five

Jasper Thornton was staring at Gabrielle. She could feel his eyes on her as she flicked through her accounting textbook, burning a hole in the back of her head. She really wished he would stop.

She also wished she didn't blush when she turned around and met his eyes. Gabrielle Montgomery does not blush.

Matilda was next to Gabrielle, sighing and scribbling out her writing.

"Struggling?" Gabrielle asked, raising an eyebrow.

Matilda swallowed and looked over at Gabrielle, "No, I just... I, yes."

"You should get a tutor for that. This isn't the class you want to fail. Especially not with your father's business on the line," she replied disinterestedly.

"I.... Uh yes, you're right. Thanks."

Gabrielle rolled her eyes and returned to her books. This class was a joke - she learned more about accounting from the summer she spent in England when she was 14, and she really wasn't enjoying being stared at. She was getting so distracted that she begun messing up the simplest questions.

Fed up, she turned around and stared back at Jasper. "Do you have a problem?" She spat.

He stared at her, his cold eyes empty. "Do you?"

Groaning slightly, she slammed her textbooks closed, shoved her chair back and sauntered out of the room, straight past the timid teacher who didn't question her.

Gabrielle had no time for petty games and boys who couldn't keep their eyes to themselves.

Especially not for boys who work for the enemy. Or boys as dangerously good looking as Jasper Thornton.

--

"This year blows already," Imogen moaned, walking alongside Gabrielle to the dining hall.

"We've been here for five minutes," Gabrielle deadpanned.

Imogen tightened her blazer around her chest, crossing her arms. "I've done everyone I can, no one has anything interesting to say... Nothing interesting is happening. At all. We're not newbies anymore - things are meant to be fun!"

"There's nothing fun about preparing to take over our fathers' empires," Gabrielle muttered.

"Let alone the fact that you've come back with some pole up your ass! Jesus, last year we used to have some fun!"

"Last year was different, Imogen. I'd expect you of all people to understand my position."

"Screw your position! You're nowhere near your family anymore! Take your hair out of that fucking bun and let loose a little! You'll be whisked away into a big leather chair soon enough."

Gabrielle struggled to remain calm. Imogen had this perspective about life, like it was something she was entitled to, not something she had to work for and carve her place. Gabrielle knew different - she was responsible of her future, and if she couldn't become brilliant, then she may as well not even try.

"Enough, Imogen. You obviously don't get it anymore."

Imogen spat out a mean laugh. "Whatever. I'll see you later." She spun on her heel and headed in the opposite direction, toward the car park.

"Imogen-" Gabrielle groaned, stepping to follow her. No, she decided, let her make her own stupid decisions. If she wants to act like a child then she can be treated like a child.

Touching up the traitorous bun, Gabrielle continued to the dining hall, where she allowed Emma Baxter-Grey and Maeve Harrison to sit with her. The two girls dutifully chatted quietly between themselves, not bothering Gabrielle, who spent the entire meal fuming and trying to ignore the eyes of Jasper on her once again.