Pride: an austen reimagined novel | 1

Chapter Twenty-Six: Austin

I'd heard her yell my name. I'd heard the way she'd yelled our last name so she didn't give the game away. I'd also heard her less than stellar comment after that.

"Stop brooding," Cass huffed.

I stretched my jaw again, looking at the bruise in the mirror. It wasn't big, but Lily had given it to me when she stormed up to me after 'Jax's' red card and smashed me in the face. It wasn't exactly the present of a willing courtship, but I'd take what interaction I could get.

"I have to go to the library," I said, ignoring both her and my brother. I hadn't seen Lily since Sunday when she'd punched me. Well...class didn't really count.

Neither of them spoke and I walked out, making my way through the corridors. As I came up on the library, I saw Anders leaning into a girl against the wall. I was surprised that all I felt was relief it wasn't Lily. It was some girl from the Hartford Dorm... Regina something... Her friends called her Queenie and she came from money, just not enough to buy into Rosings.

"Was it worth it?"

I whirled around and found Lily standing next to me. I thought for a moment she was talking to Anders, but her green eyes were focussed on me, looking as angry as I'd ever seen her. I slid a glance to Anders and Queenie, feeling rather awkward. I might not have liked the guy, but I sure as hell didn't want Lily to see him like that with another girl, and I even more didn't want to be a part of the discovery.

Her anger shifted to confusion and she followed my gaze. I saw her eyes widen and I'm pretty sure she shrugged before turning back to me, her hands on her hips. She, like me, was still in her uniform, her tie a little askew.

"Was it worth it?" she asked again.

"What?"

"Was giving away a penalty, getting...Jax a red card and losing us the game three-nil, worth your ego? Are you quite happy now? Why don't you take a shot at him now, where you won't affect the rest of us!" she hissed.

I was still stunned by her lack of reaction to Anders. I did, in fact, want to go and take a shot at him now, even if only on her behalf. I knew the guy was a cad, but seriously, even I didn't think he'd be that... Well, anyone who passed up Lily for another girl had to be an absolute idiot.

Instead of admitting any of that, I shrugged. "It's fine, we have more games."

She glared at me. "One game. We have one more game and we are drawing with them now. Like down to every single differentiating mark. If we don't win the next game, then we're going to lose the clash, Austin. Are you going to be an arsehole at the next game?"

I grinned at her lazily. "When you say arsehole-"

"Your right side is looking terribly bruise-free, Austin... I would be more than willing to help with that..." she said, her tone a warning.

Despite the pure fury and distaste on her face, I still wanted to pick her up and kiss her. Her hair was, for once, not flying around her head as she'd pulled it back in a braid, but curls were still escaping. My fingers itched to brush them back.

"What are you staring at?" she asked with a huff.

I blinked, realising I was probably just drooling all over her. "Are you not at all fussed about Anders over there?" was not what I'd intended to come out of my mouth.

She looked over, blinked a couple of times, then looked back to me.

"I have a much more obstinate man-child to fuss about right now-"

"I thought you were desperately in love?"

She snorted and shook her head. "You have some strange notions, Cooper. I liked him yes, but considering that sight doesn't really bother me, I'm going to go ahead and say that I've never been much in love. Though, why I'm telling you, I don't know. Just..." She sighed. "I'll see you at practice. Still five?"