BriarEdge Academy: December Read online

  Isis looked devious. “I guess you do.”

  “Why do you look so pleased by that?” asked Candace with a touch of nervousness.

  “I’ve been volunteered into helping decorate for the Christmas dance, since art class is doing the props and backgrounds. So, you can be my assistant. The work will get done faster, so we don’t have to hang out there too long.”

  “Sure, I can help with that. It might be fun.”

  Isis looked doubtful. “I guess anything’s possible.”

  “When do we decorate?” asked Candace.

  “The art class has already started, but everyone else will hit the gym a few days before the dance is scheduled. It’s taking place the last Saturday before we all go home for Christmas break, so you don’t have to worry about it just yet. I won’t need your help until the active decorating phase.”

  Candace giggled. “‘The active decorating phase.’ That sounds so…military or something. I’m happy to help, and it’s a small trade-off for what you did for me. Thank you, Isis.”

  Isis shrugged a shoulder. “What are friends for if not lying to mothers and cockblocking pervy teachers?” She grinned and added a wink with the words.

  The reminder of Manion made her skin crawl, but she managed a weak laugh. “Maybe I’ve been doing friendship all wrong.”

  Chapter Three

  Candace

  Candace woke on her birthday not feeling any older, though it was the milestone that now considered her mostly an adult. There were still some things she couldn’t do yet, but for most purposes, she was responsible for her own decisions. She wished she could skip the last few months of school, but it wouldn’t do much good anyway, since two of her boyfriends were still at BriarEdge.

  Three if she counted Kip, and she doubted Headmaster Hastings would let her hang around and move in with Kip if she suddenly dropped out and openly declared their relationship. He’d send them both packing.

  Resigned to spending five more months at BriarEdge and somewhere in a fuzzy state between adolescence and adulthood, she got up and showered before dressing in the uniform and heading downstairs. She ran into Octavia in the main floor rec room, and they headed to the dining hall together.

  When they entered, Lex was standing near the doorway, and he took her hand. She braced herself for a reaction to her having sat with Dalton a couple of days ago, since she hadn’t sat with Lex since then. He’d been spending more time with Wills, and she wasn’t any friendlier with Wills than she had been. “Good morning,” she said with a hint of hesitancy, though she saw no signs of irritation in his expression or body language.

  “Good morning, Candace.” He leaned over and kissed her quickly on the mouth and pulled back before anyone could object. The dining hall monitor, a teacher Candace didn’t know, side-eyed them, but she didn’t say anything.

  They fell into step with the rest of the people waiting in line for breakfast, and she clutched Lex’s hand. “I was afraid you might be upset that I sat with Dalton the other day.”

  He frowned. “It’s an adjustment, but I get it. I’m sorry I’ve been sitting with Wills more. He’s going through a rough patch right now.”

  She arched a brow. “What, he lost a million dollars out of his trust fund in the stock market?”

  Lex gave her a disapproving look. “I know he’s not your favorite person, but his grandmother died. They were really close.”

  Candace looked down, feeling awful about making the joke under the circumstances. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said that—”

  Lex suddenly chuckled. “I’m kidding. He broke up with his girlfriend.”

  “You jerk.” She socked him lightly in the bicep. “That’s for making me feel awful.”

  Lex chuckled, clearly unrepentant. “Yeah, I know. I’m sorry, but I couldn’t resist, and your face was totally worth it.”

  “That was kind of mean,” said Octavia, speaking from behind them. She sounded a little hesitant, since she often got tongue-tied around boys. Even Lex, who was obviously not interested in her, could make it difficult for her to talk, so Candace was glad to see her join in on the teasing.

  “I know, right?” She put her hands on her hips and shook her head at Lex. “And on my birthday.”

  “That’s today?” His eyes narrowed. “You’re just playing with me, aren’t you? Trying to get back at me?”

  She shook her head slowly, clicking her tongue. She truly wasn’t upset that he’d forgotten, since they hadn’t been dating that long, comparatively, and Lex didn’t seem to care if she was eighteen before they had sex. They just hadn’t had a chance to be alone long enough together to accomplish the deed yet.

  “I can’t believe I forgot.” As he spoke, Lex reached into the pocket of his blazer and pulled out a cupcake. He produced a candle from his other pocket, along with a lighter. “Or did I?” He grinned, clearly proud of himself as he held out the single-serve cupcake. “Happy birthday.”

  She giggled at his antics before turning when the serving person said, “Hey, you’re holding up the line.”

  After retrieving her tray, she waited for Lex and Octavia, the three of them moving to a table together. She was somewhat surprised when Dalton joined them a bit later, though he sat beside Octavia and across from her instead of Lex. The two boys didn’t really look at each other, and Dalton seemed irked that Lex had remembered her birthday and had already given her a cupcake with a candle. Octavia opened the cupcake, and Lex put in the candle before lighting it. Thinking of a wish, she bent forward to blow out the flame.

  Before she could, breath whooshed over her shoulder, extinguishing the flicker. She turned to see who was bothering her, and she wasn’t surprised to find Malone standing there with her piranhas.

  “I know what I wished for.” She gave Candace a malicious grin. “Maybe it’ll come true, though you’re still here, so probably not.”

  Candace shook her head. “You can be a real bitch sometimes, Malone. I’m sure there must be times when you aren’t, but I’ve never seen them. Maybe your roommate would know?” She looked at the piranha whom she thought shared a room with Malone. “Does she sleep like a bitch too, or does she actually keep her mouth shut for eight hours?”

  Octavia snickered, while the piranha glared at her, and Malone put her hands on her hips. “You think you’re untouchable? Just because I haven’t gotten rid of you yet doesn’t mean I’ve given up. You’re going to be out of here if it’s the last thing I do.”

  Dalton yawned. “Keep it up, and it’ll be the last thing you do on Dad’s dime. You really need to stop, Malone.”

  She sneered at her brother. “And you need to stop panting after your stepsister, you sick freak.” With a toss of her hair, she turned on her heel and strode away with the piranhas at her heels.

  A tense silence overtook the table for a long moment, and then Dalton stood up. “I have to take care something before class. Happy birthday again, Candace.” His expression was closed as he turned and walked to the bussing station.

  She was sad to see him go, but she was also impressed that he bussed his own tray. It was the first time she’d ever seen him do that. Like most of the entitled brats in the dining hall, he usually left his tray behind for the staff or one of the scholarship kids to clean up instead.

  “Malone’s way off,” said Octavia with an uncomfortable chuckle. “Her mind just jumps to the grossest places, huh?”

  Lex gave Candace a look before standing up. “Well, I’ll see you in science class. Happy birthday, honey.”

  She lifted her hand and waved at him as he walked away. When he was out of range, she looked at Octavia. “Are you done?” At Octavia’s nod, she said, “Let’s find somewhere quieter to talk.”

  Together, they bussed their trays and left the dining hall. Recalling there was an empty classroom down the hall that wasn’t used during first period, and it was the same one Dalton had taken her to before, she led Octavia in and closed the door. She leaned against it, since there w
as no lock. “I need to tell you something.”

  Octavia’s eyes widened. “You look awful. You aren’t dying, are you?” She clapped her hand to her mouth almost as soon as she said the words. “Oh my gosh, you really aren’t dying, are you? That would be so insensitive.”

  Candace grinned. “No, not dying, at least no more than anyone else. I just wanted to talk to you about Lex…and Dalton.”

  Octavia put up her hand. “If you’re trying to fix me up with Dalton, please don’t bother. I don’t—”

  Candace shook her head. “No, it’s not that.” She had to remind herself to retract her claws, since jealousy had swept over her at the idea of Octavia and Dalton hooking up. Fortunately, Octavia had taken the sting out of her jealousy by immediately saying she wasn’t interested when she’d jumped to that assumption.

  “The thing is, I’m dating Lex, but I’m also dating Dalton.” She bit her lip for a minute as she considered confessing about the rest of her love interests. She held back for a moment, waiting to see Octavia’s reaction.

  Her friend looked stunned, and she took a couple of deep breaths, but she didn’t freak out. Instead, she sounded matter-of-fact when she said, “You have your own reverse harem.”

  Candace arched a brow. “What’s that?”

  “One girl and three or more guys, and she doesn’t choose among them. Well, I guess you would be a ménage? I think that’s the right term for two guys and a girl.”

  Candace blinked. “You’re taking this better than I expected.”

  Octavia blushed as she leaned forward, though there was no one else to hear her whispered admission. “I have a bunch of those books on my iPad. I started reading about a girl in a spy academy, and they got me hooked. She has a bazillion boyfriends, but she hasn’t even kissed all of them yet like a million books later. So, then I went to the hotter kind.” Olivia’s flush deepened. “It’s really fun to read about, though I’ve never met anybody in real life who has that kind of relationship.” She seemed to think it was cool rather than creepy, judging from her slightly envious expression.

  Candace let out a deep breath as relief swept over her. She didn’t like hiding her relationships from Octavia, who was a good friend, but she’d been afraid it would cost her the friendship if it was too far out of the norm for her friend, whom she’d pegged as sexually conservative. To know she was reading those reverse harem romances was a shocking revelation. It was almost as shocking as Candace dating more than one boy.

  “About that…” She cleared her throat. “I guess technically it would be a harem, er, reverse harem.”

  “No, that’s three or more,” said Octavia with patience.

  “Yeah, but there’s Jonas too.”

  Octavia’s eyes widened. “The caretaker of the roses? I knew you talked to him, but you didn’t give any indication it was more than that when we were in Farley that weekend for Halloween costumes.”

  Candace shrugged a shoulder. “I wasn’t sure how you’d respond. I thought you might think I was a horrible person. Everybody knows about everyone, of course.” She decided not to mention her rocky start, when she’d tried to hide the others from each guy. She still felt guilty about that.

  “Isn’t it weird with Dalton though? I mean, he is your stepbrother, plus he’s been a really big bully.”

  Candace nodded. “Yeah, it’s strange. It’s still new as well, and I hate to say it, but I’m holding back some to make sure he really has changed. I don’t want to get my heart broken.”

  Octavia shrugged. “I guess it wouldn’t matter though. You have two other guys to fall back on.”

  Candace bit her tongue so she didn’t snap at her friend. “It’s not like that, okay? I don’t love any of them less than any other, and they’re replaceable if I lose one.”

  Octavia’s eyes widened. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to offend you. I was actually making what turned out to be a weak joke.”

  At Octavia’s conciliatory words, Candace was glad she hadn’t let more than a little hint of irritation leak through her tone. “It’s okay. I just wanted to make it clear that it’s not like I’m stocking up for winter, you know?”

  Octavia let out a peal of laughter. “Oh my gosh, that’s the best description. So, are there any more acorns in your oak tree?”

  She rolled her eyes. “I don’t think squirrels keep their nuts in trees, do they?”

  Octavia shrugged. “I have no idea, but based on your non-answer, there are more acorns, aren’t there?”

  “Just one more.” She lowered her voice to a whisper and leaned close so she could tell Octavia Kip’s name without being too loud. When she pulled back, she could see Octavia’s shock.

  “But—” She cut off abruptly when Candace shook her head. “And he reciprocates?”

  Candace nodded. “Nothing’s really happened yet, but things have changed today.”

  Octavia’s eyes widened with comprehension. “You’re eighteen now.”

  Candace nodded. “And I have an invitation to Boston for Christmas break, at least for a few days, so we’ll have some time alone.”

  “Wow, that’s amazing. I can’t even handle one guy, and here you are juggling four. You’re my hero, Candace.” She said that with a bit of snark, and a wink to take the sting from the sarcasm.

  “Whatever. You could totally have a whole harem if you wanted, and you know it. I’m sure that Uber driver Gabe would be first in line.”

  Octavia giggled for a moment, but then her expression changed, looking darker and more serious. “It’s a nice fantasy, but I’m never going to risk that.”

  Her words begged for Candace to get clarification, because Octavia was clearly alluding to something possibly from her past, and it didn’t seem to be just the offhand way someone said they were never getting married or having children. Usually, those words were subject to change as one matured, but she seemed resolute about it, and Candace wanted to know more.

  Unfortunately, the first bell rang then, indicating they only had five minutes to get to their first classes. Questions would have to wait, but she definitely wanted to know what was going on in Octavia’s head.

  After they parted ways, she headed to first period, feeling much better. She’d been afraid Octavia would think she was a horrible person, so it was good to have her friend’s support.

  It was a long day of classes, and all the teachers seemed to want to cram way too many facts into their brains that she was sure she’d forget over winter break. Knowing the sadistic school, they’d probably send home a stack of homework a mile high rather than let them have a real vacation.

  She headed back to her dorm to change out of her uniform and do some studying before dinner. After that, she was going to meet Lex in the library. It was a low-key birthday, but she hadn’t expected anything more, since she was away at school, and her mom couldn’t travel the distance to see her.

  She’d slipped on skinny jeans and a T-shirt before slipping books out of her backpack. She had just arranged them on the desk and was about to sit down when her phone buzzed. She picked it up to read a text message from Octavia.

  Can you come to the main floor rec room? I can’t even describe what’s going on, but I need you here. You have to see this.

  Worried, she texted back “Okay” and put her phone in her pocket before hurrying out of her room and down the stairs. She wasn’t certain what to imagine when she entered the first-floor rec room, but she didn’t expect a surprise party. When several people jumped out and shouted, “Surprise,” at her, her heart raced for a moment, but there was a big, goofy grin on her face.

  She moved closer to the coffee table, where someone had placed a three-tier cake. It was fancy, with fondant flowers and her name and happy birthday message spelled out in a swirly script font. A one and an eight candle dominated the small top tier.

  She blinked as Octavia, Lex, Dalton, and Isis grew closer. She caught sight of Beth with a couple of her friends, and Wills was in the corner. He looked like he didn’
t want to be there, and she didn’t really want him there, but she was wasn’t going to tell him that. There were a few other friendly faces, though she couldn’t recall everyone’s name. “This is really great, you guys.”

  “It was Octavia’s idea,” said Dalton.

  Octavia blushed as everybody looked at her. “You’re eighteen, for goodness sake. We had to have a party.”

  “Thank you.” She reached over and hugged Octavia, and then she received a round of hugs from everyone else. Lex held her longer than the others and placed a kiss on her cheek. Dalton gave her a quick, hard hug, but he grabbed a handful of her bottom and squeezed lightly as he did so.

  She stepped back, and Beth started lighting the candles. She knew just what to wish for—that she could be open with her relationships. That was bound to come true, though she had to wait a few months. With a deep breath, she blew out the candles, and Beth started serving cake. There was also overly sweet fruit punch that reminded her of what they’d had at the Halloween dance, but Lex hadn’t had a chance to spike this one. She considered that a good thing, recalling how foul it had tasted after he’d added whatever from his flask.

  The party lasted a couple of hours, right until they were in danger of having the dining hall close. At that point, they dispersed, and she left the cake for anyone else who might want to a piece, along with a note offering it to everyone.

  There hadn’t been any gifts, but the party itself was more than enough, and she was in a good mood as she walked to the dining hall between Lex and Dalton. Even they seemed to be relaxing a bit with each other, and she was hopeful they might reach status of friends someday. It seemed important for them to be friends to make the relationship work. They had to be able to get along and respect each other if the five of them were going to make this work.

  Before they reached the dining hall, Lex and Dalton steered her into an empty classroom. She looked around. “What’s going on?”