Page 60 of Twisted Heathens
“Yeah right. Ever since I transferred to business, I’ve been completely lost. The professors just fly through the content like its easy, while I’m sitting there trying to count how many roof tiles there are just to keep calm. I miss science.”
“So, transfer back. What’s stopping you?” I point out.
“My parents. They’re the ones that paid for me to be here. They pressured me into doing business and I felt like I couldn’t refuse. Money and all that… it comes with strings, you know? Obligations and shit. So yeah, I’m stuck.”
I look at Teegan for a moment, taking in the glossy dyed red hair and various facial piercings. She’s probably the mellowest, most friendly goth I’ve ever met. A complete softie at heart, beneath the anxious candy coating. I want to throw her parents’ money back in their faces on her behalf. No one should live for someone else.
“If you want to do science then fucking do it. Screw your parents and their money. What kind of cruel assholes send you to a place like this anyway?”
“It was here or the psychiatric unit back in Birmingham. Apparently you’re not considered stable if you break into your neighbour’s house to rearrange their furniture at 3am.”
I choke on a mouthful of water, lowering my bottle as she stares at me, fighting back a smile. “Woah, hold up. You broke into their house?”
“Um, kinda. I couldn’t sleep after glancing inside at the summer barbecue the week before. If I didn’t straighten things out, I think I would have imploded from anxiety. Crazy, right? You can say so, I know I am.”
Making sure she meets my eyes, I answer steadily, “Nope. Not one bit. Just a little quirky is all. Don’t worry, all the best people are. Being normal is overrated, Tee.”
She beams at me, a genuine smile that has me grinning back. Dammit, this girl is burrowing further beneath my defences with each passing second. When did I start giving a shit all of a sudden? I knew when I saw her getting bullied by the other girls while having a panic attack that she was worth defending.
“Anyway, the exams. You haven’t been given a free pass?” she guesses, swiftly changing the subject as we both look away, unused to the feeling of friendship.
“Nope. Not that it matters,” I answer without thinking.
“Why are you so relaxed? They are right around the corner.”
I scramble for an excuse, cursing my stupidity. Can’t exactly say that I plan to fucking kill myself by any means possible, and some pointless exams mean nothing to me.
“I’ve been catching up, so it’s chill,” I lie easily.
“Well, you’ve got brains. You’ll ace it. But me? Nah, I’m nothing but air up here.” She gestures to her head, rolling her eyes. “I’ve got about as much hope as fuckface over there with his idiotic mates.”
We both turn to look at Rio, telling dirty jokes as loud as possible while his friends laugh and jeer. My stomach turns just listening to the way he talks about his hook-ups, with zero fucking respect or sensitivity. A purebred, entitled asshole if I ever did see one.
“I don’t get it. How is he so popular?”
Teegan shuffles closer so that she can whisper without being overheard, eyes darting about furtively. “You know I said about Tiffany getting gear in here? Well, if you want contraband, he’s your guy. Anything you want. He runs shit around here.”
I’m suddenly all ears. “How does he get it past security?”
She wrinkles her nose in distaste, as if just talking about Rio and his illegal endeavours offends her. “Beats me. One thing I do know? Money talks. I heard on the down low his parents are investors, filthy rich. They own stately homes and titles or some shit. Clearly, they don’t give a toss about what their delinquent son does with his nest egg, long as he keeps it quiet and doesn’t fuck with their reputation.”
I nod absently, filing the information away. Bingo, I’ve got my source. Looks like I’ll have to put my morals aside and approach the jackass. It’s fucking degrading, but I’m desperate. It’s not like I’ll be around much longer to regret it.
“So, movie night. What do you think? Should I go with Todd?”
“Yeah, why not. He seems cute. Go for it.” I wink at her.
“Oh boy. You’re right, I’m going to do it. What’s the worst that could happen? Who in the block are you going with? The emo guy?”
“Like I said, that was a one-time thing,” I defend quickly.
There’s more wolf whistling directed my way, gaining the attention of the rest of the library. Lifeless eyes fall on us and I glare at them, hoping to scare them off. Whispers and gossip circulate, much to my annoyance. I’ll break their damn legs if I have to.
“Just ignore them. They’ll get bored eventually,” Teegan mutters.
A long and torturous study session later, we’re packing up for the day. I’ve got a free period this afternoon, seeing as my new therapist works a different schedule to Mariam. Fine by me, I’m in no rush to see that lunatic Lazlo again. The mere thought is almost too much for me to handle and I have to take a deep, calming breath.
You’re running out of time.