Page 23 of Boys Who Hunt

“Where are you going?” Aspen asks, throwing back her medium-length red hair she once told me was not natural even though it totally looks like it. “Somewhere fun?”

“Talon’s taking me out on a date.” She smiles brightly, her curly black hair waving in the wind. “See you all later. And Ivy, we should catch up soon. Message me, okay? We’ll make plans for a night out.” She winks.

“Got it!” I reply.

Talon throws his arm over her shoulders as they walk off.

“Those two have been slobbering each other’s faces off the entire day,” River groans.

“He’s just staking his claim,” Xavier says. “Who wouldn’t with that catch?”

Aspen makes a face. “Bro.”

“What? She is a catch.” He looks at me. “You can’t deny that.”

I nod. “True. She’s gorgeous.”

Xavier makes a weird gesture with his hands. “See?”

Aspen rolls her eyes, but Xavier’s already lost in his thoughts. He looks dazed as hell, staring at something in the distance. I follow his gaze to find Sunny Reed with her super long black-and-green hair waving from side to side as she struts around campus with her usual grumpy expression. Her friends tail behind her, trying to catch up like they’re trying to catch a whiff of air from the queen herself. When she turns, one of them pulls up her phone and takes a picture while she leans against the fountain with a killer smile.

“Xavier,” Aspen says, but he’s not even listening. “Hello, earth to Xavier.” She waves her hand in front of his face.

“What?” he mutters.

I laugh. “You’re staring.”

He looks away with furrowed brows. “No. I’m just tired of my classes, that’s it.” He swiftly dips his fork into the shared salad bowl and pulls out five cucumber slices, shoving them all in his mouth with some lettuce. “Want some?”

I shake my head. “No, I’m fine. Thank you.”

“Aren’t you hungry?” River asks.

“No, no, I’ve already eaten,” I lie.

I always lie.

If I didn’t … they’d know I never have food here. Ever.

And I don’t want them to know I’m not rich like they are.

Whatever is in the cafeteria costs money, which I don’t have. I don’t bring food from home because there is none. I save everything for breakfasts and dinners for both Cora and me; that’s it. I used to eat at work sometimes, but now that’s out of the question. I was used to two meals. Unfortunately, my stomach doesn’t agree with my need to fit in with the societal norms here at Spine Ridge University.

Almost everyone here is rich. Save for the couple of people who have a scholarship like I do. And most of them form a clique together to study and work their asses off so they don’t lose it.

I just want to blend in. Fake it ’til I make it.

I clear my throat and look around the college grounds when I notice a particular lanky brown-haired boy with a knife earring slowly walking toward me.

And then turning around the second our eyes connect.

Max

Two minutesago

I’m joggingoutside on campus terrain, enjoying the warm sun after a long day of classes. I pause for a moment to take a deep breath, but when I spot a familiar dark-brown-haired girl from the corner of my eye, I have to blink twice to make sure I’m not dreaming.

The girl Silas chased into the bathroom is sitting on the grass with a bunch of her friends. What a coincidence.