House of Sins

Chapter Four

Belle

It had been a strange start to my start at college.

A lot stranger than I had ever imagined it to be. But classes were going to start soon and I couldn’t let the last few days dull my excitement.

Classes were starting and I couldn’t wait. Not to mention the weather was beautiful. So beautiful that I couldn’t stand to be cooped up in my room trying to avoid people. So I had headed outside, taking my favourite book with me and found myself a quiet spot under a tree where I could read undisturbed but watch people milling around.

Nine oaks was starting to fill back up and their air was full of the laughter as friends met back up with each other after the long summer break.

It almost made me jealous.

I had never really made friends easily. Maybe because I was more than a little strange. Most of the time I liked it that way but I had to admit I was starting to feel lonely.

Maybe… hopefully when classes started properly I could find my tribe. If not then my years here were going to be more like High school. Isolated and lonely.

At least in school I had had a few good friends and of course a boyfriend.

I missed those guys.

It just meant I had to get harder. Not be as strange.

All I had to do was pretend to be someone I wasn’t.

“Hey.” A soft girly voice made me look up, shielding my eyes to squint at her where she was illuminated by the late afternoon sunlight like a halo. “You ok?”

Why did everyone keep asking me that? Did I look like I was going to burst into tears at any moment?

“Yes of course.” I let my eyes dart back down down the book in my lap. “Thanks for asking.” I wanted to be alone. And I realised with a rush that my wanting to be alone might just be the reason I found it hard to make friends.

“No problem.” The small girl flung herself down on the grass beside me, kicking her legs out . It looked like she was going to ignore my hints anyway. “I’m Missy.”

“Bel…”

She didn’t let me finish. “Bella.” She answered for me. “I know. I’ve heard all about you.”

“How?”

Her eyebrow arched. “Jasper.”

I could feel the blood draining from my face. Was this Jaspers girlfriend? Nothing had happened but for some reason I still felt guilty. “I … look…” I stammered, the book tumbling to grass forgotten. “Nothing happened the other night. He just walked me back to my room. I was at a kind of party and …”

She laughed and the sound filled the air. “Relax Bella. I’m Missy. Faith is Jaspers significant other . Well one of them.” She gave a shrug. “And he’s already told her all about you. Which is why I am here.”

I let my eyes follow her hand as she started to pluck the grass out with her fingers. “Why you are here?”

“Yes.” Missy was looking everywhere but at me. Her lips curled in a sneer as she caught sight of Abi and her gang of barbie wanna be friends who were eyeing us with interest.

“Losers.” She muttered under her breath. Before turning to me with a smile. And a very knowing look in her bright eyes. “Me and Faith used to hang out under this very tree you know. Our first year.” She added thoughtfully.

I didn’t know what to say to that. I didn’t even know if she expected an answer.

“Ok.”

“Faith wanted me to invite you to a party tonight?”

“A party?”

“Yes.” Missy shot me a look that said I was being dumb. And I shut my mouth against the other questions I wanted to ask.

Did this Faith want to confront me because her boyfriend had been a gentleman and escorted me home. Was she that kind of girlfriend? The jealous kind.

“A party, music, dancing, fun.” Missy waggled her fingers with a smile. “I’m sure you have been with a few of them.”

“Yes but why…why does Faith want me there?”

“At a house of sins party?” Missy arched her eyebrow. “She seems to think you would be a good fit for us. And I have to say I think I agree with her. You have a certain air about you Bella. One that would be a good fit for the House of Sins.” She stood, shouldering her bag with a heave. “Eight tonight , don’t be late.” With that she walked away. Leaving me to stare after her.

Not that I had long to ponder why I was being invited before Abi came sauntering over. Her posse of clones following close behind her. She stood there, hand on her hip and glared at me. “What was that about?”

Wearily I glanced up at her. “What was what about sorry?”

“Why was Missy talking to you?”

“I don’t know, she came to invite me to a party?”

Abi started giggling and her cronies followed her lead.

Jesus could none of them think for themselves?

But her laughter died when I continued to stare at her. “Oh you’re serious?”

“Why wouldn’t I be serious?” I was confused.

Anger flickered across her face. Twisting her features into something ugly. “They never invite first years.” She looked troubled , her eyes darting around the green to watch Missy as she wandered off.

You didn’t need to be psychic to know she was wondering why she hadn’t been invited.

And it made me smile.

“Faith is going to kick your ass.”

My smile faded.

“It’s the only possible explanation. She is going to pound on you for trying it on with Jasper.” Abi flicked her hair behind her shoulder.

Tried it on with Jasper? Nothing had happened. The only person to try it on with him had been her. But I couldn’t help the doubt that blossomed in my chest.

Had I been invited so I could be humiliated?

“I can’t wait to see it. Slut.”