The Enemy Benefit: Easton Grammar #2 by Milana Spencer

Author:Milana Spencer [Spencer, Milana]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2021-11-30T00:00:00+00:00

18

Kieran: Single Bed

“…expect you to wear a new outfit for every party. And well, for me, money doesn’t grow on trees.” Zaina’s eyes flick up to meet mine with that last sentence.

I don’t think she thinks I live in government housing, despite what Jasper said at the start of term, but it doesn’t take a genius to figure out I’m not rich like most students here. But since then, she sometimes mentions she doesn’t have much money either. I remember Trinity once mentioned Zaina won a full scholarship to this school, which I think is the only way she can afford to study here.

“Yeah,” I reply. “Definitely.”

“It’s going to be a good party, though,” Zaina continues. She’s talking about Imogen’s eighteenth, which will be held at the end of term. Every lunchtime Imogen has dominated our conversations by talking about how to make it stand out from all the run-of-the-mill eighteenth birthday parties. It’s going to be my first party in Easton, and I don’t know what counts as “run-of-the-mill”. In Sydney, we just had normal house parties with deafening music and BYO alcohol and drugs.

Despite what Jasper thought, I’ve never touched hard drugs. The extent of my drug use is the occasional beer at parties, and two drags of a joint when I was fourteen.

“Imogen mentioned that she’s decided to host it at her dad’s house,” Zaina says. “Which is —”

“Zaina. Kieran.” Jasper’s voice slices through the room like an arrow. “Are you two listening?”

He stands at the front of the classroom, wearing a frown I know all too well. Behind him, his PowerPoint plays on the whiteboard.

“Yep,” Zaina replies. I say nothing, just raise my brows.

Jasper’s eyes linger on mine before connecting with Zaina’s and nodding. “Good. As I was saying…”

I thought that my school responsibilities ended with Sustainability Day, but Trinity and Imogen forced me to attend this meeting. Even Jasper told me to go the last time we were in bed together. I don’t want you to go, he emphasised. But it’s a good idea to get more involved with the school.

Zaina was hesitant to come too — every time I see her, she’s looks more stressed out than Jasper — but the meeting needed more people. It’s about Year 12 leaders and fundraising money, I think.

Jasper continues talking about whatever he’s talking about, pausing now and then to go through the slides of the PowerPoint. Trinity stands him, tapping her foot, waiting for her time to talk. In the front row of the classroom, Imogen sits with Kennedy. Fin isn’t here, which surprises no one.

“Mrs Abbot hasn’t given us an exact date yet,” Jasper goes on, “but it’ll be before the end of this term to avoid clashes with exam season.”

I train my eyes on him, so he doesn’t have another opportunity to accuse me of not paying attention.

“I know it’s annoying not to have a specific date, since we all have tests and other c—” Jasper makes eye contact with me and pauses, long enough for Trinity to look at him and crease her brows.

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