Luck (10 page)

I wonder what one does to “take care” of a dead body.

“Does that mean Damon can come back to school?” I ask.

“Yes. Your dad will be getting on a plane back to Russia soon. As soon as we know he’s on the plane, we will be bringing the president’s son back to campus,” Tristan says, in a professional tone.

I look over at him. “You shouldn’t be so formal with him. He likes it when people treat him normal.”

“He’s not normal, Katerina,” he says. “Soon, you will see that.”

Tristan stands up and gives me a hand to help me up.

“Lets go get you some dry clothes.”

I accept his help up, and we go back to the dorms.

Maybe now, things will go back to normal.

Well, as normal as things can get, considering.

Spirit Friday.

Since today is Friday, it’s school spirit day. I don’t have anything to wear, so Tristan gives me a orange hoodie that says
New Hope Academy
with a wildcat on the front. I guess our mascot is a wildcat. The hoodie is a little big on me, but it’s warm. I’m still cold from my jump in the lake.

I can still go to the last half of my classes, but before I do, I go to meet my father to say goodbye. Tristan won’t let me go alone, not that I blame him. Part of me is sad to see my dad go back to Russia. Things are different now and they won’t ever be the same.

“
I’m going to miss you
,” I tell my dad, speaking Russian.

“
Are you sure you don’t want to come back to Russia with me
?” he asks.

I’ve wanted that for so long. But now, things are different. How can I go back now?

“
No. I want to stay here
.
With my friends
,” I say, stepping closer to Tristan. “
Americans aren’t as bad as you think. I mean, their food totally sucks, but they’re kind of nice. I’m glad you sent me here
.”

“
Katerina, you know now that I’m not an engineer, but you can’t say anything to anybody
,” he says, then glances at Tristan. “
Not even him. Don’t trust anybody. If you tell, your life could be in grave danger. Some things, even I can’t save you from
.”

“
Okay, Dad
,” I say. “
Are you ever going to tell mum
?”

He shakes his head. “
Your mother is a good woman. You are so much like her.
” Dad steps closer to me. “
You are beautiful, Katerina. Don’t ever forget it. And your heart is pure. Don’t let circumstances change you
.”

“
I won’t. I love you, Dad
.”

“
Love you, too
,” he says, pulling me in for a hug.

He kisses the top of my head before he pulls back.

“Goodbye, Katerina,” he says, switching to English. He looks at Tristan. “Keep my daughter safe. If you break her heart, I will break you.”

“Yes, sir. I understand,” Tristan says.

We watch my dad get into the back of a town car and leave.

“I’m going to miss him,” I tell Tristan. “I know I shouldn’t, but I do.”

“Trust me, Katerina, I understand,” he says. “Sometimes you can’t help but love your family, no matter how much of a monster they are.”

“He did come to save me.”

“Yes, he did,” Tristan says.

“Maybe he’s not all bad.”

“Or maybe you’re his weakness,” he says.

Maybe.

Or maybe there really is some good in my dad.

Tristan’s phone goes off.

“Damon is getting on a plane now, coming back to the states. He should be back in time for the dance,” he tells me.

My first American homecoming dance.

Wait. I don’t have a dress. What am I going to wear?

Episode three,
Fame
, is coming soon!

Letter from Scarlett

Hey! Thank you so much for reading
Luck.
Really, THANK YOU. Because if you’re reading this, then it means that you read my debut novel,
Fate
, and liked it enough to pick up this one. I hope you continue to enjoy this series, because I have a lot of stuff planned for these characters!

If you did enjoy this book, it would mean a lot to me if you left a review wherever you picked this up.

For more information on this series, be sure to check out my blog
https://scarletthaven.wordpress.com
!

—
Scarlett Haven

More books by Scarlett

New Hope Academy Series:

Luck
(Episode 1)

Fate
(Episode 2)

Fame
(Episode 3 — coming soon!)

Find me online.

Blog:
https://scarletthaven.wordpress.com
 

Twitter:
https://twitter.com/Scarlett_Haven

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/AuthorScarlettHaven/
 

Acknowledgments.

First… always first… I want to thank JESUS. My savior. My God. My everything.

My husband, for always being so supportive of me and understanding when I speak about my characters like they’re real. Sorry that I talk in a fake British accent so much. ;)

Mummy and Daddy, thanks for the awesome genes that made me the weirdo I am today.

And YOU. The person reading this book. For liking book one enough to pick up book two. I’m so excited for the future of these characters and hope you are too!

—Scarlett