“Let’s go, Goddess. Get your radiant butt in the car.”
Chapter 24
The school day flies by, and before I know it, I’m in my favorite class of the day: art.
I settle in my usual spot between Axel and Nik, and the stress of finals and looming deadlines starts to fade away. We're in the final academic push, and my brain's been a blur of projects and papers. But here, I can breathe.
There’s something sacred about this hour. The smell of paint and markers. The way time slows down with the drag of charcoal across paper. Sometimes, I chat with Axel and Nik. Other days, I pop in my earbuds and let myself disassociate. Either way, they’re always there. Always quiet, steady, and respectful, with no pressure. No expectations.
This must be what real friendship is like. Unspoken understanding.
Halfway through class, cramps start to build low in my belly. Worried my period’s coming early, I excuse myself to the restroom. Luckily, it’s a false alarm, but I stick a panty liner on just in case.
The door opens and closes while I’m finishing up. I don’t think much of it, until I step out of the stall and find Darren, leaning against the sinks.
My stomach plummets. My eyes dart to the door, but he’s closer. He could easily block any escape. He shifts slightly toward it, as if reading my mind.
I spin on my heel, trying to dive back into the stall, but I’m too slow. He shoulders it open, trapping me.
“What do you want?” I ask. My voice is steady, but my hands shake.
“I just want to talk.”
“So you cornered me in the girl’s bathroom?” I snap. “Why not talk to me in the hallway like a normal person?”
“Because you’re always surrounded by your two guard dogs,” he snarls.
He’s not wrong. Axel and Nik are always close. It’s probably the only reason he hasn’t tried this sooner.
“Well, I’m listening now. So, talk.” I fold my arms, keeping them tight to my chest.
“I’m tired of this game, Lina. Girls won’t even look at me anymore. They think I assaulted you or something. I want you to tell everyone the truth.”
I laugh. Cold. Bitter. “Thetruthis you touched me without my consent. You said disgusting things to a girl you’d just met. And when I didn’t respond, you escalated instead of backing down. So no, Darren, I won’t ‘clear your name.’ You did this to yourself. Now, you get to live with the consequences of your actions.”
His growl is the only warning I get. He shoves me, and I crash against the stall wall,hard.And then his hand is at my throat, squeezing, cutting off my air. I claw at his arms, but he’s stronger—football strong—and I can’t get free.
“Wrong answer, Luscious Lina. If I’m already labeled a predator,” he hisses, breath hot and sour, “I might as well get the benefits.”
He forces me to my knees, the grip on my neck unrelenting. His free hand fumbles with his belt. Tears stream silently down my face.
He finally gets his pants undone, and he springs out. Hard. The fucker is literally aroused from assaulting me.
“If you bite me, I’ll kill you,” he warns. His fingers release my throat just enough to reopen my airway and I gulp in a deep breath. He uses the opportunity to shove himself deep into my throat over and over again.
I gag, choking, his weight relentless.
No. No no no.
The bile rises, and when he pulls back just far enough, my body reacts before my brain can catch up. I vomit. All over us. His pants. My shirt.
He staggers back with a curse. “Fuck that’s disgusting! You can’t even do this right!”
He grabs me again, furious. “Spread those lying little lips wide open.”
And that’s it.
I’m done.
