“I understand,” I said, not sure myself if it was the truth or if I was lying. A part of me had hoped that he wouldn’t have cared at all, that he’d have said that it didn’t matter if I had powers or not.
But instead he told me I killed us, our friendship, our future, any possibility of more.
But then he got mad when Malakai showed interest?
I was confused, not only by him but also myself.
The pain still lingered, like a shard stuck inside of me, causing suffering whenever I moved around, or was close to Lionel.
“I mean it,” Lionel cut through my thoughts, eyeing me closely. “I’m sorry… Friends?” he reached his hand out towards me, waving the white flag.
Would I ever be able to say no to him? Even if it pained me, even if it killed me? My hand met his and we smiled, as he tugged me closer, leaning forward. “That ponytail makes you look so girly.”
I scoffed and he chuckled teasingly, before I sent my elbow into his side.
“What did I look like before then?” I hissed.
“I don’t know, a deer?” he taunted with a half-smile.
I gave him a sharp glare.
“You’re right, you’re a bit violent for a deer…”
Before I had the chance to jab back at him, Ashley stepped out into the corridor, and her eyes locked on us.
“You’re up early?” I arched a brow at her.
“Yep,” she clipped, stepping closer to us. “So, uh… what now?”
“What have you done?” I asked, each word dragging out slowly, as her brows furrowed at me.
“Nothing.”
“Ashley,” I shook my head. “Spill the beans.”
She grunted, looking behind her shoulder to make sure no one was listening in before turning back. “I might’ve slept next to the wrong sibling.”
“You what?” I barked and she panicked, placing her hands over my mouth.
“Nothing happened, I just entered the wrong room and passed out. That’s it. End of story.”
Lionel snickered next to us. Ashley’s eyes went cold as she sent a hailing stare at him. “If you utter a word, I’ll put a bomb in that mouth.”
Lionel froze, as Ashley hooked her arm around mine and kept glaring at him as we walked away.
“Was that necessary?” I asked, nodding towards Lionel.
“Yes, he hurt you,” she shrugged easily.
“He apologized, right before you stepped out,” I clarified.
“Oh… yes, then that was a bit overboard.”
We burst into laughter as we looked at each other before a door opened in front of us, bringing us to a halt.
“Morning,” Malakai said lazily, eyes landing on my hair, before sliding to my bare neck. “I don’t think the trial is a beauty contest.”
“Sad, she would’ve won,” Ashley said, flashing me a smile.
