“Getting mad is very telling, Kade,” I say, and shake my head.
“Whatever man. Are we done in here?” he asks, and I nod, tying the bag up.
“Kill the lights. Let’s make sure it’s all gone,” I tell him, and he hits the switch, immersing us into darkness. He clicks the black light on and shines it around the room while he walks.
“We got it all. Maybe we should go into business as a clean up crew because we are damn good at it,” he laughs, and I just shake my head.
“Pass,” I answer as he shuts off the black light and turns the regular one on.
“Alright, let’s get out of here,” he states, and I lift up my bag, throwing it over my shoulder. He does the same with his, and we exit the room and walk towards the elevator. It’s pretty quiet tonight, which is odd, but whatever. It makes the trip to our floor easier.
“Why is the past creeping up on us?” he asks as we wait for the elevator to open.
“I want to say it’s Karma but we both know it’s not. We should’ve shut certain people up years ago, and now it’s our punishment,” I answer truthfully as the doors slide open. We step inside, and it’s not until they shut that Kade speaks again.
“We should’ve never made that deal with Terrance. He’s using everything he knows and has seen against us. Now Rodney is involved. I don’t like it, and it all points back—”
“Don’t. Just don’t. It’s bad enough that Elliot constantly reminds us of her. I don’t need you doing it too. I’m well aware,” I spit, and he nods. The elevator dings, sliding open. We step out and head to Elliot’s room.
“Ever since he told us about the cliff, I can’t get it out of my mind. I loved her fiercely, and I fucking miss her. That shit will never go away,” he says, and I stop in my tracks to look at him.
“I did too, I just don’t talk about it. I don’t want to think about it either. Just drop it, Kade,” I scold, and he snarls.
“You’ve got a funny way of showing it. Just admit her death cuts deeper then anything else and you still, to this day, years later, can’t fucking handle what happened,” he states, and he’s right, but I won’t fucking admit it. Not now. Not ever.
“Whatever you say, Kade,” I answer and knock on Elliot’s door.
Zoe was my everything, and I hated that she couldn't choose between us. I tried my best to give her everything and more, yet I still wasn’t good enough. She needed the three of us, and as much as I loved her, it just made me hate my friends more.
twenty-six
Rowyn Hale
Envelopes
The weekend flew by, and nothing has been said about what happened last week. Lucy is still missing, and I can’t shake the feeling that it’s all my fault. I can’t fucking remember what happened when I stormed away from the guys after humiliating that poor girl. I don’t understand why my mind keeps shutting off. It’s happening more and more the longer I stay here. It happened a lot during high school, and still to this day, I don’t remember shit. People would call me crazy, and I believed it. It’s not like I can call my parents and ask them why this is happening. It started after they died. Is it because of that? I don’t have a clue, but this is annoying.
When Grayson and Kade came to Elliot’s room, I immediately left. I couldn’t stand being in the room with them. I shouldn’t want them, especially after everything they’ve put me through, and I’m still not over the video. I also didn’t want to be interrogated anymore. Elliot did enough of that while washing me and touching me. As much as I enjoyed it, it’s not what I wanted or needed. So, I’ve been avoiding all of them. It’s easy to do it with Kade and Elliot, but Grayson. He’s fucking everywhere.
Walking into my first class of the day, the taunts have already started. Hungry Hippo keeps flying out of everyone's mouth when I walk by, but I keep my head up and ignore them, even if all I want to do is cry. I know I’m fat and not the prettiest; however, the constant reminder is going to make me flip the fuck out and want to cut again. This is the only class that I have with Kade and Grayson so coming here I took my time, waiting until damn near the last minute.
I sit in my seat, three rows from the back, thanking god it’s not the little desk again and that there’s no tacks in sight. I set my bag down and face forward even as the taunts continue around me. I act unbothered, unfazed by the bullshit. It's the only way to get through it. The hairs on the back of my neck stand and I know they are right behind me. Achair drags out slowly, screeching against the floor, making me wince.
"Miss me, Shadow Mouse?" he asks, his breath fanning over my neck. The smell of weed and mint hit my nostrils and I bite back a moan, because… what the fuck? Why does he have this effect on me? Why do any of them affect me in any way? God, they are annoying but I ignore him. I click my pen and open my notebook, waiting for the professor to arrive. But then, the low chuckle of Grayson has my back snapping straight. His silence is menacing, just knowing he's behind me sends chills up my spine. The fact that no words are being spoken by him makes me brace myself for what's to come. Finally the professor walks into the room, and everyone goes silent. The background noise fades and she begins her lesson. She drones on and on and I try my hardest to pay attention but the constant whispers behind me and the eyes that send daggers to the back of my head make it extremely hard to concentrate.
Then a folded piece of paper lands on my desk. As I stare at it, another one lands next to it, and I blink. What the fuck? Then another, like a quiet rhythm as if the papers are knocking on my desk, waiting for me to have a reaction. But my jaw tightens and my hands pick one up and unfold it. "Look at me." My fingers still. Then I pick up another. "You don't get to ignore us." My pulse increases as I pickup the last one. "After class. Don't run." I let out a breath, folding it back over and tucking it under my textbook. I shiver when I feel a warm breath on my neck.
"Rowyn." And I jump, then the professor's eyes meet mine and she huffs.
"Miss Hale. Since you seem so focused—why don't you answer the question," she says, folding her arms over her chest. My breath is caught in my throat and I blink. What was the fucking question?
"Yeah, Shadow Mouse. Answer the question," Kade states, his voice just inches from my ear, soft and venomous. I fucking hate him! A few students giggle and snicker as my hands shake.
"Uh, can you repeat the question please?" I ask, and she does. Oh, thank god I know the answer, so I give her what she wants and she smiles with approval, but then behind me is a clap. Slow. Mocking.
"Holy shit, she speaks," Kade murmurs, and the class laughs. Grayson leans forward and I shiver.
"Not bad," he whispers. "For someone who doesn't know her place." And I turn my head to look at him with narrowed eyes. His cold, green eyes are long gone, they’re now black as night, and I smirk.
