"Gotta be quicker than that, asshole," I spit and jab him once more, and he falls to the ground. I get on top of him and grip the collar of his shirt, pulling him towards me, and spit in his face. "Useless human being," I growl, then slam his head against the floor. He groans then sucks in air, making me laugh.
“Don’t ever fucking touch her again. Don’t even come near her because the next time you do—I’ll fucking kill you,” I spit, then punch him again as Lucy screams behind me.
“Get off of him. The cunt deserved it,” she yells, and I whip around, heaving, and she takes a step back.
“Says the bitch who is so desperate for Kade that you stole his cell phone and sent the student body a video. And where did that get you?" I growl. "Huh? Cat got your tongue? You should be lying in a ditch somewhere, you washed up fucking whore." And she slams her hands against my chest. I look down at her, and her eyes widen knowing she made a big fucking mistake. "Get on your fucking knees!” I command, but she shakes her head in defiance.
"Fuck you, Grayson!" she spits, and I wrap my hand around her throat, squeezing tightly. Her nails dig into my wrists, and I smile sinisterly at her.
“Get on your fucking knees before I put you there!” I command again, releasing her throat, but she doesn’t move, so I step into her space, crouching down and gripping her face with my fingers, digging them into her flesh until she winces. Then, I spit in her face, wrap my hand around her hair, and kick the back of her knees out, forcing her to the floor. She screams as her knees hit the floor, but I don't care. Fuck her and fuck him. This is my school. I run the order around here. “Clean up the mess your boyfriend made! Lick every last drop of spilled milk and soup until you can see your reflection in the floor or I will drown you in it!” I growl, and the cafeteria laughs. I snap my head up to the guys while they watch. Rowyn is visibly shaking.
“Get her out of here!” I tell them, and they snap into action. I turn my head back to Lucy who has tears pouring down her face, or maybe it’s my saliva. Who knows. I really don’t give a fuck! “Start licking you fucking bitch! I don’t care if you’re here all fucking day. You and your boyfriend made a mess in my cafeteria. You will not leave until I fucking say otherwise,” I spit as she brings her face to the floor, sticking her tongue out and licking up the white milk mixed with chicken noodle soup. Theonlookers start laughing, and I go back to my seat and watch while finishing my lunch in peace.
No one gets to mess with Rowyn but me, and if it’s not a direct order, I will make a fucking mockery out of them for screwing with what is mine!
thirty-two
Rowyn Hale
Chocolate Cake
“Thank you for bringing me to my room,” I say to Kade and Elliot. They nod, and I quietly shut the door and grab new clothes to change into. I can’t believe Grayson defended me with his fists. I won’t lie and say I’m not turned on by it because I am, and my heart did a little flutter in my chest because not a single person in this world has ever defended me. But him, out of all people to do so, is wild behavior in my book. I’m not going to think too much about it. I’ll just spiral and make myself crazy.
What I don’t understand is why Kade lied in front of the others. He admitted to buying me clothes, so who else would do it if not him? And thefucking note that came with it. I was told to wear this specific outfit. Style my hair a certain way and wear the jewelry that came with the clothes. I did what I was told to do and still got harassed. But a dead girl's clothes? A dead girl? I don’t get it. Then—here I go spiraling.Ugh, these boys make me crazy, but I’m so fucking glad they are leaving today.This week will be like a vacation without them. I think I’m more excited about that than anything else. Yeah, does it suck I won’t have a turkey dinner and be surrounded by family and friends?Ha friends. Even back home, I didn’t have any. Who am I kidding?But just the thought of being away from their piercing glares and wicked tongues is just a small reprieve for the small amount of time. I need it especially after today. That was a lot to take in. I still can't get over the words 'You're wearing a dead girl’s clothes.' Who is she? Did they kill her? Ugh, I need to stop thinking about this shit. They are leaving today and I will be at peace. I’m not sure what I’m going to do when Christmas vacation comes. We are out of here for like three weeks.Ugh. I’ll figure that out when the time comes.Let’s get a shower and wash the curdling milk and dripping soup from my hair in the meantime.
Hours later, after saying bye to Misti and taking a nice, long nap, I decide to go to the cafeteria and see what they are serving, but I’m also really curious to see who is actually still here.
Stepping inside, I can feel the air shift and can hear my own breathing. It's a ghost town. Not a single person in sight.YES!
Walking over to the array of food, which is odd considering everyone is gone, but I just shrug and pick out what I want. Grilled cheese and creamy tomato soup with a can of Dr. Pepper and a tall glass of ice.
Lifting my tray, I walk towards where I usually sit, but a grin spreads across my face, and I decide to sit at the guy's table. For once, I can sit where I want and enjoy the amazing view from the enormous windows. I take a deep breath and feel free, so I dig into my food, taking a spoonful of the creamy goodness and shoving it into my mouth. I moan at its warmth, then take a bite of my sandwich as I gaze out of the window, watching the trees sway in the wind. I continue to enjoy my food in peace and smile as I think how nice this is, but then a throat clears, and I jump out of my skin. My eyes fly up to cold green ones glaring daggers at me.
“Uh, I-I didn’t know anyone was still here,” I stammer, and he smirks.
“Look what happens when you assume, Chunkers,” he states, pulling out the chair across from me and sitting in it. He doesn’t say anything else while he eats and looks out the window, but I can’t help but eat my own food with one eye on him.Yes, we’re all alone. He doesn’t have an audience to use to humiliate me, but that doesn’t mean I trust his ass.
I finish up my soup, gather my trash and go to stand, but he grabs my wrist and shakes his head. So I sit back down as he continues to eat, not saying a word.He’s so fucking weird, or maybe he just doesn’t want to be alone. I get that. I spent many, many years alone.Even though I have had Misti these last couple of months, there are times I feel alone inside. I’m still getting to know her, and I haven’t opened up about my past. I’ve never let anyone in, and I'm not sure what that even looks like. I told Elliot a little, hence why I have a new phone, but that’s really it. I don’t talk to anyone about my parents or my childhood, so if he wants me to sit here while he finishes his dinner—what's the harm in that?
As I stare out the window and sip my soda, movement to my left has me turning my head. He stands abruptly and takes both of our trays to the trash then he walks back to the food and grabs two plates. I tilt my head trying to see what he is doing but I can’t see that far away. So I take a deep breath and continue watching the trees sway in the winduntil he comes back and places a plate in front of me. I look at it then up to him as he sits down.
“Thank you,” I say, and he nods. I lift the fork and sink it into the rich chocolate three layered cake and bring it to my lips. Chocolate mousse lights up my taste buds, causing me to moan, and is that raspberry I taste?Oh my god. This is amazing.He clears his throat, and my eyes widen.
“It’s my favorite dessert,” he states, but I don’t reply. I can’t. The richness of the chocolate and the smoothness of the mousse, along with the hint of raspberry has me speechless. So I dig in for more, making him chuckle.
“This is so decadent. Holy shit,” I blurt, and he nods, eating his own.
“I just wish they had a side of the raspberry sauce. I’d jar that shit up for later,” he says, making me laugh. What is happening right now? The man before me is like night and day from earlier and I don't know how to feel about it. Do I apologize for the clothes or do I just enjoy the company—the peace while it lasts? I don't fucking know.
“I like the mousse. It’s rich but light. I’ve never had cake like this before. Thank you again,” I say, too afraid to really say what's on my mind, and he shrugs.
“Dessert is a must,” he adds, and I couldn’t agree more. We sit in silence until we are finished, then hegets up, clears our plates, then he just leaves without another word—without a second glance—just leaves the cafeteria like he wasn’t here to begin with.
thirty-three
Rowyn Hale
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