They aren’t broken, after all. Just bruised. And it’s not like I’ve seen a doctor who could tell me to stay off the rink.
We just finished dinner in the academy dining hall. Me, my friends, and of course the Ferrum Syndicate.
All of us sat together like one big, happy group of friends, which is frankly ridiculous when I think about it.
Adelaide spent most of dinner arguing with Isaak and the other half arguing with Octavia.
Octavia and Milo weren’t exactly quiet either.
Mostly Octavia, if I’m honest. She threatened him at least a dozen times while Milo sat there completely unbothered, grinning from ear to ear.
Arlo was simply there, grumpy and serious as ever, while Ophelia did what Ophelia always does and tried to keep the peace. Mostly between her sister and Adelaide.
At which she was mostly failing.
Throughout the entire dinner, Hunter never once took his eyes off me. The moment I finished eating, I all but ran out of there without looking back.
After a stop at the library, a book tucked under my arm, I make my way towards the dorms.
It’s dark out, but the path is lit by rows of lamps.
The bruises on my face have faded more with each passing day, and they’ve become easier to hide beneath makeup. The girls haven’t noticed them, which I’m incredibly grateful for. I wouldn’t have known what to tell them if they had.
The walk is slower than usual. My ribs have had enough after not only skating this morning but also sitting through a full day of classes.
When the dorm finally comes into view, relief washes through me. All I want is to crawl into bed and sleep this day away, but I don’t make it inside the building before a hand clamps around my arm and stops me.
The suddenness of it startles me so badly that the book slips from my fingers and hits the ground.
I look up straight into the eyes of the man who grabbed me.
Julian.
I manage to pull my earphones out, but he still doesn’t let go. If anything, his grip tightens slightly.
“You scared me,” I say. “What are you doing here?”
His eyes narrow.
“Piper.”
The way he says my name makes my stomach twist.
“I thought I made myself clear the last time we spoke. But it seems you still haven’t learned.”
My heart starts pounding.
I kept my distance...
But did he see Hunter carry me to his dorm a few days ago?
Did someone take another picture of us?
That’s what I get for avoiding social media lately.
I’m completely unprepared for this.
“Let go of me,” I say.
