Chapter 23 HOW DO YOU LIKE YOUR COLD RUSH?
MERRIELYNN.
As I sat at my vanity the next Monday morning, a dull headache throbbed behind my eyes.
I thought to myself, once again, that alcohol was the bane of my existence.
The first time I’d pulled a stupid stunt that nearly ruined everything, I’d been sober—just angry as hell.
Last night was the same, except this time, I was fueled by the false courage of beer.
Running a hand across my forehead, I debated skipping school altogether. But I knew it wouldn’t matter; I’d still have to face everyone, eventually.
I stared at my reflection, toying with the small necklace around my neck. What on earth had I been thinking last night?
My stomach churned as I remembered every detail, each embarrassing mistake.
“Ready to go?” Emorie’s voice broke through my thoughts. I glanced up, seeing her in the doorway, worry etched on her face.
On our way to school, I voiced my concerns to her, confessing how much I dreaded walking through the front doors and meeting everyone’s stares. It was like I could feel the weight of their judgment already. “I wish the ground could just open up and swallow me whole,” I muttered.
Emorie put on a brave face for my sake, trying to reassure me. “We can use the back entrance,” she suggested. “It’s a longer walk, but we’ll avoid most people.”
I nodded, grateful.
The walk gave me more time to prepare myself for the inevitable—facing Cormac. His gaze from the night before had been stuck in my mind, haunting me. I remembered how his cold eyes had lingered on me, humiliating me in front of everyone.
I hated how he made me feel, like I was something to be examined and discarded. I hated how he looked at me, as if his gaze alone could strip me bare.
When we reached school, the day dragged on uneventfully, for the most part.
Thank the goddess.
A long, dull science lecture was the only notable event, with the substitute teacher droning on where Mr. Ravenwood would have made things interesting.
Stares lingered everywhere I went, and I'd be lying if I said I hadn't been expecting that.
I'd take it any day, but what I really wanted to get over with was crossing paths with Cormac.
And that was yet to happen.
I took in a shaky inhale, remembering there was a committee meeting after school hours.
After class, I slipped into the bathroom to take a breath, to reset. But as just as I was about to leave, I found myself being blocked by someone.
When I glanced up, my expression immediately shuttered as I locked gazes with the culprit.
Juniper.
She stood in front of me, arms crossed, eyes sharp and piercing. Her fiery red hair framed her angular face.
As her brown eyes cut in their assessment, I couldn't help but compare her sharp, distinct looks, so different from Emorie’s cute, freckled, doe-eyed features. Juniper looked like a model—sultry, confident.
She narrowed her eyes, sizing me up. Then muttered slowly, almost thoughtfully, “What exactly is it about you?”
I blinked, taken aback.
Then muttered, low, “I don’t know what you mean by that.”
Juniper’s gaze hardened suddenly. “Why is Chaos more fixated on you than he should be?”
Her blunt question sent a chill through me.
My face went pale, and I struggled for words. “There’s nothing to worry about,” I managed, lifting my chin. “I’m not interested in Cormac.”
Juniper’s lips curled into a mocking grin. “Like you could have him even if you wanted to.”
I bristled, anger bubbling up.
Why was there anger bubbling up?
But before I could retort, she leaned in close, her voice dropping as her full, glossy lips curled, “But stay away, new girl."
What in the...?
Was my life a movie?
Pulling back, to hold my gaze once more, she added, "Don’t say I didn’t warn you.” She held my gaze a moment longer before turning on her heel and walking away, leaving me stunned.
Did she really just warn me to keep my paws off her man?
Like I'd ever willingly go for someone like Cormac.
Insult pricked my skin, and I shuddered out a breath before storming out of the bathroom myself.
Hours later, I made my way to the auditorium for the planning committee meeting, my heart literally stuck in my throat with every step that brought me closer to the doors.
But upon arrival, the room was empty.
Confused, I walked in further, spotting a note on the table.
I picked it up and took in the bold scrawl:
Experimental meeting. Location: Boys’ locker room.
The hell?
This was definitely Cormac's doing. I stood there rooted with the paper in my grip, wondering what the catch was.
He'd never really been invested in the committee. Sure we both got roped into it not of our own free will, but he's never shown that he cared for it enough to take so much charge.
But that thought suddenly made me remember his wolfsbane idea.
Huh.
Hesitant, I made my way there, glancing around as I entered.
The locker room was empty, too.
And then a low chuckle sounded behind me suddenly, “That was too easy.”
I spun around to see Cormac standing there, a smirk on his face. Before I could react, he shoved me backward into a shower stall, reaching for the faucet and turning the water on full blast.
Freezing water poured over me, soaking me instantly.
He stood over me, watching with satisfaction. “How does it feel to be on the receiving end of a cold rush?”
I gasped, struggling to breathe as the icy water drenched my clothes, numbing my skin. I tried to push him away, tried to free myself, but he held firm.
I was shivering, shaking and desperate for air.
After a moment, he released me, and I collapsed to the floor, defeated and drenched.
I could hear his heavy breathing above me, but he said nothing.
After a long, silent moment, he spoke. “Get up.”
I didn’t respond, too shocked and drained to move.
Cormac’s tone hardened. “I’m fully capable of leaving you here if you’re willing to test me.”
I stayed silent, huddled on the cold, wet floor, barely processing his words.
He muttered a curse, and then I heard his footsteps as he strode away, the locker room door slamming shut behind him.
Alone, I sat in the freezing water, trying to pull myself together. I felt small, humiliated, and so very alone. Time passed in a blur, and it seemed like forever before I heard the door open again.
My heart froze, half-expecting Cormac’s return.
But it wasn’t him.
Instead, Juniper appeared, flanked by two girls I didn’t recognize. I moved to stand, but the two girls lunged forward, grabbing my arms and forcing me down.
“Let go!” I struggled, panic surging through me as I looked up at Juniper, who stood over me with a smug look on her face.
She leaned in, eyes glinting. “I did warn you,” she said softly, a cold satisfaction in her voice. Then, she nodded to one of the girls holding me.
I barely had time to process what was happening before I saw the girl’s fist pull back, and pain exploded across my cheek as she punched me square in the face. My head snapped to the side, my vision blurring.
The world spun around me as I tried to focus, but when the other girl's fist came down against my face again... everything faded to black...