Chapter 72

I growled lowly and walked over to the window next to Ben’s that happened to be Jacob’s. I knocked on the window. He jumped up, into a fighting stance and I laughed as he realized it was me and his face morphed into a glare.

He came over and opened the window, “What the hell?”

I pushed him and climbed through the window, shutting it after me.

“Lock your door.” I ordered.

“Why?” He asked, walking over to it.

“So dren can’t get in.” I told him before laying down on his bed.

He nodded and locked it before walking over and sitting down beside me.

“You okay?” He frowned.

I nodded and lied through gritted teeth, “Perfect.”

“Liar.” He rolled his eyes and laid down.

“Not lying.” I closed my eyes.

I felt him shrug. I interlocked my hands behind my head and started humming a random tune that was playing in my head.

A loud consistent banging sounded at the door.

“Cora! Open this fucking door. NOW!” dren yelled.

I put my finger to my lips and whispered to Stephen as quietly as I could, “I’m not here.”

Jacob rolled his eyes, “Cora’s not in here!”

“Then where is she?!” dren growled.

“I think she’s in Gabe’s room!” Stephen smirked.

“Oh…sorry, Jay.” dren muttered and walked away.

“Thank you.” I grinned, closing my eyes again.

“No problem.” He yawned.

“I need pajamas. Give me some.” I ordered him playfully.

“Psh. I don’t take orders.” He scoffed, not moving an inch.

I pushed him off the bed, “Now.”

He groaned and pushed himself off the floor, jumping up. “Jerk.”

“Yes, I am.” I puffed my chest out proudly.

He rolled his eyes again and went over to his dresser. He pulled out a pair of shorts with a draw-string and a big t-shirt. He threw them at me and pointed towards a door, “Bathroom.”

I got up and skipped over to the bathroom, humming the same random tune. I shut the door and stripped out of my clothes. I took a quick shower and put on Jacob's clothes.

I opened the door and froze in my tracks, mid-hum. My jaw dropped and eyes widened as they caught a smirking dren with his arms crossed over his chest standing in the middle of the room.

“What's up?”

He rolled his eyes, “My room. Now.”

“You’ll never catch me Benjam–!” I yelled as I immediately bolted past him and ran out the door.

“Cora!” He yelled, running after me.

Jacob was a traitor that shall never be forgiven! Ever!

“Help me!” I yelled, flailing my arms around as I ran down the stairs.

“Cora!” dren groaned, reaching out to grab me but I jumped off the fourth step up and landed on my feet.

“Help!” I screamed.

I scrambled into the kitchen and ran to the other side of the kitchen island with dren on the other side, the kitchen island serving as a barrier between the both of us.

“Ha ha.” I teased as he sighed in frustration, leaning on his own side of the island as he panted.

“Get up the stairs. Now.”

I rubbed my chin, “Hold on while I think about it!” I smirked and watched him carefully. "How about NO?!" I yelled, smirking tauntingly.

He glared, “Now.”

“Ah, ah, ah. Don’t get angry with me, Benny.” I wagged my finger.

Everyone was in the kitchen, looking at us. I saw Kaden behind everybody. He still looked sickly and pale. I quickly looked away from him and back at Ben.

“Why are you so difficult?!” dren asked aggravatedly.

“It’s a talent.” I smirked.

I started playing with the drawstring on the short.

“Look at this!” I smiled, lifting it up to show everyone.

Ben growled, “Get. Upstairs.”

I shook my head, “Nope. I like it down here. And you can't tell me what to do.”

Jasmine laughed, “Leave her alone, Benjamin. She doesn’t want to stay in your room for the rest of her life.”

“Thank you! At least someone understands!” I grinned.

Ben sighed, “Fine.”

“Now, where did I put my cookies and skittles?” I frowned, looking around.

They were by Kaden. Fate was definitely out to get me! No doubt about that.

I slowly walked over to get them, keeping my eyes on the ground. I could feel everyone watching me.

I grabbed them and turned around but someone’s hand was on my shoulder, stopping me. By the tingles and sparks that went through my body, I already knew who it was.

I closed my eyes, “What do you want, Kaden?”

“I’m sorry, Cora.” He whispered.

I pulled away from him and turned around, facing him coldly. "Listen, I know you're sorry but that doesn't change anything for fuck sake." I spat spitefully at him.

He whimpered and turned around, walking up the stairs and out of sight. I stared after him for only God knows how long. Unmoving.

“Bev?” dren asked hesitantly.

I shook my head, “I don't want to talk about it.”

“Ley-Lee Bear.” He sighed, grabbing my shoulder.

I gently got out of his hold, “I’m going to take a walk and be back later. Don’t wait up.”

I walked out of the kitchen, cookies and skittles in hand. I walked out the front door, ignoring their protests and pleas for me to come back.

I started walking, not even knowing where I was going. It was already late and it was really cold. I took out a cookie and started munching on it.

I heard footsteps and laughter behind me. I was going to turn around but stopped when I heard them whispering about me. Three voices, all male.

Not this again.

I poured some skittles in my mouth and turned the corner. Their footsteps sped up and soon enough, they were behind me again.

“Hey, Sexy! Why don’t you stop walking so fast and hang with us?!” A guy yelled to get my attention, which he did.

I stopped walking and turned around, “Huh?”

They smirked and walked closer until they were only a few feet away.

“What’s a hot girl like you doing out here all by herself?” The guy in the middle smirked casually. Guys like this piss me the fuck off.

“Walking.” I said in a ‘Duh’ tone.

“Sassy. I like it.” The guy on the left laughed.

I raised a brow, “That’s nice. Now, if you three will leave me alone so I can continue my walk by myself without any creepy stalkers, I‘d be more than happy. Thanks. Bye.” I turned around and continued walking.

“Hey!” The first guy yelled as they sped walked after me.

I kept my pace and stuffed another cookie in my mouth. Heaven! Someone grabbed my shoulder and I froze.

“Touch me one more time and I will break your fucking hand.” I growled, moving away from the guy protectively.

He laughed, “She is sassy. I love it.”

I rolled my eyes and started walking again. They were starting to really piss me off.

Once again, someone touched me. I stopped walking and threw my elbow back. It came in contact with something and the hand was off me.

The guy groaned in pain, “Ahhhhhhhh!”

I laughed and skipped away. The other guys were consulting the one they accorded respect as their leader.

I looked around me and the streets were unfamiliar. I had absolutely no idea where I was. I turned back to where I was coming from and that was even more unfamiliar.

There was no single person on the streets, not one. All I could make out with the help of the dim street lights was the abandoned wraps on the streets and stray cats running around.

Asides those, everywhere was pitch black. It was settled. I was definitely lost.

Footsteps sounded behind me.

“Get back here, bitch.” Someone spat.

I turned around with a blank expression on my face to see the same set of guys. Apparently, what my elbow came in contact with earlier was the guy's face; he had blood running down his nose.

“Oh my goodness! That looks nasty, you should get it checked.” I smirked and gagged.

One of the guys ran behind me as one went to my side and the leader stayed in front of me.

"Now." The leader growled.

Arms grabbed mine and bent them behind my back. I smirked as the leader stepped forward menacingly.

“You need to be punished.” He hissed.

“Are you going to punish me?” I laughed. It was a funny situation.

Pain filled my right cheek and I glared at the guy.

“It’s bad to hit a girl, douche.” I pouted.

“B-Cora, are y-you alright?” I heard Kaden whisper in my mind nervously.

I hesitated, “Why wouldn’t I be?”

“Because I just got punched in the face by air.” He said quietly that I almost missed it.

“Sorry. I’m fine.” Then I blocked him out.

“Sorry we have to end this a little early. My brother and–” I didn't exactly know what to refer to Kaden as, “–my complicated boyfriend are getting hurt because of me. So, please, let me go.”

The guy looked confused for a moment before making his face emotionless again as he punched me in my stomach.

“I got stabbed there earlier, you arse!” I scowled, getting out of the guy's arms by poking his stomach hard.

“What the hell!” He yelled, rubbing his stomach.

I shrugged and picked up my cookies and skittles, “Peace!