Chapter 54

OMARI

Maybe Violet’s rumor wasn’t just gossip anymore.

That night, I barely slept. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw that faint red flicker near the roses.

It wasn’t bright or close enough to be real, but it was there.

I told myself it could’ve been a reflection, maybe a car, maybe my mind. But deep down, I didn’t believe that.

By morning, my body felt heavy. The house was too quiet again. Mom had left early, probably at the flower shop, and the air smelled faintly like soil and dew.

The boys were nowhere in sight.

I took a long shower and changed into my uniform, tying my hair back. My hands shook when I buttoned my shirt. I told myself it was just the cold.

When I got downstairs, Leighton was leaning against the counter with a mug in his hand. His hair was still damp, and he looked like he hadn’t slept either.

He didn’t smile when he saw me.

“Ashton’s waiting outside,” he said. His voice was low, rough.

“Okay,” I said softly.

He looked at me for a long second, then said, “You saw something last night, didn’t you?”

I froze.

He must’ve noticed because his eyes softened. “Your room light was still on past midnight.”

I looked down at my hands. “I thought I saw something. Near the garden.”

“The garden?” His tone sharpened.

I nodded. “A red light. Just for a second.”

Leighton put his mug down. “You should’ve told us.”

“I wasn’t sure what it was.”

He sighed and rubbed his face. “Next time, don’t wait. Even if you think it’s nothing.”

I wanted to argue, but before I could, a car horn sounded from outside. Leighton grabbed his bag and headed for the door. “Let’s go.”

When I stepped out, Ashton was by the car, talking to someone near the gate.

At first, I thought it was one of the guards  until the person turned around.

It was Kael.

My breath caught. He looked different, not tired, but harder somehow. His jaw was tense, eyes sharp, dark hair slightly messy like he hadn’t slept either.

He nodded at Leighton, then at me. “Morning.”

“You left,” Ashton said quietly, not looking happy.

“Had to,” Kael replied. “Needed to check something.”

Leighton frowned. “And?”

Kael’s gaze flicked toward me, then back to them. “It’s spreading faster than we thought.”

No one said anything after that. Ashton’s jaw tightened. Leighton looked away.

I didn’t know what any of it meant. I didn’t want to.

The ride to school was silent. Kael followed behind us on his bike, his eyes always on the car. Every time I looked out the window, I caught a glimpse of him,  the sharp lines of his face, the way his hand gripped the handle, the wind tugging at his jacket.

He didn’t look like a boy anymore. He looked like someone ready for war.

When we got to school, the whispers started again.

“The cursed girl.”

“She brought it back.”

I tried not to listen. I really did.

But it was hard when I caught Violet standing by the lockers with her little circle, smirking.

Her eyes locked on me.

She leaned close to one of her friends and whispered something that made them laugh.

I felt my face heat up. Ashton saw it too. His hand twitched like he wanted to do something, but Leighton stepped in front of me.

“Ignore her,” he said quietly.

I nodded, even though it didn’t help.

Then someone spoke from behind us.

“She’s not worth it.”

The voice was colder. Deeper.

I turned.

Peighton stood a few feet away, hands in his pockets, watching Violet with a look that could freeze air.

He hadn’t been at breakfast. I hadn’t even seen him since the night before.

“Peighton,” Ashton said, surprised. “Didn’t think you’d come.”

He shrugged. “I changed my mind.”

His eyes moved to me. For a second, he didn’t say anything. He just looked  slow, assessing, like he was trying to read me without words.

Then, “You look like you didn’t sleep.”

“I didn’t,” I said softly.

He hummed, not quite sympathy, not quite mockery. “You should. Wouldn’t want you falling apart again.”

The words stung a little, but his tone wasn’t cruel. It was careful like he was hiding something under the cold.

Leighton glared at him. “Not now.”

Peighton smirked faintly. “Relax. I’m just saying.”

We started walking, but I could feel him beside me.

Not too close, not too far. Just enough that his presence filled the space between us.

Every time someone looked at me or whispered, his shoulders seemed to stiffen. He didn’t say anything, but his silence said more than words could.

During lunch, the four of us sat under the oak tree. Kael leaned against the trunk, quiet, his eyes scanning the crowd like he was watching for danger.

Leighton and Ashton were arguing about something.  Strategy, maybe, or protection.

Peighton sat next to me, silent, spinning his soda can in his hand.

“You really think it’s true?” I asked finally.

He didn’t look up. “What?”

“The mark. The curse.”

His jaw tightened. “I don’t believe in curses.”

“Then what do you believe in?”

He turned his head slowly until our eyes met. His gaze was sharp, almost too sharp. “I believe in choice. And you’re making bad ones.”

I blinked. “What do you mean?”

“You keep walking into danger like you want to see how close you can get before it burns you.”

I frowned. “That’s not fair.”

“Maybe not,” he said quietly, “but it’s true.”

For a while, we didn’t say anything. The wind blew through the grass, carrying the smell of rain.

Kael looked up suddenly, his eyes narrowing toward the woods beyond the field.

“Ashton,” he said, voice low.

Ashton followed his gaze. “You see it too?”

Leighton stood. “Let’s go.”

I stood too. “What’s going on?”

Kael’s voice was quiet but firm. “Stay here.”

“No,” I said quickly. “I’m not-”

Peighton’s hand shot out, grabbing my wrist. His grip wasn’t rough, but it was strong enough to stop me.

“Stay,” he said. Just one word.

Something in his tone made my heart pound.

They disappeared toward the trees. I could see their figures moving fast through the field.

Minutes passed. Then more.

The silence started to stretch too long.