Chapter 26 – The Setup
Sam's POV
I thought the party would’ve ended after the stupid bottle game, but of course it didn’t. Dorm 9 never stopped when it was supposed to.
By the time I made it back to my room, my head was buzzing, my throat dry, and my nerves frayed from holding myself together all night. I just wanted to crash. Pretend none of it happened.
But trouble wasn’t done with me.
I found Elias standing by the window, his back to me, his shoulders tense.
“You okay?” I asked, dropping onto my bed.
He didn’t turn around. “No.”
My stomach twisted. “What happened?”
He finally glanced at me, his face tight. “Declan. He’s planning something.”
I frowned. “Planning what?”
Elias shoved a hand through his hair. “He told the guys he wants to make an example of me. Tonight.”
I sat up straighter. “What do you mean ‘make an example’?”
He laughed bitterly. “What do you think? Some setup, some humiliation. He’s been waiting for an excuse.”
My blood ran cold. I knew Declan was cruel, but hearing it like this—it made my skin crawl.
“When?” I asked.
Elias shrugged. “Soon. They were whispering about it before you came back. Something about the laundry room.”
“Laundry room?” I echoed.
“Yeah. They’re gonna ‘accidentally’ lock me in there with something. Hazing-style.” His jaw clenched. “Could be worse, though. They’re unpredictable.”
I bit my lip, my heart racing. I couldn’t just sit here while they ambushed him.
“You can’t go,” I blurted.
He arched a brow. “And what do you suggest, Hale? Hide in my room until graduation?”
I pushed off the bed, pacing. “No, I mean… you don’t have to walk into their trap. We can—” I stopped myself, realizing how much I’d just said.
“We?” His gaze sharpened.
Heat crawled up my neck. “I just mean… I don’t like bullies. That’s all.”
He studied me for a long beat. Then he sighed, rubbing his temples. “You’re impossible.”
Before I could reply, a loud knock rattled our door.
“Yo, Cross!” a voice called from the hall. “Declan wants you in the laundry room. Now.”
Elias muttered a curse under his breath.
He looked at me. “Stay here.”
Like hell I would.
The hallway was crowded with shadows and laughter. Half the dorm had gathered, pretending not to notice Elias walking past.
I slipped into the crowd, head down, trying to blend in. My pulse hammered as I caught bits of conversation.
“Bet he doesn’t last five minutes.”
“Declan’s gonna roast him.”
“Wonder if Hale’s next.”
I clenched my fists. They didn’t even try to hide their cruelty.
Elias walked stiffly, jaw set, like he already knew the outcome.
When we reached the laundry room, the door was wide open, fluorescent light spilling into the hall. Declan leaned casually against the wall, a smug smile on his face.
“Cross,” he drawled. “Glad you could make it.”
Elias glared. “What’s the game this time, Ward?”
Declan’s smile widened. “No game. Just a little… challenge.”
Two of his lackeys pulled something out from behind their backs. A crate of beer bottles.
My stomach sank.
Declan tapped one of the bottles with his finger. “You’re gonna down these. All of them. Or you’re done here.”
The group erupted in cheers and whistles.
Elias’ face hardened. “That’s insane.”
“Scared?” Declan taunted.
“I’m not stupid,” Elias shot back.
Declan’s smile turned cold. “Then maybe you need a little encouragement.”
At his signal, two guys stepped forward, crowding Elias, blocking the way out.
My heart raced. If he tried to refuse, they’d corner him. If he tried to fight, they’d outnumber him.
I had to do something.
“Wait!” The word slipped out before I could stop it.
Dozens of eyes turned my way.
Declan raised a brow. “Well, well. Hale. Didn’t know you were interested.”
I forced a shrug, praying my voice didn’t shake. “Just saying… if Cross can’t handle it, maybe someone else should step up. Prove themselves.”
The crowd murmured, some laughing, others intrigued.
Declan tilted his head. “You volunteering, Hale?”
My stomach lurched. I’d just handed myself the noose. But if I backed down now, Elias was done for.
“Yeah,” I said, forcing a smirk. “Why not?”
The room went wild.
Declan’s grin was razor-sharp. “Well, this is unexpected. Alright, Hale. Let’s see what you’ve got.”
The crate was shoved toward me, bottles clinking together. The smell of alcohol hit me like a wave.
Elias’ voice cut through the noise, sharp and low. “Don’t do this.”
I glanced at him, my pulse thundering. His eyes burned into mine, something desperate hiding there.
But I had to. For him. For her.
“Relax,” I muttered. “I’ve got this.”
The first bottle was cold in my hand. Declan’s smirk never wavered as I lifted it.
The crowd chanted my name, voices pounding in my skull.
I tipped the bottle back, the bitter burn flooding my throat.
One down.
Two.
Three.
By the fourth, the room spun, my stomach rebelling. My hands trembled as I slammed the bottle on the crate.
Declan laughed. “What’s wrong, Hale? Losing your edge?”
The group jeered, the sound deafening.
I grabbed another bottle, forcing it down, every swallow a battle. My chest burned, my head spun, but I couldn’t stop.
Elias’ voice cut through the haze, urgent. “That’s enough!”
I coughed, nearly choking, but shoved the bottle away. My vision swam.
Declan leaned closer, eyes gleaming. “Pathetic.”
Something snapped inside me.
I straightened, wiping my mouth, meeting his gaze dead-on. “Pathetic? You’re the one hiding behind your gang. Can’t even face someone alone.”
The room gasped. The laughter died instantly.
Declan’s smile vanished. His jaw clenched, eyes darkening.
Elias stepped forward quickly, his hand gripping my arm. “Enough, Hale. Don’t.”
But it was too late.
Declan’s voice was ice. “You’re gonna regret that.”