Chapter 105 105- Never Let Him Buy You Dinner
BLAKE
I don’t like this. Not even a little. The whole situation feels off. Wrong. The moment Lexi and I are even slightly separated, still in the same room, still well within reach, and suddenly this GIRL appears out of NOWHERE and inserts herself into Lexi’s space like she belongs there. Like she has a right to be there. Yeah, she’s saying she’s ‘thankful.’ That she wanted to come and talk to Lexi. So WHAT? That doesn’t mean anything. There wasn’t a single person in this place who was willing to even acknowledge Lexi unless it was to harass her. Not one. They ignored her, avoided her, talked about her behind her back. And now suddenly this girl shows up and sits beside her like they’re already best friends. I don’t believe it. People don’t change that quickly. Not without a reason. There’s always a reason. Lexi might not see it, but I do. She’s too open. Too willing to take people at face value, especially when she’s been isolated like she has. She wants this. She wants connection, someone normal to talk to, someone who isn’t me hovering over her shoulder every second. And that makes her vulnerable. This is exactly the kind of situation she should be cautious about. Instead, she’s leaning in. Smiling. Talking easily like this is just another normal day. Like she hasn’t spent weeks being isolated from everyone else here. No hesitation. No suspicion. Nothing. It’s… Frustrating. At least pretend to be wary, Lexi. After everything that’s happened, after everything we now know, someone suddenly decides to get close to you and you don’t question it at all? And what exactly is so special about this girl anyway? I glance at her again without lifting my head from the book. Small. Nervous. Avoidant. Not a threat. Not obviously, anyway. But that doesn’t mean anything. What does she actually offer? What does Lexi see in her? Is there something she thinks this girl has that I don’t? The thought irritates me more than it should. Or maybe it’s simpler than that. Maybe she’s just easier. Less intimidating. Less… Intense. Safer to be around. Or maybe it’s just that she’s female. That thought sits heavier. I don’t like that one at all. My grip tightens slightly on the edge of the book, though I force myself to stay still, to keep up the illusion that I’m not paying attention. Because I am. I’m listening to every word. The way Lexi’s voice lifts slightly when she’s excited. The way she leans closer. The way she laughs more easily. She sounds… Happy. And it’s because of her. Damn it. Something tight settles in my chest at that realisation. Uncomfortable. Sharp. I don’t like it. Not that I have a problem with Lexi having friends. Logically, it’s beneficial. More people who support her means more protection. More people who might step in if something happens. But that doesn’t mean I trust this. Not yet. Lexi can have friends. As long as those friends don’t interfere. As long as they don’t take up too much of her time. As long as they don’t hurt her. Or try to take her away from me.
“You should come sit with Blake and I for dinner.” Lexi’s voice cuts cleanly through my thoughts, bright and hopeful. Okay, that’s enough. I stand. I don’t rush, but I don’t hesitate either. The movement is deliberate, controlled. Enough to be noticed without making a scene. The room shifts slightly as I cross it. Conversations dip. A few students glance over, then quickly look away. Good.
When I reach their desk, I stop directly in front of it and clear my throat softly. Lexi looks up at me immediately, smiling like she’s pleased I came over. Of course she is. Ellorie reacts very differently. The change is immediate. The colour drains from her face, her posture tightening like she’s bracing for impact. Her gaze drops straight to the desk, avoiding mine completely, like she thinks if she doesn’t acknowledge me, I might lose interest. It doesn’t work.
“Hey Blake! This is Ellorie, the girl who got poisoned when I shifted for the first time. I was just asking if she wanted to have dinner with us.” Lexi says brightly, like I haven’t been listening to every word. Of course she was.
“Hello, Ellorie.” I say. I keep my tone level. Controlled. Not unfriendly, but not warm either. Measured. She murmurs something in response, probably ‘hi’ but it’s so quiet I barely catch it. And my hearing is far better than most. So that tells me everything I need to know.
“So, will you come for dinner, Ellorie?” Lexi asks again, hopeful. I glance at her properly this time. She looks like she might bolt out of her chair and run. There is absolutely no chance she’s going to answer that question while I’m standing here. After a moment of silence, Lexi looks up at me. That look. The one that says ‘help me’ without her having to say it out loud. I exhale slowly through my nose, suppressing the urge to sigh.
“You should come.” I say. The words feel… Reluctant. Because they are. But they matter to Lexi. And that’s what matters. Ellorie still doesn’t respond. Of course she doesn’t. Fine. I turn on my heel and walk back to my seat, deliberately putting distance between us. I sit down, pick up my book again, and give her the space she clearly needs. If she’s going to answer, it won’t be with me standing over her. Though I doubt it will make much difference. If she can’t manage a sentence here, dinner is going to be worse. Still. My eyes flick up briefly, watching from a distance now. She had better not disappoint Lexi.
By the time Lexi’s class ends, the girl still hasn’t given anything close to a real answer. Just a quiet, uncertain ‘maybe,’ mumbled like she’s hoping it won’t be followed up on. I don’t miss the way she avoids looking at me when she says it, or how her shoulders tense every time I shift even slightly in my seat. It’s obvious that while Ellorie-Rae might be willing to get close to Lexi, she’s not nearly as enthusiastic about getting close to me. Which is interesting. Especially after everything she said earlier about not believing the stories, about how I treat Lexi. Lexi would have known if she was lying, so I suppose she meant it. She doesn’t think I’m a monster. But not thinking I’m a monster and actually being willing to be near me are two very different things. Most people never make it to that second part. Lexi did. Easily. Without hesitation. Without needing to be convinced or reassured or eased into it. She just… Decided to trust me and acted accordingly. She doesn’t realise how rare and precious that makes her. How valuable. Or how dangerous that kind of blind trust could be in the wrong hands. I watch as the rest of the class files out, students gathering their things and slipping past us in small groups. Conversations start up again as they leave, quieter now, but still cautious. A few glance in our direction, but no one lingers long enough to matter. Ellorie-Rae moves with them, staying close to the edge of the room like she’s trying not to draw attention to herself. For a moment, it looks like she might hesitate near the door, like she might turn back or say something more to Lexi. She doesn’t. And then she’s gone. Good. The room feels different without her there. Quieter. Simpler. Less… Cluttered. I lean back slightly in my chair, my attention shifting immediately back to Lexi. She’s still packing up her things, completely unaware of how closely I’ve been watching everything that just happened. Or maybe she is aware and just doesn’t think it matters. Now all that’s left is her tutoring session. I can tolerate that. Layla is predictable. Controlled. Not a threat. And once that’s done, I’ll have Lexi to myself again.