Chapter 31 Chapter: 31

Chapter 31 Chapter: 31
ADDISON

“Are you sure you don’t need the day off?” Jess asked worriedly as we walked down the school hallway the next morning. “I mean, no one would blame you if you did. You’ve had the worst luck lately.”

Oh, Jess, you don’t know the half of it, I thought as I flashed her a reassuring smile.

“I’m really okay, Jess. Thank you for caring about me, but hiding away wouldn’t change a thing. In fact, it would only make me look weak in front of those bullies. And I'd rather not give them more ammunition to hurt me.”

Jess nodded. “You’re right. Just be careful, okay? Angela isn’t going to let things slide easily, especially not after the way Shepherd came to your rescue. I swear, you should have seen her face after you guys left. She was utterly humiliated.”

Anger flared at hearing Angela’s name surface, but I tried to calm myself before I imploded inside. That bitch is lucky I wasn’t the old Addison; otherwise, I would have shown her that there are people you just don’t mess with.

“My class is here, see you at lunch,” Jess said, as she turned to look at me, her face worried.

“Try to stay out of trouble, Addie.”

I force smiled. “I will try.” She went to say something else, “Go.” I shoved her toward the class.” “I’ll be fine, I promise,” She nodded and reluctantly walked into her class.

Everyone keeps telling me to stay out of trouble. The funny part is, I don’t need to go out of my way looking for trouble for some reason; I’m a magnet for all kinds of trouble.

But like I told Jess and Shepherd last night, I try my best to avoid messy situations. For the most part, I kept to myself for half the day. Despite the stares and gossip, I tried not to let the pressure define how I live my life.

My brother Nolan had always told me that if you want to be respected, you'll have to stand for your beliefs, even in the face of great adversity.

The day was going great — or rather, as well as it gets for me. I was ignoring everything in exchange for peace of mind, and I would have probably succeeded too if Shepherd hadn’t waltzed into my chemistry lab class like he owned it.

Having him sit beside me, flirting and teasing, had thrown my equilibrium off. The entire class had been watching us, listening in on every interaction, and Shepherd was completely oblivious to them.

I didn't think after last night's rejection that he would seek me out again, considering how girls flutter around him like honey to bees, but he did, and not only that.

It seems he's more determined to fake-date me than ever. It’s probably because he’s not used to getting rejected by girls, and yet, if I said I'm not starting to waver, I’d be lying.

It's only the fear of what that would mean for me in a school like this that kept me grounded. I bolted out of the class because I didn't trust myself alone with him.

I inhaled a shaky breath and turned toward Jess’ class.

My step faltered when I found Jess, Emma, and Lia all waiting for me right outside in the hallway, which was a first. Usually, we mostly meet in the cafeteria on the day I go there, but recently they’d all avoided being seen with me — except Jess, of course.

Not that I blame them. I understand why they're cautious. Brighton Academy is cruel to people like us, and as is evident, Angela and the likes of her, who came from wealthy families, are exempt from the rules of the school.

They could do pretty much everything they want without consequence.

“What’s going on?” I asked, hitching my backpack high on my shoulder.

“We’re waiting to walk with you to the cafeteria, what else?” Emma started, looking at the two others for confirmation. They all looked nervous.

“Yes, come on. We need to get there fast before all the good stuff finishes,” Lia added.

I glanced at Jess, confused. She just shrugged, smiling before she started walking, dragging me along while the girls followed beside us, talking animatedly as they teased each other.

The dining hall was full to the brim, students eating and talking in low voices, the sounds of plates and utensils filling the space, accompanied by the smell of food.

I swallowed hard and straightened my shoulders as some of the students noticed me. I pretended I was listening to something Jess was saying, forcing a smile on my face.

But I was mentally checking out where Angela and Shepherd were; these two are the ones I should be looking out for. My shoulders slump a bit with relief when I realize they aren’t here.

With Angela, it's because I don’t want any trouble after what happened yesterday. With Shepherd, I just don’t like how my whole body reacted to his presence.

Somehow, he posed a greater threat to my peace of mind than Angela ever did, despite her bullying.

“Addie, why don't you wait at our table while we get our food?”

I frowned. “But I…”

“Great, we'll be back soon,” Jess cut in before I could even finish my sentence. Then together they strode to the food station.

I had no choice but to wait for them. So I pulled out a chair and sat down, feeling the hair on my nape rise every time a new pair of eyes landed on me.

They were back a few minutes later. Jess placed a tray filled with all my favorite foods in front of me, and a small chocolate cake with lots of frosting.

“We know this is little, but there's really not much we can do here. It's either that or a simple apology,” Jess started, smiling.

“The girls and I prepared this for you. I know one of the chefs in the kitchen and they were kind enough to let us make this. I made the Mac and cheese, Emma made the fruit salad, Lia made the cake.”

“Here, consider this our apology. We're so sorry about yesterday and we'll stand with you against Angela from now on.”

Lia and Emma nodded. “Forgive us?”

They were all staring at me with expectant expressions. It was then that I understood why they were doing this. They felt bad about avoiding me and about what Angela did to me, and are trying to make me feel better.

Although I felt bad, what really matters is that they're trying to make amends, which means they at least value our friendship. And honestly, I don't blame them for trying to stay out of trouble.

“So what did Denise make?” she flashed me a cute smile. “I brought you a bottle of water and your favorite soda.”

I couldn't help it. I laughed, and that seemed to break the ice because we were all chuckling as we settled into our normal routine, eating, chatting, and teasing until a sudden lull swept through the cafeteria.

Everyone was suddenly staring at me and at someone behind me. The hair on my nape stood on end, and something told me exactly who was at my back.

I felt her before I saw her, that ominous feeling of evil coming your way, because at this point, that's the only way I can describe Angela.

If she's here to mess with me, I'd rather be ready than be caught off guard. So I stood up and turned just as something flew toward me.

I gasped as the cold liquid soaked into my very bones. “What the hell?” I yelled, the juice was so cold. My entire shirt was drenched, now transparent, showing my bra and stomach.

“Oops, watch it, bitch,” Angela sneered. “How dare you yell at me when you're the one who just crashed into me.”