Chapter 20
CHAPTER TWENTY
RILEY
Iwas on edge most of the day on Monday from worrying over my mom, Morgan, and the newest threat that was still a mystery. Blake was quiet in our classes together, and I made the decision not to bother any of them while they were all processing what had happened over the weekend.
My brain had already processed and then chosen to ignore everything. It was an adequate coping mechanism that was a quick fix but left me feeling wound up.
Mr. Gale chose to call me out of sixth period for guidance counseling. The week before, there hadn't been much guidance or counseling. Instead, he grilled me.
I sat down in the chair in his office and he got up and shut the door. I frowned and held my bag in my lap. Even though the knife wasn't in there, I had a gut feeling that I needed to protect what was mine.
"How are you doing today? Friday must have been traumatic for you." He sat back down in his chair and folded his hands on his desk.
I honestly hadn't even thought much about it with everything else going on. I was more concerned about getting the knife back and what would happen to me if my mom had disappeared with it.
"I was stupid wearing heels by the pool. I'm such a klutz sometimes." I looked at the door again. "Is this going to be a weekly thing?"
He steepled his fingers and tapped them against his lips. "You aren't doing as well in your classes and have been acting erratically."
"I'm passing all my classes." I couldn't disagree with the erratic part. "It's been a rough year so far, but I'm getting into a groove."
"You've been hanging out with the Tritons." It wasn't worded as a question. "Why?"
Because they have tails, and what if I grow one? Because they make me feel things that no one else does? Because I'm going crazy?
"I don't think that's any of your business, Mr. Gale." I wondered what his deal was.
There was the idea that he was Poseidon's son, but I just didn't see it at all. Why go through all the hassle of pretending to be a school counselor? Seemed like something below a demigod.
"Here's what I think." He stood and looked out the window behind him, giving me his back. "I don't think you fell into that pool. You aren't a klutz, Ms. Kline."
I stayed silent and wanted to chuck something at the back of his head. Instead of grabbing the tape dispenser, I started playing with the necklace Jax gave me.
I was so focused on the slightly grainy texture of the pearls I didn't notice that Mr. Gale had turned back around and was now leaning on his desk inspecting the necklace.
I quickly shoved it back in my shirt and stood. "I don't want you to call me out of class anymore."
"Three pearls. Interesting." He chuckled and sat down, shaking his head. "When you really need them, are they going to stand by your side or watch you drown?"
I clenched my jaw and slammed the door on my way out because it was better than the alternative, which involved stapling his mouth shut.
By the time I walked back across campus, sixth period was just letting out. I must have looked like I was on a warpath because everyone moved out of my way.
Tory's eyes widened as I stalked toward my computer and sat down with a huff. "You look murderous."
"I'm fine." I spoke too soon because Ashley made her way to stand in front of us. "I'm not in the mood, Ashley."
She smiled sweetly, even though I knew underneath it was anything but. "I just wanted you to know that I saw Morgan going into the science building bathrooms with Emily."
Jax came in right as I stood and gave me a concerned look. Ashley sauntered away, giving Jax a finger wave that made me want to stab her in the crotch with a spork.
I pushed past Jax, who had stopped in the middle of the aisle and left the room.
I needed to breathe. Instead, my feet took me toward the science building.
All of my common sense was gone and the only thing I could think about was Morgan fisting Emily's trashy blonde hair while she was on her knees in front of him.
I went into the girls' bathroom first since it was cleaner and the more logical choice to hook up. I looked under each stall and one of the girls washing her hands gave me a dirty look. I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror and I had to do a double take.
I looked like a mad woman with my brows furrowed and my face covered with a tinge of pink. I needed to calm down. Anger made sirens snap, and the last thing I wanted to do was hurt anyone.
But why was this happening now? I'd been angry in the past and just carried on as normal. Now, I felt the deep-seated desire to inflict pain.
I left the bathroom and walked right into the boys'. I was hit with the smell of urine and made a gagging sound as a few guys at the urinals started protesting my arrival.
"Where is he?" There were four stalls and all of them had open doors.
"Get out!"
"Not like I can see your tiny dick anyway." I stalked out of the bathroom, not caring that commenting on a guy's dick size while he peed was a low blow.
I bumped right into Blake, who took me by the elbow and steered me toward the side of the building. He opened a door and guided me in, flicking on a light switch.
"Why are we in the janitor's closet?" I pinned him with a glare as he locked the door. "This is so cliché, it's ridiculous."
"I saw you walk into the girls' bathroom and wondered what the hell you were doing so far from yearbook." He crossed his arms over his chest. "Then I see my messages and have one from Jax saying he's worried about you because you left class looking bloodthirsty."
"He took her into the bathroom!" I kicked an empty bucket and started pacing in the small space. "I'm going to cut off his-" I slapped my hand over my own mouth and leaned against the shelves.
Blake's eyes went wide and he took a tentative step forward, keeping his distance. "Who went into the bathroom?"
I shut my eyes and let a tear escape. "Morgan and Emily."
He put a hand on my arm. "Morgan went home at lunch... by himself. Look, I don't know who told you that, but clearly they want to start shit."
I nodded, but my body was still tense. "I'm scaring myself, Blake."
He cupped my cheek and wiped my tears. "We don't know much about sirens raised out of water. I think with everything going on in your life, it has made whatever is happening worse." I agreed. "And now you don't have the knife."
"Why make a knife instead of something like a necklace or ring? Poseidon is an idiot." He pulled me into a hug and my body instantly relaxed, my anger melting away. "You're helping."
His hands moved to my lower back where they rubbed gently. I suddenly felt the complete opposite of angry. I pulled back slightly and his eyes had darkened to almost black.
"This isn't very... romantic." Blake brought a hand to my chin and ran his thumb across my bottom lip. "Let's ditch the rest of the day. What's left of it, anyway."
"I have dance right after school lets out." I shut my eyes as his hand moved to the side of my neck and his fingers stroked the sensitive skin under my ear. I felt like I was being put under a spell. "My bag is in class."
"Sounds like you're making excuses not to go and make out somewhere." He moved his mouth against my ear. "Is making out here too cliché for you?"
I trembled at his words and gasped as his tongue traced the shell of my ear. "We might get caught."
He slid his fingers into my hair and my eyes rolled as he fisted a handful. "No one's going to catch us." He trailed his lips across my jaw and ghosted them over my lips. "I can stop if you're scared."
I closed the distance between us and took his mouth in a heated kiss that made my toes curl. His hands gripped my ass, and he lifted me. My legs wrapped around him and he sat down in a swivel chair. It made a horrible noise, and I laughed against his lips.
"I hope this thing doesn't break." He kissed down to my neck, and I ran my hands over his head. "You taste so sweet."
I moaned as his warm hands moved up the back of my shirt. I rolled my hips against him and he tipped his head back with a sigh. His skin was hot against my lips as I kissed his neck. He shuddered as I nipped.
"We should go..." I throbbed between my legs. "Maybe tonight..."
He traced the top hem of my shirt, dipping his finger under and pulling the pearls from inside. He rubbed a thumb over them. "You're going to stay with us again?"
Did I really have a choice? My house had nothing in it anyway, and even if it did, the water monster was still a threat. I'd seen the movie Ghostbusters where the slime monster comes through the faucet.
"If you want me to. I thought you guys were mad at me."
"Not mad. I'm more pissed at myself that you don't feel you can trust me enough to tell me something like that." He stood, putting me back on my feet. "She could have hurt you."
"She's my mom." I frowned at him but considered his words. "She wouldn't hurt me."
"She wanted the knife, correct?"
"Yes, she needed it. She wanted me to stay away from you three." I crossed my arms. "I can see her point, but I just can't seem to stay away."
"Well, you aren't doing a very good job. And of course she warned you away from us. Our people slaughtered your people. Did you ask her where she got the knife in the first place?"
"No." I didn't like where the conversation was headed and walked to the door. "She just needed the knife."
"And what about when you need it?" He picked up his backpack he had dropped at some point. I had been so angry I hadn't even noticed it.
"I'll just lock myself in a janitor's closet with one of you and let you kiss the crazy away." I unlocked the door, but before I could open it, he spun me around. "What?"
"You aren't crazy." He gave me a peck on the cheek. "I think you're the appropriate level of angry considering everything."