Chapter 18 #2
“Adeline, I couldn’t help but notice… things,” he begins, his tone cautious. “There’ve been whispers. Rumours.”
My stomach twists as his words hang in the air.
I shift uneasily, uncertain of where this conversation is leading. “I’m not sure what you mean,” I manage, keeping my voice steady despite the defensiveness threatening to seep through.
“Adeline,” he says, softening, “we don’t tolerate bullying here. If something’s happening, you need to let someone know.”
My heart quickens its pace. These kinds of talks make me sick, and memories of past experiences flood my mind.
Confiding has never ended well for me. And especially won’t here.
Christian Ryder’s father is the headmaster.
His uncle? Gabriel Steele. And Kai Steele and Christian Ryder have the power to do anything they want anyway.
Telling Mr. Anderson won’t accomplish nothing.
It would just be me leading myself into a deep, dark hole.
“I appreciate the concern,” I reply, forcing a polite smile. “But it’s nothing worth worrying about.”
He studies me then, his expression flickering with doubt, then resignation.
“Just remember, if you ever need someone to talk to, I’m here. My door’s always open.”
I nod stiffly, murmuring thanks as I leave.
***
I feel nothing less than defeated as I walk down the corridor.
The late bell’s already rung, which means it’s quiet—mostly. I clutch my binders tighter, knowing they won’t hide me, but hoping they’ll buffer the world a little.
I just need to grab the rest of my things and get out.
I round the corner toward my locker and stop.
Ajax Ambrose is leaning against the opposite wall, laughing with two of his friends. I freeze. My fingers go cold.
Before he can see me, I duck slightly and move fast, keeping to the lockers, willing myself invisible. I’m almost there—three steps from making it—when:
“Addie!”
His voice is loud, too loud in the stillness, and my stomach drops.
I turn slowly, pushing the brightest smile I can manage onto my face.
“Hi!” I say, a little too chirpy.
Ajax frowns immediately, stepping away from the wall. “Are you okay?”
I force a laugh. “Yeah. Just tired.”
His brows stay drawn. “I heard what people are saying. I wanted to check on you. To make sure—”
I tighten my grip on my books. “It’s not true.”
“I know,” he says, and his smile is so genuine it almost hurts. “People are just… mean. They’ll get what’s coming for them.”
I want to believe him, I do. For a moment, I feel the tight cage in my chest loosen.
He glances at my locker. “Going home?” he asks.
I nod, jerkily. “Yeah.”
“I’ll walk you,” he says.
“Okay,” I say, softly. Mechanically, I turn back to my locker and start pulling books out. My hand closes around my English folder when I notice Ajax has gone still beside me.
He’s no longer looking at me.
His gaze is fixed on something behind me, a flicker of discomfort crossing his face.
“What is it?” I ask quietly, turning.
“Good afternoon,” Kai says politely, and I stop breathing for a moment. Kai’s coat is a tailored trench in deep charcoal, the collar turned up just slightly. A soft grey scarf is wrapped loosely around his neck.
“Kai,” I say, my voice smaller than I mean it to be.
He’s already moving toward us, unhurried. He leans against the locker next to mine, hands tucked casually into his pockets, posture loose.
“Adeline,” he murmurs, and there’s a faint curve to his mouth—not quite a smile, not quite not.
His gaze slides past me to Ajax. He studies him for a heartbeat too long, looking him up and down, which is intimidating to me, and I’m not even the one being looked at.
“Ajax, was it?”
Ajax nods once, curt. “Yeah.”
Kai’s expression doesn’t change, but something about the moment makes the corridor feel narrower.
“You weren’t in class,” I point out, forcing my voice steady.
“No,” he says softly. “I wasn’t. I came back to collect my
things.”
There’s a beat of silence.
Then Ajax scoffs quietly from somewhere next to me.
Both Kai and I turn to look at him.
“I’m sorry,” Kai says gently, but pointedly. “Is there something you wish to say?”
Ajax shifts beside me. “You seriously think you’re better than everyone, don’t you? You aren’t that great. You aren’t even that smart.”
For a second, Kai just looks at him—head tilted slightly, like he’s genuinely considering the question.
Then, with the smallest nod, he replies, “Better than everyone? Of course not. Just better than the ones who keep asking me that question. But please,” he adds pleasantly, “don’t mistake your discomfort for my arrogance. ”
Ajax’s face freezes.
Kai smiles.
“Kai,” I say carefully, looking between them nervously, “that was really—”
He cuts me off without looking. “—truthful?”
He glances at the expensive looking watch on his wrist, a casual gesture, and yet it only makes Ajax bristle more.
Kai finally looks back at me, gaze softening once again. “Adeline,” he says smoothly, “you really ought to be more selective about the company you keep.”
He peels himself from the locker in one fluid motion, stepping forward gracefully. Then, he leans in—just slightly—a ghost of a smile tugging at his mouth.
“Mediocrity is awfully contagious,” he whispers near my ear, yet just loud enough for Ajax to hear every single syllable.
I barely register the flash of movement beside me.
Ajax grabs him by the collar and shoves him back against the lockers.
The metal clangs sharply behind Kai, echoing down the corridor.
I suck in a breath. “Ajax—!”
Kai smiles a wide and almost lazy smile. His hands don’t rise. He doesn’t even blink. A lock of hair falls neatly out of place as he licks his lips and gives Ajax a crooked, maddening grin.
“Say that again,” Ajax hisses, voice tight with fury. “Say it again and I swear—”
“You’ll do what?” Kai interrupts, calmly, elegantly. “Enlighten me.”
He bites the inside of his cheek, almost amused, and just stares.
And somehow… that is what makes Ajax hesitate. That’s what tinges his cheeks slightly pink. Kai doesn’t even need to lift a finger.
The fingers at his collar tighten… then loosen. Ajax releases him and steps back, shoulders stiff.
Kai straightens his coat and smooths a wrinkle before turning to face Ajax fully. “Don’t do that again,” he says, and his tone is almost polite, if not slightly patronising. “I don’t respond well to threats. They’re so…”
His lips curve.
“Inelegant. They tell me you’ve already run out of wit.”
Another moment of silence passes, and Ajax gets visibly more frustrated.
“You really should work on your composure, Ajax,” Kai says finally, “It’s leaking all over the expensive floor.”
“Well maybe you should—”
“I’d really appreciate it. Considering the coat you just manhandled is Saint Laurent and limited edition. Your fingers don’t belong anywhere near it.”
Then, without waiting for a reply, he turns back to me—all that tension falling off his shoulders like dust from his coat.
“Adeline,” he says again, as if nothing happened. “Shall I walk you out?”
***
Kai doesn’t end up walking me out, muttering something about having somewhere to be and politely walking off. That was around fifteen minutes ago, and now I’m on my way to the bus stop.
Absentmindedly, I reach into my pocket, and a sinking realization hits me: there’s not enough money for the bus. Guess I’m walking. If I hurry, I might make it to the café on time and avoid Rick’s disappointment. I can’t lose this job—not now.
Urgency fuels my strides, propelling me forward, but Naomi’s voice stops me.
“Adeline!”
I glance back as she jogs over, annoyance bubbling beneath my skin.
“Hi,” I mutter, quickening my pace.
“Wow, make me run, why don’t you,” she teases, her tone light. But I can’t find it in me to laugh.
“Shouldn’t you be on your way home with Sam? You know, in the car?” I ask, my impatience seeping into my words.
“Sam left school early and I didn’t have enough money to take the bus either.” There’s irritation in her voice now.
“I’ve been looking for extra jobs,” I say, sidestepping her.
“Maybe I could help at the café,” she offers.
The suggestion ignites a simmering anger within me.
“Seriously? Maybe?” I respond, my irritation colouring my words.
Confusion flashes across Naomi’s face. “What? I’m offering, aren’t I? I’m just trying to help.”
I don’t spare her a glance, instead quickening my pace even more. “You should have helped months ago,” I bite back.
Naomi stares at me, stunned. “I’m sorry, okay? What’s gotten into you?”
Something inside me snaps. I stop abruptly, turning to face her. “But instead, you were too busy feeling sorry for yourself and blaming me for something that wasn’t my fault,” I say, my voice trembling with rage.
Naomi tries to interject, but my rage spills out despite my efforts to control it. “Okay, fine. Is this what you want to hear? That it was all my fault? That I should have died instead of him?” My voice cracks, but there’s no way I would ever let myself cry in front of her.
Naomi’s silence is deafening, her gaze fixed on mine.
“Do you hate me because I didn’t?” I whisper, staring at her with the same intensity.
When she doesn’t respond, I turn away, quickening my pace once more. My eyes burn, but I won’t let the tears fall.
Naomi tries to speak, but her words are lost as we both freeze.
Kai Steele storms out of a nearby shop, obvious irritation swirling in his eyes. Behind him, Paris stumbles out, her face pale and on the verge of tears. She clutches two large shopping bags, her hands trembling. Her eyes glisten with unshed tears, and her lips quiver ever so slightly.
I glance at Naomi, who stands beside me, her own surprise etched on her face.
My phone pings. Lilia, I think with relief, but the screen reads Unknown. The mere sight of those words on the screen freezes me in place.
And from the look on Naomi’s face, she saw it too.