Chapter 3
Sebastian
"What the hell, Seb?" Ace storms into my room, annoyance and worry lining his face.
"What's your problem, Ace? I'm not really in the mood for this shit." It's been two weeks since everything changed, and I still have no idea what the fuck is going on.
"Mary. I found her and Tyler outside the Dean's office. It looked like he was threatening her—or about to. I got there in time before he could hurt her, but she looked shaken up." I stare at him in confusion. Why the hell would Tyler be threatening Mary?
I'm so damn tired of not having any answers.
It’s been two fucking weeks since she’s talked to me. Since I’ve touched her. I’ve tried so damn hard to get her to open her dorm room or even answer her phone, but she refuses. I’ve given her space—more than I was wiling to—but now I want fucking answers.
I don't waste any time jumping up from my bed, grabbing my keys, and
slamming the front door behind me. She's going to tell me what the hell is going on.
First, I need to visit Tyler—because no one touches what's mine.
I find him leaning against the railing like he owns the damn place.
The stupid fucking smug look on his face—the one that has been constantly pissing me off since I can remember—is somehow worse today.
Maybe it's the way he keeps his eyes trained on Mary across the quad, like he knows something I don't. Like he's proud of that.
Tyler sees me, knowing a fight is coming in some way. After Ace told me about him cornering Mary, I have no intention of letting him walk away.
"Still sulking?" he says, loud enough for her to hear.
"Sulking? No. See, I'm here because you think it's okay to put your hands on people who don't want you."
"Oh, Seb. You must know that she's been bored. That's why she's been avoiding you for two weeks. I came in and spiced things up for you and her. You were just convenient."
I don't even think.
I swing.
It's not a clean punch. It's not thought out.
It's messy and fast, fueled by anger that’s been building for years.
My fist connects with his jaw, and he stumbles back, almost falling over the railing.
His eyes are wide, as if he can't believe I punched him.
Again. Blood is already streaming down his lip.
He lunges at me, and we almost crash into the dirt, but I hold my ground.
Someone yells, and I think it's her, but I don't stop.
I want him to feel it. Every ounce of hatred I’ve ever felt for him. Wrapping my hand around his throat, I push him up against the side of the building.
My face is only inches away from Tyler's as my grip tightens.
"You're so lucky I don't fucking kill you right now," I seethe, spit hitting his face. "I don't give a shit who your daddy is. You touch her again, and I won't hesitate to end your pathetic life."
Tyler laughs. A full-blown laugh, and it takes everything in me not to gut him like a fish.
"Why don't you ask her what happened? Ask her what happened at the party. She asked for it, Seb. She begged and begged. I only gave her what she wanted." His words halt me. He's lying.
Mary wouldn't...
I don't wait a second longer before I bring my fist to his face again, his cheekbone crunching under my knuckles. His body goes limp, and I drop him to the ground. I see his brother rushing over to help him up, and at the same time, I see the Dean—a look of annoyance crossing his face.
I turn around, my eyes locking with Mary. She heard every word. Her eyes are wide, skin pale as she covers her mouth with both hands. Silent tears stream down her face, and I can't move. I can't think. I can't fucking breathe.
"Is it true?" I ask, my eyes close for a brief second, hoping that if I don't see her, she can't admit it.
"Is it fucking true, Mary?" I yell, closing the distance between us and gripping her face in my hand—not hard enough to hurt her, but enough to make sure she understands I'm not fucking around. I tower over her short frame, crowding her. Her long blonde hair frames her face, and tears stream down her cheeks, making her eyes shine that beautiful blue I’ve gotten used to looking into everyday.
Now, those same eyes hold nothing but pain and lies.
She can only manage a slight nod, her body shaking uncontrollably.
My heart completely stops. It's no longer beating, and everything in me shatters.
Piece by piece, the broken shards inside me pierce my heart, and if I weren't breathing, I wouldn't know I was still alive.
The words I want to say are stuck. I watch as she tries to hold her sobs in, and it almost makes me bring her into my chest—but I don't. I can't.
I nod my head and step back, needing to get the hell away from her to process any of this.
"Seb," she cries, trying to reach out to me, but I dodge her attempt. "Seb, please."
"Mary, don't. I can't. No. I won't do this. I'm—" I take a shaky breath, trying to keep myself from breaking down.
"Seb, please, just let me—" I cut her off, knowing people are starting to gather, and the last thing we need is a crowd. I turn and storm off, leaving the rest of my heart back on the ground with Mary.
I don't look back.
I walk away with my chest deflating and a need to disappear for a while.