Chapter 3
three
Rowyn Hale
Intrigue
The next morning, Misti and I walk to the cafeteria to get breakfast. We fill up our trays then find a table to sit at.
“What do you want to do today? Classes don’t start just yet. I heard there’s a frat party tonight. Do you wanna check it out?” she asks as I take a sip of my iced tea.
“Yeah, sure. Whatever you want to do I’m cool with,” I respond, and she nods, digging into her food. I stab my fork into my pancakes and bring it to my mouth. I moan at the taste of the vanilla and maple goodness. Why are these so good?
Suddenly, the room goes quiet and we both look at one another then to the center of the room. There stand the three gods, skipping the line and getting food.
“I went to high school with them. This is the same shit they did then. I can’t stand them.
” She groans, taking a sip of her apple juice.
I shrug, looking away, and continue eating.
If we don’t stare, maybe they won’t notice us.
“Ya know, I wish someone would actually grow a pair and stand up against them,” she spits, and I look up yet again, not being able to help myself.
“Has anyone tried? Are they really that bad?” I ask, and she chokes on her drink.
“Yes, they are,” she exclaims, and I look at her as she tucks her hair behind her ear. She has this far away look as if she is the one who personally experienced their wrath.
“Okay, okay. Sorry, Misti. I didn’t realize how serious this all is.” I chuckle, and she turns to me, her eyes telling me a story her lips are too afraid to speak.
“Trust me. They’re not good people,” she states as her bottom lip trembles.
“What happened? You can tell me,” I whisper, but her eyes widen as footsteps approach us.
“Shit!” she mutters as my tray is pulled away from me. I immediately look up and my eyes lock with grey ones. Anger flows through his facial features. His jaw is tight as he looks down at me.
“You’re in my seat,” he growls as I try to pull my tray back.
“There’s plenty of other ones to choose from,” I say softly as Grayson comes to stand next to him. A chair screeches against the waxed floor and Elliot plops down in it, sitting diagonally from me. His fingers tap the top of mine and I jump, not expecting anyone to touch me.
“It’s okay, Rowyn. We just came to talk,” he assures me with a smile.
“I’m sorry,” I whisper, and Grayson growls, placing his hands on top of the table, crowding my space.
“Say it again, only louder this time,” he commands, and I gasp.
“Enough, guys. Give it a rest,” Misti interjects, and all three sets of eyes snap to her.
“No one was talking to you, leech. Mind your business,” Kade spits venomously. I go to say something, but Grayson places his finger over my lips.
“I’m waiting,” he snarls, and I gulp.
“I’m sorry,” I say as my lips tremble with fear, and he laughs.
“Louder for everyone to hear, Chunkers,” he shouts as the room goes silent for the second time this morning. There’s that nickname again. I don’t like it. I’m already self conscious as it is and that name just makes it worse.
“I’m sorry,” I say through gritted teeth as my hands tighten into fists.
“Eh, that was pitiful. Get up,” he commands, and I shake my head, my body trembling with anger the longer this goes on.
“If you just do what he tells you, this will be over quicker than you think,” Elliot assures me, and I nod, standing from my seat and pulling down my shirt. All three of their eyes zero in on my cleavage then back up to my face.
“I said I was sorry,” I shout, staring into Grayson's cold green eyes. The cafeteria laughs, making him smirk, which only makes me want to fold into myself.
“Good, little pet. Now sit down! Tomorrow, I better not find you or the leech in Kade’s seat,” he states as I sit, then he picks up my tray, dumping my breakfast over my head.
I gasp as warm pancakes fall on my head then down my shirt along with grapes that roll in their direction.
Kade picks one up and pops it into his mouth as sticky syrup slowly drips down my forehead.
Tears well in my eyes as embarrassment fills my veins.
I feel my cheeks redden, and all I want to do is crawl in a dark hole to die, but I’m a glutton for punishment, and I look at Elliot who is already watching me.
He gives me a half smile then gets up and walks away.
“Welcome to Lockridge U, see you around, Shadow Mouse.” Kade grins then walks away with Grayson. I look over to Misti and she reaches for my face, wiping away the tears I didn’t know had fallen.
“Can we go back to our room now?” I ask, and she nods, grabbing my hand.
“Yeah, come on,” she says in a low tone as if she’s too afraid to speak louder.
We leave the table, walking in the opposite direction the guys went in and out of the cafeteria.
Silence fills the halls as we make it back to our room, and the minute the door shuts behind me, I let out a breath and turn towards Misti.
“That was—” But she cuts me off.
“I told you. They may look like gods, but all three of them are pieces of shit. They can be nice one minute and the next—absolutely vile. I’m sorry you had to deal with that. I hoped you wouldn’t get on their radar,” she says, and I nod, grabbing new clothes from my dresser.
“I hope this was a one time thing because—“ but I stop mid-sentence seeing the look of fear on her face. “I’m going to shower, I'll be back,” I say, then leave the room. I wish we had our own private shower, so at least then I could break down without anyone knowing. Especially since the need to cut is damn near crippling right now. I need to figure out a different way to release the pain aching in my chest, otherwise, I don’t know what the outcome will be if I don’t.
Later that night, we are standing by the kegs at the frat party Misti talked me into going to. Apparently, the three assholes don’t frequent these types of parties. It’s the one place they can’t be in control, so if they aren’t hosting the party, or if it’s not at the school, they won’t go.
“Here, take this. It will make you feel good.” She giggles, handing me a little pink heart-shaped pill. I raise my brow, and she nods her head. “It’s E. Trust me,” she encourages, and I shrug. Fuck it. Maybe it will take the nagging bitch in my head, screaming at me, away.
“Bottoms up.” I laugh, placing it on my tongue and taking a gulp of the beer in my cup.
“Thatta girl.” She giggles and pulls my hand, taking me to the dance floor.
The lights dim as we shake our hips to the beat of the music.
Other girls come to dance with us, and before I know it, the drug flows through my veins and a smile spreads across my face as goosebumps litter my sweaty skin.
For a moment in time, nothing else matters.
No harsh words can hurt me right now. Between the music, the girls surrounding me, and the drugs, I feel fucking amazing.
Strong hands wrap around my waist, and I freeze for a millisecond before whoever is behind me squeezes my hip, and I begin to move again to the music.
His warm breath crawls up the column of my neck, sending shivers up my spine as he dances behind me.
I roll my hips and press my ass against him as his other hand roams from my hips up my rib cage.
“Mmm, you smell so fucking good,” his deep voice rumbles in my ear.
But suddenly, his warmth leaves me, and as I’m about to turn around to see what the fuck just happened, another set of hands wrap around my waist.
“Don’t stop, keep moving that ass on me.” He groans, digging his fingertips into my hips. I close my eyes and let the beat of the music take over my movements. His hands roam my body, and I love it. For once, I’m not worried about how I look. I just want to feel everything.
“You’re so beautiful, Petal,” he growls, licking the shell of my ear. I smile, but before I can do anything more, I’m ripped away from him and pulled off the dance floor. What the fuck? The room spins slightly, but another set of strong hands steady me as I’m pushed into a dark hallway.
“You don’t belong here, Shadow Mouse. Leave,” Kade threatens, caging me in against a wall.
“I thought you guys didn’t come here,” I whisper, but he snarls, getting in my face. Mint and weed lace his breath, and I bite back a moan.
“Are you high?” he asks, and I giggle, shaking my head.
“Are you?” I ask, and he grabs my face, pinching my cheeks. “Ouc–”
“I won’t tell you again. Leave,” he orders, releasing me and taking a step back. I roll my eyes and walk away, looking for Misti. I search the dance floor but I can’t seem to find her. Where the fuck did she go? I turn back around and slam into a hard body. Fuck!
“That’s twice in twenty four hours, Chunkers,” he grits, and I swallow thickly, stepping around him and going out the back door. Finally spotting Misti, I march right up to her, and she looks at me with wide eyes.
“Can we go? I’m too high to deal with those fucks!” I say, and she looks at me like I have ten heads.
“Who?” she asks, and I turn to look over my shoulder but no one is there. What the fuck?
“Dickface, Asshole, and Fuckhead. They’re here. Already fucking with me,” I state, and she looks around, shaking her head.
“I don’t see any sign of them. Come on. Take a shot,” she says, handing me a clear little cup. I throw it back and wince.
“What was that? It’s fucking gross.” I gag.
“Everclear,” she states, handing me another one. “I’m too high right now to leave. Just stay with me. But I told you earlier, they don’t come here,” she reminds me, but I know what I saw, felt, and heard. I’m not fucking crazy.
“Okay. Fine. Just don’t leave me alone again,” I say, and she laughs.
“I didn't leave you—you left me,” she says, but as I go to respond, someone screams.
“FIGHT!” And everyone runs over and creates a circle, I shake my head and take another shot while Misti giggles.
“Can we go dance again? That was fun,” I ask, and she nods.
“Let’s do it,” she says, grabbing my hand and pulling me into the house and onto the dance floor. We dance the night away, and all I can think about is the three guys who can’t seem to leave me alone.