Chapter 24
Icouldn”t shake the feeling of unease as I made my way back to my room, the cold air nipping at my cheeks. My heart was still racing from everything that had happened this morning. I needed a shower, and some time alone to clear my head before facing the day.
Entering my room, I shed my clothes and stepped into the hot spray, letting it wash over me like a soothing balm. The tension in my shoulders eased slightly, but my thoughts refused to let go of Dante.
”Focus, Harper,” I muttered to myself, trying to push the memory aside. After a few more minutes under the steady stream of water, I reluctantly shut off the faucet and grabbed a towel. Wrapping it around my body, I walked over to my cupboard and pulled out my school uniform.
”Ugh, I hate this thing,” I grumbled, eyeing the white blouse and pleated skirt with disdain. But there was no time for complaints - I needed to get dressed and get to breakfast.
I pulled on the blouse and buttoned it up, then hesitated for a second before stepping into the skirt. As much as I hated wearing it, it was part of the uniform, and I didn”t need any extra attention today. Slipping it on, I zipped it up and glanced at myself in the mirror.
”Great, just great,” I sighed, rolling my eyes at the ridiculously short length of the skirt. One wrong move and I”d be flashing everyone in sight. Tugging at the hem, I wished it were longer, but there was nothing I could do about it.
Grabbing a pair of knee-high white socks, I sat down on the edge of my bed and pulled them up as far as they would go, hoping they”d provide at least some semblance of modesty. I considered putting on makeup but then shook my head. No, I didn”t need that today. I would face the world with a bare face and all its imperfections.
Taking a deep breath, I pushed away from the mirror and made my way to Melody”s room. My heart was pounding in my chest – a mix of nerves and anticipation – as I knocked on her door.
”Ready?” Melody asked, her eyes bright and smile wide as she swung the door open.
”Ready as I”ll ever be,” I replied with a forced grin. Together, we headed down the hallway and descended the stairs towards breakfast. The scent of bacon and fresh coffee filled the air, making my stomach growl, but the thought of facing Dante at the table had me swallowing hard to keep the bile down.
”Hey, you okay?” Melody asked quietly, casting a concerned glance my way.
”Fine. Just nervous about this whole Dante thing,” I admitted, feeling my palms grow sweaty.
”Whatever happens, I”ve got your back,” she reassured me with a warm smile.
”Thanks, Melody,” I whispered, grateful for her support.
Melody nodded and was about to say something else when her phone buzzed in her hand. She glanced down at the screen and frowned as she read the message.
”Griffin just texted me,” she informed me, her voice low. ”They want to talk to you about what happened with Dante this morning.”
”Seriously?” I sighed, rubbing my temples. ”What do they want to talk about?”
”Maybe they just want to clear the air,” Melody suggested gently. ”You know, make sure everyone”s on the same page.”
”Or maybe they”re trying to figure out how to cut me out of their lives,” I muttered bitterly. ”Can”t say I blame them.”
”Harper, don”t think like that,” Melody admonished. ”You have no idea what they”re thinking or feeling. Give them a chance to explain themselves before jumping to conclusions.”
”Fine,” I relented, though inwardly I still felt uneasy. ”When should we meet?”
”Griffin suggests lunchtime,” Melody replied. ”And he said it”s up to you if you”re comfortable with that.”
”Sure, whatever,” I agreed, biting my lip. ”But can you ask them not to bring it up until then? I don”t think I can handle any more drama right now.”
”Of course,” Melody assured me, typing a response to Griffin”s message.
The dining hall buzzed with activity as Melody and I walked in, the enticing scent of breakfast wafting through the air. We took our usual seats, and I couldn”t help but feel a tight knot of anticipation forming in my stomach. I grabbed the magical menu and tried to ignore my nerves, settling on an iced coffee and an apple. As I set it down, the menu shimmered, and my order appeared before me.
”Here goes nothing,” I muttered to myself, taking a sip of the refreshing drink.
”Relax, Harper,” Melody encouraged, giving my hand a reassuring squeeze. ”It”ll be fine.”
Easier said than done, especially when the three boys made their entrance, looking every bit as gorgeous and intimidating as always. They took their seats at the far end of the table, and for a moment, I almost thought they would ignore us entirely. But then Griffin looked over and met my gaze, his expression unreadable.
”Good morning, Harper, Melody,” he said politely, his voice smooth and calm. Orlando and Dante echoed his sentiment, though Dante”s eyes flickered with something unspoken when they met mine. My heart skipped a beat, but I forced myself to remain composed.
”Morning,” I replied quietly, focusing on peeling my apple. I could practically feel their gazes on me, but I was grateful they didn”t push any further. At least not yet. The tension hung heavy in the air, a storm waiting to break.
”Harper, you need to eat more than just an apple,” Melody chided gently, her fork pausing mid-air.
”Maybe,” I conceded, swallowing the lump in my throat. ”But right now, this is all I can manage.”
”Alright,” she relented, turning her attention back to her own plate.
The thought of food made my stomach churn. All I could think about was the impending confrontation at lunchtime. What would they say? How would I respond?
I glanced up again, catching Dante”s gaze once more. The unspoken words between us hung heavy in the air, a weight I couldn”t shake off.
”Fuck,” I whispered under my breath, gripping the edge of the table. This was going to be one hell of a day.
My stomach twisted into knots as I watched Dante, Orlando, and Griffin steal glances in my direction. They seemed to be trying their best to maintain a conversation with one another, but it was obvious that they were just as uncomfortable as I was.
”Morning, boys,” Jessica purred as she sauntered over to the table, followed closely by Yasmin and Olivia. The trio slid into the seats next to the guys, their eyes gleaming with mischief.
”Orlando, I had so much fun the other night,” Yasmin cooed, her hand brushing against his arm. ”Let”s do it again tonight.”
”Fuck,” I muttered under my breath, unwilling to admit the jealousy that flared up at her words.
”Hey, Dante,” Jessica drawled, leaning in close. ”You have such a big... talent for keeping me entertained. I”d love another go sometime.” She winked suggestively, and Dante shifted uncomfortably in his seat, avoiding eye contact.
”Son of a bitch,” I whispered, clenching my fists beneath the table. Was this how it was going to be? Them flaunting their conquests in front of me?
Olivia leaned in to whisper something in Griffin”s ear, her lips brushing against his skin. He nodded solemnly, his expression unreadable, while my heart pounded furiously in my chest.
”Harper, don”t let them get to you,” Melody whispered urgently, her eyes darting between me and the scene unfolding before us. ”They”re not worth it.”
”I think I”m going to be sick,” I replied through gritted teeth, my anger simmering just below the surface. I tried to focus on my iced coffee, but the bile kept rising in my throat.
”Seriously, Harper, don”t give them the satisfaction,” Melody urged, her voice gentle but firm. ”You”re better than that.”
”Am I?” I questioned, my voice cracking as tears threatened to spill over. ”Because right now, it feels like I”m the one losing.”
”Harper,” Melody sighed, reaching for my hand. But before she could offer any more words of comfort, I caught another glimpse of Jessica”s smug grin, and my resolve crumbled.
”Fuck this,” I spat, anger and humiliation battling for dominance within me. Hot tears streamed down my cheeks as I grabbed my iced coffee and apple, pushing away from the table. Ignoring the stunned silence that followed me, I stormed out of the dining hall, too upset to care about anything other than escaping the hellish scene unfolding before me.
”Harper!” Melody called after me, but I didn”t stop. I couldn”t bear to face any of them – not the boys, not the girls, not even my only friend. Not when my world was crumbling around me, and all I wanted was a chance to breathe.