Chapter Fifteen
TOREN
I didn’t go to school on Thursday or Friday.
I chose to take Xaden's advice and rest. Unfortunately for me though, it’s Saturday morning and I know I have to meet with the tutor my father has set me up with.
If I defy him and don’t show, I’ll only make matters worse for myself and right now, I would give anything to avoid another encounter with him.
After learning what I did that night, I need some space and time to process and deal with everything.
I managed to sneak out of the apartment this morning without the guys noticing.
I kept my head down as I walked to campus.
It didn’t take me long to find the library.
It’s clear this is a makeshift one for the Stormsend contingency.
The place smells like fresh paint. I'm used to smelling that old book smell whenever I’m in the library, but this one lacks the scent.
“Toren?” I spin around and cringe at the stab of pain in my side to see a young guy with black curly hair and Clark Kent type glasses, sitting at a desk in the back.
I take in his outfit of choice and fight to keep my surprise from showing.
He’s wearing blue sneakers, brown cargo pants and a green polo shirt.
The colors clash and don’t mix well but he doesn’t seem to care.
I nibble on my lip nervously as I make my way toward him.
“Are you the tutor?” I ask as I stand behind the chair opposite him. He beams up at me and nods enthusiastically.
“I am. My name is Eugene. Please take a seat and we can go over all the notes and work out what you need to focus on.” I fight not to bristle.
I’m not stupid. I was a straight A student and was never behind in any of my classes.
I take a deep breath and remind myself it’s not Eugene’s fault I’m here.
I lower into my seat and pull out my pad and pen.
Eugene frowns then purses his lips. “Where’s your laptop? ”
Shame washes over me and I have to force the words out through clenched teeth. “I don’t have one.” Eugene’s eyes fill with pity and I despise that look. I don’t deserve his pity.
“It’s okay. I can run through what has been covered and prepare you for the exams. I would suggest trying to get a laptop or even a second hand iPad if you can since a lot of the course work is done online.
” I nod, but I know there is no way I will be able to do that.
I have no cash or cards and no means to support myself.
Despair thrums through me like a wave. I’m utterly on my own now.
I know there is no way I can go back to the dorms and I can’t live with Cas and Xaden and not pay my own way.
When he finally finishes two hours later, I fake a smile and promise to go over the notes. I may not have retained a word he said but I did manage to take notes with no idea how. I’ll go over them later. I follow Eugene out but stop when I see a poster taped to the door.
“I’ll catch up with you next weekend,” I say.
Not waiting for a reply, I rush back to the front desk and ring the bell.
I tap my foot anxiously and pray that it wasn’t an old poster.
My stomach sinks when Maddison comes out and is the one to slide behind the desk.
She eyes me with contempt. I have no idea why she hates me—actually, yes, I do.
She knows who I am and what I did no doubt.
“What do you want?” she snaps.
“Uh, I was just wondering… The sign said that you might be looking…” I take a deep breath and force the words out. “I saw the sign saying you were looking to hire someone.”
Her brows raise and she shoots me an annoyed look. “And?”
I school my face from showing my agitation. “I want to apply.” This time her face slackens in surprise.
“You? Toren ‘The Heiress’ Kellar wants to demote herself to work with us common folk?” I bristle at her insinuation that I think I am better than her.
“I’ve never thought that about myself. Is the job still available or not?
” I bite out, tired of trying to be nice to her when she clearly doesn’t like me or want me here.
Maddison rolls her eyes, then pulls a drawer open and ruffles through it.
When she pulls a sheet of paper out and slaps it on the counter in front of me, I beam.
“Fill this out, then bring it—”
I cut her off before she can finish. “I’ll do it now.” I take the form and claim a seat at one of the tables and quickly fill it out, then take it back to her. I bite my bottom lip to keep from smiling.
“You didn’t list a contact number.”
I cringe. “I don’t have one,” I mutter.
She snaps her head up and stares at me with narrow eyes. “You don’t have a phone?” Disbelief is clear in her tone. I shake my head. “Seriously?”
“Yes,” I grind out.
“How are we supposed to call you if we have questions?”
“Uh…” My hope begins to dwindle. I decide to be honest and pray that she isn’t as cold as I presume her to be. “Maddison, I need this job. I’ve been cut off and have no money. I don’t have a phone or a laptop, I have no way to buy myself a pack of tampons. Please,” I beg.
She eyes me for a long moment and I fight not to fidget under the pressure of her gaze. When she exhales and rolls her eyes, disappointment surges inside me. “You start tomorrow at nine. Don’t be late.” My jaw slackens.
“Seriously?”
“No, I’m fucking with you,” she snaps.
“Oh,” I breathe out and drop my gaze.
“Jesus, I was kidding. Be here at nine and don’t be late or I’ll fire your ass before you even complete your trial period.” I beam at her and squeal, which just earns me a glare.
“You won’t regret this, I promise,” I vow.
“Would you just get the hell out of here?” I shoot her a broad grin and rush out of the library with a new sense of accomplishment.
The second I step outside and see Xaden against the large tree outside the library, all the excitement I felt seconds ago evaporates as guilt takes hold of me.
It tightens its clutches on me, reminding me that I have no right to feel any ounce of happiness or accomplishment after what I did.
His gaze is laser focused on me and I have no doubt that he is here for me.
He looks like a beautiful nightmare, his dark wash jeans paired with a pair of plain black Converse sneakers and the black hoodie he wears only adds to his allure of darkness.
Add the fact that he is wearing a hat on his head, with the brim low on his face, oozes bad boy vibes.
I don’t miss the Stormsend Ravens Emblem on the front of his hoodie or his hat.
I take a steadying breath and force my legs to move.
I'm shaky and the urge to flee and run the opposite direction is strong, but I refuse to allow him the satisfaction of knowing his presence alone puts me on edge. He never outright said it, but he did allude to the fact that his family is worse than the rumors we’ve all heard about the Devlin Mafia.