Page 51

Story: Shattered

Chapter Sixteen
AURORA
“And you aredead set on not going out tonight?” Addy questions me as she applies her makeup.
“Yeah, I’m sure,” I assure her. “I have to work on this project for studio and chapters to read.”
She frowns but nods at me. “Okay. But make sure you take a break and eat something.”
“I will. Probably just go down to the SUC and grab a sandwich to bring back to the room. I have laundry to do, and I want to catch up on the book I’m reading.”
“Oh? What book?” She raises a curious brow.
“Churchby K.G. Reuss. It’s dark as fuck, but oh my God, it’s a masterpiece.” I smile at her.
“See? Now you know why I love this genre so much. And yeah, K.G. is just simply amazing.” She grabs her phone. “Okay, well, just call me if you need anything. We won’t be far from campus.”
I assure her, “Addy, I’ll be fine.”
She lets out a sigh, then walks over and plops herself on my bed. “Look, I’m extremely bothered by the fact that your own stepbrother is allowing this bully shit to happen with his friendsand those chicks he hangs around. I don’t like leaving you alone. Especially with what happened today.”
“What? That I gave them a taste of their own medicine? Fuck ‘em.” I shrug. “Besides, I don’t think Xayden will do anything too bad considering he may think I would go running to his dad and tattle on him.”
“But would you tell his dad?” she asks.
I shake my head. “No. For one, I’m a big girl. I can fight my own battles. Two, him just thinking it is enough of a deterrent, and I’m fine with him torturing himself with that.”
Addy purses her lips, then nods with a shrug. “Well, then I guess you will be fine. But still, please call me if you need anything.”
“I will. How soon until you take off?”
“Now. Going to head over to Jason’s dorm and pre-game this party.” She jumps up and gives me a little dance.
I let out a chuckle. “And just what are we celebrating?”
She holds her arms out. “No idea. That it’s a school day? A day that ends in ‘y’? Hump day? I mean, do we need a reason?”
“I guess not,” I reply with a grin.
“Okay. I’m out of here. Call me if you need me.” Addy grabs her purse and waves as she walks out the door.
Sighing, I take a look at the clock and see that it’s almost six. Grabbing my laundry basket, I throw all my dirty clothes into it and grab my wallet and phone.
I figure I can start my laundry and go run and grab some food, then come back and finish it.
When I reach the laundry facilities, I find that both washing machines are open. Thankfully, I just toss everything into one machine.
Who the hell has the time or patience to separate all that? Plus, that just means spending more money.
No thanks.
After starting the washer, I quickly run back and throw my basket back into my room. Making sure my door is locked, I turn toward the stairs and head down to the front of the dorms.
In my pajama bottoms, flip flops, and a T-shirt, I walk over toward the SUC to grab some dinner. Just the thought of food has my stomach grumbling and ready to devour anything it can.
Pulling open the heavy doors, the scents from the food court instantly hit me.
As I walk past the pizza joint, the smell of the sweet tomato sauce fills my nostrils. I was going to get a sandwich, but damn, that pizza smells good.