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Chapter 17
Anita
Iwon’t deny the uncertaintyunfurling inside my chest. I do wish I went with him to see Jax.
One reason, I don’t trust Jax.
He could have an entire plan to annihilate us or secretly be working with Victor still to pin us in another corner. I have no doubt that Ronan cannot hold his own, but it doesn't make me feel any better knowing no one has his back. If anything were to happen to him, I would burn it all to the ground, then watch Jax and Victor scream in the flames as they slowly die the most excruciating death.
After Ronan skirted off down the cobblestone road, I turned and made my way into the school. Once inside, I’m bombarded with—
What the hell? Students?
My eyes widen as they hover around me with gleeful smiles and curiosity plastered. “She’s back,” one whispers.
“Ms. Venom, we heard you went out with the headmaster on a mission. Is it true you caught a bomb and then threw it back at the building before it blew up?” a tall boy with thick, wavy brown hair and beach green eyes asks with excitement. My eyes bounce from him and to the other students invading my space.
A girl with brown skin wearing a high bun scoffs, nudging him to the side. “No, she didn’t catch it idiot; she shot it. Right, Ms. Venom?” She nods with a smile.
My mind is whirling. I'm not even sure what to think. A bomb in the air?
A few other students blocked the path to the steps, surrounding me.
“Is it also true that you dug yourself underground and sat there for two weeks?” Another kid with deep brown skin and hazel eyes beams at me, gripping his backpack strap.
No, but I was thrown in a black pit and left there for days. They don’t need to know that.
I shake my head at the overwhelming number of people and break through the shoulder barrier. “None of its true,” I manage to get out, heading the opposite direction from the steps.
Some murmurs break out, others with disbelief and disappointment at the truth. Although it’s hilarious, them making up these stories about me. I hide the smirk and continue walking down the hall. The sound of footsteps emerges behind.
“Miss Anita,” a soft, but breathless voice calls. And I instantly know the person behind the voice.
She hurries beside me, her large textbook in her hand. “I haven’t seen you around much. I wondered if you left.” She releases another shuddering breath to gather herself. Matching my steps, she continues. “I’m so happy you didn’t leave,” she admits, I don’t look at her, but I can tell she’s wearing a wide smile.
I don’t deny the pull at my heartstrings from her saying that.
“Since you’re here, I want to ask a favor,” she quips, gripping her hold on the textbook, unsure if she would continue.
“What?” This time I face her.
She tugs a piece of strand behind her ear. “We have—well,hada winter dance coming up next week. Headmaster canceled it.” Her voice lowers, and I immediately stop. My hands going to my hips, I raise a brow.
“What are you telling me?”
Her cheeks warm, giving it a pink, rosy tone. “I-is it possible you can talk to him? We’ve all been excited about the dance. We had dresses picked out, our dates...” she trails off as her eyes sweep down to the floor.
I cross my arms, tiny bits of sympathy filling me. “This is not my school, Isabella. I can't make him do anything he doesn’t want to.”
“I know, I know.” Her head bobs up and down. “We would ask Señora Mal, but she's kind of scary,” she whispers, leaning over slightly.
And I’m not?
I attempt to straighten my face into a serious resting bitch face, as Mal would say, but it only makes her cheeks turn a strawberry tint.
Crap, I am shitty at this. I release a light breath. “Maybe next year, right? Doesn’t this always happen every year?”