Page 32 of Jain

“If you think we can just go back to how it was considering how you have treated me—Arden, and before Arden; frankly, you’re mistaken.”

“If you would just talk to me—”

“I’m talking. Do you want more? You’re a vindictive bitch who only cares about herself. You tried to force me to be with Harley at every opportunity clearly so you could get your claws into Arden.” Kate’s eyes dropped to the floor before I continued. “Then you showed your true colours, didn’t you?”

We stared at one another before I stood up, shoving my books into my bag.

“Oh, and for your information, I don’t think being like my mum is a bad thing. She is hardworking and wants the best for me. So, if I end up half the woman she is, I’ll be elated. I wish you the very best.”

Her eyes widened as she stared behind me, and I followed her gaze to see Arden standing there.

“Well, that was quite the speech. I got your message, Kate. You wanted to see me?” Arden drawled, his eyes drifting over to Kate with disinterest.

Kate seemed to have frozen, her eyes flitting from me to him before she spoke.

“Wait, it’s not what it looks like—”

I turned and pushed past Arden, refusing to entertain their reunion.

“Jain, wait up,” Arden called as I turned to him, my eyes flashing.

“Aren’t you seeing someone in the year below? Why are you toying with Kate?”

Arden leaned against the doorway as his gaze travelled up my legs slowly.

I stared at him in a fury.

“I’m not seeing anyone, and I’m not toying with Kate. She said she wanted to talk to me, so I came. You happened to be standing there. Still the hottest girl I’veeverseen.”

He walked over to me, and I went to walk away when his fingers slipped into mine.

“Tell me you’ve felt this withanyoneelse,” Arden murmured into my ear, his breath sending tingles all over my skin.

“Oh, I have, don’t flatter yourself.”

His eyes flashed with fury then, and I found myself rolling with it.

“So, if you don’t mind—”

“But I do. I do fucking mind.”

I noticed people start to whisper around us, and I groaned.

“I don’t care. Move, please.”

“Not until you tell me who.”

Oh.

I’d not planned this far ahead. I wasn’t about to make anyone up either—I would be the laughingstock of the school.

“Fuck you.”

“Baby, come on...” he pleaded, and when his eyes met mine, I felt my resolve weaken. “Fuck everyone else.”

“The problem is, Arden, that’s what you did.”

He slammed his hands on the wall on either side of me and leaned in closely.