Page 18 of Vexed
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Lily
“Do I have to go?” I whine as Hannah packs a few bottles of water and a couple of snacks into a cooler bag. She eyes me, “Yes, you have to go.” She says, closing the bag and slinging it over her shoulder.
Tonight is the football game everyone has been going on about for weeks. I don’t want to go. A few weeks ago, I did. But that was when Austin and I were still a thing and now, well, he can go fuck himself for all I care.
Plus, I’m still trying to process the events I experienced a few days ago. Ending up in the Underworld by accident isn’t exactly something you just shrug off.
But Hannah wants to go for Jason, and I know she’s just dragging me along so that I don’t sit home alone and mop about how boring my life is. If only she knew—.
“Ready?” She asked, giving me a soft smile. I sigh, before flashing her a fake smile, “Yep.”
The crisp air nipped at my cheeks as Hannah and I squeezed through the throngs of students heading toward the Meadow Hills University stadium. The roar of the crowd was already building, a tangible wave of anticipation that vibrated through the ground.
Today was the day. Meadow Hills versus Harrow Grove. The biggest rivalry of the year.
Hannah, decked head-to-toe in Meadow Hills blue and white, practically vibrated with excitement beside me. “I can’t believe it’s finally here!” she squealed, adjusting her foam finger. I tugged at the uncomfortable MHU sweatshirt I’d borrowed from her and well, she snatched it off Jason.
We finally found our seats, located close to the fifty-yard line. As we settled in, scanning the field, Hannah nudged me excitedly. “There they are!”
My eyes followed her pointed finger and, sure enough, there they were. Austin, grinning like an idiot in the number 13 jersey, and Jason, towering next to him in his number 43.
They caught sight of us and waved, Austin’s smile widening when his eyes locked with mine and I couldn’t help but roll my eyes. What did he expect—that I’ll be blowing him a kiss, for him to pretend to catch and hold it to his heart like a fucking soppy rom-com?
The whistle blew, shrill and deafening. The players on the field snapped to attention, settling into their positions. A collective roar erupted from the stands, a surge of energy that made my ears ring.
The next few hours were a blur of blue and white, roaring crowds, and the thud of bodies colliding on the field. I’m not much of a football fan, so most of the game I had no fucking idea what was going on.
The roar of the crowd faded into a dull hum as I pushed my way through the jubilant students. Our team had won, but the victory felt hollow. All I wanted was to escape the noise, the back-slapping, and most of all, Austin.
Hannah and I walked here because it’s not so far from where we live, but that was a few hours ago and we weren’t alone. But now the air is freezing and most people are going to victory parties by sharing cars.
I spotted Hannah near the exit, her face lit by the stadium lights as she talked to Jason. Maybe I could hitch a ride with them.
But before I could reach them, a hand gripped my arm. I knew who it was without even turning.
“Lily, wait!” Austin’s voice was a low rumble, almost pleading. I tried to pull away, but his grip tightened.
“Let go, Austin.” I sneered.
He finally released me, his usually confident face etched with worry. “Let me explain. About the carnival.”
“Explain what, Austin? Explain how your lips conveniently forgot my existence the second another girl batted her eyelashes at you?” My voice trembled despite my best efforts.
He winced. “It wasn’t like that, Lily. It was a mistake. I was drunk, and…”
“Oh, spare me the pathetic excuses. You think that makes it better? ‘I was drunk, so I kissed someone else’? Seriously?” My anger flared, momentarily eclipsing the hurt.
He ran a hand through his hair, looking genuinely distraught. “I messed up, Lily. I know I did. I like you, a lot. I didn’t mean for it to happen.”
I just stared at him with disbelief. “You have a funny way of showing it,” I finally said, my voice laced with sarcasm.
I saw Hannah and Jason heading towards the parking lot. “Look, I have to go.” I started to move past him.
“Where are you going? I can give you a ride.” He reached for my arm again, but I flinched away.
“No, thanks.” The thought of being trapped in a car with him, listening to his justifications, made my stomach churn. As I turned back to where I last saw Hannah and Jason, I watch as his car drives off. Fuck. There’s no way I’m getting into a car with Austin.
“Come on, let me take you home.” He says, taking a few steps closer.
I tilted my chin up, forcing myself to meet his gaze “I’d rather walk.” And with that, I turned and walked away, ignoring his calls.
As I walked away from the parking lot, the cool night air stung my cheeks. Tears pricked at my eyes, but I refused to let them fall. He is not worth it. I should’ve seen it coming in the first place. He has always been a fuck boy that used girls for his own gain.
I was lost in thought, enjoying the silence as I walked when I heard the crunch of leaves behind me. I glanced back. Nothing. Probably just the wind, I reasoned, and kept walking. The feeling of being watched, however, lingered like a shadow.
Then, four figures materialized from the darkness, blocking my path. Harrow Grove Shadows. Their red and black jackets seemed to glow in the dim streetlight. My heart sank.
“Well, well, well,” one of them drawled, stepping forward. He was tall, with a sneer plastered across his face that mirrored the sentiment in his voice. “Look what we have here. A lone Howler, wandering around all by herself.”
My mouth went dry. I knew these guys. Austin used to talk about them all the time. They were notorious for their aggressive play and even more aggressive after-game antics. I swallowed hard, trying to project a confidence I didn’t feel.
“Just trying to get home,” I managed to say, my voice trembling slightly.
“Home so soon?” another one chimed in, his voice laced with mock concern. “The party’s just getting started.”
I took a step back, instinctively. My mind raced, searching for an escape route, a way out of this nightmare. Two of them flanked me, effectively cutting off any chance of running.
“Look, just leave me alone,” I pleaded, my voice barely a whisper.
The one who had spoken first, took a step closer. His eyes gleamed in the darkness, cold and calculating. He reached out, and before I could react, his hand clamped around my wrist.
A jolt of fear shot through me, paralyzing me for a split second. His grip was tight and painful. I tried to pull away, but he wouldn’t budge.
“Let go of me!” I shouted, finally finding my voice. The adrenaline coursed through my veins, pushing back against the fear.
The other three laughed, a cruel, mocking sound that echoed in the deserted street. My stomach churned. I was trapped, surrounded, and utterly terrified. At this moment, I regret not getting in the car with Austin. What are they going to do? What am I going to do?