Page 98 of Promise to Break

Is she drunk? I roll my eyes and keep walking, ignoring her like I have since forever. I notice other students looking at me with pity in their eyes, but I don't care what prank Lila's got in store for me this time. It's the end of the year, and I can stand it for a few hours more.

"Let's play it again just for her. Shall we?" Lila sneers, her beautiful face all Ursula-like when she focuses on me.

"Killer, I don't understand. You hate her." It's her, Lila. Her voice is coming from somewhere behind me. I turn and see her on the big screen on the wall, high over our heads. She's standing in the gym, sweaty and mad.

"Don't call me that, Lila." I blink and look for him, but he isn't here. Not in the flesh. He's here on camera, though.

"You let her call you Killer." Lila's hand is caressing his bare chest.

"Because I have to, okay?"

"Why? We're going to be married, you know that. I love you, Killian. I've been a good girlfriend to you, and I'll be an even better wife. That brut can't be your anything."

"I need her destroyed. And she isn't one to break just like that."

"I can help you with that."

"No. I need to take care of her myself."

"By fucking her?"

"Think. What will break someone strong like her? She doesn't care about your bullshit. About anyone's bullshit. No matter what I've done to her, she didn't break down. If she falls for me, she'll break."

"Fine. I'll give you until the end of this school year. Now show me how much you love me."

The camera goes off. I'm grateful because I don't think I could handle seeing them together.

He used me, and he wanted to take away from me the only opportunities I had for my future. My fingers shake, but this is the only sign of weakness I'll show them.

"Mari, I'm sure—"

"No. Don't protect him, not now. I need my friend now."

Raven. Sweet, protective Raven rubs a comforting hand down my arm. "And you have her, okay? You have her. I'll hate him for you. I'll help you with all you need."

I nod once as I gather my plate and head to our table for the last time, ignoring all the eyes on me. I can break later. In private. Later, Maricela. Later.

Lila stomps up to our table, her hands on her hips and her nose in the air. "You brat. Look at yourself. Did you really think someone like Killian could love you?" She laughs. "You're a nobody. A peasant from the slums and nothing more." Her venom seeps into my veins, and this time, I can't do a thing to keep it at bay.

"Poor little girl," she coos. "That's what he called you. A little girl, a wild child. Because you're a ridiculous, daft little girl without anything to give a king like the deviant, least of all Killian."

"I will never let you leave me, and you know why?" He was going to say those words, and I don't know if I'm ready to hear them. I never did, from not a single person.

"I may leave, Killer." My body was on his, his aroma cocooning me.

"You won't. You're not ready for what I've tried preparing you for," he said and fucked me until I screamed his name.

"What's wrong?" Lila taunts after not getting the response she wants. "Aren't you going to fight me? Come on. Hit me. I'm waiting."

Raven stands and steps between Lila and me. "You bitch. I'll ruin you. That's a Fierro promise. Believe that." My best friend sounds like a snake, and for the first time, I see fear in Lila's gaze. She's crossed a line, and for some reason, I'm almost thankful.

I was never worthy of love, and she's right to say that he's too much for someone like me.

I leave her and the rest of them behind, not waiting to see if Raven follows.

A few steps more, just a little bit. Another few steps. And then you can break.

"Let's go. I'll walk you home." Raven takes me by the hand that's still shaking. The only visible sign of my distress. At least, I hope so.

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