Page 53 of Mayhem

He walks over to his motorcycle, waiting for me to start my car. I can't help but chuckle at him.

The drive to school is quick. I pull into a spot beside Evie’s car, far away from Odin. He quickly parks and runs over to my car. Odin opens my door. His hand out, waiting for me to grab it. Instead, I place his coffee in his hand and push him out of the way. I walk over to Evie, who is standing by the front door.

She looks over my shoulder at the still-stunned Odin, who hasn’t moved from my car. We giggle before walking into the school.

“Are you excited for the party this weekend?” She asks me.

Honestly, not at all, but I can’t tell her that. She has been talking about this nonstop since the beginning of the month, and I refuse to take away her joy. Plus, I spent too much money on my costume and don’t think I could return it. I am nervous about wearing it. It’s very revealing, but Evie talked me into it. The smile on her face makes it worth it.

It doesn’t even take me ten steps into the school before someone bumps into me, spilling my coffee all over my shirt. Valerie and her little minion Melanie are sneering down at me. I roll my eyes and try to keep the hot liquid away from my body. Valerie tilts her head and attempts to give me a menacing smile. It looks more like she is constipated, but I wouldn’t tell her that. It’s hard not to laugh at her.

“Word of advice, the Kings are mine. You would be smart to stay away from them. I saw Odin in your car. Did you offer to blow him in the parking lot or something?” Her whiny voice reminds me of nails on a chalkboard. Irritating and I need to be far away from it. I look over at Evie to see her trying to cover her mouth from the obvious laughter that is overtaking her.

“I’m not afraid of you, Valerie. And a word of advice. They are big boys. They can make their own decisions.” I bite back. The bitch doesn’t scare me.

“Don’t mess with me. I will destroy you.” She tries to threaten me.

I am about to stand my ground, but I feel a hand on my shoulder. Midas. His grip is tight. He doesn’t say anything and gives Valerie a look. She stomps her foot before rushing away. I try to walk away from Midas, but he doesn’t let go of me.

I am still mad and confused with him, but his touch still does something to me. I didn’t need him to step in to tell Valerie off or give her a look. I had that handled. I don’t need him to fight my battles. Anger is building me, and I need a way to get out. Everything he has done comes rushing back to me. How much of an asshole he has been to me. How we had an incredible night together and the next day he left with Valerie. Watching her kiss him.

I smack him across the face. His head snaps to the side, and a malicious smile grows on his abnormally handsome face. I instantly regret it, but I don’t show him that. Evie gasps beside me. No one has ever stepped up to him before, and I did it very publicly.

Midas looms over me, his hands in fists at his side. I never thought he would hit a girl, but right now, I’m not so sure of that. “You will be punished for that, angel.” His voice is low and full of promise.

He storms away from me. I watch him walk down the hall. Valerie tries to grab his arm, but he pushes her away. Valerie says something to Midas. He rakes his hands through his hair, pulling it hard. He groans before wrapping his arm around her and walking away.

Evie nudges me with her shoulder, taking my attention away from my heart breaking a little more.

“So, I was thinking we could head into the city tonight? Get out of town and away from the Kings?” Evie asks me between bites of her burger.

The day is only half over, but I am already so done with it. I haven’t seen the Kings since this morning, but Odin’s words are ringing in my ears. They didn’t go out of them. They want me.

And speaking of the devils, they walk into the cafeteria. Valerie and Melanie trailing close behind. As if they can sense me looking, all three zero in on me. I give them each a smile. Zeus smiles back, and it’s breathtaking. He doesn’t smile often, but when he does, my heart melts for him. Odin beams at me across the room, ready to walk over to me. Valerie steps in front of Odin, instantly souring his mood. She glides her finger across his chest. Odin grips her hand hard and pushes her away. Valerie pouts at him before grabbing Melanie’s hand and storming away.

Valerie and Melanie walk next to our table on the way to the line.

“I am so excited about the party this weekend. Did you hear that Midas and I are doing a couple's costume? He is going to be Ghostface, and I’m going to be Sydney Prescott.” Valerie’s voice gets louder, making sure I hear her.

I drop my fork, losing my appetite. Evie sneers at Valerie, her hands in fists. She looks so pissed off. It just makes me love her more. I throw a fry at her and shake my head no. They aren’t worth the hassle. They get off on the attention, and I won’t give it to them. They are certifiably delusional. Anyone with eyes can see the Kings aren’t interested.

“Midas is the best boyfriend ever,” Valerie announces before chuckling and walking away. I laugh a little too loudly at her proclamation, earning me a scowl from Valerie. That only makes Evie and I laugh harder. “I can’t wait for the Kings to fuck me like they did last time.”

“Well, I have lost my appetite.” Evie drops her food. “Want to skip the second half of the day and just go into town?”

I look over my shoulder. Valerie is perched on Midas’s lap, her foot in Odin’s. He scowls disgustedly but isn’t pushing her away. Zeus looks so blank and has completely checked out. None look happy, but they are letting her maul them. I think I might be sick watching them.

“We can take my car,” I say back.

We clean up our trays before leaving the cafeteria. Evie walks off to her locker while I go to mine. I open it and out comes a manila envelope. I bend down to pick it up. I don’t have time to look at it now, so I shove it into my bag. I close my locker door and lean against it, waiting for Evie.

I open my phone, seeing way too many texts from Evan. I never respond to him, and I haven’t spoken to him since I answered his call on Friday, but he doesn’t stop. They all say the same thing. How much he misses me and wants me back. I deleted them without reading most of them. Hopefully, he gets the message soon. I am not interested anymore.

I hear footsteps coming my way. Expecting to see Evie walking to me, I was surprised to see Melanie charging at me. I stand up straight, waiting for the verbal attack I know is coming. Melanie stops in front of me.

“I don’t know you, but word of advice, leave the Kings alone. Valerie knows some dangerous people. If she feels threatened enough, she will sick them on you.” She warns me while looking around. Making sure no one can hear us.

I want to ask what she is talking about, but Evie comes down the hall to me, and Melanie takes off. Evie slows down, and we watch Melanie scurry away. I shake the weird feeling I now have off and link my arms with Evie. We walk out of the school and over to my car.

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