Page 79 of King

As if. That bullshit response gets Christian a glare of his own.

"I don't know what this is." Mr. Hill adjusts his glasses. He glances back and forth between us before he clears his throat. “But if we can all get back to J.D. Salinger?”

I do, going back to my desk and sliding way down behind my book and out of sight of the rest of the class. Including Damien.

Damien’s out of class before he gets a piece of mind, and on the way out, Christian calls my name.

Turning around, he’s slinging the strap of his duffle bag over his head. “Be careful,” he says.

“Are you threatening me now too?”

There’s little sparkle in those emerald eyes as he makes his way to the door. “I mean with Damien. Don’t let him treat you like that.”

The nerve. “You might not be as menacing as Damien, but you’re just as indecisive.” His mouth shuts, eyes lowering but I continue, “If you’re not on my side, leave me the fuck alone.”

I’m so sick of his shit, his holier than thou attitude. I let him know by turning around and leaving him standing with that dumb look on his face.

Lea’s not in class which makes the second period a breeze but when the lunch bell rings I’m not at all hungry. I avoid my locker along with Allie and Nate's. I still haven’t spoken to them. Not sure if I plan on it.

Allie must have been up to something if she didn’t tell me that she and Christian are siblings. As for Nate, well, he didn’t do anything. He’s the one who told me, but I know he’s loyal to Allie and for that, I don’t know if I can trust him either.

I’m on my way to the library when my phone buzzes in my hand. I’m hoping it's Willow asking me to join her for lunch but I get something else instead.

Damien: Meet me in the Red Room #314.

Don’t keep me waiting.

Damien's number is finally saved on my phone and I refuse to think of what made me pull the trigger. I’m also refusing to think about why I’m so eager to see him.

It’s not like we’re an item. So why am I hurrying down the halls, my heart racing as I get to Room 314.

“Jo!” Allie’s voice comes from down the hall. So I speed up. “Jo, wait!”

Her hand is on my arm before I clear the hall. I turn around to glare at her. “Don't.”

“Well stop and listen," Allie sighs, her hand dropping when I pull my arm away.

“Why didn’t you tell me that Christian’s your brother?"

“It never came up.”

Scoffing, I show her I'm unimpressed with that answer, turning around.

She grabs for me again, “I didn’t want you to think I'm like them!"

Pulling away from her grip, I let her know that I’m not falling for her bullshit. “That wouldn't have changed anything, Allie. Lying to me does."

I walk away before I give her any more time to retaliate and a few minutes later I find the room I’m looking for.

I’ve never been to the photography class but it’s as fancy as Clara’s room. Projects hang from the ceiling like clothes on a line. A shelf at the side of the class holds a variety of lenses. Shaking my head, I laugh. My old schools would never keep expensive equipment out like that.

The class is empty, chairs on the desks, but there’s a red light on top of the room in the back. My eyes wander around the room as I make my way closer. “Damien?” I call, but I don’t get an answer so I knock on the door. “Da—”

The door cracks open, a long arm coming out. A cold grip is on my wrist before I'm pulled inside. When the door slams shut, the smell of vinegar, peppermint and pine take over. Looking up, red lights make him look like the devil he is. “I didn’t know you were into photography.”

“I’m not.” He takes a step closer and that’s when I see the clamps from earlier in his hand. “But I’m into you.”

I pull back. “Wait? What?”

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