Page 102 of Knight

Of course, they do. These kids have way too much spending money to not have a variety of identification to get whatever it is they want.

“Fine,” I say, shoulders dropping as I give Damien one last glare. Flipping him the bird crosses my mind but I don’t want him to know how much he’s getting to me. As if I needed any more humiliation, the bouncer escorts me right to the door and I’m getting thrown out of yet another elite event.

All thanks to Damien.

After pacing back and forth in the lobby, I wait outside the club for Allie for almost an hour. But she doesn’t show up. A few more texts don’t help either.

Damien’s been so foul that I’m starting to wonder if he set this up too? Did he send Lea to Allie? Does he know about them?

I’m not sure how much time passes when Damien comes swaying down the stairs looking more fucked up than earlier. He staggers as he makes his way towards the exit but a girl calls after him. She’s pretty and glamorous, blonde with shimmering highlights. Standing next to her is not what I want to be doing right now with my bare unpolished feet and tangled strands. My mascaras runs, eyes stinging. I’ve been trying to hold back so many tears. Tears of frustration. Anger. Hurt.

He leans against the wall as she says something to him before she heads to the coat booth. Standing across from him, he doesn’t look the least bit remorseful. Unless that’s what his sudden change in sobriety means.

I speak first, though I don’t know why. “Done being a dick?”

“You like it when I’m a dick.” A hand moves to his crotch and I hate that I follow. “You like my dick too.”

“Fuck off,” I snip, even though that reminder has me clenching my legs.

“Okay,” he says, the girl returning to his side with a couple of jackets. One pink. One black. And I know that’s not a simple okay. He’s leaving with her. And it does more to me than I’d like to admit. He takes a step closer and a breath catches in my throat. His jaw tenses, like he’s stopping himself before he says, “By the way, Lea left with Allie a long time ago.”

Fuck.

He walks away, looking over a shoulder with a smirk that says he’s won.

As I watch Damien leave with whoever the fuck that is, I’m starting to feel more alone than I’ve felt in a while. Even Willow has a squad that has her back but mine leave me at the drop of a dime for pussy. Or cock in Nate’s situation.

Pulling out my phone I tap at the screen and order an Uber. So much for my friends having my back. They led me right into the lion’s den and hung me out to dry.

* * *

A yawn escapes my mouth when I step foot on Academy grounds the next morning. Another night of zero sleep is taking its toll on me.

Willow stayed with Bella the entire night and I envy whatever friendship they’ve got going on. Allie called this morning to apologize and offered me a ride to school but I declined. I’m not sure what to think about her at the moment. I want to trust her but not when she’s lying to my face all the time.

Christian’s in the foyer when I enter the school, texting on his phone. There’s a fresh cut on the side of his head, a blazer hanging off his shoulder. I smile his way but he turns around to leave. Damien’s at the end of the hallway and when Christian walks towards him, giving him that bro-ey hug, I have to stop my jaw from dropping to the floor.

Really? After all that, he’s still siding with Damien?

With the history that these people have with each other, I’ll never fit in. I’ll never be the one on everyone’s side. “Jerk,” I mumble when the two start talking and laughing like nothing ever happened.

“Excuse me?” Lea appears beside me in a bright red hairband, her minions behind her.

Rolling my eyes I groan, “I wasn’t talking about you, but I guess if the shoe fits.” I shrug.

Her eyes narrow. “Don’t think I didn’t see you at LOFT last night. Talking to Craig Carson?”

“So?”

“You’d think that your little failed Picasso project would’ve taught you a lesson. My tactics must be lacking.”

The sound in the hallway muffles, my eyes narrowing at her. My mind pieces it together and it all makes sense. Taking a step forward I look down at her, my fists balling in my pockets. “You’re the one who did that?” My cheeks are hot, my heart thumping against my chest.

“The penis?” she asks. Her pink lips move into a tight smile, blinking like it’s obvious. “I’m sure you’ve seen a lot of dick in your time so I only thought it was appropriate.”

“What the fuck, Lea?” My fists are out of my jacket now and I’m only yelling so I don’t deck her in that perfect face. “This isn’t about your fucked up emotional neglect. That was my future! My scholarship was on the line you selfish cu—”

Lea cackles, “You? A scholarship? Let’s be real, Medusa. You never had a chance.”

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