Page 23 of Heirs of Havoc

At least for a bit.

When we get back to campus, Chaya doesn’t ask about the number of times I look behind me.

Or when I push the dresser against the door and lock the windows.

When I crawl into bed, she stays awake until I fall asleep and considering the day I’ve had, I’m surprised I do.

* * *

“How you feeling?”

Chaya watches as I leave the bathroom in my uniform, grabbing my tote from beside my bed. It feels good to be back in my kilt and white blouse, my grey socks pulled to my knees. It feels normal, like the last couple of days never happened.

There aren’t any signs of the boys left in our dorm. I’m hoping after what I did, they’re gone for good. I spent the first few hours of the morning sitting in the shower in hopes it would wash everything away. Those boys came back into my life like a tornado and left me in shambles. Scrubbing their touch off me didn’t help me feel their destruction any less.

It didn’t help me forget that kiss.

“Mia?” Chaya’s finger on my shoulder makes me jump. Turning around, her eyes fill with concern. “Are you sure you wanna go to class? Or do you wanna—”

“No, it’s fine. Let’s go.” Chaya being in my next class makes it easier to handle. Getting back to normal is at the top of my list and by going to class, I can continue acting as if nothing happened. Then I’ll win. Not them. I’ve been outrunning my problems just fine, and I won’t let Dom or his band of assholes ruin this.

It’s hard not to glance over my shoulders when we leave the dorms, or take a quick peek around a corner before we continue our path. The feeling that someone’s watching me makes me ignore the glaring and snickering students. Guess I’m not that easy to forget. “Oof!” Bumping into a solid chest, my breath stops.

My eyes squeeze shut.

Please don’t be the twins.

“Woah, Marshall.” Hearing my fake name makes me relax. But when I look up, Eve’s boy of the month looks right back with those sky blues.

Like me, he’s new. And like me, he’s taken to this school. But unlike me, he didn’t walk through campus half-naked, so I’d say he’s doing better. His striking jawline, trendy sneakers and slick hair prove he’s not a country boy like some guys on campus. That, combined with his charming smile makes him a popular choice for the single girls SAA offers.

“Hey, Nicky,” Chaya waves her yellow nails towards him. Case in point. “You working out?”

“You too?” he fires back, that charm on display.

“Why don't we work out together?” Chaya slaps a flirty smile on her face, never one to shy away.

He laughs, looking down at me. He’s only a few inches taller, but his straightened posture makes him feel like a skyscraper. “You alright?” He’s always been nice. Gentle. His brows furrow. “Did you pierce your tongue?” Attentive.

“Eve will flip if she sees you talking to me.” Ignoring his question, I glance around for Eve or her army of apostles.

“Wait, you did what?” Chaya responds to the piercing thing. “Without me?”

“I like it.” Nicholas smiles before he looks around. “You’re right about Eve, though. But let me know if you need anything, alright? Us city folks have to stick together.” He moves to walk away. “See you in class.”

“Hey, Nicky,” Chaya calls. “Let me know if you ever want to stick together.” Shaking my head, I keep moving to class. The run-in with Nick reminds me that things here can go back to normal. “Wait, class is this way!” He keeps walking in the other direction. “Hot guys get to do whatever they want, huh?”

Sinatra fills my ears.

My heart thuds.

"The Way You Look Tonight."

Whipping around, I expect to see their brawny bodies stalking this way, but it’s just Chaya with her phone in hand. “What’re you playing?” Students turn towards us, whispering when they notice me.

Her thick brows furrow. “You don’t like this stuff anymore?” She taps at the screen on her phone. “Thank the Lord, because I thought I was sharing a dorm with an old man.” The music changes to R&B before she spreads her arms wide, her head to the sky. “Just trying to lighten the mood, Roomie. Enjoy the fresh Clementine air and Nicholas’ fine ass.” I appreciate her optimism, but Chaya’s relaxed take on life has more and more students looking this way.

“Let’s just get to class,” I urge her along before she looks around. Students point and whisper. “C’mon Chaya.”

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