Page 148 of Explosive Prejudice

And while this wasn’t my first time being taken against my will, it was the worst one because, unlike before, now Camilo was all I thought about.

His touch, his lips, his hug. All those things that made me feel so secure came back to haunt me as I was being torn into shreds. Everything we’d said and promised to one another turned out to be pointless because here I was, lying on my stomach while Orson moved above me, his sweat and cum desecrating my body.

My eyes were already dried out of tears, and my throat was empty of screams.

My mind kept trying to go back to Camilo, but I kept refusing it and forced myself to remain here in this hell. I couldn’t bear to mix those precious experiences with this never-ending nightmare. Those sacred moments were the last bit of sanity left for me to hold on to, and what would happen to me if I lost them, too?

But then something happened.

Two shots had pierced the air, and the unbearable weight had lifted off my body.

Opening my eyes, I saw the sheets were painted red. Scared, I looked aside to find Orson’s body half tossed on the bed, half on the floor with one bullet in his head and another in his chest.

A hand touched my shoulder, and I froze before someone turned me around. The whole room spun, and it wasn’t until I blinked several times before I saw who it was. The second our eyes met and I saw the darkness lurking in his stare, I knew it was the end.

Diesel

“Fucking finally,” I grunted when my phone came back to life after hours of being dead.

“What’s wrong with it?” Andrei asked from beside me.

“I think it’s the battery.”

While my phone rebooted, I looked around the school lawns, where our graduation ceremony would start in a few minutes. The place was packed with students, staff, and families. Among them were the four of us, who, despite our shady past, had somehow ended up among a bunch of rich assholes.

“I still can’t believe you’re leaving tonight,” Jessie said while playing with the hem of his gown. Unlike me, the three of them wore the traditional cap and gown.

“I still can’t believe you’re in a relationship,” Levi muttered under his breath.

Even after a month and a half, Levi still found it hard to believe a guy like me was dating someone. In fact, he was more surprised I was in a relationship than it being with Shay-Lee. It was a good thing Andrei hadn’t mentioned the getting married part because I was sure it would flip something inside his brain.

“Once you know where you’re going, tell us, and we’ll come and visit.” Jessie smiled widely.

“You bet,” I said when my phone was finally restarted. Looking at my screen, I saw I had two missed calls from Shay-Lee about two hours ago.

“Where are you going?” Andrei asked as I stepped away.

“Just making a call,” I said, then dialed Shay-Lee’s number and held the phone to my ear. The line continued to ring as I made my way between people, and when he didn’t pick up, I tried again. When he didn’t answer the third time, an unpleasant feeling settled in my chest. Shay-Lee had made it very clear that in no way was I to come to the apartment. He urged me to trust his plan and forced me to swear I’d listen to him. So I did. And while he said he might arrive late to the ceremony, my gut told me something was off.

I pocketed my phone and considered what to do when someone touched my shoulder. Turning around, I hoped it would be Shay-Lee and that I was worried over nothing, but I was quickly disappointed. With a suit he’d probably never worn before and a bouquet I assumed was meant for the four of us stood Chief, looking at me with hopeful eyes.

“How are you?” he asked.

True to my words, I said nothing, with no plans to even spit in his direction.

He bit his lip before nodding, sorrow crossing his face. “I know you’re still mad, but I hoped we could talk?”

Rather than answering him, I turned on my heel and walked back to Andrei.

“Diesel,” he called after me, but I completely ignored him.

He didn’t deserve my respect, not after how he’d betrayed me.

“Everything cool?” Andrei asked as I placed my hand on his shoulder.

“I have to go—” Before I could explain why, Chief joined our circle.

“Are those for us?” Jessie beamed, oblivious to the tension, while pointing at the flowers.

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