Page 55 of Tainted Gifts
"It usually snows here at least once a week, but the second I need it, we go into a heated drought. Imagine that," she grumbles. "Up north it snows pretty frequently though. I think that's why my body is so desperate to go. It's only hot once a week there."
Snow. Fuck. She was dreaming about snow... about Jase and her in the snow, since she said his name while dreaming it. It's odd that she's saying her body wants to go.
"What do you mean by that? Your body wants to go?"
She shrugs, treating it as though it's not as odd as it sounds. "I don't know. It just feels like there's something calling to me, begging me to head north."
That's... not normal. Is it? Should I be worried, or am I being overprotective?"
I get sick when I see Simone in the hallway, her eyes scouring the crowd for someone. I should have called to tell her I never spoke to Aria about her kissing surprise.
"Aria, I have to tell you something," I whisper, dreading my timing.
"Okay," she says, not really seeming all that interested as she focuses on massaging her temples.
Before I have the chance to pull her away, Simone is in front of us, her eyes shifting to meet mine for a fleeting second before moving back to Aria.
"Aria, I swear I didn't mean to kiss him. It was... I was half asleep, half awake, and dreaming about-"
"You did what?" Aria interrupts, fury in her tone. "You said you just slept beside him, you fucking lying whore!"
Simone's eyes grow wide, turning to meet my exasperated, dreadful ones. I cover my head, feeling the reluctance in my tone as I murmur, "She's talking about me."
Aria's mouth falls open, clapping shut as she shakes her head in disbelief.
"Unbelievable, Simone. I can't believe you'd really do this. You're pathetic."
Aria shoves by Simone, making it her mission to escape her.
"Aria, please stop. He stopped me. Okay? I didn't mean to."
In a blur, Aria has her by the hand, jerking her into a room and shutting it behind them. Should I go in there? Will Simone tell her I lingered? Fucking shit. Why didn't I pull away immediately.
I pace back and forth, finally deciding I have to listen in just as Aria blasts her.
"What the fuck is your deal, Simone? Why'd you really go after Jase, and why did you pull this shit with Kellan?"
Simone is whimpering, holding back her sobs. "I'm sorry. I don't know. It sucks to see everyone finding their counters lately. Everyone in my damn lab has found their counter in the past five years. Then Rex. Now you. On top of that, you've got the sexiest hybrid I've ever seen as your counter, yet you barely offer him a glance. You have the sweetest, hottest full blood pining after you, and yet you're already committed to another. Do you have any idea how fucking torturous that is to me?"
Sexiest hybrid ever, eh?
Shit, Kellan. Don't focus on that.
"So what does that mean? You thought I didn't deserve my counter so you kissed him? You thought you'd... you tried to kiss Jase too, didn't you?"
Simone whimpers, probably shying away from the fury in Aria's gaze.
"He pushed me away the second he saw the thought. Told me I could cool down, but if I had that thought again, he'd let me burn up like the other girls begging him to cool them down. He told me he loved you and I didn't stand a chance. It hurt. I don't know what's wrong with me, Aria. It's like I feel something... something so fucking strong driving me mad right now."
Aria snorts derisively. "I know what's going on. You're jealous, and you want to prove you're better than me. Go ahead. Neither of them want you. Get the fuck over yourself, Simone. You've had guys upon guys. I've never once gone after any of them - not even your one night stands. How could you?"
"Kellan kissed me back, Aria. I'm not some pathetic loser you can trample all over, so stop acting like an imperious bitch right now. You're my best friend, and you know I'd never intentionally do this to you. There's... something's wrong. I don't know what it is, but I think someone has done something to us. You and me."
Fuck! Fuck! Fuck!
Now I look like the fucker who kissed her friend while that prick looks even better for pushing her away. I can't read minds. I couldn't see it coming. I had no idea it was going to happen, so I was caught off guard. It surprised me. That's all.
"There's definitely something wrong with you, Simone," Aria's chilly voice murmurs in a deadly tone. "The thing is, no one is making you be a sorry ass piece of shit. Go to hell. I hate you. I hate you!"
