Page 15 of The Secrets of a Sin

Two days after Phoebe’s death, classes resumed, and everyone went on with their daily lives. Since it was an apparent suicide, St. Catherine’s essentially swept it under the rug. Sure, we received the letter from the administration, but, other than that, we were told to remain hush hush about the incident. But that didn't stop girls from whispering and even joking with one another about her death, and all that did was light a match inside me. I was enraged beyond belief. Phoebe was one of us. We were all connected by the flaws we had that society deemed freakish. All we had was one another, and instead of girls coming together, they were mocking her death.

“Now, ladies. I know it’s been a rough week for you all, but your studies must continue.” Sister Mary announces to the class as she paces in front of the room. “I won’t tolerate any more of this gossip or foul language I’ve witnessed. What happened was a horrible tragedy and I expect you all to pray for her.”

“She was a fucking freak anyway.”

My eyes immediately connected with the blonde in front of me as she whispered under her breath. The urge to wrap my fingers around her perfectly curled hair and pull until her head bled coursed through me but a voice calling my name saved her.

“Charlotte?” Sister Mary calls out. “Principal Welch would like to see you in her office.” Her eyes immediately dropped from mine and continued to speak to the rest of the class. Ever since the night I found Phoebe, Sister Mary and I’s relationship has become unusual. We didn’t talk that much to begin with, but now she avoided me at all costs.

Maybe this was her way of grieving, I suppose?

As I rose out of my chair, heads turned, and all curious eyes landed on me. Their snickers rattled in the room, but an unexpected voice quieted them immediately.

“Keep laughing, Holland.” Annalise all but growled towards the brunette seated beside her. Her face grew pale, and her eyes quickly dropped down into her lap. Everyone else must have heard Annalise because they all tucked their tails behind their back and became mute. Stunned that Annalise would even stick up for me, I give her a timid smile in thanks as I saunter down the aisle past her. Her blonde spirals are hanging over her right shoulder and her gaze is zeroed in on me. Blue piercing eyes suck me in and drown me in their intensity the second our stares connect. The wicked grin she gives me in return unsettles me just as much as it intrigues me. She knew the effect she had on people and used it to her advantage.

Once I exited the classroom, I trekked down the long dingy corridor, then rounded the final corner when I heard a thunderous voice seep through the walls of her office. My feet came to an abrupt halt and the noisy side of me waited beside the door and listened.

“This is bullshit, Welch, and you know it.” My ears are assaulted by a rich velvety voice that speaks with fury. Instantly my feet rattle in my Keds, as my skin breaks out in a burst of tingles.

“Mr. Hale, please lower your voice.” Principal Welch hisses.

“Lower my voice?” He chuckles darkly-a low rumble that causes my interest to peak immediately. “I don’t give a fuck if any of your bible thumpers hear me.”

Who the hell is this guy?

“There’s nothing we can do for you further…” She begins to say but the booming sound of something smacking the wall causes my heart to ignite and quickly rip open the door. My intrusion causes both their heads to turn my way, but I’m rendered speechless as my body remains stagnant at the doorway. Principal Welch may as well have faded out in the background, because the man who resembled a fallen angel and stood only a feet away from me, robbed me of my breath.

Thump.

Thump.

Thump.

My heart crashed violently against my chest as I felt the air in the room shift to an agonizing degree. My skin felt hot as my eyes devoured the stranger. He was unlike any man I’ve ever seen. Where his face was sculpted like an angel, his body was built for sin. Messy hair the shade of midnight laid perfectly on the top of his head, with the sides cut shorter to his scalp. My fingers were itching for a feel, desperate to run my digits through the waves as they bounced hastily at my sides. Dragging my stare along his tall frame, I take in his black attire that is molded to his body like a second skin. A black trench coat covers his broad shoulders and drapes down just above his knees, and around his regal neck is a gold chain that is stuffed under his black tee.

My body was too aware of this stranger. Too enticed by the dark cloud that loomed over his head with the words ‘I will corrupt you’ displayed on his pretty little head. He was the exact thing I was avoiding-the perfect recipe of a man that would ruin all my hard work and dedication and drag me down to hell with him. All men were a hazard to my health but, right now, he felt anything but. My body felt alive-a sensation I haven't felt in months but this time it felt different. I was no longer embracing the wicked side of me, so while one half of me craved corruption, the other forbid it.

But I couldn't ignore the fact that he was a temptation and a deadly one at that.

His haunted eyes dropped down my body in a slow deliberate way before gliding back up and connecting with my own. While most men I encountered expressed their desire for me, he stared at me with blatant uninterest. His stoic posture remained hovered over Principal Welch’s desk, while his large palms laid flat on the wood.

“Charlotte.” Principal Welch interrupts, causing my gaze to drift towards her. “Everything’s fine. Please go wait outside my office.”

“Charlotte.” The stranger spoke as my name sourly came out his mouth. “You.” He points a large finger at me as his face twists into a hard expression. “Stay.” My body buzzed all around from his command, but my eyebrows drew together in confusion.

“Mr. Hale, Charlotte is not here to speak with you.” Welch snaps but his ghostly eyes remain on me.

“You found my sister.” He states matter-of-factly while ignoring Welch altogether. My eyes widen slightly at the realization that he’s Phoebe’s brother. I should’ve known. They were basically identical-they shared the same black hair, dark eyes and olive skin tone. My eyes swiftly glance between the both of them, and I quickly notice the rising irritation in his stare.

“You don’t need to answer his questions.” Welch glares up at him with annoyance while he returns one with more edge. His eyes darken to a deadly shade, which causes Welch to cower back in her chair.

“I did.” My mumble somehow makes its way to his ears, and he spins his head in my direction while removing his palms from her desk. Towering over my short frame, he sizes me up, lingering on the hands that are bouncing against my thighs.

“Out.” He demands while his eyes are still lasered in on me. A rush of air floods my throat as I take a small step backwards, eager to compose myself but then suddenly his gravelly voice stops me. “Cora, out.” He growls her way, and she instantly turns red in the cheeks.

“This is my office… How dare you come here and...” She stutters seemingly baffled by his command.

“Come here and what?” He scowls zeroing in on her startled frame. Her chest heaves rapidly almost like she’s affected by him the same way I was. “You didn’t object to me being here last night, did you?” He raises a dark brow as his tongue slips out to wet his lower lip. My eyes widen as they watch in a mixture of horror and fascination as he insinuates that him and Principal Welch had sex.

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