Page 104 of Dare To Take

“You don’t need to do that.”

“I know you, Eli. If you decide that it’s time to confront Arabella, you’ll do it even while you’re half fucking dead on your feet. I’m not taking the chance. Sleep. I’ll be back with food.”

“Whatever.”

In all honesty, I don’t think I have the energy to face the stairs up to the next floor, let alone do a fight with Arabella any justice. Anyway, I need to plan my next move, because she’s not fucking getting away with what she did to me.

Kellan is right about one thing. It’s not funny anymore.

Chapter 64

Arabella

“Hey, Arabella, be a good girl and leave your door open tonight.” Garrett smirks as he passes my table.

“How long has it been since you last got fucked?” Jace comes up behind him. “That little pussy of yours must be getting hungry.”

Bret and Evan laugh, following in their wake as I pretend to ignore them and gather my books. The teacher has already rushed out of the class. The boys have been taunting me ever since the last video was released. Eli came back to school a couple of days later, but he hasn’t been in any classes, and I guess he’s resting in his room. Kellan and Miles have both been avoiding me, and I haven’t been brave enough to ask about him.

I’ve never felt more alone than I do right now. I’m drowning in public, and no one can see it. My phone pings, and my hand twitches at the sound. I don’t want to look at it, but I’m frightened of what might happen if I don’t. I stare down at the message.

Unknown number: Just a little reminder that we are everywhere. We rule this school, and no one is going to help you.

A photo appears beneath the words. It’s of me asleep in my bed, one hand tucked under my head, mouth slightly open. My heart drops, and I clutch the cell tightly. They’ve been in my room, standing over me while I slept. Anything could have happened. The knowledge turns me cold.

They were in my room.

I run from the classroom and barely make it into a stall in the restroom before I vomit. I empty my stomach of the few mouthfuls of food I managed to eat at breakfast. Shaking and panting, I flush the toilet and slide my back down the door until I’m sitting on the floor, spasms still rocking through me.

I don’t know what to do.

I close my eyes and hug my knees to my chest. I’m positive now that Eli hasn’t been behind any of the photographs or videos.

Has this been one long setup? Why are they doing this to me? Am I hated by everyone this much?

I don’t know how much more I can take. I’m already breaking under the tension.

A crazed laugh leaves my lips.

Maybe that’s what they want. To drive me over the edge.

I open my bag and find my other cell.

Me: Sin, are you doing this? I’m so scared. I don’t know how much more I can take.

Tears try to break free from my eyes and I dash them away. I send a second message to him.

Me: I’m not a bully. I don’t know who I am anymore.

No reply comes.

My guilt morphs into anger.

Why isn’t he there? Why is he ignoring me?

I loved him, but maybe he hadn’t felt anything for me at all. The dares had been a game. Maybe they had never been meant as something more.

Then why am I still messaging him?

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