Page 121 of Dare To Take

Her lips press together, and she swallows. With careful movements, she sets the tray down and turns slightly, so she’s facing me and picks up the bowl of pasta.

“I’m sorry.” The words are low and shaky.

“For what?”

She upends the bowl on my head. Before I can react, the glass of juice joins it, dripping down my face. She twists away and flees. I surge to my feet, intending to chase her, only to be stopped by Kellan’s grip on my arm.

“Let her go.”

“What the actual fuck?” I snatch up a paper napkin and wipe my face.

“I need to speak to Miles. Go and get cleaned up and meet me at medical.”

Chapter 74

Arabella

I race past the students heading into the cafeteria and out of the door. The flash of rage on Eli’s face when I dumped the food over him drives my fear. Adrenaline pumps through me, and I don’t stop until I’m inside my room. Slamming the door shut, I dash for the bathroom, drop to my knees, and dry heave over the toilet, the spasms wracking my stomach.

What if he comes after me?

I scurry back into the bedroom and lock the door, then I stare at it, waiting for him to come. I’m braced for the lash of his fury, the cruel words which will rip what’s left of me to shreds like the blade of the sharpest knife.

Time trickles by, and nothing happens.

Even if he doesn’t retaliate now, he will in class tomorrow. I have no way to avoid him. I’ll just leave. Pack a bag and run away again.

With jerky steps, I move to the closet and open it. Taking the first suitcase I see, I unzip it, move to the dresser, and stuff clothes into it.

Elena will just drag me back to school, and where am I going to go? They’ll still have the videos. The one of me and Eli having sex. They could still hurt Miles.

The bitter truth stills my movements.

My attention jumps to my bedside table, and I dig Sin’s phone out of the drawer.

Me: I want to run. I want to run so bad, but I don’t know what will happen if I do. I’m stuck. Churchill Bradley Academy is Hell, and I’m paying for crimes that are not mine.

Why am I still trying to contact him? I’m so fucking stupid.

I toss the cell on the bed, perch beside it and cradle my head in my hands.

My phone pings.

Peering slowly at it through my fingers, I’m quick to realize it’s not Sin’s phone that’s made the noise.

My gaze slowly drops down to my bag, where I’ve dumped it on the floor. I don’t want to look, but I’m scared of what will happen if I don’t. I pull out my cell.

Unknown number: Well done, we liked the show. Tomorrow will be even better.

A video is attached, and I numbly watch as I dump the pasta covered in sauce over Eli’s head. I see the shock ripple over his face and then harden with anger.

There’s roaring in my ears, my hands shake as my vision blurs. I stumble back into the bathroom, I clutch at the sink, tremors wracking my body until I’m unsteady on my feet. My heart pounds faster and faster.

I try to calm myself, but my breath is shallow and sharp. My vision narrows, white dots dancing before my eyes. I sink downward and curl up on the floor.

I don’t know how much time passes before I’m able to move and steady myself. It could have been thirty seconds or an hour, or even a week. It’s not like anyone will come looking for me to see if I’m alive. I crawl over the floor, out of the bathroom, and over to the bed.

Exhaustion wraps itself around me. The need to sleep is strong, and I give myself up to it, taking refuge in dreamless oblivion.

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