Page 138 of Dare To Take

I need to take this chance.

I urge myself to move. I barely have the energy to jog across the open grass in the darkness. By the time I hit the tree line, I’m dizzy and panting. Clutching at the nearest tree trunk, I steady myself and close my eyes. Maybe I should have tried to force myself to eat more than a chocolate muffin. Not that much of it had gone in my mouth when I’d picked at it.

I take a quick glance over my shoulder to check I’m not being followed. I see no one. Minutes tick by, and I remain staring nervously back at the school.

Got to keep going. Don’t make Sin wait.

I set off along the path, the full moon lighting my way. It doesn’t feel real being out here again. The wind is icy against my cheeks, its bite penetrating my clothes and making me shiver. Wrapping my arms around my waist, I keep a steady pace, not stopping until the bench comes into sight. It’s then I remember the blindfold. I forgot all about it.

Will he still come if I don’t have it? I’ll just keep my eyes closed for him. I can promise him I won’t peek. I did it before. At the movies.

I drop heavily down onto the bench and pull my phone anxiously from my pocket. I’m a little early, and he’s not messaged me yet.

What do I say to him? Where do I start?

Everything is an ugly mess.

A chime comes from my other pocket.

No, no, no.

I close my hand around it inside my hoodie. I want to ignore it, but I don’t.

I’ll just see what they want.

Licking my lips, I check the message.

Unknown number: We want you to attend the Valentine’s Ball tomorrow night.

Shock holds me immobile for a beat.

Me: Lacy told me I’m not welcome.

Unknown number: You will attend.

Unknown number: We’ll provide you with the perfect dress and makeup. We want you to flirt with Travers.

I reread the words.

Me: Flirt?

Unknown number: You’ll be messaged with further instructions in the evening. We will get the reaction we want out of him.

Lacy doesn’t want me there. I can only imagine her reaction when I turn up. My thoughts shift to the jocks and their threats of what they plan to do to me on Valentine’s Day. Panic claws its way through me, and I tremble, already dreading what’s going to come.

Unknown number: You will make sure the Valentine’s Day Ball is unforgettable. We want to see the monster unleashed.

They want to bring Eli down, and they are using me to do it. Anger surges, fracturing through the heavy fog of numbness.

Isn’t this what Eli’s wanted since he first met me? To see me groveling? Degraded? Beaten down? I’m nothing but trash to him. A gold-digger just like my mother.

I unblock his number on my phone, and all the old hate pours out of me like a festering wound that has never healed. My fingers fly over the screen, everything I’ve been holding in explodes out in my texts at my chosen target.

Me: Fuck you.

Me: Fuck this situation.

Me: You got what you wanted.

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