Page 15 of Dare To Take

“If Eli can wear whatever he wants.” I point out without any hint of the irritation I’m feeling inside. “I can too.”

Before she can answer, Elliot enters the room. He looks pale and a little older since he got out of the hospital. His gaze meets mine, and for one brief second, I swear I see a flicker of pity in them. The pain inside me writhes, trying to escape its cage, but I bury it back down among the ice.

Feel nothing, then nothing can hurt you.

“Is this something new, Arabella?” He smiles. “What do they call it? A goth phase?”

I return his smile, but it feels stiff on my face. “Something like that.”

“I like it. It suits you.”

Elena steps toward him to fuss with the collar of his shirt. “Are you sure you’re up to this? You should rest.”

“I am resting.” He raises his hand and curls his fingers around hers. “And I want to have dinner with my family tonight.”

We all move to take our seats, and I’m acutely aware that Eli is sitting directly across from me. All I need to do is stretch out my leg and I could touch him. I do everything in my power not to look his way.

“You’re very pale, Bella,” my mother comments. “Or is that makeup too?”

I tilt my head and meet her stare. “Oh, no. That’s all natural.”

“It’s been a rough few weeks for all of us.” Elliot points out from the other end of the table. “I’m sure once Arabella gets back to school—”

“Wait, what?” My head snaps around to him.

“Your mother didn’t tell you that you’re going back after Christmas?”

I open my mouth to argue, then close it again. Instead, I turn to Elena. “But I don’t want to go back.”

The maids sweep into the room carrying trays of food. I don’t even bother to see what’s placed in front of me. My whole focus is on my mother’s tight expression.

“We’ve spoken to the school, and they are dealing with what happened. You just need to get to graduation.” Her voice is low and calm, as if I’m a difficult child. “It’s not long. A few months.”

A fucking lifetime for me. She really doesn’t give a fuck about me.

She doesn’t flinch under my glare. “It will be fine, Bella. You’ll have a counselor you can talk to at any time. If the other students pick on you, you’ll have someone to tell immediately. It’s going to be okay.”

“And how do you know that? Are you a fucking mind reader now?”

Her lips flatten into a thin white line. “Arabella, please don’t spoil tonight with a tantrum.”

Don’t ruin this for Elliot.

I pick up my fork and prod at the pasta in front of me. My stomach is tight, and I’m not sure I will be able to keep food down.

Eli is watching me from across the table.

He must be enjoying himself immensely.

Has he seen the comments on the video? Does he know what’s waiting for me back at Churchill Bradley Academy?

What all the boys have said?

At least he won’t be there to see it.

Chapter 11

Eli

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