Page 67 of Dare To Take

I grab a tray and give my order to the woman behind the counter. A few moments later, I’m handed a plate. I add a cup of coffee to it and break away from the line and find an empty table far away from Lacy and the jocks. I prod at the plate of scrambled eggs in front of me. I feel like I’m on a stage, with people watching every move I make, waiting for me to put on a show.

I catch someone nearby saying my name, followed by rough masculine laughter and the scrape of chair against tile.

Oh god, is someone coming over?

Did you really think you were going to survive this unscathed?

“You should eat that before it gets cold. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day.” Kellan flops down in the chair beside me.

My head snaps around, and I frown at him. “What do you want?”

“Don’t flatter yourself. I’m not here for you. This table has a better position to watch Miles from.”

I dart a look toward the boy in question. Kellan is right. I’ve picked a table with a perfect line of sight to the jocks. Jocks who have retaken their seats and are glaring in our direction.

“Seriously?”

Kellan smirks. “Uh-huh. I bet that slap you gave him earlier was gloriously satisfying. The poor baby looked so shocked. Kinda makes me want to go and kiss his boo-boo better.”

“What is it with you and Miles?”

“I like seeing him blush.” He eyes my plate. “Eat. Don’t mind me.”

“I’m not hungry.” My stomach chooses that second to rumble.

Kellan laughs. “Sure, you’re not. Put the food in your mouth, Princess.”

My fingers clench around the handle of the fork. “Stop calling me that.”

“Are you going to stab me?”

“Are you going to keep calling me Princess?”

His gray eyes sparkle with unholy amusement. “Eat your breakfast, and I won’t call you it again today.”

“How about ever?” I scoop some eggs up, shove them into my mouth, and chew.

“Where would the fun be in that?” Kellan’s attention returns to Miles. “Jace has been telling everyone he was in a car accident to cover why he’s wearing that cast. The little prick doesn’t want anyone to know what really happened.”

“If what you told me is true, I’m surprised he hasn’t used it to get Eli in trouble.” I eat another mouthful. “That was assault. Not that I care.”

Kellan laughs softly. “He won’t do that.”

“Why not?”

“Because he’ll then have two broken arms, silly.” He bumps me with his shoulder.

We fall into silence.

Although I’m wary and a little paranoid about why he’s joined me, I’m also a little grateful for his presence. It acts as a shield, keeping other students at bay. I manage to finish half of the food on my plate before I push it away and sip my coffee instead.

The first bell rings. Chairs scrape on the floor, and everyone around us rises to rush to class.

Kellan leaves me without a word. He walks toward the door behind the rest of the crowd, whistling softly. I take one more gulp of my coffee, savoring the taste. I have the feeling I’m going to need the caffeine hit to get me through the day. I pull on my coat, snatch up my bag, and follow everyone out.

Once I reach the main building, I navigate through the throng of jostling students moving toward the lockers. I have my first appointment with Counselor Clarke today, and I’m not looking forward to it. I have no idea what I’m supposed to talk about, and the idea of opening up to someone I don’t know feels daunting. I can’t exactly tell him that I’ve been sleeping with my stepbrother—the boy who also bullied me and released photographs and videos of me to the entire school. That just makes me sound insane.

I laugh quietly, bitterly.

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