Page 124 of Dare To Fall

My actions dictate how they see me. They’ve always judged me on how I behave.

Damaged. Broken. Victim.

I don’t want to wear those labels anymore. I’m not ruined, I’m a survivor.

Gritting my teeth, I raise my chin. “Lacy told me there wasn’t much down there to suck on. Sorry but I’m not interested, Bret.”

Garrett shoots me a surprised look and then laughs while Bret turns cherry red. I note the fact he doesn’t deny being with Lacy.

“What the fuck, babe?” Brad snaps.

“I don’t know what the fuck she’s talking about.” Lacy’s voice comes out shrill and high. “The only dick I’ve sucked is yours.”

“Funny, that’s not what Eli says,” I call over my shoulder as I walk away.

Not waiting to see what happens, I slip into the classroom and take my seat.

Eli and Kellan don’t turn up.

Dread settles and grows inside me.

Mrs. Winters arrives, and the class starts. Focusing on the class proves difficult, and I spend most of the time staring into space, my thoughts filled with where Eli could be. I’m so wrapped up in my head that I don’t realize when the class ends until someone knocks into my desk.

Art is next, and after talking to the teacher, I head for the room I share with two other girls. My ballgown is waiting. I haven’t worked on it for weeks. It’s something I can lose myself in for the next few hours as I bring something beautiful to life. Something that the dares, the blackmail and the hatred directed at me from the other students can’t ruin.

Chapter 83

Eli

I don’t see Ari when we first walk into the cafeteria, so I follow Kellan into the line for food. He frowns at me. I usually go straight to our table.

“I want to look at what cakes they have.” My voice comes out defensive, and he snorts.

“Don’t bullshit me. There’s a better view of the room from here. Look in the far corner. That’s her usual seat.”

My eyes shift in the direction he nods toward, and sure enough, there she is. There’s a tray of food in front of her, which she’s pushing around the plate with a fork and a distinct lack of enthusiasm. I take a step forward.

“What about your cake selection?” Kellan’s voice drips with humor.

“Fuck off.”

His laughter follows me as I stalk across the floor. Students fall silent as I pass them, and I briefly wonder what they’re seeing, how I must look. My gaze is focused on the blonde head in front of me. When I reach her table and my shadow falls over her, she raises her head.

Her eyes widen when she sees me.

“Stand up.” I deliver the instruction in a clipped tone.

“Where—”

“Stand. Up.”

Students are whispering around us. I know they’re waiting for me to hurt her, to lash out, to humiliate her. When I smile, she turns pale and scrambles to her feet. Fear flashes across her face, replaced quickly by determination and defiance. She’s ready to fight me, to do battle, and my tongue sweeps over my lips.

“What are you doing, Arabella?” I tilt my head and lift an eyebrow.

“I don’t know what you mean. I’m just having lunch.” Her eyes dart past me, and I’m certain she’s looking for an escape.

I shake my head and tut. Before she can react, my shoulder hits her stomach and I toss her up into a fireman’s lift. She shrieks, hands hitting my back. I give her ass a light swat with my palm.

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