Page 68 of Dare To Fall

I’ve been in the arms of the Monster of Churchill Bradley Academy more than once. Every time has been different and volatile. There’s nothing sweet about the relationship between us. I’m not sure there ever will be.

I scrub away my tears and glance around the room until my attention lands on a small slab of black stone in the corner.

I take the spray can from my bag and shake it before popping off the lid. Crossing the room, I stop in front of the small slab. It’s the same color as the marble, so hopefully, they won’t know I haven’t touched the sculpture. My hand is shaking as I spray a dick on the surface and write the word monster.

Please let this work. Please let this work.

When I’m done, I snap a close-up so that only the graffitied part of the stone is visible, and press send.

I don’t give myself time to think. I flee from the room … from the scene of the crime.

They are going to know I didn’t do it. Why did I just risk everything for a statue?

The question repeats over and over in my head, but I can’t answer it.

Chapter 43

Eli

I’m waiting for her when she comes out of the building. For once, I don’t have to pretend I don’t know what she’s done, because Lacy is quick to inform me she’d seen Arabella letting herself into the room where my art project is.

There’s a malicious smile on her face when she delivers the information, and I’m confident it’s because she wants to see Arabella put down and not because she’s concerned about my project.

When Arabella appears out of the door and dashes along the path toward the dorms, I step out in front of her, arms folded, and cock an eyebrow. She skids to a stop. My gaze slides over her, and I know I’m successfully channeling the monster when she pales and tries to back away.

“Show me your hands.”

“Eli, I—”

“Show. Me. Your. Fucking. Hands.” I don’t have to pretend to be angry. I am. If my sculpture is ruined … I don’t even want to complete that thought.

When she doesn’t move, I reach out and wrap my fingers around her arm so I can pull her hand from her pocket. She has her fingers clenched into a fist, so I tighten my grip and peel each finger away from her palm. There are flecks of red paint on her fingertips. My eyes lift to meet hers.

“What did you do?” My voice is soft.

She shakes her head. My fingers flex on her wrist, tightening until she gasps, and I know she’ll be left with bruises, but it doesn’t stop me from dragging her along with me as I walk back to the building.

She’s trying to peel my fingers off her wrist, when I unlock the door housing my sculpture and pull her in. There are people trailing behind us, so I slam the door shut on them and pull down the blind. I don’t want any witnesses to what might happen next. My eyes move immediately to the sculpture in the center of the room. The dust sheet hangs over it, and I release her so I can pull it off.

“Eli—”

“Shut the fuck up.” I stalk around the marble, searching for damage, but can’t find a single mark. “What did you do, Ari?” My gaze swings to her, and her eyes dart to the left.

I turn my head to follow the direction of her gaze and see the dick she’s painted on the piece of stone I’d cut off from the base. My eyes snap back to her.

Whirling, I push all my tools off the workbench. The clatter as they hit the floor is loud and she jumps.

“Run,” I tell her quietly. “And don’t fucking look back.” I pick up a chisel and throw it at the wall. “Go!”

She aims for the door, throws it open and runs out.

“You fucking bitch!” I roar, throw the dust sheet over the statue, lock the door and then take off after her.

Right on cue, Miles and Kellan appear and grab my arms to haul me backward, stopping me from catching up to Arabella, who disappears through the door of the dorm building.

“Get the fuck off me.” I shake Miles off and shove him away.

I catch his eye roll, but he steps back, lifting his arms. “Leave the girl alone, asshole.”

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