Page 123 of Dare To Fall

“Where’s the fire?” I roll onto my back, yawning.

“It’s almost ten. We’ve missed first class.”

“What? Fuck!” I shoot upright and join him in scrambling for clothes.

We fight for the bathroom to wash and brush our teeth.

“You have art,” Kellan tells me around his toothbrush. “Two-hour class, working on your sculpture. I’ll come and grab you at lunchtime. I’ve set an alarm on your cell.”

“If you see Ari—”

“She also has art, so it’s unlikely I will. But if I do cross her path, I’ll tell her to meet you for lunch.”

We separate on the path outside the dorm. Kellan sets off at a jog toward the computer building, and I skirt around the outside of the gym to hit the side entrance that will take me to the room I’m using for my sculpture.

Pulling the dust sheet off, I step back and examine it. It’s almost finished. I need to finish the monster’s feet, where they’re gripping the rock beneath him. His hands curving around the girl in his arms also need some final detail, as well as the wings spread out around them.

I run my finger over it, searching for sharp edges, then reach for my earbuds, tap play on my music and get to work.

The alarm on my cell goes off at the same time as the door swings open to allow Kellan inside.

“Lunch time already?”

“Time flies when you’re having fun.” He props his shoulder against the doorframe, hands pushed deep into the pockets of his jeans. His face is missing its usual smile.

“Everything okay?”

“What?” He straightens. “Oh, yeah. Just hungry. Ready to go?”

“Just let me clean up.” I gather up the tools I’ve been using and drape the dust sheet back over the sculpture, then sweep up the floor.

Turning, I nod. “Okay, I’m done.” I lock up behind us and walk with Kellan down the hallway and outside. “Did you see Ari?”

Chapter 82

Arabella

There’s still no sign of Eli or Kellan when I come down to breakfast on Monday morning.

Are they avoiding me?

Gnawing apprehension is twisting me into knots.

Why doesn’t Eli want to see me? Is it because I didn’t tell him about Zoey’s diary? What if his plan is for it to be like before?

I don’t want him to bully me again because he thinks it will protect me. That is not the reason I came back.

My head is a mess by the time the first bell sounds. I’ve hardly touched my breakfast because I feel nauseous. Pushing it aside, I head for first class.

I’m almost at my locker when a shoulder slams into mine from behind. Shoved into the row of lockers to my right, I hit them hard.

“Watch it, freak.” Lacy snaps, walking past me. “I don’t even know why the school has more security patrolling the dorm at night. No one wants a dirty skank like you.”

Brad laughs beside her. “Maybe it’s just to keep her in her room and protect the rest of us.”

I move away from where I’m leaning against a locker, but Bret rests a hand beside my head, preventing my escape. “Ready to get down on your knees and worship my cock, yet?”

Garrett appears out of nowhere and shoves his friend away from me. “Dude, leave her alone.”

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