Page 37 of Dare To Fall

Chapter 22

Arabella

Eli lends me a pair of sweatpants to go with his hoodie, so I don’t have to walk through the hallways half naked when I leave to go back to my room. He sees me out of the door, with a quick kiss that turns into a make-out session with me pinned against the wall and his tongue down my throat. I’m breathless and flushed when I finally break away and dash out of the door.

I don’t run into anyone on my way upstairs, but when I reach my floor, I discover the door to my room is wide open. My stomach dips in dismay at the sight of it, and I almost turn and run back to Eli and Kellan. Instead, I suck in a steadying breath and force myself inside.

The light blue blankets on the beds are a mess, with odd stains all over the fabric. Both sets of pillows have been shredded, and the stuffing strewn all over the floor. The contents of my dresser have all been pulled out, and my panties are in a messy pile.

But it’s the word whore spray painted across the wall that holds my attention.

Who did this? My blackmailers? What would have happened if I’d been in my room when they’d arrived?

I shudder.

Moving deeper into the room, I check the bathroom, and pull back the shower curtain. My heart is in my throat, and I sag in relief when there’s no one hiding behind it. Once I’m sure I’m alone, I close the door and lock it.

I use the cell Eli gave me to take photos of what I’ve found and send them to him.

Me: Someone trashed my bed.

Sin: Don’t touch anything. Call housekeeping to clean it up.

Me: Why?

Sin: Because whoever has been in your room jerked off over them. Multiple someone’s I’d say.

My gaze jumps to the stains on the sheets. Bile rises in my throat, and I swallow it down.

The number for housekeeping is on top of a notepad on my desk. I call and explain what’s happened, and they promise to send someone up to write a report and clean my room while I’m down at breakfast.

I’m desperate to soak in a long hot bath and unwind my aching muscles, but I opt for a shower instead. I can’t relax in here, knowing someone has access to my room. What if they come back while I’m in the tub? My shower is quick, just enough time to wash, and I’m dressed and ready with ten minutes to spare on my thirty-minute deadline.

I match the pink blouse Eli suggested with a pair of black jeans and sneakers. A black jacket my mother bought me is enough to keep me warm as I move between the buildings.

I shoot off a quick message to Eli.

Me: I’m heading down now.

Sin: We’ll be waiting. Did you call housekeeping?

Me: Yes. They said they’ll have everything cleaned up while I am at breakfast.

Sin: Good girl.

There are students already in the cafeteria when I get there, but with it being Saturday morning, the majority will sleep in after staying up late after Valentine’s Ball.

Eli and Kellan are at their usual table. Lacy is playing court with her cheerleaders at theirs, surrounded by the jocks. Miles is with them. He doesn’t look in my direction or acknowledge my presence in any way. From the look on his face, he’s still mad at Kellan, and I’m sure he’ll blame me for what happened.

I hate that I’ve hurt him by sleeping with the guy he likes, but I had no idea they were involved and what happened was out of my control. Between the demands my blackmailer was making and how hungry Eli made me for sex, I ended up doing something I never dreamed I’d do.

I order a coffee and then take it to a table on the far side of the room, away from everyone. The whispers have already started. People peer down at their phones and laugh before shooting glances my way. The videos they took last night must be plastered all over the school’s social media. I have no interest in checking.

A prickling sensation creeps up my spine. The feeling of being watched, judged, as I slip off my jacket, is strong. The dark hickeys Eli and Kellan marked me with are visible on the pale skin of my throat. More bites are visible in the gap of my shirt. I sip my coffee, eyes lowered, aware that most of the attention in the room is on me.

Be brave for me, Kitten.

Eli’s words give me the courage to sit there while everyone stares. As much as I hate feeling like a monkey in a cage at the zoo, I don’t want to think about what will happen if I don’t obey.

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