Page 63 of Dare To Break

I should have been more aware of my surroundings instead of daydreaming about last night. It’s my own fault for getting distracted.

I rub my neck with my palm trying to erase the lingering impression of his hand on my skin. For one brief disturbing moment, I’d felt my body respond as he had choked me. My nipples hardened, and my pussy grew wet. Then fear had taken over.

Anger and disgust twist me up inside, feeding my hate toward him as I hear his words echo in my head.

“Friends? You think they’re your friends? Lacy sees you as her pet project. Her new little doll that she can dress and pose in the positions she wants. Jace and the rest of the football team? They just want you on your knees, sucking their dicks. They’re not your friends, Princess. They’ll turn on you as soon as you stop performing tricks for them.”

Something touches my shoulder. I don’t give myself time to think. Swinging my arm wildly, my fist connects with something hard. Miles stands there, shock written all over his face, and my fist smashed into his nose.

Dropping my arm, I wince as my knuckles throb in pain, “Oh my god, Miles! I’m sorry!”

“Jesus, Arabella. What was that for?” He brings his hand up to his nose, and his fingers come away with a smear of blood.

“I thought you were Eli.”

“What do you mean you thought I was Eli?”

My attention darts nervously back to the woods. “He … he … crept up on me in the forest.”

Miles stills. “Did he hurt you?”

A tremor runs through my body. “He grabbed me by the neck—”

“You need to report this to security.” He swears under his breath, and wipes at the trickle of blood with his palm again.

“He’s just trying to scare me.”

“Travers is an asshole who needs to be taken down.”

I shake my head. “If I report this, everyone will learn who I am.”

“You know it’s not going to stay a secret forever,” Miles points out gently.

I lift a shoulder, a tiny part of me hoping that won’t come for a long time yet. “I know. Can we head back to the dorms? Why were you looking for me?”

Miles falls into step beside me, still touching his nose gingerly. “I’ve been texting you, but you didn’t answer. Lacy said you went for your run, so I came to check on you. I was wondering if you wanted to come into town with me?”

Unzipping my fanny pack, I check my phone and resist the urge to pull out my new one. “Shit, I’m sorry. I had it on mute. And yes, I’d love to go into town with you. I just need to shower and change.”

Miles tosses a glance over his shoulder. “Maybe you should stick to the running track from now on.”

Can he see Eli? I refuse to give him any more of my fear. He’s nothing but a bully that no one likes.

“I like running through the trees.” I fight against the desire to look back, and keep my gaze locked on the buildings in front of us. “I’ll just be a little more aware next time.”

***

Attention on the people wandering up and down the street beyond the window, I take my first sip of coffee. The air of the cafe is swirling with the aromatic scent of hot drinks and freshly baked pastries. Tucked away in a nook, Miles and I have the perfect view of everyone who enters.

We’ve spent the last few hours going in and out of shops. Miles even talked me into using the credit card Elliot gave me. I loathed spending my stepfather’s money, I’d rather earn it, but as my new friend pointed out, that isn’t going to happen while I’m at school.

“I’ll pay him back,” I vow.

“Are you still worried about using your credit card?”

“It just doesn’t seem right.”

“Your stepdad wouldn’t have given it to you, if he didn’t want you to be able to buy yourself stuff.”

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