Page 105 of Dare To Break

There. I admit it to myself. I didn’t stop to torment her and punish her for letting Miles do what I wanted to do. I stopped because if I hadn’t, things would have gone a lot further than she wanted.

I pull out the cell and tap into messages. She hasn’t responded to the one I left last night.

Me: Where are you?

I scan the cafeteria. She’s not there. I can see Lacy, Tina, Linda, and the other girls, but no Arabella.

Me: Kitten, where are you?

She doesn’t reply, and she doesn’t turn up for breakfast. When a couple of teachers appear in the doorway to tell us to go to the main hall, I look for her. She usually catches up with her roommate before the first class, so I purposely choose a seat close behind Lacy.

“Quiet down, everyone.” Principal Warren makes his way onto the stage. “I’ll make this quick. It’s been brought to my attention that, regardless of my warnings not to engage in dares, some of you have carried them out anyway. Last night one of our students got hurt. Because of this, we’ll be doubling the security and setting curfew for all years at nine-thirty, starting tonight.”

Groans and complaints drown out the rest of his words. A whistle pierces the noise, and everyone turns to look at the front of the room. Coach Braun has his football whistle between his lips.

“Sit down and shut up,” he bellows, and everyone slowly settles back down.

“As I was saying, curfew for the entire school will now be nine-thirty. That is the only restriction I’m placing you all on … for the moment. But if you continue to ignore my warnings about these dares, I will reconsider, and the Halloween party will be canceled.” He steps back. “That’s it. Get to your classes everyone.”

I hold back until most of the others have left and pull out the cell. She still hasn’t replied.

Me: If you are giving me the silent treatment because I left you last night, I can think of more interesting ways to punish me.

Prey: Leave me alone.

I frown at the name I’ve given her. It doesn’t suit her anymore. I navigate into the contacts and change it before replying.

Me: No. Where are you?

Kitten: You left me alone in a tomb naked. Anyone could have seen me. I’m done. Red. RED. RED!

Me: So, you’re not angry that I left you on the edge, just that you were on your own in the tomb?

Kitten: Don’t message me again.

I glance up to check who’s around and turn into the hallway where the lockers are.

Me: What if I promise not to leave you like that again?

Kitten: I said leave me alone.

Me: Did you look at the photographs?

Three little dots pop up, disappear, and pop up again.

Kitten: You uploaded them?

Me: I told you I’d let you see them. You looked fucking amazing. Take a look. Then tell me you’re done.

I turn off the cell and open my locker to grab my books, then set off for math.

Chapter 69

Arabella

Wiping away the stray tear that’s rolling down my cheek with my thumb, I turn off the phone. I’m feeling sorry for myself, and I don’t even want to think about looking at those photos. Not now when I feel so low. I’m a mess inside.

I rest my head back on the pillow, my attention wandering aimlessly around the long room. Rows of empty beds are lined on both sides, and the odor of antiseptic lingers in the air. The nurse is sitting at a table by the door, working away on her computer. She checked on me on and off all night. The painkillers I’d been given have helped.

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