Page 175 of Dare To Break

I press my lips together. I don’t want to admit he is right. My skull feels as though it’s going to explode and all I want to do is huddle somewhere dark. We leave the classroom together. Kellan remains quiet, but I can sense him staring at me from time to time. Once we reach the medical wing, he gives me back my bag.

“Thanks,” I mumble.

He gives me a solemn smile. “You’re welcome.”

Why does this feel so weird?

The nurse sends him away, much to my relief. I’m given a painkiller and ordered back to my room with strict instructions to keep it dark. I do as I’m told, and the pain in my head has lessened a little by the time I crawl into my bed. I drag the blanket up over my head. My cell chimes, but I ignore it.

I’m tired, hurt, and all I want to do is block out the world for a while.

Chapter 112

Eli

Kellan’s face is troubled when he returns to the classroom and drops into the seat next to me. I can’t question him until the end of class and, even then, we barely have time because we have separate places to go to. I have art, he has computer science and they’re in different buildings. I have to be satisfied with a quick rundown of what happened.

“She didn’t seem right, Eli. More than just the migraine she was claiming. I think everything is getting to her.”

I chew on my lip. “You think I should leave her alone?” I haven’t told him about last night. Has she realized it’s me? Is that why she was in such a mess this morning?

“You’ve already backed off during the day. I’m not sure what more you can do. Quit sending her messages and meeting with her at night? I don’t know if that’s what she wants.” He angles a knowing look at me. “I know it’s not what you want.”

I don’t respond to that. He checks the time on his cell’s screen. “I better go; otherwise, McMillan will have my head. You know how he hates people being late. Meet you at lunch?”

I nod, and we both go our separate ways.

There’s no sign of Arabella in art, and I spend most of the class wondering whether she’s really sick or just needed to get away from everyone. When the class ends, I’m halfway to the dorm building before I get hold of myself.

I can’t just fucking turn up outside her room and demand to know how she is. I stop in the middle of the path and pull out the cell I use to contact her with.

Me: What happened to you today?

I wait, but she doesn’t reply. I gnaw at the inside of my cheek. I’m not used to feeling indecisive, and I don’t like it. Spinning back toward the cafeteria building, I head inside to meet Kellan for lunch.

Neither of us talks much while we eat, both wrapped up in our own thoughts and the rest of the day follows a similar pattern. Arabella doesn’t return for any more classes, and I overhear Lacy telling the rest of her friends that her roommate has a bad migraine and won’t be at cheer practice after school that day. A discussion on whether she should be removed completely from the squad follows that, and I don’t wait around to hear the result because I’m not sure I can stop myself from saying something.

When she doesn’t show up for class the following morning, I start making plans, and by late Thursday I have everything I need in place.

Me: Tomorrow night, Kitten. If you’re not there, then I’ll assume we’re done.

I switch off the cell to stop myself from checking it every few minutes and spend the rest of the day working on my sculpture. I’m leaving early Saturday morning to drive back home for a Thanksgiving that I’m sure will be a disaster. The only bright side is that Kellan will be there to stop me from slowly going insane.

***

Friday moves at a crawl. Arabella still hasn’t answered my text, so I’m continuing forward on the assumption that she’ll turn up, simply because she has to go home for a week and spend time with the stepbrother she hates.

I head to the tomb before curfew, set everything up, and then sketch for an hour. When my alarm sounds to tell me it’s the time I usually meet her at the bench, I clear away my sketchbook and walk outside. I refuse to entertain the thought she might not be there, but can’t ignore the relief I feel when I find her sitting on the bench.

“Hey, Kitten.” I stroke my fingers over her cheek, and she turns her face into my palm. The move twists something inside of me, but I push it aside, and tug her to her feet.

She lets me lead her to the tomb without comment, and her silence makes me uneasy. Instead of lifting her onto the coffin, I lead her around it to where I’ve spread out a blanket.

“Sit down.” I guide her down, then go back to the doors so I can close and lock them from the inside.

She’s plucking at the soft fleecy material under her palms when I turn back. I kneel beside her and reach for the bowl of strawberries I’ve placed at the edge.

“Open your mouth.” I feel fucking stupid doing this, but Kellan assures me it’s a good idea. I’m questioning his sanity, even as I place the fruit against her lips. “Bite.”

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