Page 123 of Reckless Dare

She still had two more years at Simha, which meant she could not avoid her tormentor forever.

I won’t let him come between my dreams.

She wiped away her tears that she didn’t know she was shedding and took a deep breath.

He doesn’t deserve my tears. I’m going to face him with my chin raised.

She went to the housing unit and back to her room. Since she would be facing him after a long time, she wanted to look her best. She didn’t want any traces of heartbreak to show on her face.

But as she stepped into her room, on instinct her eyes went to her bed and then to the sliding doors. She half-expected him to lay on her bed waiting for her or enter her room through the sliding doors like before.

Her heart ached once again, missing the small twist of his mouth when he smiled at her while waiting for her in her room.

No! Don’t think of him.

She shook her head, warding off the memories.

Putting on the costume for the play, she got into a shuttle that headed to the performance and arts building.

She had managed to avoid her tormentor the past few days. But now, since there was no escape, she once again gave herself a pep talk to avoid looking heartbroken.

She was going to show him that she didn’t care for him.

Liar!

She hugged her backpack and sat in the bus as other students filled in.

As she looked out of the window aimlessly, her eyes fell on a familiar gray and black checkered duffle bag. Her heart thudded. Before she could take a good look, it disappeared from her view.

Maybe it was a coincidence.

Even as she thought that, once again her heart jerked and began racing.

A whiff of familiar cologne permeated in the air, and she didn't need to look to know he was close and that he had his eyes trained on her.

Oh God.

Biting her trembling lip, she kept her eyes lowered. Despite her pep talk, her eyes prickled at the familiar fragrance.

She hugged her backpack like it was a protective shield.

A moment later, she felt her seat shift slightly as he sat right next to her.

Why is he torturing me like this? Why can’t he leave me alone? Hasn’t he done enough?

Minutes passed and she heard the voices of students around her, but he stayed silent.

Soon, the performances and arts building stop arrived and she waited until he moved away. Keeping her head lowered, she got down the shuttle.

Her eyes remained lowered until she got to the stage where they would be shooting.

“Abhi! Ava! Come on here!”

She looked up and followed the director’s instructions. And when she got on the stage, she ignored her tormentor’s presence next to her.

“All right, guys. Should we get started?” the director asked.

Ava nodded.

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