Page 10 of Lost Paradise

“Fine,” I concede. “But you're certainly exhibiting symptoms ofaggravated boomer syndrome. It’s just a word, and you used a social media acronym to tell me youdid not finisha book. Seems a little excessive. TikTokers are very good at making viral memes out of comments like yours. Perhaps consider taking a hiatus from social media and postingAngry-Karen-typebook reviews that nobody cares about anyway.”

Rather than respond, she gestures where Zane and Byron are seated together in the waiting area.

“The dean will be with you shortly,” she assures me with one final disapproving glare at my T-shirt before returning to her tasks.

I shrug my shoulders, each to their own pain. I may order fifty-two of these T-shirts and have one sent to her every week, together with a copy of the book she couldn’t finish. Clearly, she has nothing better to obsess over, so why not indulge her with theattention she seems to crave?

As I make my way over to the guys, my mind races with apprehension. The dean's request undoubtedly relates to last night's event.

Joining Zane and Byron, I can sense the tension thickening in the air, and their faces express severe concern. Their silence speaks volumes about the gravity of the situation. I hesitate, hovering over the empty seat opposite them, unsure of how to proceed, but the weight of what we face is unmistakable. We are about to face the consequences of our actions, and the apprehension in the room is so thick it’s as if we are all silently bracing ourselves for what is to come.

As soon as I take a seat, Zane’s face softens, and he greets me with a weak smile.

“Are you okay?” he asks, and I can trace the concern in his voice.

“Yes, thanks,” I reply. He has more to lose here, so I don’t want to ask how he is because I can only imagine. “Do either of you know what this is about?”

Zane shrugs. “ It could just be a reprimand. We were cleared of any drugs in our system.”

“How’s your arm?” I ask, remembering him getting first aid on an accident he had last night.

“Just a superficial scratch, nothing serious.”

“Where’s that tosser? The criminal.” Byron asks, and I’m surprised by the irritation in his voice. Yesterday, he seemed quiet and reserved and maybe a little snobbish, too.

But I did notice the death looks he was giving Astro last night as we were kept in detention by the campus security. As much as I would have liked to kill Astro, too, there was something a lot deeper with them two.

“He’s the one responsible for all this,” Byron adds as if needing to explain his irritated demeanor.

“Look, man, I take full responsibility. I insisted you come with me.”

Byron looks at Zane and scowls.

“You know I am my own person. I can make my own decisions. Which means you didn’t make me go with you. I chose to, so for the millionth time, please shut up.”

Okay, obviously, Byron’s vexed. While I didn’t get the impression yesterday that he’s a generally angry person, maybe more of his nature is coming out as I get to know him better.

“Hello, ladies.”

We all turn our heads to find the asshole of the hour standing and looking at us as if he’s expecting a red carpet to roll out for him.

None of us bother responding to the cocky bastard breezing in as if he’s joining us for coffee and cake.

With an air of nonchalance that borders on arrogance, he casually takes the seat next to me.

“Missed you in my bed last night,” he whispers, but it’s purposely loud enough so the other two hear him.

“In your dreams, loser,” I counter and huff a sigh, looking the other way.

“Judging by the sounds you made in my mouth last night, I think my dreams were the last place you wanted to be in.”

I watch as Zane's gaze flits between the two of us, and a wave of self-loathing washes over me as I feel my cheeks flush crimson. The last thing I need anyone suspecting is that I’m attracted to this asshole.

“You forced yourself on me,” I manage to spit out, my voice trembling with anger. “Those sounds you heard were me cringing from your foul mouth.”

Astro lets out a chuckle, seemingly unfazed by my comment.

“Did he assault you?” Zane demands, his voice brimming with protective fury as he starts to rise from his seat. But before he can lunge forward at Astro, Byron reaches out and firmly prevents him from escalating the situation.

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