Page 5 of Ashton

I shake my head, laughing. “I’m worried I might dip into your apocalypse food.”

Jinxlooks back at her cupboard, then at me. “Nah, I have more down below. Spencer usually only takes me into the city once a month, so I make sure to grab a lot. But if the world were ending, we wouldn’t starve.”

“I believe it, but we would need more than sugar to survive.”

She shrugs and heads to Edgar. She gives him a gentle pet before grabbing his treat off the small table under the window. He calls out, being impatient.

“You hush it, mister. I can only go so fast.” She bends down, dropping the treat on his bed. Edgar dives fast, gobbling it up.

“All right, I need to ask. How did you befriend the bird?”

She watches Edgar, a small smile tugging at the corner of her mouth. “Do you believe in fate?” She rubs Edgar’s head.

“I never gave it any thought. No.” I move to the couch, waiting for her to tell her story.

A sigh escapes the confines of her mouth, and I watch as she lays next to Edgar’s box. She unsnaps her fanny pack from around her waist and crosses her feet.

“When I first came here, Dad acted like I was an average person. He dropped me off at the front doors and drove away. He left me alone for the wolves.” She waves her hand. “Anyway. This little rascal became a quick friend during my second week here, and he was only a chick. I think he tried leaving the nest too soon and couldn’t fullyfly yet. That’s when I took him in. And you know what? I’ve been trying ever since to shake him, but he won’t leave me alone.” She laughs, giving Edgar a rub under his beak.

“And his name?”

She turns her head, raising her brow. “Seriously? Edgar Allan Poe. I don’t think I need to spell it out, Maddox.”

My body shook with the silent laughter; as her brows lowered, she rolled over. The look on her face is priceless.

“You do know who Poe is, correct?” her voice turned serious.

I lick my lips and grin. “I’m not that stupid, baby.” I lean forward, resting my elbows on my knees, my eyes focusing intently on her face. “Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered, weak and weary, over many a quaint and curious volume of forgotten lore.”

I watch her skin tighten with goosebumps. “Well, fuck me. Aren’t we just full of surprises, Maddox Van Daren?”

She has no idea.

Chapter three

Jinx

There are times in your life when you have to look back and wonder. If I had changed even a second, could things have gone differently? If I had woken up five minutes earlier, could that have been enough to change the entire day?

Perhaps if I hadn’t come to this school, my life wouldn’t be crumbling. It’s all too late now. Whatever happens, I’m fucked.Unknownhasn’t contacted me for three days, and I feel like I’m losing my mind. Every time my phone goes off, my stomach sinks, wondering if this is the time he finally has enough and is going to come and attack me.

I’ve never felt so surrounded yet alone when the guys are around. I refused to leave my room for days after standingUnknownup. Too afraid of what he would try, the guys tried everything they could think of to get me to leave, but I wouldn’t change it. Even Spence tried bribing me with a trip into the city.

Nothing worked.

Then Maddox reminded me of Lula and Piper, and that was all the fire I needed to get my ass back to class.

The only issue I have now is when I do want to be alone, they won’t let me. Atticus was pissed with me for hiding away from him, and he refuses to eat at his dorm for dinner now.

Atticus walks into my dorm, his ice-blue eyes clash with mine, and that cocky smirk pulls across his lips. Cause he knows he won again.

I sit up, crossing my legs, watching the twins place bags on the coffee table.

Ashton hauls out the takeout containers from the food court. The room is filled with the delicious smell of Chinese food. My stomach rumbles, reminding me it’s been hours since I’ve last eaten anything.

“Here, grim.”

He holds out a plate of food for me. “Thanks.” I reach for it, but he doesn’t let go.

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