Page 70 of Brutal Prince

Indi

My footsteps echo as I enter Lavish Prep’s gymnasium. According to my timetable, this is where we have assembly on Fridays. It must be Friday already, or there’s a special assembly, because the benches are packed.

But something’s not right. The principal’s podium is missing and it’s too quiet.

With no teachers in sight, the kids should have been chatting and laughing and fidgeting, filling the gymnasium with a hushed cacophony that would only end once the principal called the assembly to order.

But no teachers.

No noise.

Just thousands of blank, expectant faces.

I’m nervous enough to be sweating, but at the same time I’m detached from my body. Like I’m floating, tethered to myself by a very short string as I lumber over the empty floor.

Everyone’s looking at me, and it’s no wonder. The only thing making any noise right now are my shoes.

Clomp. Squeak. Clomp. Squeak. Clomp.

Someone’s behind me. I can feel their presence. But I can’t turn; I’m too scared it’s Briar.

As if the crowd read my mind, they begin to chant.

Briar.

Briar.

Briar.

Shoes thump on wood. Hands clap.

Briar!

Briar!

Briar!

Why wouldn’t they cheer for him? They let him walk loose among them as if he’s nothing close to the wild predator Addy suspects him of being. An animal I know him to be.

My skin feels a size too small.

I try walking faster, but my disengaged body just keeps plodding along at the same pace.

When I try to look behind me, my eyes remain fixed forward.

Briar! Briar! Briar!

Addy’s standing at the foot of the benches wearing a pink, glittering cheerleader’s outfit that doesn’t look anything like Lavish Prep’s gold and black uniform.

A pair of pink pom-poms dangles at her side as if she’s lost every bit of enthusiasm.

I stop in the center of the gym.

Breath stirs fine hairs against my neck.

Shit, he’s so fucking close.

Briar! Briar! Briar!

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