Page 227 of Tis the Season to be Bullied

But what if he didn’t realize that at the time? Briar hasn’t exactly proven himself to be a calm, rational human being. He’s aggressive, impulsive, passionate.

What if…?

“You did it,” I whisper, disbelief dripping from each word. “You killed her.”

Briar’s smile drops away. “If you’re so convinced, then it’s best you stop tangling with me.”

He steps back, glaring at me as if to impress that last threat on my mind, and then heads for his locker.

Around me, students start moving again. A quiet hush fills the air as I make my way to my locker, by hand throbbing like I had it under too-hot water.

Briar might think he’s invincible, but I felt his heart under my palm.

It was racing.

Not with anger…but with fear.

Chapter Thirteen

Briar

AP Psychology.

I stare at the textbook in my hands, and then toss it back into my locker. I slam the door, making the kid next to me jump nearly a foot off the ground, and then I’m striding to the exit.

No way I can deal with Mr. Veroza’s old-man stink right now.

Or Indigo’s reproachful gaze.

That little girl ruined my fucking day.

Again.

That soppy shit that happened out there by the fence shouldn’t have happened at all. But I lost control for a moment. Forgot my purpose, my plans for Indi. The ‘Kiss Me’ prank was supposed to be a fucking hoot, but instead it made my fucking blood boil every time another kid helped themselves to Indi.

Her mouth? It’s mine.

Her lips? Mine.

Indigo? I own every inch of her.

She just doesn’t know it yet.

Indi

Addison pulls me into the restroom, and slams the door closed behind us. Everyone should be in class, so I doubt we’ll be bothered, but she obviously needs to ensure we can’t be overheard.

“You gonna tell me what’s going on?” I ask quietly.

She drags a hand through her sleek blond hair, mouth twisting and squirming as if she wants to spit.

“He killed her,” Addy murmurs.

My blood runs cold. “Jessica?”

Addy spins to me, eyes wide, and gives me a silent nod.

I shake my head, frowning hard at her. Despite my flurry of thoughts, I’m suddenly filled with doubt. I mean, how could anyone—even Prince Briar—get away with cold-blooded murder? “You said she committed suicide.”

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