Page 73 of Tis the Season to be Bullied

Ugh. Why are men so disgusting? They see anything with boobs, and they can’t seem to think straight.

I whirl around and hurry down the hall as fast as my sore ass allows. Just before I take the stairs, I glance back over my shoulder.

The hallway is empty.

Reuben is gone.

Chapter 25

Trinity

My footsteps echo hollowly as I head for the closest shower stall. I stopped to use the restroom on the way here, and everywhere I went it was like walking through a frozen world.

There’s a strange hush in Saint Amos this late at night. As if the building itself is sleeping too.

Or waiting.

There’s a chance Reuben might still be stalking the halls. Heaven knows what he was doing on Father Gabriel’s floor to begin with. Maybe him and Cassius work in shifts. But I’m pretty sure he has better things to do than stalk me.

I force a smile.

It doesn’t help.

I shiver, and look over my shoulder.

A quick shower, and then back in bed. There’s no way Sister Miriam will let me take another day off—I’m going to need all the restorative sleep I can get. I wish I had more of whatever it was Zachary gave me to smoke. It worked tons better than the salve.

It was weed, wasn’t it? Because I’m pretty sure you smoke crack through a glass pipe or something.

I turn on the shower.

Icy water splashes down, making me squeal in surprise and snatch away my hand.

The water becomes lukewarm, then hot.

Yes!

I pull my dress over my head with a wince, and toss it on the floor. My dry clothes are stacked on the far side of the cubicle wall. Close enough that I don’t have to walk naked across the whole room to dress, but far enough so they don’t get wet.

The shift is next. I step out of my undies and give them a quick inspection. No blood on the back—guess I’m just bruised after all. I wish there were a mirror in this place, but they’re as sparse as they were back at my house.

With a hard swallow, I prepare myself for the coming pain.

There’s a noise behind me.

I whirl around, covering my breasts as I scan the empty room. I should hurry, unless I want some random boy walking in on me.

The right side door swings open causing my breath to catch in my throat.

No.

Reuben enters the bathroom.

No!

I snatch up my clothes and hurriedly slip into my underwear as I yell, “Hey! Get out!”

He doesn’t even slow down.

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