Page 48 of Twisted Legacy

The girl lets out a whistle, and the group heads toward the door. The guy winks again and says, “See you soon, Thea.”

Finn grits out, “Not if I cut your eyeballs out.”

I straighten my shoulders and walk by Finn, settling into my seat to eat my food. Ignoring him and his friends is really the best response.

Chapter31

Thea

I’ve had a fucked up morning thanks to that little display the Lady Lions put on. I get wanting to stick it to the glitter posse, but they ambushed me with all that legacy talk. Why can’t people understand that I don’t want anything to do with being a legacy? It sounds like a burden since nobody’s actually given me a reason to be excited about slapping on that label.

Trying to go to classes added to my frustration. I’m in no mood to play nice, or deal with the fake ass civility I’ve been subjected to since coming back, so I’m taking a sick day for the rest of the day.

I’m not sure how long this medical pass is gonna last, but I’m using it when I need to. This afternoon, I need it, but I won’t be sitting around. I need to move. Wolfe’s little speech about getting back to training made some sense, but I just can’t put myself up against anyone else yet. I need to assess my strengths and weakness on my own.

My mood worsens when I step into the gym and see Pax is here. I try to ignore him as I go straight to the speed bag. I’m not usually one to skip a warm up, but since I just walked across campus and took the stairs to get down here, I think I’ve warmed up enough.

My arm’s stiff and my stitches pull every time I extend my arm. It takes me a few minutes to settle into a rhythm, but when I do, I have an easier time blocking out the discomfort. The familiar thud against the thick leather does wonders to help relieve the tension in my neck and shoulders. The sound and repetitive motion ground me in a way I haven’t felt since I drove back into town.

A hand lands on my shoulder and my body locks up. This is why I can’t let Wolfe train me anymore. His pride would go to disgust when he sees I can’t fight anymore.

I play off my reaction and turn to glare at Pax. “Don’t you know better than to sneak up on people?” I move over to the mirror, rubbing my shoulder before I go through some combos, trying to get back in the zone.

Jab, cross, half fan left. Jab, cross, upper cut, half fan left. I repeat the combos in my head. He’s right behind me, making it hard to concentrate. I didn’t like people standing at my back before my accident. I’m even less of a fan now. God, I wish I had Clint. I face him, and snarl, “Back off unless you want me to punch you.”

“You’re stiff and your reaction time is shit. You’d be lucky to land a blow.”

“What will be lucky is if you don’t choke to death when I knock your teeth down your throat.”

He’s staring at me as if unfazed by my threat. Why would he be? He’s bigger than me, so he’s probably confident he can take me. Right now, he’d be right.

“If you want a shot at me,” He taps my shoulder, sending pain shooting through it. “This needs to fully heal. Pushing past your limits now is only going to make it worse.”

He turns and walks toward the door, and says, “And stay the hell away from the Lady Lions.”

“Excuse me?”

He exits the gym without answering, which keys me up all over again. Great, I’m still in a pissy mood and now my shoulder is throbbing. I might’ve gone too hard on my first workout, but it felt good to be doing something. I turn to face the mirror again, pulling up my shirt to look at my scar. It’s red and swollen, but every day it gets a little better. So long as people don’t tap me on it.

Why was the head Coxsucker even talking to me? He can’t possibly think I give a shit about his advice on how far I can push my body or who I associate with.

Chapter32

Thea

Iignore the incoming call from Moira and send her a text response instead.

I’m fine

Geez, how much longer are they gonna require these check-ins, as if I’m a ten-year-old staying at home alone for the first time? The only reason I respond at all is because when I don’t, they call LJ, and I really don’t want them doing that. Especially not this weekend. She’s got some family thing happening, and she doesn’t need to be worried about my drama while her mom is playing pin the daughter on the bachelor again.

When I walk into the dining hall, it feels like the walls are closing in on me. The Lady Lions are back, but at least they’re not sitting at my table. The Zeta Nu’s keep glaring at me from their circle of hell and the Coxsuckers are in their usual spots. I should’ve switched up my meal hours since I’m eating alone.

Finn gets up from his table and comes over to me. “Hey, Pet.”

He knows I don’t respond to that name. I think he’s only using it to get a response out of me, anyway he can. It’s like a game now. He keeps trying to talk to me and I keep trying to ignore him. It’s hard to do because he’s so damn persistent. Still, I do my best to pretend like I don’t even see him.

He hisses, “Back the fuck up. The only time I want someone this close is if I’m taking their ass, and since you’re behind me, that’s not what’s about to happen.”

---