Page 5 of Envy

“I was going to order a ride.” I leave out the part that I don’t have money to order one. I was about to ask John to add funds to my account.

The pity in his eyes is sharp. “No need. I’ll drive you.” He’s just being nice. Or maybe, he’s like the rest of them.

“That’s okay.”

“Why not?” His tone shifts. His eyes are pools of chocolate, like he’s morphing into someone I should be afraid of.

I clutch my phone tighter. “I don’t think your family would approve.” His eyes drop to my hand, then back to my face.

“Honestly,” he muses.

I think they want me gone as soon as possible.”

“Then me taking you would be the logical choice. Why make things more difficult when I could just drop you off?”

He has a point, but I’m unsure of his motives. Is it out of pity? Does he want me gone?

A shiver runs down my spine. Maybe they want me gone, like dead?

Maybe, I'll finally get my wish. A way to fuck over John.

It’s what prompts me to agree. “You’re right. that does make sense.”

He walks to his blacked-out truck, parked on the far side of the driveway like a hearse waiting for me to get in. The twilight sky darkens everything around us like a blanket revealing the stars.

“I’m not like my brother or the others,” he says.

I don’t say anything as I stare straight ahead. My opinion doesn’t matter.

“I’m sure you had a reason to lie. It’s none of my business to ask you why you did, but you do understand that Melody is like a sister to me, and whoever hurts her…”

I blink back tears. The reminder of what I’ve done feels like splinters pricking my skin. I still don't answer. I don't look at him. I don't even say thank you when he stops in front of my dorm because I know he's too good inside to do it and I’m not worth it.

“Rose?” He clears his throat. School starts on Monday––”

My phone vibrates in my lap, interrupting what he was about to say. The screen lights up with the notification. Azriel’s voice fades into the background as pure panic sets in when I read the message.

M: Get out of the truck.

I swallow thickly, my throat is like sandpaper. The mistake of getting in his truck hits me like a bug on a windshield.

He’s always watching. I shouldn’t have involved Azriel like this.

My phone buzzes again.

M: Now.

I close my eyes and grip my phone. I pull the handle, hoping for a split second that Azriel would drive off, but I know he won't.

I can feel his gaze burning like the sun. “Rose, are you okay?”

I push the door open, jump out, and run toward the doors to get inside the building. My lungs burn. My heart pounds in my ears, drowning out Azriel’s voice follows me. “Rose!”

I open the door and run down the hallway. My thighs burn. My vision narrows like I’m in a tunnel. A hand clamps over my mouth. The scent of ether and chemicals fills my lungs.

I kick.

I thrash.

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