Page 12 of Don't You Pucking Dare

And just like that, it looks like she’s leaving her dorm.

Perfect. I grab my jacket, ignoring Jack's knowing smirk. Let him think what he wants.

The September air hits crisp and cold as I cross campus, tracking her on my phone. Students mill around between classes, none of them paying attention to the predator in their midst. I spot her immediately––that careful walk, the way she hugs her bag close like armor.

I keep my distance, watching her check over her shoulder every few steps. She can feel me watching. Good. Let her start questioning her sanity, wondering if the shadows are playing tricks on her mind.

She picks up her pace, practically running by the time she reaches the library steps. But she can't hide in there forever. Tonight's party is just the beginning.

My phone buzzes with another text from Jackson, but I ignore it. Right now, nothing matters except watching my prey try to escape a trap that's already closed around her.

Run all you want, little girl. You're already mine.

Chapter 7

Mozart flows through my fingers until a misplaced note shatters the melody. I wince, drawing the bow back to start again. Music is the one place I can't afford mistakes— not if I want that scholarship to stay mine.

"Oh my God, are you torturing that giant violin again?" Kiah crashes onto her bed like a tornado. She’s in her combat boots and her hair is now purple. My roommate is fearless, wild, unapologetically herself. Sometimes I envy that freedom because I may have a snarky mouth on me, but I control my impulses.

"You actually dyed it purple?" I ask, looking at it.

She bounces her hair around. "I love it."

"And this is a cello," I correct her, but can't help smiling. "And this torture is what's keeping me in school."

"All work and no play makes Lola a very boring girl." She sprawls across her sheets, bracelets jangling. "When's the last time you left this room for something other than class?"

"When I went to lunch with you," I joke, rolling my eyes.

She chuckles, "Girl, that was Tuesday."

I carefully set my cello aside because she has no idea who she’s talking to. I may be hardworking and passionate, but I know how to have fun. I raise my brows at her and say, "I have fun."

"Right because saying no to Devon’s party invite is so fun of you."

"Maybe because I have more important things to do. It’s the first weekend of the school year, and I’m sure there’ll be a million more parties for me to attend, okay?" I huff, reaching for my bag— the invitation slips out, that cream-colored paper that's been haunting me all day.

Kiah jumps off her bed and snatches it before I can move. Her eyes go wide. "Holy shit! An actual Reaper party?" She bounces on the bed like an excited kid. "Maybe you are fun, and I had no idea. Please, please tell me that 'plus one' has my name on it."

The invitation feels like a live wire, dangerous and tempting. Part of me wants to grab it back, tear it up, and pretend it never existed. But I do wonder who the hell put it in my bag and why they invited me––of all people.

"I never said I was going. Honestly, I don't even know how it got there." I take the invitation back, fingers tracing the expensive paper. "It just... appeared in my bag."

"What! With your name on it? Lola, that's even better!" Kiah bounces up, eyes gleaming. "Someone's noticed you. Someone important. A Reaper!"

"I doubt it was anyone important," I mutter, but my mind’s racing with ideas of who it could’ve been. There were afew guys in my music comp class. But I don’t know what the hell a Reaper is.

"Girl, nobody gets a Reaper invitation with their name on it! It’s usually just word of mouth… someone high up has their eyes on you."

"High up? That’s so creepy." I shake my head, fixing my books.

"Or hot? Someone with power." Kiah holds up her hand like a crossing guard. "Okay. We have to go. Oh, what are you going to wear? How about that black dress buried in your closet— the one you're saving to look hot at some funeral."

I roll my eyes, thinking about how I was a little excited for Levi’s call tonight. "God, Kiah—"

"I’m going to get ready. And you, put that dress on!"

I laugh. "So, I should risk getting murdered by the mysterious party-inviter for… you?"

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