Page 31 of Jolt's Vengeance

My heart is still pounding, and I can feel the ghost of Jolt's touch on my skin.

Part of me wants to go back, to finish what we started, but the thrill of the game is too enticing.

I approach the group, tucking Jolt's phone deeper into my pocket.

The weight of it feels like a secret victory, and I can't help but grin as I join the conversation, wondering how long it'll take him to notice it's missing.

I sidle up to Sienna, gently tugging on her arm. "Time to go, hen," I say, my voice still carrying a hint of breathlessness from my encounter with Jolt.

Sienna's eyebrows shoot up, but she nods, bidding a quick farewell to Spark and Zoe.

As we make our way out of the clubhouse, the cool night air hits my flushed skin, and I take a deep breath, trying to calm my racing heart.

Sienna’s dark ponytail swings as she turns to look at me. "You all right there, Ag?"

I flash her a mischievous grin. "Never better. Let's get out of here before the real fireworks start."

We hop into an Uber, and I give the driver directions to our sorority house.

As we pull away from the clubhouse, I can't help but glance back, wondering if Jolt's discovered his missing phone yet.

Once we arrive at our destination, I turn to Sienna. "Fancy a wee walk to the frat party? It's only a few blocks away, and I could use some fresh air."

Sienna nods, a small smile playing on her lips. "Sure, why not? It's actually pretty nice out tonight."

As we start our stroll, the silence between us feels comfortable, but there's a heavy feeling in the pit of my stomach.

I glance at Sienna, noticing the way she's hugging herself, despite the mild temperature.

"So," I begin, breaking the quiet, "how're you finding life in the sorority? It must be a far cry from what you're used to."

Sienna lets out a soft laugh, but it doesn't quite reach her eyes. "You could say that. It's... different. Sometimes I feel like I'm playing catch-up with everyone else's normal, you know?"

I nod, encouraging her to continue.

As we walk, Sienna's story unfolds, each word painting a picture of a childhood vastly different from my own.

"My mom... she wasn't really around much," Sienna says, her voice barely above a whisper. "And my dad, well, he tried, I guess. But most of the time, I ended up with my grandmother."

My heart clenches at the pain in her voice. "That's bloody awful, Sienna. I'm so sorry you had to go through that."

She shrugs, trying to brush it off, but I can see the hurt in her eyes. "It is what it is. My gran, she did her best."

I think about my own complicated family history, the trauma I've witnessed and experienced. "Family's not always what we expect, is it? How does your gran feel about you being here now?"

Sienna's step falters for a moment, and I see a flash of something—grief, maybe—cross her face.

But before I can ask, she quickly changes the subject.

"So, tell me more about this frat party we're heading to. Is it going to be as wild as that clubhouse?"

I let the deflection slide, making a mental note to circle back to this conversation another time.

I burst out into laughter, “Hell if I know!”

As we near the frat house, the bass of the music already audible from down the street, my nerves start to settle in me a bit.

There's more to Sienna's story, and I'm determined to uncover it—just as soon as I deal with the stolen phone burning a hole in my pocket.

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