Page 43 of Shattered Illusion

I was wholly prepared to pass on the house looking until that tidbit of information. That is more than enough reason to check it out. Even though I really don’t want to step foot into the place where I should have grown up.

But if I have a chance to grab some study material to bring back here, I’ll take it.

Yummy Vampire

Cor meum?

Me

Sorry. Yes. I’ll go on Saturday.

Yummy Vampire

Okay. Great. I’ll pick you up at 8:00 a.m.

Eight?! Nope. My weekends are for sleeping in.

Me

On second thought, I decline. I’d be a raging bitch without my beauty sleep.

Yummy Vampire

You don’t need sleep, cor meum. You’re already beautiful.

Fucking. Swoon.

Me

Fine. Since you’re so sweet about it.

Yummy Vampire

It’s a date. I’ll see you bright and early.

Date? Hold the freaking phone. Nobody said anything about a date. Except I can’t help how my heart thuds a little harder in my chest at the thought of going on a date—or pseudo date—with Axel.

Dropping my phone on the cushion next to me, I relax back on the comfortable couch, letting my mind drift to thoughts of how the day tomorrow might end.

My stomach growls in dismay at the sight of the line waiting at the buffet tables to grab dinner. It seems like every single person at the academy is in this very room, all vying for the food laid out to sate their appetites.

I nibble my lip as I join the back of the queue, already feeling the pitying stares aimed in my direction. What happened is over and done with, I just wish they’d stop looking at me like I’d choose now to finally break over what Professor Asshole did to me.

But what none of these people seem to realize is that I’d never show them that weakness of mine. Only one person has caught me when I’ve been like that, and I know he would never hold it against me. If anything, he’s been the one to hold me together when I’ve broken.

The line moves steadily, and before I realize it, the delicious food is laid before me like an offering. My mouth salivates at all the yummies I can choose from, and much like the first time I was in here, I grab a little bit of everything. Avoiding the flesh of the dead with a wide berth.

With my plate piled high, I scout around at the tables, looking for somewhere to sit while I dine.

“Bailey!” My head snaps to the right at the sound of my name being called over the raucous laughter of the other students.

Marion waves from the corner, beckoning me to come sit with her. But I honestly don’t know if I can. Not now that I know she’s related to Professor Asshole. Because it’s my fault she got hurt when she tried to stop him, and instead of finding time to apologize to her for it, I’ve hidden myself from her.

I grimace. Guess there’s no better time like the present

My food mountain balances precariously on my plate as I make my way around the tables, finally setting it down on the empty table, save for Marion.

She shoots me a beaming smile, and I return one that I hope is somewhat convincing that I’m happy to be in here.

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