Page 26 of Filthy Elites

I toss my phone to the side and think about what I’m going to do to Isabelle. She must have been out of her mind to exact revenge against me, knowing I can reveal her secret at any moment. Or maybe she caught on that I don’t plan to do that yet.

I could make her pay right away, but it will be more satisfying to let her wait on pins and needles, wondering when my payback will come. I smile despite the vicious headache. The game just became a hundred times more interesting.

* * *

Nicola/Isabelle

I did not sleep well last night, and it shows this morning. The dark circles under my eyes look like I’ve been punched. It felt great to destroy Jason’s car at that moment. Now that I’m no longer controlled by rage, I’m terrified of what’s going to happen next.

My stomach is twisted in a ball of dread. I expect him to storm into my room any minute. He doesn’t. I check my phone. There aren’t any threatening messages either. Sitting on my bed, I stare at it without moving for longer than I care to admit.

Come on, Isabelle. Snap out of it.

When I begin to feel tendrils of panic wrapping around my heart, I jump from my bed. I’ve done the deed; it’s pointless to agonize over the consequences. It’s the weekend, and my plan before the whole revenge deal happened was to do some shopping in town.

I could study, but that means staying in my room, which will result in me obsessing about Jason. So I’m sticking to my original plan. Seeing people other than the students of Maverick Prep will distract me.

Before I take a shower, I prop my chair against the door. Jason has the bad habit of barging in when I’m naked. It’s like he has a sixth sense for that, or he installed a camera in my room.

I stop.Shit. That possibility never occurred to me before, but it fits his MO. Instead of getting ready, I search my room for hidden cameras. It takes me an hour or so to look in every corner and nook and cranny, and I don’t find any.

When I glance at the time, I’m annoyed that it’s already ten-thirty. I wanted to head out early. Finding a parking spot downtown will be hell now.

I take a quick shower, not bothering to wash my hair, and then pick the most comfortable and understated ensemble I can find: dark jeans, a plain T-shirt, and a denim jacket paired with sneakers. It’s sunny out, so I forgo the stupid contact lenses. I’ll just wear sunglasses the entire time.

I was calmer during the getting ready process, but as I step outside my room, my pulse accelerates. I keep looking over my shoulder as I walk to the garage. My car is intact—I didn’t really expect Jason’s payback to be the same as mine.

Maybe he doesn’t know yet.

I drive by where his car was parked last night and find the spot vacant. He knows. I hold the steering wheel tighter and head out. In the back of my mind, I’m aware that he can go in my room again and cause more damage, but I won’t build my own cage. I’ve been a prisoner before, and that’s not something I want to repeat.Ever.

My mind is spiraling during the drive. I barely notice the journey, and it’s a miracle I don’t get into a wreck. As predicted, I can’t find a parking spot on any of the streets downtown, which forces me to park a few blocks away from the main business area. As long as I don’t linger past sunset, I’ll be okay.

I have no idea what I want to buy, so I visit as many shops as I can and try not to think about Jason. Unfortunately, I can’t get him out of my mind. I’m afraid of him, but also intrigued by him.

You also have the hots for him, Isabelle. Let’s not forget that.

My stomach grumbles, reminding me that it’s late and I haven’t eaten. I decide to return to the diner where we ate last night, because the food was delicious. Before I turn a corner onto Oak Street, I hear someone speaking in Spanish. The voice sounds exactly like Juan’s.

My heart leaps into my throat. My entire body begins to shake, and as the voice comes closer, my survival instincts take over. I cross the street, blind to everything, while I keep chanting in my head that he’s found me.

A horn blares, making me turn. The car is coming at me too fast, and there’s no chance it will stop before it hits me. Suddenly, I’m yanked out of the way onto the curb.

“Are you okay?” someone asks me.

My breathing is coming out in bursts, and my ears are ringing. I can’t believe I was almost run over. I look across the street and see the guy I thought was Juan. No similarities whatsoever. I freaked out over nothing.

“It’s Nicola, right?” my savior asks me again.

I finally turn to him.

It’s Justice. He’s so tall, I have to crane my neck to look at his face. “Yeah, thank you.”

“No need to thank me. You really need to pay attention before crossing the street here. Very few people respect the speed limit.”

“I know.”

He releases my arm but keeps his attention on me. “You look quite pale. Are you sure you’re okay?”

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