Page 163 of The Order

“Raven boy does it, and we love it, but Blondie boy does it, and we hate it,”It whispers, my head snapping to my reflection in the bus window.

It looks annoyed, pressing Its head to the glass.

“What's your issue today?”

“You and our utter stupidity,”It spits, shaking Its head at me.

“What do you mean?”

“I’m sure you'd love to know, but sadly, you are continuing to lock me away like a cowardly bitch. I’m sure I could have aided you against that Shifter,”It says, Its image slowly fading away from the tram window.

Note to self: figure out how often Marked have hallucinations that won't seem to leave them.

Giving Fallan one last look, I ease myself into Kai again.

“Today is just another pointless day,” Kai says, slumping, leaning the glass behind him with a huff.

“Why does that feel so far from the truth?”It says.

It is a question I can't even begin to answer.

Kai and I trail next to Rae, her silent treatment still in effect. We follow behind Fallan, moving closer to the art room. This whole building suddenly feels constricting after the last few weeks. Four months ago, had you told me where my loyalties lie now, I’d have called you insane. Fallan keeps his distance, his hands buried deep in his pockets, scowling at everyone, including me. I almost forgot it’s all act.

“Do you plan on giving me and Kai the cold shoulder for the rest of the year?” Rae’s icy blue eyes find mine, giving me a frigid stare.

“You seriously want me to act like we’re friends after all of the shit you and your brother have been up to? Everyone is convinced you and your family are Unfortunate sympathizers, Forest,” she begins, looking over to Fallan as he nudges open the classroom door.

“Some people are even saying you’re hooking up withhim.”

I scoff. “Everyone is concerned with what I’m doing and who I’m doing it with lately, it seems.” I move past her and through the classroom door.

As I make my way into the classroom, I notice how anxious Mrs. Auburn is. She barely acknowledges me as I move toward the back of the classroom. Josh is settled in his seat, watching me through narrowed eyes. He raises a hand in my direction, ready to mess with me in any way he can. Slamming his wrist into his desk, I make a point, locking eyes with his skulking face.

“I'll break it,” I hiss, squeezing his wrist, only letting up once I feel his pain sharpen.

My classmates observe me as I back away from him. Rae and Mrs. Auburn remain deep in thought, lost in their artwork.

“I suggest you all stop watching me,” I say to anyone willing to listen.

A few heads turn away, some lingering once they think I’m not paying attention.

“You'll regret that,” Josh whispers under his breath.

Fallan adjusts himself in his chair, ready to pounce at any moment.

Ignoring his empty threat, I grasp the desk beside Rae, shoving it back several feet. Moving past the red tape, I position myself closer to Fallan, ignoring Mrs. Auburn’s quiet attempt to urge me to keep the desk where it belongs.

“You’re the one who wanted me to help him catch up,” I say, planting myself down into my seat, our knees only a few inches apart.

I can hear his thoughts revolving around seeing me in my school uniform, each one ending with us finding a bit of privacy for him to appreciate every part of me.

Looking at Fallan, I grab one of his paints, letting its colors trail over my half-finished work of art.

“I don't want to be near Josh,” I whisper. Fallan’s eyes pass over him.

“Any particular reason why? Other than the fact that he is an idiot,” Fallan questions, my hands rolling up my shirt sleeves.

Bruises linger on the skin from that night at the Solstice dinner.

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