Page 35 of The Royal Flame
“I don’t believe that, but that’s not what this is about.” She walks toward me. “Were you still planning on working for that party planning event company my mom set you up with. I know she’s not around right now, but the owner asked me if you were.”
I’d completely forgot about that, which is out of character for me.
“Yeah, of course.” I face her. “Did she say anything else?”
She nods. “She wants you to text her. I guess she tried to get ahold of you, but you didn’t answer.”
“My phone hasn’t been working very well,” I tell her. Not a total lie.
The society stole it and then Noah had it for a while. And I haven’t really been on top of reading my messages.
“I’ll text her while I’m eating m the cafeteria.” I add, shifting my weight. It feels like I need to say something about her mom. We haven’t really talked about it since we left her place and she’s been relatively quiet. “How are you doing with everything?”
She shrugs. “Okay, I guess. I mean, I know my mom is probably okay, since she told me she’d be. But it still stresses me out that I haven’t heard from her.”
“Did she tell you she’d message you?”
“No… She didn’t really tell me much other than she’d be okay. But I still wish she’d at least send me a message.” She blows out an exhale. “I don’t know how I’m supposed to do this; just go on doing my daily stuff when I don’t know if she’s one hundred percent okay.” She shifts her weight from one foot to another. “Your aunt’s missing too, right?”
I nod, part of me wishing I could tell her the truth about who Ellie really is. “Yeah, she didn’t necessarily disappear, though. She kind of took off, I guess. I have no clue where, and I’m worried.”
“I’m sorry.” Her expression conveys empathy. “Are you looking for her?”
“I am.” I tread cautiously. “River was actually supposed to help me with a few things today, but now that we’re no longer a couple, I doubt he will.”
“Maddy, just give him some time,” she starts to defend him.
While I get it—River is her brother—I don’t want to deal with this right now.
I check my watch—the one River gave me—ugh. “I need to go eat before I have to get to class. I’ll see you later, okay?” I walk out the door before she can respond.
The instant I step foot into the hallway, I internally cringe as the handful of people roaming around turn to stare at me. Then the whispering starts.
I adjust the handle of my bag and attempt to ignore it as I hurry down the hallway toward the cafeteria. I’m somewhat used to being stared at here, but this is an entirely new level.
Something’s off.
As that thought crosses my mind, Eli appears in my line of vision. He’s a ways down the hallway, lazily leaning against a column. When he spots me, he pushes off of it and mosey toward me.
“Maddison,” he greets me with a smirk. “I heard a rumor about you this morning.”
My muscles ravel into knots. “Cool. I’m sure it was extra juicy for you.” I sidestep to swing around him, but he matches my move and blocks my path.
My eyes narrow. “Dude, you don’t want to mess with me. Your little clique may have got a hold of me once, but only because you guys jumped me from behind and drugged me. But right now, I’m totally aware of the situation, and I promise you I fight north side.
He laughs. “Is that supposed to scare me?”
I smile sweetly at him. Maybe I shouldn’t taunt him, but I’m in a foul mood. “It shouldn’t, you preppy little pretentious brat, because my guess is by the loafers that you’re wearing, that you’ve never actually gotten into a real fight.”
His nostrils flare. “You want to find out?”
I drop my bag and make a fist. “Sure. Give it your best shot?” Deep down. I’m aware I may not win this fight.
But I’m so damn tired.
Of fighting.
Of being afraid.
