Page 65 of Shadow Bonds

Opening the door to my room, I take a step inside when I spot a piece of paper on the floor.

Picking it up, I open it but freeze when I read it what it says.

“I know who you really are.”

CHAPTER 20

Somebody knows about the switch. They have to. What else could the note have meant?

I barely listen in History class; my thoughts completely consumed on that one little piece of paper.

My gaze flickers around the classroom, and I start to think my distraction maybe came in handy this time. The glares and disgusted looks I’m now getting probably happened throughout the entire class.

Professor Graves ends the class but calls me just as I’m about to leave. He waits until everyone is gone before speaking. “I’ve noticed a little tension between you and the other girls. Is everything okay?”

I chuckle and wave him off. “Just girl drama. It’ll all blow over sooner or later.” At least, I hope.

He doesn’t buy my lie, his brows dipping. “If it gets any worse, come find me. Even if you just need someone to talk to.”

I clear my throat from the knot of emotion he seems to have created. “Thank you,” I tell him, meaning it. No adult has ever cared enough to listen to me or my endless problems. And even though I more than likely will never take him up on his offer—being too stubborn for my own good—it’s nice to know he cares.

He gives me a small smile and heads out. As soon as I leave the class, I run into the blonde I met in the library and her group of friends. Robin isn’t among them. And even though she’s still avoiding me, it’s nice to know she hasn’t completely turned to the dark side and ended up with them.

Arabella isn’t here either. Another bonus. But I could’ve used her face to offset some of my frustrations.

“We’ve decided to give you the benefit of the doubt,” the blonde I have no interest in ever learning her name says.

She sighs, not waiting for my reply. “I admit that you are…differentthan before. Arabella made us believe some things that really don’t make sense.” She clears her throat and frowns at me. “We’re not horrible people and I… I mean we would like to apologize for assuming the worst.” She glances at the girls, and they nod their heads, agreeing with her.

I search their faces for a lie, and even though my gut is telling me something is off, I don’t spot anything suspicious in their expressions.

Not wanting to drag out some girl drama, especially with everything else going on, I ignore my gut and decide to let it go and be the bigger person.

“Thank you. I appreciate the apology,” I tell them, and the blonde smiles at me. A genuine smile that lights up her entire face.

“Yay!” She grabs my arm and drags me along with her little group. “We’re heading out for a bit of sun after that long class. Come with us.”

“I actually?—”

She pouts at me, her eyes pleading. “Please. Just let me try to fix this. I feel so bad.”

Sighing, I nod and let her lead me out to the main field and into the forest. She starts chatting about everything andanything. All the things she likes and dislikes about being here. Her clothes, her room, the men.

I give her a tight smile and nod, hoping this little get to know one another ends soon.

We round a bend in the forest path, coming to a dead end.

I turn, looking for another way. “I think we should go back?—”

A hard push shoves me backward. My hands fly out to catch myself before I fall, but another hard shove forces me down.

Instead of hitting the ground, I keep falling down a hole in the ground and land with a thump. Pain shoots up my ribs, arm, and into my head as I land on my side with a groan.

“As if we’d ever forgive you,bitch.” The blonde’s voice floats down to me, sounding far away as dark spots cloud my vision.

“Now rot in hell,” she says and the darkness listens, swallowing me up.

“I’m going to strangle you if you don’t answer me.”Knox’s angry voice filters past the dizzy haze, waking me up.

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