Page 107 of Devil's Bargain

Ben corners me the next day before I have a chance to reach my locker. “What the fuck, April?!”

I try to get past him, but he drags me into an empty classroom. “Tell me who it is right now!”

“Let me go, Ben!”

He drags his hands through his green hair. “You tell me right the fuck now, or I’m going to Nina!”

My eyes widen. “Ben, you promised me!”

He takes hold of my jaw with gentle fingers and angles my head. “Look at your fucking neck, April!”

I rip my chin out of his grip. “I have it under control!”

He laughs disbelievingly. “Under control?”

“I thought you were my friend.”

“Don’t start with that shit. Your face—”

“I like it, Ben!”

He looks incredulous. “What? You like to be beaten up when you fuck?!”

“You don’t have to understand it.”

“Do you like to be cut too?”

I lower my gaze.

“Don’t think I don’t remember you telling me about the blackmail. It doesn’t matter if you like it if it’s being forced on you!”

“Drop it!”

He laughs bitterly. “No, I won’t! I’m going to find out who it is and make him wish he was never fucking born!” He storms out, slamming the door shut behind him.

What a mess I’m in….

I leave the classroom and make my way to my next lesson. The look Nina gives me when I drop down in the seat next to her could burn a grown man to a crisp. “You’re coming to mine after school!”

I tap my pen on the desk as I eye Scott writing on the whiteboard. What do they say about never turning your back on your enemy? “Alright.”

Nina drops the pen in her hand, her eyes wide like saucers. “Did you just agree with me?”

I give her a questioning look.

“I thought I would have to drag you kicking and screaming.”

I scoff, opening my notepad.

“Are you going to tell me what happened?”

I write my name at the top of the page. “I can’t.”

I want to, but it’s impossible.

Scott turns, leafing through a pile of papers on the desk. “Good morning, class. I trust that you all slept well?” He lifts his gaze, staring straight at me, so I discreetly flip him the bird. His lips curve in a smirk as he straightens up and sweeps his eyes across the room.

“What happened to your neck?” Nina whispers.

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