Page 128 of Heartless Beloved

“Did you even ask him properly? With a clear question?” Peach says softly and sparing me having to explain myself.

He ignored me when I did. Another thing I can’t tell them.

“He was annoyed when I assumed he was part of a gang and—”

“Ask him and see what he says. Ella knows he is. She saw his tattoo. So, just check if he’s honest; that will tell you a lot about him.”

I nod, not really happy with having to do that but knowing it’s the right thing.

“Alex,” Ella says as she slips her hands between the two seats separating us and touches my knee. “It’s all fun and games to sleep with the bad boy, but you can’t have a relationship with Xi.”

“Please, don’t tell me you think we’re better than him because we’re from Stoneview. That’s not like you.”

“Of course not,” she snorts. “You know what I think of Stoneview.”

“Then, what,” I push.

“You don’t want to be in the middle of the war between NSC and the Kings. People die, Alex. This is serious stuff. XiisNSC. I don’t know how involved he is, but it doesn’t matter. He’s part of their crew, and anything could happen to you if you’re associated with them. Just stay out of this.”

I try my best to not show that her words terrify me. Nodding, I gaze out of the window again, now noticing we’ve definitely left the luxury of the south bank. “Don’t worry,” I try to say as casually as possible. “I’ll talk to him and straighten this out. It’s not like we have feelings for each other or anything.”

That lie slipped out way too easily.

Especially since Xi’s been very clear about us.

And I know all too well how wild my heart gets when I’m around him.

“Alright, ladies,” Camila exclaims at the front of the bus. I can see we’re now parking in front of a rundown two-story building. “Today, we’re volunteering at a boxing gym. We have decided to supportOne Life, One Dream, an organization that helps places that offer free classes and activities in low-income areas. We’ll be separated into three groups and rotate so everyone will be doing each task eventually. Group one will start inside the gym. You’ll be helping Dickie, the owner, to declutter some rooms at the back. Group two, you will be cleaning the main room. Group three, you will be given flyers to go and hand out around town.”

There’s a general agreement before Camila continues. “Girls, a gentle reminder that we’re on the North Shore of Silver Falls and to be careful of your belongings and your surroundings, especially when you’re handing out flyers. Make sure you stay in pairs. I’m not saying you’re in any danger, just to keep an eye out. Alright?”

“Great,” I mumble. My friends both eye me and I add, “I’m fine. Don’t worry.”

They look at each other without saying a word. They know not to when I don’t want to talk about it. I’m fine being on the North Shore. In fact, I kind of like it. Purely because there’s a chance to run into Xi.

We all file out of the bus, grabbing a random number from a bag Harper is holding outside so we know our groups. When I come out with group one, Harper smiles down at me. “You’ll see, Dickie is a nice guy.”

I nod, not really caring. I take a step away, but she grabs my elbow. “Alex.” She scratches her throat. “Look, I know how you feel about being here. So, if you don’t want to go hand out flyers, that’s totally fine. You can do another task twice. It’s no big deal. Also, erm, just so you know, I deleted the video of you in your room.”

I narrow my eyes at her, trying to figure out the catch. “Why are you being so nice? It’s still initiations.”

She shuffles back, her eyes darting everywhere in panic. “I-I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

She’s scared. Why is she so scared?

“Oh my god. Did…”It can’t be. “Did Xi…”

“I’m just trying to be nice, okay?” she snaps. “Make sure you tell yourboyfriendthat.”

“Harper, I didn’t ask him—I don’t know what he said, but—”

“Alex. Move.” Camila’s clipped voice startles me, and I step away when I realize I’m holding up the line.

Peach and Ella are both in group three, and I wave at them as they leave the parking lot with flyers. I head inside with my group and meet Dickie. A giant of a man with a gruff voice. Harper was right. Despite his appearance, he’s really sweet and offers us all a drink and snacks before we get to work.

We walk into the main gym and group three goes to the back room. Dickie’s office is on a mezzanine floor, looking onto the training room we’re in. He’s added some thin walls with a plexiglass window to have a proper separation. From down here, we can’t see what’s going on in there.

A Xi Ep girl hands me a sponge and a bucket of water. “I’m going to mop, but there are some pretty strong stains, so you need to go after me wherever they are.”

---