Chapter 9 This Day is Cursed.

Raelynn.

I don't bother looking back.

I keep my head high, shoulders squared, ignoring how drenched I am and the murmurs that flow in the crowd around me. but most of all, I ignore the way I can still his gaze burning into my back.

It's almost funny how shocked they look, as if they actually expected me to just stand there and take it, like I was supposed to bow my head, smile through the humiliation, maybe even kiss Briella's feet while I was at it.

Idiots.

"Pathetic," I hear a Yara yell behind me. "Even for you three, it's so embarrassing."

I don't turn back, but a small smile spread on my lips at her sticking up for me even though we just met few hours ago.

The moment I step into my room, I start peeling off my soaked dress, only to jolt when the door slams open again. Yara storms in, snatching my towel with so much force you'd think she was trying to strangle someone.

"Thanks," I smile taking the towel from her. A chuckle escapes my lips as I watch her furrowed brows and the way she keeps cursing. "You know from the way you're acting someone would think you're in my shoes."

She sighs dramatically flopping on my bed. "I'm extremely passionate when it comes to hating bullies. It's just so...ugh it's disgusting and messed up."

II nod, toweling my hair dry before settling beside her. "I can't say I didn't expect it, though. They did drive me out of school, dump me in the middle of a lonely road, and leave me under the rain."

She bolts upright, her eyes wide. She blinks once. Twice. Then she stands. "Okay. New plan. We kill them."

I laugh trying to sound fine but it just comes out empty.

Yara turns and pauses before sitting down beside me. "You okay?"

I sigh. "Well for one I'm glad I stood up for myself, didn't give them what they wanted..." another bitter laugh. "But then...no one likes to be treated like shit, so..."

She pulls me into a hug, resting a hand on my head. "Screw them. They act like royalty, but in reality? They're just a bunch of insecure losers with daddy issues."

I laugh, genuinely this time. For once since I came here, I don't feel so alone.

"Come on," she pulls me to the bed. "You don't have to talk but I'm not leaving you."

I nod grateful she noticed.

We lie there for a while, the sound of our breathing mixing with the muffled bass of the music downstairs.

Then a soft snore breaks the silence. I smirk, glancing at Yara. She's out cold.

But my mind doesn't stay on her for long.

I gently untangle myself from Yara and walk to the mirror, pushing my hair away revealing the hickey on my neck.

I groan frustrated as I remember.

My eyes fly open snaping back to reality and anger frustration and disgust swirls through my chest.

I'm angry at him for touching me.

I'm angrier at myself for letting him. but more than anything, I'm disgusted with my body for reacting the way it did.

Through the mirror my gaze drops to the tattoo on my chest. I got it last summer in Miami, a few weeks after the...'incident' and mum and I left.

Slap!

My cheeks burn, my palm now imprinted on it but I don't flinch, because I deserve it.

I don't have time for games like this. Who the hell knows what is written in the letter Grayson has, the sender always had a way of reminding me of the incident in a poetic but painfully clear..

So, no matter what's in it, the moment Grayson reads the letter every single thing, every single lie would be uncovered and it'd be my fault...again.

***

The moment my alarm rings, my eyes fly open. I turn to my side to see Yara is already gone, but when I sit up, I spot something written across my mirror in red lipstick.

"Last night was wild, call me. ;) P.S. F*ck those clowns."

Her number is scribbled underneath.

I grin, shaking my head at her ridiculousness.

The doorbell rings, and I practically sprint downstairs. Just as I expected, the mailman stands at the entrance, an envelope in his hand.

My heart hammers as I take it from him.

Another letter. At least this time I got it before Grayson did.

By the time I'm done preparing for school I head downstairs and knock-on Grayson's door.

No answer.

I knock again, this time harder and more impatient. Still no answer.

Frowning, I pull out my phone and call him.

It rings twice before he answers. "What? Miss me already." His voice is flat. I roll my eyes, but freeze when I hear what sounds like a car honk. "Wait, where are you?"

I hear another sound, like a door locking. "School." He says right before he hangs up.

The bastard left me. Groaning, I hurry out, rushing to catch the bus.

....

Someone should have told me straight up that this day is cursed.

I stand stiffly in front of my homeroom teacher, Mr. Noble, my best please-don't-give-me-a-long-lecture smile plastered on my face.

"Are you even serious with your life, Miss. Blackwell?"

Oh wow.

My smile drops and I have to pinch myself hard so I don't roll my eyes at him.

"You have missed school for three days," Jeez louis I have reasons. "And as if that isn't bad enough," he points at the documents on his desk and my stomach churns.

My results from my old school.

They're mostly C's. but one, one stands out like a slap to my face.

A big fat F.

Chemistry. My mortal enemy.

"Your result is so...poor." He says the poor like he's just trying not to be more insulting, "You'd be assigned to a student tutor."

Normally, I'd say no but with the way he's looking at me I just nod eager to get out of here. A knock comes on the door and Mr. Noble, nods.

"Come in."

The door opens and Mr. Noble grins like he just saw a unicorn or something.

The door swings open. A shadow falls across the room.

"You called, sir?"

My stomach clenches.

I know that voice.

I turn my head around my brows furrowed. The moment our eyes meet we both let out a groan at the same time. "You've got to be kidding me."