“Haha, very funny. Although, we could do something as a group, if you guys are up for it?” He looks at me as he says this and I haven’t got the heart to refuse.
“Sure, why not? Although, you may have to get permission from my claimer first.” A shiver travels down my spine, but I try to shake it off. It doesn’t mean anything.
My eyes travel over to the guys table but I can’t see Emmet or Aeron. Tom is over there, but where are the other two?
The doors crash open and I look over to see Ashley panting as he leans over, resting his hands on his knees.
“Fight… garden… Emmet.” He waves his hand through the air as he gives up trying to tell us, and Tom is charging through the room.
“Come on, let’s go,” Jake says.
“Is that a good idea?” D asks, watching as the mess hall thins out even more.
“Yeah, if he’s about to get into a fight, then maybe having Five there will stop him from going too far. It worked at the hotel, or so I hear.”
I guess he’s got a point, we charge out of the room and head straight for the gardens. The minute we make it outside, raised voices start to fill the air.
“I’m going to fucking bury you for this. Where the fuck do you get off forcing him out? You waste of fucking air and space, you had no right.”
“Hang on, is that… Bradley?” D asks, and we stare at each other before we break into a run and charge around the corner to see Bradley clutching Emmet’s shirt.
Emmet is just standing there, his shoulders relaxed, and a smirk on his face.
“You’re going to bury me? You?” He bursts out laughing and the vein in the side of Bradley’s temple looks as though it’s about to explode.
“What, you actually think you’re untouchable? That anyone here would step in and help you? Get over yourself, they’d probably help me dig the hole.” Bradley pushes him, but he barely even moves.
“I’d help you dig it,” Aeron calls out, as he walks into view, and Bradley smiles evilly. “Just so I could push you in, ironic really. Bury you with your own hole.” He moves to stand beside Emmet. Not behind or in front, more like a united front.
“What? You got tired of fighting for ghost girl’s pussy, now you’re going to share? Yeah, because that will work out great.” A sound of snickering feels the air and D grips my hand. I didn’t even realize I had started to step forward.
“What’s my excuse then? Because I have no interest in her.” Jake stands beside Aeron.
“You want her friend, my sloppy seconds. Feel free, trust me, the minute she spreads her legs you’ll understand why I threw her aside like the trash she is.”
“D,” I whisper, as I slide an arm around her waist, her face is bright red, eyes narrow, and I half expect to see steam shooting out of her.
“This is great and all, but you guys don’t need to worry. Bradley isn’t going to do shit.” Emmet glances over to me, but his bored façade doesn’t change.
“He is my brother. You think I won’t stand up for him. Just because you stand back as one beats the other, and I doubt you even know where your sister is. Unlike you, I know a thing about family loyalty, and I don’t care what it takes, I will get you for this,” he screams as his whole body shakes, and Emmet’s body goes rigid.
He spreads his arms out wide, before slowly spinning around.
“Take your best shot. As for your brother, we don’t need a head doctor at the Academy. He’s dead weight, a lot like you really. Such a disappointing line, no wonder your parents didn’t have any more after you. Now, either take a shot or get fucked.” He sounds so calm and measured, but I can see the darkness lurking beneath his skin.
The bell sounds, and we have got to go. Not that anyone is daring to move. Most just want to see a fight, I just want to make sure that Emmet will be okay.
“Why? So you can run along to your daddy and tell him how I hit you? Oh no, trust me, Emmet, when I come for you, you won’t say a fucking thing.” He turns around to storm off, but I guess Emmet can’t resist getting one last shot in.
“Say hi to Cole for me, such a shame he won’t be able to afford his own practice now.”
Bradley roars, before he comes over to me and grips the back of my head. “I know, you dirty little whore, I fucking know.” He drives his head into mine, before pushing me back as I see stars.
Emmet screams his name but he doesn’t turn around as he rushes off, as Craig and Simon shoot daggers at us and rush off to catch up to him.
“Get to class, now,” Emmet booms out, as he races after him. I hope there won’t be any backlash. Ow, my head.
Hang on a second… Did he just say Cole?
“Homegirl, are you okay?” D asks, as Maddox looks me over.
“I’m fine. It wasn’t as hard as it probably looked. Can we please just get to class?” They don’t look convinced. “I promise, I will go to the medical center if I need too.” They give hesitant nods before we set off.
Classes pass in a blur, my head is a million miles away and even my brownies didn’t survive it. Luckily, my second batch made the cut, but I shouldn't have been so distracted.
All Academy girls and Harkwright men are to report to the Assembly hall immediately.
Great, now what? No doubt he wants to drop yet another bombshell on our heads, can’t wait to find out what this one will be.
I make my way to the hall and find my seat beside Daria. The Four spot has been filled by a girl named Savannah, but I haven’t really taken the time to get to know her. Knowing my luck, she’ll be just like the girl who came before her.
Miss Lucien takes to the stage once we are all seated, and she looks just as stoic and unruffled as before.
“I will not run through the rules every time. You are not children, so you shouldn't need the constant reminder. Sir has some important news to share with you. Once this has been issued, you will go to your rooms and stay there until tomorrow. There will be no exceptions, not for anyone.” Her eyes cut to the guys, and they’re a mixture of scowls, smirks, and downright pouts.
Sir comes onto the stage and she walks to stand off to the side. He stares at his son, with a slight lift to the corner of his lips.
“It has been brought to my attention that there was some in-fighting this morning, between Emmet and Bradley.” He turns to face the men completely now and Bradley stands up.
“You told him, I fucking knew it.” He hovers over Emmet and pulls his arm back. Only he doesn’t get to drive it forward, as two guards step onto the stage and pull him away.
That’s strange, why didn’t Sir do it himself? He’s never blanched from hitting one of the guys before.
“I will not tolerate this kind of behavior, and I certainly will not condone your use of such vulgar language. You will be detained to your room for the next two weeks, only being allowed out to attend classes. A guard will be positioned at your door. Hopefully, some timeout will give you clarity.” He brushes his suit jacket down and I can't understand why he is being so lenient.
“As for you, Emmet, you should have informed me of the events from this morning. That, and the other issue that has been raised regarding the doctor.” His mouth forms into a scowl, before he turns his back to us. “Seeing as you participated in the fighting, and did not handle it in a way befitting an heir, your punishment will not be quite as severe, but I think it will teach you the error of your ways. The fight was over, yet you went after him, that is not the sort of behavior I will tolerate.”