Until the door swings open and I excuse myself. Aeron is the guy I wish I loved. If things carry on like this, then my wish may very well come true. Oh yay, just what you need. Isn’t that the truth?
31
Cupid’s Arrow
I’ve never had a valentine before, not exactly by design. Although it’s never bothered me. I don’t really know how Valentine’s Day is handled in this place; we weren’t here when it took place last year. There’s a reason people fear the unknown. Nothing has been mentioned, and no one has slipped any cards under my door. This has filled me with relief, because I’m hoping it’s a sign that we will treat today like any other.
I put on a red skater dress that falls to my knees, and a pair of red wedge sandals. My eyes are bare, other than a line of kohl, and I’ve opted for a pale pink lip gloss instead of my usual red lips. I feel… pretty today. I think that’s the right word, and I’m looking forward to getting to class. I haven’t even bothered with the canteen, instead I had a breakfast muffin and I’m just going to head straight over to my business class and get this show on the road.
Maddox is already in the seat beside mine, and I’m a little apprehensive. We have to present our app today, and I have no idea how it will be received. As long as we don’t fail this assignment, it will be fine. But we’re also getting ready for our exams that will take place soon, so I both want to get this over with and draw it out just a little longer.
“We’re going to do fine, we’ve tested the app, and it works great. Stop worrying,” Maddox says, as he pulls my hands away from my mouth. I didn’t even realize I’d been biting my nails.
“I know, I can’t help but be a little worried though,” I whisper back, as our tutor walks into the room, and our class begins.
It passes by quickly, and she seems happy with what we have come up with. We won’t get our final grade until next week, but I’m feeling more positive now.
“So, what does Tucker have planned for you this evening?”
“I have no idea, I didn’t think we were doing anything. It isn’t as though we’re actually in a relationship,” I state, and he just smiles at me as though I’m a child.
“You’re claimed. It’s expected for you to go out and do something for Valentine’s Day. It’s all about appearances, after all. You’re a high number, you get certain treatment that the rest of the girls don’t.” He gives me a quick, one arm cuddle, before he leaves me for his next class.
I wonder if he’s right, and if so, what will we be doing this evening? I haven’t even seen him yet today.
I walk toward my econ class, and see Twenty leaning against a wall, staring daggers into Emmet. My heart skips a beat at the sight of him, and then reality comes crashing in. He said it wasn’t over, and Emmet is a man of his word. I am not looking forward to that conversation at all.
“If he catches you, you’ll be in trouble,” I say, as I walk past her.
I stumble forward, as I’m pushed from behind, and my hands stop my face from impacting the ground.
“Oh, I’m sorry. I must have slipped,” she sneers, as she holds her hand out for me to take.
I don’t want to, but I want to cause a scene even less. I let her pull me up, and then she steps into my personal space.
“Worry about your actions, instead of focusing on mine. I know what I’m doing,” she hisses, before she digs her nails into my palm, and then she saunters off.
Emmet stares at me before he watches her walk away. I have no idea how much he saw; I don’t want her to get into trouble. It’s stupid, I know, but I know what kind of punishment takes places behind these walls, and I don’t want someone to be subjected to it because of me.
“Five, with me,” he orders, and then he walks toward my class. I can’t refuse, not really. Besides, we won’t be alone, so we won’t be breaking the rules.
He opens up the classroom next door to mine, and then he strolls inside, and I follow close behind.
“Did you have a good trip?”
“Yeah, because I asked you in here so we can have small talk. I told you we weren’t done, Star, and I’m ready to talk to you now.” But I’m not.
“Okay…”
“What you said was fucked up, do you even realize that? I am not into incest, and you couldn’t have made yourself less appealing if you tried. Now I’ve tried to see it from your point of view, and I can understand it, but fucking Hell.” He whirls on me, and it isn’t long before I’m pressed up against a desk, and he’s hovering over me.
“I look like her, Emmet, and the woman who fueled your father’s obsession. It isn’t normal and if you were anyone else, I’d be asking you to go to counselling or something.” Yeah, poke the bear. That’s a great idea.
“You are infuriating, and I hate that you’re not even wrong. But you’re not looking at the big picture. You don’t even know what my mother looks like anymore. And when I look at you, I definitely do not see her. Maria and Katya sure, but I fucking hated that bitch, and I couldn’t care less about Maria. I can’t make you see what I’m saying, but if you ever think like that again, then I am so done with you. I’ll fuck every girl in this place if that’s what it takes to get you out of my system.” His chest is heaving in time to my own. “That’s all I had to say. Happy Valentines, and I’ll see you later.” He moves away and my entire body feels weighed down.
The thought of him touching another girl makes me feel sick, because in my mind… he’s mine.
I have seen nothing of Tucker, I’m starting to think he left the Academy just so he could avoid this day. Again, I wouldn’t blame him, I wish I could do the same thing. It’s D that I feel sorry for, I’m sure she thought she would spend this day with Bradley. Why did he have to be such a dick to her?
My door sounds and I walk over to it, a shiver passes through me as I look at Jake, and he pushes his way inside.
“It’s time.”
“Time for what?” Don’t say it. please, don’t say it.
“I want to know what Daria has said,” he says it as though he’s just asked for the time, but it isn’t as simple as that.
“I don’t want to betray her, Jake, I’ve only just got her back.” I rub at the back of my neck as I pace the ground.
“I will not tell her, Luna. Now, get on with it.”
“You’ve got a girl though. Why claim someone else if you want D so badly?”
“I don’t have to tell you anything, the same can’t be said for you though. Unless you don’t mind if I tell everyone who you shared your New Year kiss with.” He raises his brow, almost daring me to call him on his bluff. I’m not that fearless though, and I can’t risk it coming out.
“She’s hurt and upset, but it’s mainly because of what happened when she was younger.” I have to force the words out, and his eyes widen as his hands fall limply at his sides.
“What do you mean? What happened when she was younger?” His eyebrows draw together, as he runs a jerky hand through his hair.