Prisoners can still do interviews, you know. It’s not a crime, the letters reminded me.Just a quick interview, a few pictures, and we’ll make it worth your time.
I wasn’t interested. It was just another scandal they wanted to take advantage of. The papers were all abuzz over the fact that the firstborn daughter of the Water chief had made such an important discovery— and as an inmate, no less. It had gossip written all over it.
Gossip I wanted no part of. They were even sending letters to mybrother, to try and get in contact with me. It was ridiculous.
I began my long walk down the hallway to my cell, which seemed even more lonesome than it usually did. Classes started next week, and I wasn’t looking forward to getting back to them. I wished to remain in the anthropology internship, where I could lock myself away in Hemlock’s classroom for hours at a time, reading about civilizations I wasn’t a part of in an attempt to escape my own thoughts. I worried that once classes struck up again, I’d be forced to face… well, everyone.
I’d used the intensity of the anthropology program as an excuse, but to be honest, I’d been avoiding the people I used to consider my friends ever since the Warden had seized Forevermore. My brother was the one person I’d talked to all summer, and I’d barely said ten sentences to him in three months.
I knew. I’d counted.
I missed my friends. I missed Kallie, Marcus, Opal and Ivy. But no matter how much I missed them, I didn’t allow myself to speak to them. I’d condemned a city with my most recent screw-up, and was wary of what else I could do to ruin people’s lives. I’d already hurt Charlie enough.
I shook my head and forced a confident smile onto my face, though it hurt to hold.
Charliewho? I didn’t know why he’d crossed my mind. I didn’t care about him. I didn’tneedan Elf prince cutie with a quirky smile and a sculpted ass. I needed a big bank account, a shopping day, and a trip to the spa. Who wantedmenanyhow? Certainly not me. I could be a confident, badass bitch all on my own.
I’d entered into the Elementai cellblock when I almost ran into the one person I’d been thinking of— and the last person I wanted to see.
Him.Charlie stood ten feet away, looming outside his door like he was waiting for someone to walk by. Oberi sat by his feet, wagging his tail and drooling.
My eyes ran him up and down, taking in his tall frame. The sight of him was a shot to the heart.Oh no. He was still hot.I'd somehow hoped he'd become ugly over the summer. Or at least, not as fucking attractive.
Apparently, I existed on this earth to be tormented, because Charlie hadn’t onlyremainedgood-looking, his sexiness level had increased. His hair was longer, and he had thisgorgeousbeard that was only slightly longer than five o’clock shadow, scruffy and oh-so-delicious.
Wow. Did he just not care to shave, or was hetryingto make my panties wet? The self-righteous bastard! Howdarehe!
Butterflies welled in my stomach until I felt like I should be puking out insect wings. The horrifying feelings bubbled past my middle and overfilled my heart as his presence drew near. Reluctantly, I had to admit I knew all too well what the hatedfeelingswere.
Dammit!!! I was still in love with him. Fuccccckkkk.
I hoped to the ancestors he’d turn around and leave me alone, but the butterflies flew up from my stomach and started choking me as his steps grew closer, Oberi leading us together.
Shit, he was coming this way. No. No.Nooooooo.
Charlie stopped in front of me. Oberi barked, but I waved my hand to tell him to shut up. I kept my mouth closed and remained frozen. I struck a pose like a statue, refusing to move a single muscle. If I didn’t say anything, maybe he wouldn’t know I was here. Our bond was weak now. It wasn’t like we could feel each other’s presence like we used to.
That was my plan. He couldn’t see me, so I just shut up and acted like I wasn’t around. Maybe if I kept it up—
“We should talk,” Charlie started, and my heart sank.
I held my breath, and Charlie ground his teeth. “Ava, Iknow you’re there.Stop acting like you’re invisible. I’m sure you look stupid.”
My temper flared. I dropped my pose and sneered, “Youdon’t tell me what to do.”
Charlie gave a harsh laugh under his breath. “Yeah, you’ve made that clear as hell.”
“Screw you,” I spat. I hated him more now than I did back then. His mere presence irritated me. The fact that we had a history now made him even more nauseating. I couldn’t believe I screwed around with this loser.
And kissed him…
And gave him a lap dance…
And…oh ancestors… his dick though...
“Ava, are you paying attention?” Charlie asked roughly. “I need to speak with you. It’s important.”
“Why?” I asked. “You haven’t spoken to me all summer. What’s the rush?”
