Page 60 of Wallflower No More

He picks me up and twirls me around, but only briefly because Axel's intoxicated and doesn't want to drop me. "Karaoke or dancing?" He asks.

"Karaoke! You and Jaxon have to do that song together. You promised." I reply excitedly. He kisses me on the forehead, then goes up to the small makeshift stage with Jaxon. Jaxon loves the attention as much as my big bad wolf does.

"My brother and I have a treat for you this evening at the request of my lady," Axel explains. The music starts, and everybody throws their hands up in the air. Jaxon starts singing first. It's that song from the movie that the little girl sings with her dad at a talent show. I holler in delight because he has changed the name from Trisha to Janet. Yes! "Janet...this song is for you. We don't fuck with you..."

Everybody joins in, and I love every minute of it! I was not expecting them to change the name, but I'm loving the bitch look she's giving them. She storms out before the end of it, but her click stays and doesn't follow her. She's made my whole life a living hell, and maybe Axel is rubbing off on me, but I can't feel sorry for her. She's done this to herself.

We play beer pong, and this time, Axel is my partner. We defeat Hector and Dallas by two. Poor babies. They are sore losers. Next, Axel takes me to the dance floor, and we dance the night away. As we return to his room, Axel lays down to sleep off the alcohol, but I'm restless.

The clock says 2:15 a.m. Despite it being Axel’s birthday and a really great night, I haven’t been able to stop thinking of London. Her story still needs to be told. Since Axel is sleeping, I decide to run to my office and snag my flash drive so I can work on the story. There has been no sign that Brody and Jenson know London spoke to me. I think they had it out for since that night. I feel just terrible thinking about what she went through. I promised her I would tell the world and make sure she received justice and I plan to keep that promise.

People are still out roaming around, but my drive has been quiet otherwise. Axel will flip his shit if he finds out I left alone. I’ve been grinning all night as I replay his declaration over and over in my mind. The giant lug finally told me he loved me and in front of everybody. He may still call me Wallflower, but he meant it when he said that I was too beautiful to remain one. He's pushed me into the spotlight every chance he's gotten since.

It was an easy drive to my office. Using the flashlight on my phone, I unlock my office door. The emergency lights stay on at night, but my particular part of the hallway is not well-light. That thought kind of makes me nauseous. It's fine. Everything is fine.

Once I’m inside. I lock my door behind me, and fiddle with the lock on my cabinet next. After it's opened, I put my digital code in the mini-safe Axel bought me. We both agreed it was necessary. The scaredy cat in me grabs the flash drive and my work laptop quickly. It's creepy in here, and I'm about to get the hell out of dodge. After securing everything, I head out of my office and lock up.

I spin around when I hear a noise. My breaths come in pants, and my throat constricts. It's probably just my imagination. Calm the hell down, Scarlett. Checking my watch, it says 2:43. I need to get back before Axel wakes up. He constantly grabs for me at night if we're not touching.

As I make my way back toward the front of the building, I look up and jump. Standing before me is not one but two guys in the ghost face masks from Scream. Only one of them holds a curved-shaped, long knife. I try to turn and run back toward my office and manage to get it open just as they reach me. I attempted to close the door, but they are too strong and push their way win. Running for my desk, I reach in the top drawer for the knife I know Axel hid there and quickly spin around to face my attackers.

***

If anyone ever hurts Scarlett, it would be like they signed their death warrant. I would kill them and never think twice. -Axel

My alcohol-induced brain has somewhat cleared, and I reach out my hand to pull Scarlett close. Opening one eye, it confirms she's not in bed with me. Fear grips my belly, and I call out her name. "Scarlett? Scarlett!"

She doesn't answer. Looking at my phone, the time says 2:50 am. Checking the tracking app proves she's not here. Why the fuck is Scarlett at her office? I head toward the living room, hoping Toby is not on the couch and that he went with her. I'm going to do more than spank her ass this time. She knows the rules. Why would she go by herself? Fully sober, I grab my keys and head toward school. My Wallflower will not like the punishment I deal her this time.

Chapter 33

Friday the 13th: Afterparty

Everything Fearless 24/7

Where's Scar Q? Axel left Fearless House in an uproar. No one knows where she's at. Rumor has it that warrants have been sent out for Brody and Jenson. If you see anything, call the local sheriff's department. Please stay safe.

Scarlett

Icy shards of fear shoot through my veins, violently latching onto my heart, making it nearly beat out of my chest. My hands begin to shake as I’m holding the knife. Begging my voice not to tremble, I whisper, "Please, don't do this. We all know how crazy Axel is. You won't get away with it."

One of them smacks their lips behind the mask and makes a tsk-tsk sound. My very soul cringes at the sound, but I give nothing away in my expression. One stays beside the door while the other walks up to my desk. He takes his arm and slides the desk's contents to the floor. I shriek from the shock and the sheer terror that hits my gut after hearing the sound that my things make as they fall. My phone was included in that.

I need to refrain from giving them any more satisfaction. I swallow the fear down deep and adjust myself to stand more assertive toward them. "You really shouldn't be here. Axel is coming." His response is a growl and is the only answer I receive before he lunges for me across my desk. I yelp loudly, but the sound barely reaches my ears because of the adrenaline rush raging through my body. He laughs a cold, humorless sound from deep in his throat. "Stop, asshole! It's not funny!"

He moves around to the side of my desk while I counter his move. We stare each other down during this game of cat and mouse. Mentally preparing myself for war, I tightly grip the sides of the desk and shove it into his stomach. He grunts, falling to his knees, and I bolt for the door. The other guy tries to grab me, but my knee lands on his groin before he can. I scream, but no one can hear me. The halls are deserted, everyone is gone. I listen to them coming up behind me. My lungs burn, and my breathing is ragged.

I don't know how much longer my feet can carry me without collapsing, but stopping is not an option. My brain fights to continue out of fear. Out of pure stubbornness. Out of my love for Axel. Tears form in my eyes as I think about him.

As I'm within reaching distance of the front door, one of them catches me by surprise. They were closer than I thought, and one of them snatches my arm so hard that I fall back, hitting my head on the solid tile floor. Stars and black dots swirl around, blurring my vision.

They hover above me, making me nauseated as I catch the one that I think is Jenson unzipping his pants. “Get off me.” I groan, my head hurts so bad.

Brody stops him. "Remember the plan. Not here." Jenson listens to him. He's not the leader, Brody is. Swallowing the panic down, I have to do something quickly. My vision starts to clear and I know I won't get too many more chances to escape. I refuse to be taken by these assholes.

Finally able to get my thoughts together, I wait until Jenson descends on me. The smell of his vodka-infused breath turns my stomach even more. I push my knee up with such force that a loud crack sounds as my knee lands directly on his dick. That's for London. He groans in agony and falls to his side, but not before he lands a punch to my jaw. “You fucking bitch.”

He's writhing in pain, and I'm not okay because Brody steps into action. I roll over and push myself up, trying to make the remaining steps to the door. Brody grabs me and pushes me up against the wall, my head taking a hit again as my neck whips back from his aggressive push I can feel blood trickling down my back and tears sting my eyes. I claw, kick, and scream but Brody punches me in the face, hitting the same spot as Jenson just did, causing me to slide down the wall to the floor.