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“I feel like there is something you are not telling me, Aspen.”
“It’s better if you don’t know. I have to deal with this myself.” I glance past the screen and onto the ground where the dead body is lying. “I did this, and I’m the one who will be held accountable for it. I’m not scared. I did this consciously, and I would do it again. I’m not sorry.”
“Aspen, you need to tell me what you did.” Ella tries to be stern with me, but I know telling her would put her in danger. It’s better she finds out with everyone else.
“I have to go now, but I promise I’ll be okay.”
“Aspen, wait! Is that blood on your shirt? You need—” I don’t let her finish. Pressing the red button, I end the call and power my phone down immediately after.
I open the door and leave it that way rather than try to hide what I’ve done. Why should I? I’m not ashamed. And the blood on my clothes I wear with pride, like war paint.
I walk all the way to Lucas’s office with my head held high. When I pass anyone, they simply stare at me with wide eyes and their mouth hanging open. I ignore all the shocked stares and move on.
By the time I make it to the office, Lucas is already rushing out to meet me. I guess news travels faster than I can. “Aspen! What happened? Are you hurt?”
He reaches for me, but I move away, shaking my head. “I’m not. This isn’t my blood. I killed Nash. He’s in my room. He’s definitely dead.”
His face works, the muscles jumping, eyes darting over my face like he doesn’t believe me. “You killed him?”
“Go see for yourself. I’m not trying to cover it up or lie about it. I did it. And I would do it again.”
“Why?”
“He was there. He told me he filmed it. He drugged me.”
A few of the other faculty have overheard me making my announcement in the hallway. I hear a gasp, then the pounding of feet as someone runs along the hall, probably to check my room.
Lucas responds to none of that. He’s only looking at me. “No matter how justified your reason. I can’t do anything to help you.”
“I’m not asking you to.”
“You already have witnesses.”
“I’m telling you I understand. Do what you have to do.”
Others call his name from down the hall, shouting, freaking out. He looks their way before letting out a long breath. Maybe he didn’t want to believe it, but now he has no choice.
“Lucas!” Like they’re begging him to do something about this.
He grits his teeth, his jaw twitching while his gaze darts back and forth between me and the mayhem erupting in front of his office. He has no choice. “Take her. Put her in one of the cells.”
If they expect me to fight back, they’re about to be disappointed. I’m prepared to accept my fate.
32
QUINTON
What was I thinking? How the fuck am I going to fix this. She broke the one rule. The one fucking rule so sacred even I wouldn’t consider breaking it.
“Just tell me where she is, Lucas.”
“Quinton, you know I can’t. And for fuck’s sake, stop pacing.”
I’ve been walking back and forth in front of his desk since I got here. How does he expect me to sit down and do nothing? “Tell me where she is, and I’ll be out of your view.”
“She is somewhere safe,” he offers. The same bullshit answer he has been giving me for the last hour. “Your father is already on his way. So are the rest of the founding members.”
“I don’t give a shit about the founding members.”
“Well, you should because they will decide Aspen’s fate.”
“Fuck, they will.”
“Quinton, I don’t like this either, but losing your cool won’t help.” As if his words would actually calm me down.
“Like you care about her.”
“I do care about her.” To my surprise, he sounds sincere. “Obviously, I didn’t in the beginning, but I do now. I don’t want anything bad happening to her either, but she fucked up killing him, and then again, letting everyone see. There is no way we can cover this up. We have to find another way.”
“And what is that way?”
“I don’t know yet, but we will figure it out. The best thing right now is not to piss off the founding members even more. Aspen is perfectly safe where I put her. I promise she is fine.”
“I need to talk to her. Why is her phone off?”
“I’ll make sure she gets her phone and turns it on so you can talk to her. I’m also bringing her food and clothes, checking on her constantly.”
I’m still not happy about this, but I feel a little relieved. Not relieved enough to make me stop pacing, though.
