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SAOIRSE
Returningto the rest of my classes is the last thing I feel like doing. My mind is still reeling from Rohan’s ominous words, and my need to run from this school and go home and take a shower is high on my list of priorities. I feel dirty, thanks to Rohan’s disregard for protection and the evidence of my colossal fuck-up that’s now sticking to my thighs, not to mention my lack of underwear situation.God, stupid fucking, Saoirse.
Shuddering off the ick crawling beneath my skin, I send a silent thank you to the birth control Gods. Logically, I know that won’t protect me from a potential STD, but I’m hoping for my sake that Rohan doesn’t normally wield his sword without using a shield. But, judging by the fact he just had unprotected sex with a stranger, I should probably schedule a check-up soon to be safe.
Pushing through the crowd of students gathered in the hallway, my feet carry me towards the exit, but then the realisation that I’m running from Beibhinn and Liam and their reactions has me halting in place. My gaze falls to the phone clutched in my palm, and I debate with myself before finally pulling up our group chat.
GROUP CHAT:Liam and Beibhinn.
The cursor blinks back at me from the text bar as I mull over what it is I should say, but every time I try to formulate a coherent apology, it seems to fall flat.
Me:I know you guys must hate me right now, and honestly, I deserve it. But I just thought I’d let you know I’m heading home. I’m really sorry.
Three dots dance across the screen before disappearing, then suddenly, Beibhinn’s name flashes across my screen as my phone vibrates in my palm. I suck in a breath, preparing myself for her wrath. Finally, I swipe to accept, then draw the phone to my ear. “Hello.”
“Hey.” Uncertainty lingers in her pause. “Are you okay?”
Her question startles me because honestly, I don’t deserve her concern.
“Em, I don’t know how to answer that honestly.”
“Then don’t.” I can almost see her pity tugging at the corner of her mouth. “How about I meet you at the picnic table we were at this morning, and I can take you home?”
“You…you don’t have to do that,” I stutter as I shuffle through the crowd towards the entrance. “I can walk into town and get a taxicab back to the house.”
“What are friends for? I'll see you in five, no arguments, okay?”
My eyes prick at her kindness, and I blink back the emotion brewing in them. I feel like such a bitch for the way Rohan behaved when he answered both of their calls, but I know he’s not solely to blame either. I knew about the animosity between Liam and Rohan, Beibhinn mentioned the rivalry between them during our movie night, and yet, it didn’t stop me. Sure, I wasn’t expecting Rohan to be such a devious bastard, but I still made the choice. He asked me if I wanted him to stop, and I said no. So, I’m as much to blame as he is, regardless.
“Okay.” I nod, even though I know she can’t see me. “See you then.”
* * *
A few hours later,after I washed my mistakes from my skin with a steaming hot shower and a change of clothes, Beibhinn and I watched a few episodes ofThe Reacheron Amazon Prime before she insisted we go and get some ice cream.
She’s yet to broach the giant hippopotamus in the room, for which I’m thankful, but as we sit across from each other at Maeve’s Melt’s, munching on two glassfuls of Kinder Bueno ice cream, I can feel the question brewing in her eyes before it finally tumbles past her lips. “So, Rohan King?”
My eyes close briefly as my face contorts with shame-filled regret.
Her barked laugh pulls my focus back to her and the raised brow dancing dangerously close to her hairline. “Oh, don’t give me that look. I was next to my brother when Rohan answered your phone, and those moans were nothing to regret.”
Planting my elbows on the table between us, I drop my face into my palms. “You heard that?” My question comes out muffled by my hands.
“Oh, yes! God, yes!” she mocks, trying her best to control the laugh dancing behind her eyes.
Pulling my hands away from my face, I swat at her, making her giggles erupt. “Stop that. I’m mortified. I can’t believe he did that.”
“Oh, I can.” She nods, lips curled outward in a know-all pout. “Rohan King is a law unto himself. Always has been. And when it comes to one-upping my brother, especially with tonight’s fight brewing, there’s no telling how far either of them will go to win.”
“What do you mean bytonight’s fight?”
“Did Liam not tell you?”
Drawing a spoon full of ice cream towards my lips, I shake my head.
She rolls her eyes, shaking her head in disbelief. “How do you expect her to survive her trials if she doesn’t know a thing about it?” Her words are muttered as if she’s directing the question more towards herself and not me.
“Trials?”
