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I felt a little lighter after our moment in the gym, but things were far from normal despite the fact that we were a little more relaxed in each other's company.
We spent the day doing our homework and avoiding talking about the elephant in the room. I could see the questions in her eyes every time she looked at me, but thankfully, she must have decided that she'd pushed me enough for one day.
I reluctantly suggested that she head back to the dorms with Hadley once the sun started to set, knowing that I wouldn't be able to cope with another night of her being so close and not being able to do what she expects of me.
It was eating me from inside out, and the second she left, I got in my car and headed to the address Daz had sent me an hour before.
My promise to everyone that I wouldn't fight again rang out loud in my head, but I needed the release more than I needed to pacify everyone. I'd deal with them when they saw the bruises in the morning.
The fight was easier than the previous one, and my opponent wouldn't have stood a chance with me on a normal day, let alone one where I hated myself more than ever before. I was out for blood and there was no way I wasn't walking out that building with my head held high.
Thankfully, neither Jay nor Levi were there, so no one was able to snitch on me. It wasn't until I met Cole in the hallway this morning that anyone had any idea about what I got up to the night before.
His face dropped the second his eyes locked on the glowing bruise on my cheek.
"Leave it," I growled, pushing past him and out to the car.
I didn't need to hear it. I was well aware of what I was doing and that they didn't like it, but fuck them. This is my life, my issues, my fucked up head.
Thankfully, he left it, but I knew it wouldn't last forever. I could see almost as much concern in his eyes as I did in Kenny's. I fucking hated it. Hated their pity.
"I thought she was going to pounce on her," Hadley says as I walk up to where she and Remi are standing, looking out over the parking lot after school.
"What's going on?"
"Kenny and Lylah."
"Tell me she didn't," I growl.
"She didn't touch her, don't worry, caveman," Hadley says, placing her hand on my arm reassuringly. "Ah speak of the devil." I follow Hadley's gaze to find Kenny's dark stare locked on where she's touching me.
Hadley quickly removes her hand. I hate that Kenny might have an issue with Hads after what happened—or didn't—with her, Cole and me. I sure didn't have an issue with watching her with Hads on Saturday night. Just the memory of them dancing together gets my blood pumping.
I might need to have a conversation with Cole about that happening again once I've got my shit together, because damn, it was fucking smoking.
"You talking about me?" Kenny says, looking between the three of us.
"Yep, just telling your man here how you wanted to rip Lylah's eyeballs out earlier."
"Too damn right. She's a fucking..." Kenny's words trail off as the cheerleaders spill from the main entrance.
"You miss them?" Remi mutters to Hadley.
"Oh, every fucking day," she replies sarcastically.
Lylah breaks away from the group as they hover by the benches. I have no idea if she's actually planning on heading over here. I'll give her credit if she is, because I didn’t think she was stupid enough to walk up to my girl and expect not to have her ass handed to her.
"Conner." Her eyes lock with mine as dread races through me. "I thought you were the Jagger with taste," Lylah breathes, coming to stop before me and placing a hand on my chest. "I need to ask you a favor."
"The answer is no," Kenny spits, stepping forward.
"I'm sorry, I was talking to Conner."
Kenny growls, and I can't help but smile at her protective streak.
"K, it's okay," I whisper, wrapping my hand around her wrist and attempting to pull her back to me.
But she's too quick.
