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"I love how these boys think they can fix everything for you with a spa day," Penn says with a laugh as she climbs into the plunge pool with me. "Don't get me wrong. I'm never gonna complain about massages, facials, and experiencing all of this, but do they really think that this is the answer to everything?"
I laugh at her, shaking my head. "No, I just think that with everything that's been going on, they thought I could use a chill-out day. It's sweet of them, really."
Penn nods her agreement. "Oh, I'm not saying it's not sweet at all. It just makes me laugh. They always seem to send you away for a spa day. Have you had a chance to think any more about the Stone Royal concert yet?"
"Yes, and we're absolutely going, I just need to work out logistics. When do the tickets go on sale?" I ask, because I’ve had almost no time to think about any of it.
"They go up tomorrow morning at eight. You best believe that I'm gonna have my iPad, my phone, and my computer all up, ready to try and get us those tickets," she exclaims, her eyes lighting up with excitement.
I can't help but laugh at her because her enthusiasm for this gig is as intense as mine is.
"I still can't believe that he's doing a date in the City," she exclaims, clapping her hands excitedly. "It is going to be so amazing. He rarely comes to the East Coast. So I'm glad that he's playing here so we don't have to travel all over the freaking country!"
We spend the next half hour or so talking all things Stone Royal and enjoying the jet spray from the plunge pool.
When the receptionist pads over to let us know that it's time for our next treatment, I almost sigh at the thought of getting out of the water, but I'm also very much looking forward to the facial that we're booked in for next.
The rest of the relaxation day passes in a blur of joy, at least until we get back to campus as I drop Penn off.
Once I say goodbye to her, I’m making my way back to the Batmobile when I hear someone shouting behind me.
I turn, but I don’t recognize anyone, so figure they can’t be talking to me and keep walking.
It’s only when I turn to walk down the small passageway between two buildings and the voices keep coming, that my heart rate increases.
Then I spot two guys walking toward me, and I glance over my shoulder to notice two behind me too.
Fuck my life.
This isn’t happening, Briar, it’s just a freakish, terrifying coincidence. Do not freak out.
I reach for my phone, but a hand pushes me from behind and I stumble forward, right into one of the guys who was walking toward me, who proceeds to push me to my knees.
"Oh, look, it’s Serenity’s newest whore. You’re already putting out for so many, sweetheart. We figured it’s our turn," one of them sneers as he grips my ponytail and yanks me backward, causing my knees to scratch on the ground.
"She’s already living with those four, so she must be good at multitasking," another says with a laugh. The sound of a zipper being pulled down has me gripping the wrist of the hand in my hair, and digging in my nails.
"You bitch!" The guy hisses as he pushes me forward, releasing my hair. I scramble to my feet and back up against a wall since the four of them are blocking both exits.
"Briar?" Dante’s voice calls out, and I swear I nearly sob in relief.
"Fuck," one of them hisses before they run off in the opposite direction of Dante, who runs toward me.
"Briar, are you okay?" he asks when he reaches me, taking in my disheveled appearance.
"I am, thanks to you," I say, trying to calm my breathing and not just burst into tears. "Why are guys such entitled pricks?"
He doesn’t smile, if anything he just seems to get angrier. "Who were they?"
"I don’t know," I reply honestly. "I’ve never seen them before."
"What did they want?" he asks, and I just stare at him, not saying a thing. His hands clench at his sides as his breathing gets heavier. "You sure you didn’t know who they were?"
"I’m sure," I tell him. "I should probably get home."
"Let me walk you to your car," he offers, and I accept. I brush down my knees from the small bits of asphalt still digging into my skin, but there’s nothing I can do about the stains. I redo my ponytail and straighten myself back up before looping my arm through his.
We walk to my car in a weird silence, but I at least feel safer with him than I would have on my own after that.
