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My attention is on Gemini and not where I’m walking, and the next thing I know, I’ve tripped over something, and I’m falling. There’s no magical savior to stop me hitting the floor, and all I can do is let go of the plate and jug so I can stick my hands out to stop myself from faceplanting.
As my hands slam into the marble, there’s an earsplitting scream.
It’s not me.
I look up and find Lissa in front of me. She’s in her maid uniform, clearly the initiate in charge of serving Syn and the others today. The plate of waffles is at her feet, scattered all over the floor. Bright red strawberry syrup is dripping off her skirt, running down her bare legs.
Despite the fact that my hands are hurting, I look up, eyes wide. “Lissa, are you alright?”
“Murder.” She shrieks. “She’s trying to murder me. Like her brother.”
“With what?” I ask in disbelief. “I tripped. It was an accident. The plate didn’t even touch you.”
“It’s attempted murder.” She points to the syrup.
On my knees, ignoring the pain radiating from them too, I lean back onto my heels and roll my eyes. “Oh, for fuck’s sake, it’s syrup. It’s not the only sticky substance you’ve had running down your leg before.”
Was that the best response to come out of my mouth in this situation?
Not at all.
As Lissa’s face goes as red as the syrup from everyone around us laughing, I know the audience is the only thing stopping her from becoming the murderer in the room. I’m one hundred percent going to regret this later.
“What’s the problem here?” Doris asks from behind me.
“Shethrewthe plates at me,” Lissa tells her. “She was trying to kill me.”
I glance over my shoulder, up at Doris. I can tell from looking at her that she knows that wasn’t what happened, but if either of us suggest otherwise, the whole room is going to agree with Lissa.
“Ms. Tori, please apologize to this student and then clear the mess up.”
Closing my eyes, I draw in a deep breath.
I hate this. I hate this whole shitty situation I’m stuck in.
“An apology? Is that it?” The sound of Lissa’s heel striking the tile floor has me opening my eyes. “Do I need to get my father here?”
Doris doesn’t say anything, but a smug smile creeps over Lissa’s lips.
I have no idea who her father is, but I know what he is: a man with more money and power than what both Doris and I have combined. If this gets escalated to a parent, then the university gets involved. And it won’t be just me losing my job.
Biting back the wince as I get to my feet, I turn and face Doris.
She stares at me, and then nods.
“I’m sorry,” I tell her as I walk past.
Strangely, I don’t feel upset as I walk into the back to gather my things. Considering how hard I’ve fought to keep this job, I’m almost surprised at how free I feel. I have no idea what I’m going to do when my savings dry up, but now I’ve got some time to dedicate to finding out what happened with Cole.
Doris is waiting for me when I step out of the staff room. “You didn’t have to do that.”
I find my smile and plaster it on my face. “Are you kidding? I was going to quit anyway. The amount you pay me isn’t worth how much this cuts into my social life.”
XXXIII
Tori
Of all the things I regret doing today, it’s skipping breakfast. All through my morning classes, my stomach was grumbling loud enough to draw the attention of the people sitting around me.
