Page 132 of Knox Academy Omnibus
Holy crap that was a bit deep. I tense, ready for her to freak out, but she just gives a little sigh and relaxes into my touch. I hold her a while longer, contemplating the tornado of emotions she stirs up within me. The need to protect her burns fiercely, and I understand fully the state that Kalen is in over her. He has it worse than I do though, because she’s at least forgiven me.
Her breathing deepens and steadies, and I know that she’s asleep. Unable to resist, I drop one last kiss onto her forehead, muttering “I love you” as I too drift off into a dreamless sleep.
Chapter Thirteen
Amelie
I love you. I love you. I love you.The words I dreamed I heard on Sawyer’s lips the other night still swirl around and around in my head. I know it was only a dream, but it was one of the best.
I sigh as I struggle to do my damn bow on my uniform, over a month away from the school has made me rusty at it. I got up extra early to get ready today, needing to show the world – or Knox Academy at least – that I’m fighting fit. Fake it until you make it, right? That’s what I’m telling myself.
In all honesty, I feel shaky. I’m nervous about today. Worried that I’ll have fallen behind in my studies. Wondering how I’ll cope in the classes I don’t have with Elsie. How will I face music with Slate? Oh god...I have lessons with Onyx too! How could I have forgotten that?
And of course, there’sthemto deal with. The other kids. Since returning to the school I’ve only managed to leave my room a handful of times, and each one has ended in some sort of painful disaster for me. I’m not stupid enough to think that those were isolated incidents, carried out by a few bitter individualsholding a grudge. No, I suspect it was more like a preview of what’s to come. Especially if Sawyer’s insistence on my need for protection ends up being anything to go by.
I need to watch my back.
Put my game face on.
Don’t show them that I’m hurting.
“Fuck off,” I quietly say under my breath when there’s a knock at my door. It has been happening all weekend, at all hours of the day and night. They knock, I answer, no-one’s there. Mature. But annoying as hell when every step to get my ass out of bed makes my body scream in protest. I sigh, make one last pathetic attempt at the bow, and grab my bag. May as well head out and grab some breakfast.
When I open the door and step out – because I already expect the knocker to be long gone – I collide with an unexpected body with a soft “ooof”.
“Kalen?” I scowl. “What are you doing here?” I’ve managed a stellar job at avoiding him until now. Damn it.
“I’m your escort,” he replies, taking my bag from my hand and slinging it onto his back. “Here, let me help you.”
He steps in close and damn him, his scent intoxicates me as he carefully fixes my bow for me.
“There.”
“Th-thank you,” I whisper, a lump in my throat. He’s so close. I long to reach out and close the space between us with a kiss, a hug, anything. But I can’t. Every time I close my eyes and picture his face, it’s the impassive, immobile stranger lying on the bed beside me and refusing to take action against his brothers. He broke something between us, and I don’t know how to let him fix it.
“No problem, sis. Let’s get this day started. Breakfast?”
I nod and let him lead me to the dining hall. There’s absolutely no point in arguing with Kalen about this escort, andI’m not fit enough yet to punch him and run. Besides, he has my stuff and I can’t turn up to class without it. Not if I want to avoid a dreaded blue slip anyway.
I wonder who will run early morning Saturday detentions now? I hope I don’t get one to have to find out. I hated being up so early at first, even for the pleasure of ogling Sawyer. Guilt gnaws at my stomach. He should be here, enjoying his first day, doing what he loves. I remember the night we met, how he spoke about teaching with such passion, and I feel like dirt. I ruined his life and yet somehow, he forgives me. He wants a relationship with me? I don’t deserve it.
I love you...As if he could ever really love me after what I did.Dream on, Amelie.
Elsie’s voice pulls me from my downward spiral of negative thoughts, and I cross the room to sit with her. If Kalen’s so hell-bent on being helpful, he can fetch me my breakfast.
“Hey, how are you? You look good.” Elsie whistles the last part and I smile.
“Thanks, not bad, it’s all makeup,” I laugh. “No way near as good as you though.”
“Shame. If we were roomies I could teach you a thing or two.”
“If we were roomies, I’d make you my own personal stylist every day.”
“You couldn’t afford me.” She laughs.
“True.” On impulse I reach out and hug her.
“What was that for?”
