Page 52 of His Bullied Fated Mate

I’d been practicing for weeks, and yet I couldn’t heal a simple wound. Healing was supposed to be easy, and I couldn'tdo it. It was frustrating how hard I’d been working, and I’d gotten nowhere.

Cassie gave me a soft smile, but I couldn’t return it. I felt like I was a waste of a person.

“You’re still learning,” she whispered as she started to wrap the wound.

I swallowed and nodded my head.

“I’ll go grab some supplies.” I pushed myself out of my chair and headed down the hallway. I pushed open the supply room and stepped inside. I took a couple of deep breaths, trying to remain calm.

I sniffled, and the door opened. I turned and found Riley standing there. His eyes widened, and he frowned as he searched my face. “Janella. What’s wrong? What are you doing in here?”

“I was just grabbing supplies.” I frantically turned, trying to look for something to grab, but I didn’t know what they needed.

“Why do you look like you're going to cry?”

I paused and tried to push the emotions down. I shouldn’t be the one falling apart when there were injured people out there. They deserved to be the ones crying, not me.

“I’m fine.”

He moved closer. “What’s wrong?”

I turned to him, rubbing my hands together nervously. “I can’t help. I’m trying to use my magic, and it’s doing nothing.”

“You’re still new to this.”

“Yes, that’s what everyone is telling me.” I shook my head. “I think I’m going to head home early.”

He frowned. “Are you sure?”

I nodded. “Yeah, I just want to be left alone for a bit.” I pushed past him, not bothering to tell anyone where I was going. I slipped out the front door and out into the fresh air.

I headed down the sidewalk and started on my way home. But I wasn’t sure I wanted to go home either. I would be surrounded by books and notes about magic.

I turned and decided to just go for a walk around town. Maybe it would help clear my head.

I rubbed my hands on my arms as I waited for the light to turn green so I could cross the street. I was so focused on the light that I hadn’t noticed there were people behind me.

“Well, look at who it is.”

I looked over my shoulder, and my entire body stiffened up. I knew their face even though they had aged a little since I last saw them. Tyler, Lucas, and Dustin. Riley’s best friends in high school were the entourage to his bullying. Wherever he was, they were.

I swallowed, trying not to let any emotion form on my face.

“Haven’t seen you in Riverville in a while,” Dustin said, stepping in front of me. Tyler and Lucas were staying behind me, caging me in.

“I’ve been back for a couple of weeks.”

“I know. Married to Riley. Silly how that all turned out.”

I looked at the light, hoping it would turn green. Lord, was this light taking forever? I felt like it was taking longer than normal.

“Still as weak as ever. The shy gal never changes.”

I frowned now, unable to help myself. “I’m just trying to get home. Can you all just move?”

“Oh, maybe she’s a little feisty now.”

“How exactly did you bag Riley? The man has a type, and you weren’t it.”