Bright

-10-

TRIGGER WARNING: Depiction of r*pe and mentions of it throughout the chapter. reader discretion advised.

Elle couldn't say anything. She was frozen still in that moment, both taken back by his comment, and glad that she could finally tell someone what was happening. But, if she told Blaise, she would then have to tell Draco, and Pansy, and everyone else about her excursions with Adrian. She had to deny it for as long as she could.

"What are you talking about, Blaise?" She responded.

She could see that Blaise's anger was growing by the minute, and there was nothing she could do about that. She couldn't be honest with him because she wanted to protect him. Him and all of the others that she cared about.

"You know what I'm talking about, Elle."

"No, I don't. There is nothing wrong."

"Elle, you came on the train so excited until Adrian started interacting with you. And that little stunt he pulled on the train. You came back with half of your face beet red. If he didn't do anything to you, then who did?"

"I smacked my face off of the bathroom door by accident. Honest. Adrian didn't do-"

"Cut the shit, Elle. You are going to sit and tell me everything. You aren't leaving until you do." Blaise shot out, words cutting like venom.

"I can't, I have somewhere to be."

"Meeting Adrian? Where at?"

"Why do you need to know"

"Because I'm coming with you."

"No, Blaise, you're not. You have no reason to worry. I am fine. I can protect myself."

Blaise knew that he wasn't going to get anywhere with her right now. She wasn't acting like herself. She was hiding something, and Blaise was determined to find out what it was, even if it meant following her.

"Fine. If you don't want to tell me that's fine. But I will find out. You know I always do."

"Whatever."

"Hey bitches! Your best friend has arrived!" Theo said triumphantly. Blaise and Elle laughed at his theatrics

"Theo, always so dramatic" Blaise said

"I have to keep up with Draco." Theo responded. All three of them shared hysterical laughter.

"That was mean." Draco said, entering the door looking offended.

"It's all in good fun." Theo said, patting Draco's back.

"Yeah, Whatever."

"What are you all doing in my room?"

"Well, I wanted to annoy you" Theo said

"I was in here anyway"

"And I... was just lonely." Draco said looking down at his shoes.

"Oh come off it" The three boys smiled at Elle.

"What are you getting ready for?"

"A date with Adrian."

"Ugh!" The three boys groaned simultaneously.

"What?!"

"We just..." Theo started

"We don't like him." Draco said.

"Why not?"

"He hurt you, Elle." Blaise spoke up, making Draco turn his head in anguish.