Everglow

Chapter Eight: Forgiveness

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Victoria's POV

"Maddox?" I questioned my best friend's brother as he approached Dallas, Eva and I in the school parking lot. "What're you doing here?"

I could see other students looking our way as they passed by; probably wondering why one of the older Muraro brothers was hanging around the school.

"We've come to pick you up to have dinner at ours tonight. Rowans not had the best day, so we thought she'd like your company for the evening?"

I felt my face drop at the mention of Rowan. My mind spun back to this morning and the anxiety attack she had fallen into after our encounter with Melissa in the corridor, resulting in me going against what Rowan wanted and telling Nurse Symonds everything.

Rowan wouldn't want my company, not after that.

"I uh.." I tried to think of an excuse.

"Hey um..." Dallas looked awkwardly between Maddox and then Eva and I . "I've got to head off but I'll see you guys tomorrow?"

"Sure." I shot a tight smile in his direction. "See you tomorrow."

"See you tomorrow, Dallas." Eva waved him off and I turned back to Maddox who was eyeing up our friend as he walked away.

He then focused his sights back onto me. "So?"

"Well...I.." Fuck! Why can't I come up with anything? I looked to Eva to help me out but then the thought struck me. "I said I'd walk home with Eva, she doesn't have anyone else to walk with."

Maddox turned his attention to the girl next to me. "You're Eva?" A look of realisation flashed across his features. "Rowan may have mentioned you a few times before, we've never met though. I'm Maddox." He held a hand out to her.

"Hi." I noticed a soft blush rise up onto Eva's cheeks as she wrapped her hand around his and shook it.

"Well, why don't you both come back with us? I'm sure it won't hurt having another extra person to join for dinner and it'll do Rowan some good." Maddox suggested.

"I guess we could?" I still felt unsure.

Don't get me wrong, I would love to see Rowan and make sure she's okay after this morning, but I can't help but think she's still going to be upset with me.

"I guess I could text my mom to let her know where I'll be?" Eva looked to me before shyly looking back towards Maddox.

"Perfect, the car is this way." Maddox nudged his head to the right, willing us to follow him.

"You said 'we' earlier about picking me up?" I questioned the twenty-four year old.

"Yeah, Hunter's here too." Maddox said, turning towards Eva and I as we approached the car.

"I think you're mistaken.." I pointed to the empty car. "Unless he vanished into thin air."

"Boo!" My shoulders were grabbed from behind, making both Eva and I jump out of our skin and almost causing us to slip on the ice beneath our feet.

I whipped round so fast and punched the culprit as hard as I could on their bicep.

"Woah!" Hunter stepped back with hands up in surrender. "Damn girl, you punch hard." He rubbed at the spot that I'd hit.