The Will To

T W E N T Y (shurikens)

My appetite was nonexistent, so I wasn't sure what force brought me to the cafeteria. The room smelled revoltingly greasy, like everything behind the food bar had been deep fried. People were scattered around tables, yammering and munching, doing nothing for my pounding head. And the winter sun blared through the windows, insisting that it was midday, the glare making my tired eyes throb. So, why did I walk willingly inside what, at this moment in time, was essentially a torture chamber?

The party had only been a couple of days ago, and I hadn't found much time to recover since then. Mainly because I didn't see a need to. Sitting inside my apartment did nothing to make me feel any better, despite Nola's incessant swearing that it would, and I wasn't in the right frame of mind to sit and ponder my actions or feelings. What had happened, had happened. There wasn't a time machine or luxury spa that could take any of it away. I was still angry, but I'd been angry for a long time.

That was the reason I hauled myself to the cafeteria. I needed to carry on. Life was a moving current and I wasn't about to get hung up on a stupid branch that carried the date rape drug to parties and cried when it'd been attacked accordingly. No. I was going to drag that branch right downstream with me.

Victor Jennings had been nearly silent since the events of the party.

Annnnd, I liked to joke with myself every now and again to keep things fresh.

Victor Jennings had definitely not been silent following the party. In fact, I was certain there wasn't a single person on campus who hadn't heard the story, which had somehow morphed into me practically begging him to follow me upstairs which he, of course, politely declined. Then, when he didn't give in, my eyes glowed red and I withdrew a wand from some covert location underneath my dress and cursed him in a blinding flash.

Okay. That last bit deviated from the truth slightly. Victor's truth, at least.

Victor claimed I pepper sprayed him when he wouldn't follow me upstairs to an open bedroom. The real crime was that people actually bought his story.

Not that I cared. I was used to the whispers behind my back and the startled faces when I turned around with my fiercest glare. It was a part of ordinary life and had been for the last three years. What was one more false story about me?

I shoved a cold fry into my mouth as I leaned my head against my fisted hand propped on the table.

"You saving this spot for anyone?"

Preparing my fierce glare for another person who thought they'd give me the old go-around, I straightened as any trace of it dissolved from my face. "Oh. Hi."

"So," Reid said slowly. "Can I sit?"

I spread my hands wide. "Be my guest. But be warned, you're entering enemy territory," I added, nodding to the onlookers whispering amongst themselves at Reid's presence.

After placing his tray of food onto the table, Reid settled into the seat opposite me, glancing over his shoulder and issuing a hum. "You should hear that shit people are saying about you."

"You know," I started, picking up another fry, "believe it or not, I've actually heard the shit. Weird, I know. People are usually so good about keeping gossip to a minimum."

Reid raised his brow a degree and licked the corner of his mouth. "Right. I mean, some of it's crazy, like how would you even have a set of shurikens on you and use them at a frat party?"

"Oh, yes. The glamorized ninja version retelling. My favorite so far."

"People believe anything."

Yes, they do.