Inside The Lines

| Chapter 17 |

The moment I found Reece inside the cafeteria I ran straight over to give him a piece of my mind.

"What did you do?" I ask which catches him off guard. His body of friends circle him like lost children. They wear expressions of distaste as if I was interrupting something important.

Instead of feeding their interests I grab Reece by the arm to steal him away.

"What is it this time Romee?"

"I saw Flynn. Did you do that to him?"

I step forward, trying to intimidate him with my stare.

"Do what?"

"Stop playing dumb!" I scold.

"I don't know what you're on about." He shrugs.

Reece seems genuinely confused so I back away.

"Flynn had bruises like he'd been in a fight—I thought you were responsible."

He rolls his eyes. "Why would I be responsible? That guys always getting into fights Ro."

My lips were sealed. If I don't say anything else I won't get into trouble. Reece doesn't know about yesterday and I was going to do everything in my power to keep him from the truth.

What pains me is not knowing who was responsible....and then it suddenly clicks.

Hunter.

"Romee. You haven't been talking to Flynn have you?"

Yes.

"No."

"Good. The closer we get to the race the more dangerous it becomes."

"Dangerous?"

I hold in my laughter.

"I'm serious Romee. This isn't a joke. Flynn is after one thing, first place, and he's going to try everything to win."

"And you? What are you trying to do to win?"

Reece smiles. "You'll just have to wait and see."

I don't like the sound of that.

"Okay well I have to go." I really want to see my way out of this conversation. The heel of my foot spins me around so I can begin my search for Hunter.

After a moment of looking, it becomes increasingly hard. As students start moving through the hallways again. I decide to finish my search in order to make it to English Lit in time.

Then I remember. Flynn and I share English Lit together. Maybe I could try talking with him again? That's unless Zane gets in the way. Before I enter I could already hear the chatter of my peers coming from inside.

The room was buzzing with laughter.

I find my way to the back of the room where my desk sits. When I'm done settling in I look up to see Flynn and Zane seated not too far away. They talk quietly amongst themselves.

"Welcome in everyone, please settle down."

Today's lecture begins and the class quietly listens. She starts by asking a simple question.