Emperor of Destruction [EDITING]

xxiv.

XXIV

The day went by fast. Almost everyone returned to their forms after the bell had struck. My eyes move from my History textbook on my lap, snapping to the alarm clock on the bedside table that separates Clem and I. 9:45pm.

I couldn't believe I was going to stay up the majority of the night to study for our stupid History test tomorrow.

My eyes skimmed over the contents of the book. I wanted to rip my hair out, munching on the dead ends like some kind of animal. This is what studying does to me. It makes me all kinds of crazy. According to my Dearest teacher, the test would be an hour long. It took up most of class time. I wouldn't be allowed to talk to Clementine the whole time.

I begin writing my study notes in my journal. Hating how my handwriting looked on paper—I kept erasing it, starting all over again.

And again.

And again.

Until I had enough, ripped and crumpled the paper into a ball, throwing it into the bin across from me. I should really consider basketball as a career instead of a lawyer.

With my knees pushed up against my stomach, and hands on my head, squeezing it out of irritation, I tried writing a key quote from the book, failing miserably when I make a mistake using a pen. I had pencils hidden on my side of the room, I just never used them. I preferred pens over pencils, mainly because pens come in different colours, pencils don't. I liked to keep my notes nice and neat—colourful was just an added bonus.

I was in the middle of attempting to make a burn book for Mr Devonport and him only, when my phone buzzed on my covers. I grabbed it, tilting my head when no caller id showed up.

Whoever was calling me wasn't saved in my phone. My mind instantly went to Silas. But he had my number saved, so he couldn't possibly be the one calling me. I debated whether or not I should answer the call or let it ring. I bit my finger. It was at times like this, I wished Clem was awake. She'd know better than me.

My phone stopped ringing.

I took a deep breath, sighing in relief.

My body practically jolted awake when that exact person called my phone again.

Grabbing my phone with speed, I declined the call, unlocking my phone and went to block the person. Whoever they were.

Confusion washed over me when I realised I couldn't block them. The button wasn't working and neither was any other button on my phone at this moment. This was weird. My phone wasn't old. Stephan bought me the newest version when he saw my old one. He said he didn't want me tarnishing his reputation by carrying an old broken phone with cracks in the screen around. I figured I wasn't pressing hard enough. My fingers pressed down on the buttons harder this time, to no avail.