One Temptation

Tension Rising (Chapter 22)

Last week had dragged on, and now it was Monday again. Honestly, it didn't even feel like a full week had passed—at least, the first half had flown by. But the second half? That was slow, agonizing.

Mum and dad returned on Friday last week. 

Me and Aiden had built up the courage to finally ask her what had happened. 

It was terrifying but the conversation may have also been terrifying.

The talk me, mum and Aiden had, was quite unexpected, and something I would have never thought of.

It had been running through my head all weekend, but now was not the time to think about it

The teachers had started questioning us. The assistant principals pulled us out of classes to interrogate us about what happened. The thing was, I didn't even know what to tell them. It had all happened so fast, right in front of me, yet I still couldn't piece together.

Now here I was, starting another week—and it already felt like it was going to be a shitshow. I had Marine Biology, which used to be my favourite class. I mean, my friends were in it, and I actually cared about the material. But that was before West joined.

Now, I hate the class. The teacher's always on my nerves, and my friends? Well, they never miss an opportunity to tease the hell out of me.

The first study session with West wasn't as terrible as I'd thought, but that didn't mean I wanted to suddenly be on good terms with him. 

One civil conversation didn't erase years of drama or make us friends. I still didn't trust him, and I wasn't about to start now.

I pushed open the door to the Marine Biology classroom, half hoping I'd have a few minutes to mentally prepare before class started. But, of course, that wasn't happening today.

Cole and Jake were already in the room, wrestling like idiots over a KitKat bar, while Lia and Em watched with casual amusement. I sighed and shook my head, making my way to my usual seat.

At least today, West hadn't taken it. Small victories.

Before I could settle in, Cole noticed me and tossed the KitKat my way, flashing a grin. "Madison! Catch! Save me from this maniac!"

Jake shot him a look. "Maniac? Over a KitKat? You're the one who bit my arm for it!"

Lia chimed in, smirking. "I'd believe it. Cole's got a secret savage side when it comes to chocolate."

"Chocolate?" Em snorted. "More like anything edible."

I rolled my eyes and unwrapped the KitKat. "You two are ridiculous, you know that?"

Cole leaned back, mocking innocence, "Ridiculous? Us? We're just trying to survive."

"Yeah," Jake added with a mock-serious expression. "Survival of the fittest, Madison. You wouldn't understand."

I bit into the chocolate and raised an eyebrow. "Right. And by 'fittest,' you mean whoever can win a tug-of-war over candy?"

"Exactly," Jake deadpanned.

Em crossed her arms, giving me a knowing look. "You're early for once." 

"I'm always early." I deadpan.

"Hasn't been the case lately." she mutters under her breath.

Then Lia continues, "What, mentally prepping yourself for Kaleb?"

I shot her a glare. "Don't even start."

"Come on," Lia teased. "You guys were practically best friends during that study session."