𝐁𝐋𝐈𝐒𝐒𝐅𝐔𝐋 𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐎𝐒 | SPINOFF

CHAPTER FOUR

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DAMON
LARS
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Out of place and aching for freedom, Avery's struggle was impossible to miss. Every subtle movement, every uneasy glance, betrayed how much she longed to break away. Being close to Stella didn't make it easier for her; in fact, it only made her feel more trapped since Stella was the popular one.

Avery was a girl trying to live in the light, putting on a brave face and forcing herself to have fun. But beneath that surface, there was something deeper, something she kept hidden. A quiet sadness, a weight she carried, even when she tried to smile. Gosh, she smiled too much.

And then there was Marcella. She and Avery—two sides of the same coin, both radiating an undeniable energy, yet so incredibly fragile. It was a quiet fragility, hidden beneath layers of smiles and bravado. Marcella, with her secrets that mirrored mine, could shatter if someone got too close. I knew her too well. We both carried burdens neither of us dared to speak aloud, because her brother—Jaxon—would kill me if he knew the things I did.

Avery, on the other hand, didn't even try to hide her vulnerability. At fifteen, she was hanging around with older kids, always in the wrong places, always in danger. She was easy prey, not just because she was physically weak, but because she was mentally worn down, tangled in the mess of her own life. Being her neighbor, I saw everything—the sneaking out, the dangerous crowds she ran with. I never told her friends. I didn't want to ruin her image or give them something else to hold against her.

She was already so fucking pathetic.

I've known these girls since I was six. Thirteen years, and I can predict their every move. Yet, in all that time, I've never really talked to them, not since last summer. Still, I could feel the stares—girls already calculating how to tear them down, guys eyeing their next target.

Marcella was untouchable, protected by her connection to Jaxon. Avery, though, was a target for both the lustful guys and the vicious girls. It didn't help that her stepsister, Avalina, was the queen bitch of Crist's College. She was prey, and she didn't even know it. But at least Stella would keep her shielded from the worst of it.

As we all sat at the same table, Alessio buried himself in his phone, while Grayson and Stella bickered across from us. Stella had her feet propped up on his lap, and Grayson's frustration was clear—his precious designer uniform was apparently sacred. Marcella, meanwhile, rested her head on Avery's shoulder, while Avery drowned the world out with her oversized headphones, arms crossed tightly, eyes closed.

I caught Alessio stealing a glance at her. I nudged his shoulder and mouthed, Are you crazy?

Alessio muttered under his breath, "I hate her. Don't think otherwise."

"Then stop looking at her like you miss her," I whispered back. "You got what you wanted—you broke her. Isn't that enough?"

His jaw tightened. "Breaking her was something, but I want to ruin her. I want her to feel what I felt."

As if sensing the venom in his words, Avery's eyes flickered open, catching his gaze for a moment before quickly looking away, awkward and tense.

Dean, the party monster of our group, interrupted us. "Welcome to class, ladies. There's a party at my place this weekend. Marcella, you know the spot. Boys, you in?"

Grayson immediately nodded. "Hell yeah."

Alessio, ever the skeptic, asked, "Why are you inviting the girls? It's usually just Stella."

Stella shot him the finger. "Not anymore. Now it's me, Lily, Avery, and Marci. Get used to it."

Marcella shook her head. "No, I'm not going." Avery nodded in agreement, echoing her refusal.

But I couldn't help myself. "Take permission from Jaxon first," I told Dean with a smirk.

Marcella's eyes flickered with annoyance. "My brother doesn't control me, Damon. I make my own choices."

Stella, sensing an opportunity, pressed. "So, you're coming?"

After a brief hesitation, Marcella muttered, "Actually, put me and Avery on the list. We'll come, but just for a bit."

I blinked, stunned. What. The. Fuck.

Grayson looked equally surprised. "Jaxon won't let you."

Marcella shrugged. "Dad will."

Alessio scoffed. "Why? You hate parties. What are you trying to prove? It just makes you look pathetic."

Used to his jabs, Marcella ignored him, but I shot Alessio a glare, silencing him.

Then Avery stood abruptly, throwing her laptop into her bag. "Why do you guys always make decisions for me?" she snapped.

Marcella's face fell. "I thought you'd enjoy it for a change. We don't have to go—"

Avery didn't wait to hear the rest, storming toward the door. Mr. Lincoln's voice cut through the tension. "Miss Raven, I didn't give you permission to leave."

"I don't need your permission," Avery retorted, slamming the door behind her.

Marcella, guilt-ridden, whispered to Stella, "Did I go too far?"

Stella, ever nonchalant, patted her on the head. "She'll get over it. You know how Avery hates when people decide things for her."

Alessio, not missing a chance, chimed in, "She doesn't seem to mind when her father makes every decision for her."

Stella's voice dropped, her tone icy. "Her father's an abusive prick."

Marcella slapped Stella's hand, worried. "Shut up. If anyone hears that, it'll turn into a rumor, and Avery will be furious."

I sighed, exasperated. "Isn't anyone going to check on her?"

Stella shrugged. "Why? She'll just argue."

"Because I'm not such an asshole that I'd let a friend leave like that." It was a lie. Of course I was.

Marcella stood up. "I'll go."

I stopped her. "No, sit down. I'll go."

"Don't tell me what to do," Marcella snapped, her tone defiant. "I'm going."

I blocked her path, my voice low and threatening. "Go back to being the quiet girl who reads all the time. Stop trying to impress the older kids, Marcella."

She stared at me, her eyes flashing with hurt she tried to hide. "Avery is my friend, not yours."

"I don't care about her," I shot back. "But I won't let her get bullied."

Marcella's voice cracked. "You always act like you care about no one."

We found Avery slumped against a wall, her music blasting through her headphones. Marcella sat beside her, removing the headphones gently. "I'm sorry," she whispered, holding Avery's hand.

From across the hall, I lit a cigarette, watching the scene unfold.

Avery sighed. "I like parties, but not when he's there."

I exhaled a cloud of smoke. "Alessio doesn't care if you're there. He's got a girlfriend now. He's over you."

Her eyes filled with tears. "Who?"

I smirked. "Avalina Raven."

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WOW!???