Midnight Memories

Chapter 17

I didn't know what came over me. The rage inside me refused to kindle. My hands had a mind of their own. I was on top of Jo, who screamed with rage as she struggled against me. My hands were clasped around her throat, though it was more to send a message than actually harm her. I wanted to strangle her. I wanted to make her feel as scared and angry and helpless like I did.

Without warning, Jo brought up her knee and it collided with my side. I winced in pain as the memory of claws against flesh creeped into my mind. Then Jo was on top of me. I held my arms up to protect myself but a second too late. Jo's fist slammed against my cheek.

I could hear Anastasia yelling, a few other people too, but my blood was pounding too loudly in my ears to focus on anything but Jo. I did notice that no one else was moving, probably shocked by my sudden outburst. I thought about Jo wishing my parents were dead, that's when the adrenaline kicked in.

I freed my arm from her grip just as she was about to punch me again. I pulled my arm back, then swung it forward. I missed her face and hit her neck instead. It wasn't enough to really hurt her but it was enough to take her off balance. I repeated my action, only this time shoving her off me completely. I could only imagine how crazy I looked. Jo tried to give my hair a yank but I slapped her across the face. The two of us screamed as we continued to fight, tearing at each other in a rush of hatred.

Then I felt hands grab my arms, pulling me off of Jo. She scrambled up and launched herself at me but Harry caught her this time. The two of us kicked our feet out and tried to break free of the holds on us but to no avail. Then Jo started to mumble something, it sounded like Latin. I felt a searing pain in my temple, causing me to cry out in pain, leaning against whoever it was that held me. But as soon as it was there, it was gone. I looked up to see Jo glaring at Liam and Anastasia, now standing next to each other with their hands outstretched to her. It was clear, Jo had started a spell, and they counteracted it.

I still felt a rush of adrenaline as I struggled against the hands.

"I'm going to kill you!" Jo shrieked, trying to break free of Harry.

"Enough!" He shouted.

"Don't ever talk about my parents like that again!" I screamed. I was now being pulled out of the cafeteria. "Ever! Do you hear me?!"

I was still shouting even after the cafeteria was completely out of sight. Everyone was so preoccupied with controlling Jo that they didn't even notice who was the one dragging me out of there. Neither did I, until now.

It was Louis.

I was shoved into an empty classroom, nearly colliding with a desk. The lights were off but the windows provided enough illumination. He shut the door behind him. I was alone in a room with a Shapeshifter that wanted me dead almost as much as Jo.

I was still trembling, thought unsure if it was still because of anger or fear. I decided it was both. But Louis' attitude surprised me.

He was amused.

My breathing was still heavy. I distanced myself further away from him. I didn't stop until my back hit a counter that was against the wall.

"I don't know what came over me." I said quietly, more to myself. "That's not me."

"I really don't care." Louis replied. For the first time I actually made eye contact with him. I couldn't read him whatsoever.

I cleared my throat. "Jo had no right to talk to me like that."

"Still don't care." Louis was moving towards me now. My breathing started to speed up again.

Then Louis did something I didn't expect. He laughed.