The Above || Completed

12 Hatred

At dinner, I could hardly look at Aeron without blushing. I found it so stupid. Erica sat far away from me, clearly ticked off that I was hanging out with her ex-boyfriend. Technically, nothing happened but it could've if it hadn't been for Grace. Bookworm to the rescue. I really needed to work on keeping my distance but Aeron tended to pull me in all too easily. It didn't make me all that proud of myself. What happened to my strong will? From that point on, I had to stand my ground. As soon as I finished working on this mission with Aeron, I was going to leave. No more detective work for me.

"We're awfully quiet," Zachariah said timidly.
"Look who's talking." Grace smirked.
"Fair point." He couldn't stifle his smile. "But I'm sensing tension."
"What kind of tension?" Erica asked, pausing between bites.
"No, there's no tension. That's just Erica's hatred for me contaminating the atmosphere." Aeron shrugged.
"Aeron-" I started.
Erica cut me off, "Oh, there's enough hatred to go around."
She happened to be looking right at me. My heart gave a little sigh of pain. I clearly messed up.
"What do you mean, Erica?" Grace had her eyebrows drawn to form a crease on her forehead.
"Nothing. I'll be leaving now." Erica pushed her chair back and stormed out of the room.
"Maddison, that's your cue to go after her," Zachariah said, nodding his head at me.
Aeron tapped his left wrist to tell me to hurry up.

I shook my head and ran out of the dining room. Erica was nowhere to be seen. I decided to look in the dorm. She'd probably gone to mope in there. As I came round to the dormitory, I thought about the circumstances. Erica was upset because of me and I was likely to add fuel to the fire. However, she couldn't hate me, could she? I imagine it would be easy to, after all she's been through.
The dorm was dark, dank and quiet when I walked in but there was no mistaking Erica's silhouette atop her bed. She wasn't crying or cutting which was good. I stood next to the bed.
"Erica?" I said, my hand outstretched.
I noticed her back and shoulders tense.

She was on her feet in seconds, pinning me against the wall by my neck. My throat was constricted by her hands; I felt my breathing grow ragged and difficult.
"I trusted you," Erica said through her heavily gritted teeth.
I was gasping for air. "What the hell are you talking about?"
"You betrayed me and ran off with that jerk. You're a real slut, Maddison," she growled, graciously tightening her grip.
"Erica," I choked, "maybe if you keep me alive then I can explain myself to you."
She scowled at me but released me and pushed me to the floor. I wheezed to catch my breath and felt pins and needles running up and down my entire body. My breathing was still significantly short. Erica sat down on her bed, waiting for me to recover. I had no idea what I was going to do now.

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!!Author's Note!!

OMG! I'm actually a lot more excited about writing this book because I'm getting a much larger reading audience. What a response! Thanks so much to all of you!!

Anyway, the picture is supposed to be Maddison in case any of you don't really have a vivid picture of her in your minds. However, if you do, don't let me stop you! I love your unique imaginations.

Just want to remind you to vote if you're liking the story so far.

And comment if you've got some thoughts to express because I just love getting feedback.

Thanks again!!🐾