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21

21

Despite my friends trying to distract me during breakfast, my feelings still lingered. My whole body felt hollow and numb. The thought of eating was nauseating. I pushed my food around as Emily's gushed about Olive, filling me in on all the details. It was nice to see her so happy about something but I just wasn't able to focus on anything. My mind was riddled with questions and fears about my past.

I dropped my head. Emily's voice died out while Finn took my hand. He whispered soothingly in my ear, "Just relax, Sine."

Concentrating on my breathing, I tried to control it and stop the rapid rising of my chest. But it seemed the more I attempted to calm it, the more aggressive it became.

"Now's not a good time, Tate," Sam said.

Ignoring him, Tate ordered, "Sine, come with me."

I brushed off my friends' hands and stood. From a quick glance at his face, it was easy to see Tate was not pleased.

He stopped short once we had exited the room. He lifted his hand to pinch the bridge of his nose.

"I don't know what has gotten into you the last while. But you have become too emotional."

My mouth fell open in shock. Too emotional?

"If this is about yesterday-" I started.

"It is," he interrupted. nonchalantly. A fire scorched my face, leaving its heat behind on my cheeks. That fire swarmed down to my chest and forced out my words.

"I am allowed to be upset, Tate," I stated through bared teeth. He rolled his eyes at me.

"You have a high position here, girl. Don't blow what authority you have here."

I began to snap back but instead he came close and hissed in my face, "And don't bite the hand that feeds you."

Footsteps echoed as Finn stormed into the corridor.

"You seriously need to back off Tate," he growled, stepping between us.

A grin of cocky confidence grew on Tate's face. He mockingly cooed, "Keep your nose out of where it doesn't belong."

"I came here as a team of four. So, if one of my team is getting attacked, I'll help."

Tate minimised the distance between them by puffing his chest into Finn's. Finn didn't flinch while a cold scowl took over his face.

My fiery feeling still lurked inside of me but seeing this altercation unsettled me. A bred behaviour raised my hand onto Finn's shoulder. Pressing lightly, he took my silent advice and walked back. I could hear the hallway fill with sound as people slid in to watch what was going on. Tate, straightening himself, shot me a cocked brow before sauntering over to the group. Turning my focus back to Finn, he was breathing heavily through his nose. We watched each other quietly for a moment.

"I hate the way he speaks to you," he murmured. My stomach softened at his calming voice.

Sighing, I responded, "He is trying to make me better at this work."

His eyes caught mine as he stared intensely. "You don't see it. He's manipulating you. Telling you that emotions are distracting for the cause is bull. Your feelings are the things that got us to where we are. Think about everything he's been telling you, and see how much is actually helpful."

All those solo meetings we had had together. He was always keen to inform me on what was hindering our development. He said that my emotions took away from my abilities. He said that my friends were becoming counterproductive to our aim. He said that I was a greater help than anyone else here. He said that, without me, they would be lost.

Everything he told me was either to put me down, or build me up above the others.

I sharpened my gaze back to Tate. His whole stance sent volts of irritation down my spine. Stalking forward, a low snarl-like noise came from the back of my throat. With a stupid smirk, he folded his arms.

"You know what Tate?" I sneered, "You flip between saying I'm a good leader or that I'm a weakness in our team. But how about you, huh? When we have our meetings, you spend half the time belittling me. The other half though, you say things about everybody else."

His face drooped a silence dawned over the group.

"You've been giving criticisms for each and every person here."

Faces contorted into ranges of anger, disgust, and hurt. Marshall queried what he had been saying, so I gave a brief list. By the end of it, even Beth looked ready to fight. The group swarmed around him, hurling abuse. Tate's face pinked as he tried to talk his way out. I watched as Marshall's hand gripped the scruff of his neck, bringing him to his side.

"I've always thought you were a good leader for us, but maybe now it's time for some new management."

I couldn't help but join in on the cheer that erupted.

/// Extra chapter since it's so short! ///