more than this | grayson dolan (book one)

thirty three

My stomach turns the second Jake pulls up to the high school. I can feel every part of my body tense up as I slowly turn back to look at him.

"Do I have to go in?" I whisper as my body shakes.

"Yes, you already missed two periods." He sighs while nodding toward the building.

"Everyone is going to stare at my face." I slowly place my hand on my cheek. The simple touch stings my skin from the bruised marks.

"You don't owe anyone an explanation." He averts his eyes back to me as an angry sigh leaves his lips. "Just say you fell in the shower, but only if anyone asks."

"Okay." I nod while gulping.

"I'm going to change the locks and get new sets of keys for the house. I don't know how long that will take, are you okay to walk home?"

"Of course." I nod my head again.

"Are you sure? If anything happens-"

"Nothing is going to happen." I reassure him.

"Dad never came back." He says with relief.

"Do you think he ever will?" Fear floods through me as I stare at him.

"He better not. If I ever see his drunk face again, he's dead." Jake clenches his jaw as he stares back at me.

"We'll cross that bridge when we get to it." I flash him a tiny smile.

"You're the strongest person I know, Stella. I'm really proud of you."

"Thanks." I inhale a breath as my hand reaches for the door handle.

"And I give you full permission to kick some rich girls ass if anyone gives you shit." He sternly tells me with a low smirk.

"I do that without your permission." I smirk back as I fully step out of the car.

"I'll see you later." He nods his head with a smile.

I force myself to wave as he drives away from the school. Nerves fill my body as I turn to face the intimidating building. I don't want to be here, but Jake insisted I suck it up. I anxiously grip onto my bag that is placed on my shoulder. My feet begin to push toward the front door. No turning back now. I slowly enter the main lobby and face the security desk.

"Can I help you?" One of the men ask.

"My name is Stella Monroe, I'm coming in late." I nervously gulp as I make eye contact with him.

His face slowly drops as he stares directly at me. "What happened to your face?"

"I fell last night in the shower." Here we go. The first of many lies.

"Ouch, that had to hurt." The other man lightly chuckles.

"It did, I'm such a klutz." I laugh it off with a fake grin.

I watch as the man pulls out an attendance slip. He writes the time on the front and hands it to me. "Bring this to the office so they can check you in, then report to class."

"Thanks." I mutter as I begin to walk away.

"Walk safely." The man jokes.

I ignore his asshole comment and proceed to the office. Luckily class is currently in session right now. I didn't bring my phone with me because I can't stand that thing. I woke up with four missed calls from Grayson and two text messages from Tom.

I pull on the office door and enter it with a sigh. The secretary behind the desk immediately shoots her head up to greet me.

"Good morning, how can I help you?" Her friendly smile begins to fade once she gets a good look at me.