In the Heart of the Forest

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Thea

"Carter?"

Carter and Rose snap their heads around to me. He removes his hand from underneath her skirt and she releases her hold on the back of his neck. Her lipstick is smudged all over her lips and Carter's, some even covers the collar of his T-shirt.

"W-We can explain--" Carter starts.

I breathe sharply through my nose, trying to control my anger. At this point, I'm not even sad, just mildly murderous.

"Explain what, huh? That you've been cheating on me? With my current best friend?" I spit through gritted teeth. Rose remains silent, her head hanging down in shame--in shame of being caught--not in shame of the action itself.

Losing his apologetic facade he sneers: "What did you expect? We've been dating for 3 months now and you barely let me kiss you! How could you expect me to just sit around with a tease for a girlfriend? I needed to be satisfied somehow."

I step forwards. "You could have broken up with me!" I say. "I'm such an idiot," I mumble under my breath.

"I was doing you a favor," he says, crossing his arms with an air of superiority.

"Doing me a favor?" I yell, my temper getting the best of me.

"Yes! I am one of the most popular guys at our school. I look like this," he gestures to his toned body, "And I have money. Who are you? You know no one. You aren't pretty, and you hold no status. You should be thanking me!" He shouts, lifting his arms in the air to try and get his point across.

"How dare you!" I whisper harshly.

I cross the remaining distance between us with my fists clenched as tight as possible. I raise my arm and swing my fist, punching him square in the face. He stumbles back, bringing his hands to his face.

"Carter!" Rose screams, but I ignore her.

Seeing that his hand are now holding his face, I aim my next strike lower. I kick him between the legs and he falls to his knees. I then drive my knee up into his face and he falls to the floor.

I look up to see Rose moving towards me carefully. My hands are shaking and my breaths are coming fast and heavy.

"I am so, so sorry, Thea. Maybe we could still be frie--" I cut her off by punching her in the nose, causing blood to stream out her nostrils.

I then turn around and march away. I hear a satisfying crunch and a whimper as I to step on Carter's hand. I nearly sprint down the stairs and out the nearest exit--the back door--grabbing my coat on the way.

The frigid air hits my flustered skin, instantly bringing me relief. Even in the dark, I can already start to see bruises forming on my right hand's knuckles. I'm lucky I didn't break any fingers. I am rather proud of myself.

I can't believe that nasty, disgusting, pompous, rat of a boy! How could he? How could I? I feel so stupid. I should have seen it coming.

Before I know it, I find myself walking into the forest. I follow little deer trails and small streams, trying to put as much distance between me and the thumping music and loud crowds as possible.

Above me, the moon shines brightly, making the forest easily navigable. My Wolf Boy told me not to come here, but I can't help it. Maybe I should have just gotten into my car and left, but I needed to be free--free from everything.

Wolf Boy... I wonder what he would say now if he knew the boyfriend we both thought was a good guy cheated on me. For who knows how long, too! I sigh. Deep down, I feel like Logan and I should have been together.