Secrets to Keep

Chapter 3 - Destiny

After my first period English class, I approach Miss Howell to ask for my makeup assignments.  Since I only missed the first three days of school, luckily it isn't much.  I know it won't be the same for my AP Courses, so after getting notes from her I hurry out the door hoping to make it to my next class before the bell.

Those hopes are shot to hell the minute I step out of the classroom and run right into a hard chest.  My books scatter everywhere as my hands go up to prevent myself from falling.  Instantly, a strong masculine scent hits my nostrils, and I freeze unable to look up for fear of who I will find.  The scent, a distinct mix of sandalwood and oranges, is all man, and unfortunately, all too familiar to me.  Large hands wrap around my arms and steady me.  I force myself to look up into blue-grey eyes that haunt my dreams and nightmares, depending on the night. 

The hate in his piercing stare takes my breath away.  And I take a few steps back out of self-preservation. But there's something else in his gaze too.  A look he's clearly trying to hide.  Something I can't quite pinpoint.

"What the fuck are you doing here, Hearst?" He practically growls at me, his muscular arms across his lean chest make it look like he is completely unaffected to anyone that doesn't know him, but I know better.  Chase is pissed, and he's doing his damndest to keep his infamous temper under control.  I know that.  Just like I also know he inherited his temper from his father and it's something he fights every day to control. 

My eyes flick to Lucas standing off to the side behind him.  Obviously he told him about our little conversation first period.  So, instead of justifying that with a response and risking pissing Chase off further, I pick my books up and shoulder check him as I hurry down the hall. "Sorry, Chase.  I can't be late for my next class."

I know I'll pay for that later, but right now I just don't fucking care.  His presence rattled me and I need a few minutes to myself to figure out what the hell I am going to do next.

                                                                                        ~~~~~

My next class is a blur.  My mind is racing with the anxiety of what will come.  I know I have lunch after this and I'll have to face Chase again.  I also know this time will be worse because I blew him off earlier. 

There is a large part of me that seriously wants to just skip the showdown that is about to take place and hide out in my room for lunch.  But I know doing that will only prolong the inevitable, so instead of heading back towards the dorms, I walk towards the cafeteria. 

As I expected, Chase and Lucas are seated at a small table at the front of the room surrounded by a bunch of other guys and girls, some of which I don't know.  Chase's eyes meet mine the second I walk in the room and a sneer crosses his face immediately.

I understand his disdain for me.  Hell, I deserve it after what I've done.  But I didn't expected his hatred of me to hurt quite so much after all this time.  Chase and I were best friends once.  We grew up next door to each other, and both came from old money families.  When we were growing up, our friendship blossomed over mutual familial obligations.  At one time, I had practically been part of his family, staying with him most nights while my dad traveled or drank away his problems after my mom died.

I pick up a tray and get in line, but before I even made it two steps, three hard bodies surround me on all sides.  My breathing picks up and my heart starts beating out of my chest immediately.  Their close proximity making me nervous, but also excited at the same time.  All three of these boys are gorgeous and my traitorous body is responding to them even though logically, I know they are here to hurt me.  

"I'm only going to ask you this one more time,"  Chase says from behind me.  "What the fuck are you doing here, Hearst?"

I want to keep things civil, but my sass has always been my first line of defense when I feel attacked.  Today is no exception. "As if you don't already know."

He pulls the tray I'm holding from my hands and throws it across the room successfully shutting everyone up and gaining their attention.  Great.  Fucking wonderful.  At least before, not every single person was watching.  Then he spins me around to face him.  Raising his voice he responds, "You're right.  I heard all about how you got kicked out of your last school for being such a slut.  What makes you think you're wanted here?"

I work hard to suppress my growing anger because I know that's what he wants.  He doesn't let me get a word in before he continues, "That's right.  You aren't wanted here.  And let it be known to everyone right now that if you associate with this trash, you'll be exiled right along with her."

I want to cry, but I know I can't right now.  It physically hurts me to hear Chase be so fucking cruel, but showing weakness now would just give him what he wants.  Instead, I straighten my spine and cross my arms across my chest, giving him a smirk, "Don't worry, Chase.  I'm not here to disrupt your perfect little autocracy.  You can keep your kingship.  I'll just do my own thing.  You won't even know I'm here."

I move to walk away and to my surprise, he lets me go.  But instead of walking away feeling like I won, I feel like I've just made a colossal mistake.  I shouldn't have provoked him.