Running from His Claim (Beauty and the Beast #2)

Chapter 8

The lady stayed true to her words, and soon my hair was well trimmed and perfectly styled. When we were done, I stood and turned to Victor. For some reason, I had caught his excitement about this, and my confidence was boosted by that half hour in the chair.

Victor looked up from his phone and, completely ignoring the five girls sitting around him trying to catch his eye, took in the sight. Slowly, he smirked. "There's my beautiful girl."

I rolled my eyes as he stood up and walked closer to touch my hair. "Why do you keep calling me that?"

His grin was mischievous. "Let's go."

I followed him out, still frowning. Then it hit me; he was on a mission to annoy me, to keep me on my toes. Victor would make a wonderful therapist.

"So, what do you want to eat?" he asked outside.

"Uh, I guess I'll have whatever Anya and them are having," I shrugged.

"We're not going back to school," he pointed out.

"Yes, we are. It's lunchtime. I promised to talk to them at lunch."

He shook his head and opened my door. I got in the car and waited for him to drive before I glared at him.

"You're taking me to school."

"Nope. You've done your time."

"I want to talk to my friends," I began angrily, then I tilted my head. According to my schedule, I had Biology right after lunch. "And I thought we said I wasn't running."

"You've checked enough boxes for the day. Let's do that one tomorrow."

"You don't get to decide that. I'm going back to school, Vic."

He sighed. "Fine. But remember, I tried to give you an out."

I sat back, then sighed. He really was trying to protect me as much as possible. "Thanks."

When we got to school, I waved and headed for the lunchroom. I paused and took a deep breath, then I stepped inside and viewed the room nervously. Everyone stared back, of course. Well, nearly everyone...my eyes flickered over to Warren's table of their own accord.

The basketball team immediately looked away, suddenly engrossed in their food. Warren, Ashley and Roger hadn't looked up at all. I instantly looked away - and smiled effortlessly as I saw Amber enthusiastically waving me over. I walked briskly over to their table and sat down, smiling automatically.

"Aren't you eating?" Anya asked curiously.

Oh, right. Food.

I would not think about what that would have meant...

"She's covered." I looked up as Victor set a tray before me and settled down next to me. "Wanna share?" he smirked.

I nodded in relief. Victor picked up a fry lazily as I started eating, and I smiled when I remembered Vincent and fries...

"Why's your hair about halfway shorter?" Anya asked.

I swallowed. "Um, change of style?"

"Looks good," she shrugged, then suddenly scowled at her food.

Derek dropped into the chair next to me with a careless grunt and grinned widely at me. "Hey, Belle! Long time!"

"Yeah, hi," I smiled back, then registered belatedly that he was sitting across from Anya, not with his arm around her as usual. "What's up?"

"Just glad to have you back. Dad wasn't much help where your condition was concerned." He grimaced for an instant then smiled again. "So listen. I meant what I said about helping if you need anything. I could catch you up on what you've missed so far?"