sense how lost I feel in places like this stadium without the protection of my big sister?
“More riddles, Marek!”
When I hit the gate, Breaker opens it, too happy to let me back through.
“I’ll be waiting for you to solve them all!” Marek shouts once I’m back in my seat, drawing even more attention to me. He shifts his helmet into place, but his grin shines through the face mask.
“What the hell was that all about? Did he just kiss you?” Now Delaney’s talking to me. She rambles off twenty more questions that I ignore because I’m too busy watching Marek on the field.
He steps out of the huddle, allowing his eyes to catch me in the stands, before taking his position on the field. I know nothing about the sport, except there’s tackling involved and everyone fighting over one ball.
“I never took you as a whore and a backstabber.” Delaney crosses her arms over her chest, closing herself off from me.
“You do realize I didn’t do anything, right?” I lean forward. She jolts back like I’ve slapped her.
“You were the only one who knew, Palmer.” Because maturity is always hard for any of us in a fight, Delaney makes the sophomore beside her trade seats.
If she wants to believe the lies, then there’s nothing I can do to change her mind at this point. Once the dust settles, she’ll be more reasonable.
Much like the rest of the world, Delaney has forgiven everything we know for certain about the boys. They’ve done unthinkable things, spread rumors and lies, not to mention, they’ve cranked up their intimidation. Marek has taken advantage of my body, tried to lure me in, only to push me back into the dirt.
Whatever they’ve done, they’ve turned my last lifeline against me.
But why? I wonder, lost among the cheers around me.
Marek catches a long pass from our quarterback, effortlessly plucking it from the sky and tucking it close to his body to run it to the end of the field. The crowd chants his praises as he holds up the game ball in celebration, pointing it directly at me.
My heart beats rapidly in my chest. Marek’s actions and words leave me confused and uncertain. Nothing he says or does lines up with the events of our falling out. I shouldn’t be in the stands, smiling at this prick, and in no world does it make sense for him to be entertaining me in any capacity. Yet, here we are.
Everything about this feels like a set-up. I’ve fallen for his charm before.
As soon as the clock ticks down to zero, I apologize to Delaney for ditching the after party. Breaker guards the gate like a rabid watch dog. I turn in the opposite direction and slink away without being noticed, anticipating the comfort of my fluffy pajamas and watching a sappy romantic comedy.
I pull my phone out and dial my best friend’s number. My call goes straight to voice mail. Three unanswered texts later, I realize she doesn’t want to hear from me. I won’t give up. Whatever trick these assholes have pulled on Delaney, I’ll find a way to fix it.
Halfway to the dorms, I realize how dark campus is this time of night. Unease slithers through me. Without the lights of the stadium, seclusion doesn’t seem as good of an idea. I glance over my shoulder to see the faint glow of the football field.
Fear will not defeat me, so I press on. A few feet down the sidewalk, a large figure appears between two huge oak trees.
Fight or flight.
Every nerve in my body screams at my brain to run, to get far away from this situation. The only problem is, my legs won’t move, my feet cemented to the pathway where the dark waits for me.
Dressed in black from head to toe, the person steps forward until we have only a foot between us. I lean down, hoping to see who it is, but something from a horror movie covers his face. In a desperate attempt, I reach for the mask but come up short, grabbing his collar instead. My fingers tangle around a silver necklace, nicking the sensitive skin when I jerk my hand away. The unique braided strands are unlike anything I’ve seen.
“You’ll do just fine.” The deep rattle in the man’s voice sends goose bumps on a chase over my skin until I’m covered.
His hands snatch my wrists, propelling me forward. Everything becomes a blur of moments, divided by my screams and my