Page 21 of The Sweetest Revenge

My body went still. One chance. Just this one chance.

I pressed my forehead against the cold wall, gathering strength. I dug my shoe into the dirt, creating a small foothold. I pulled upward, every muscle screaming in protest. The root groaned under my weight.

Please, please, please.

The root creaked, a terrible warning sound as I threw my elbows over the edge, dirt cascading around me.

A choked sob escaped me as I reached for anything to grab onto. There was nothing. Headlights appeared in the distance, and judging by the speed, I guessed it was Mila.

The car skidded to a stop near Kacie's grave, and the car doors on each side flew open.

"I'm here," I shouted to Journey and Mila.

"Oh my fucking God," Mila cried out, racing to me.

They each grabbed an arm and pulled me out of the grave.

"What the fuck happened?" Journey's eyes widened as she took in my dirt-covered form, her breath coming in quick gasps.

"Zaiden." The name fell from my lips. I wrapped my arms around myself, shivering despite the warm night air. "Take me home. Please."

I stared at the grave one last time, then turned away. The need to wash away this night burned beneath my skin. Tomorrow. I'd deal with everything else tomorrow.

CHAPTER11

ARIELLA

Anger boiled through my veins as I stood in the shadows of the school hallway, watching Zaiden laugh and joke with his friends. I wanted to murder him. Any thoughts I'd had that Zaiden had any human decency disappeared last night when he left me alone in the dark, scared and cold, along with any lingering sympathy I'd had because he'd lost his sister.

He'd declared war.

I knew I wasn't as big and strong as him physically, so I'd have to be creative.

"I know you're plotting something." Mila leaned closer, her voice barely audible. "I can see it in your eyes."

I shrugged, tracking Zaiden's movements across the hallway.

"He's psychotic and deranged, Ari." Mila chewed her bottom lip. "You won't win."

She was right, but my rage consumed me, egging me on. Making me believe I was ten feet tall and bulletproof.

"Yeah," I muttered. "I need to figure out what he thinks I did to Kacie."

"Do you really think there's a reason?" Her brows pulled together. "I think he just needs someone to blame."

I shook my head. "I don't think so. I think there's more to it, and we need to find out what it is."

"How do we do that?"

I shook my head. "I'm not sure, but I think we need to get to Sterling." My gaze shifted, meeting Mila's. "Are you two still friends?"

"Yeah, of course." Her gaze twisted to the guys. "But I'm not sure he'll tell me anything. He's loyal to Zaiden and his team, and we aren't on his team. We belong to the football team."

I rolled my eyes. I didn't belong to anyone, but I wasn't going to argue about it either because I needed that protection right now. "Don't ask him straight up. Beat around the bush."

She nodded. "I'll try."

The hockey team dispersed. The hallway emptied except for Sterling and Zaiden, their footsteps echoing as they strolled our way. Memories of last night—dirt filling my mouth, darkness pressing down—surged forward. My muscles coiled. I shifted.

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