Page 49 of Rockwell Academy: The Twist

“Frankie Majerio, do you decide to stick or twist?”

It’s as if the air has deserted the dungeon, not that there is much in here, anyway. The flames flicker on either side of Santi via the torches and my heart beats rapidly as I wait for Frankie’s answer.

The chamber is as silent as a tomb until Frankie says loudly, “I choose–”

He pauses and I swear I will kill him with my bare hands if he is messing with me and then he says firmly, “To twist.”

A shocked gasp echoes around the chamber as Kennedy and Siri witness my ultimate humiliation. The guys remain silent as I stare ahead of me, not really understanding what just happened.

Santi says loudly. “As the master of the ceremony, I declare that Frankie Majerio and Cassandra King will leave as single students. The result is to twist. Please step to the side and remain silent while your fellow challengers decide.”

My head is buzzing and I’m not sure what just happened, but somehow I stumble to my feet and head to the wall, leaning against it, my eyes firmly fixed on the ground.

I willnotcry. I won’t give him the satisfaction of breaking me – but he has.

Frankie has shattered my heart and now I must stand beside him in silence, wishing like hell I could tear out of here and never lay eyes on his brutal beauty ever again.

22

FRANKIE

It’s done. The challenge has been reversed and I’m surprised at how heavy my heart is right now. It wasn’t an easy decision but a necessary one and the fact Cassie hates me is a lot to process.

I have broken us.

It was always going to happen because I have thought long and hard about this and always came to the same conclusion.

I will deal with her hatred, her anger and her disdain because it’s a necessary evil to bring the truth to light.

I watch Kennedy and Amos take our places, and as they kneel before Santi, their fingers remain firmly clasped. He repeats the same words and I’m amused when they both decide to stick. The fact Kennedy hated Amos and regretted even entering the challenge shows me that I was right to resurrect it. Kennedy always did judge people on face value and would never have given Amos a second glance, but he revealed a side to him that she loved and I’m happy for them.

As they join us against the wall, her venomous glare is directed firmly at me, and then she switches it up and stands beside Cassie, resting a comforting hand on her arm. They willall hate me - I’m expecting that and with a deep sigh, I watch Autumn and River replace them at the altar.

I don’t miss the hand River places on Autumn’s back, almost a warning not to step out of line. Along with most of the chamber, I hold my breath as Santi—ever the drama queen—turns to River for his decision first.

“I decide to stick.” He says gruffly, and I note the increased pressure on Autumn’s back as Santi turns to her. She appears nervous, her tongue finding her lower lip several times before she falters as he asks her the question.

“I–” She takes a deep breath and frantically glances at Kennedy, who nods solemnly. River pats her back reassuringly, urging her to stick and with a husky whisper she says softly, “I decide to twist.”

“What the fuck!”

River turns and glares at her and reaches out, grabbing her wrist in a show of dominance that will not be tolerated in the chamber.

“Fuck, Autumn, what are you thinking? Are you fucking delirious?”

Luca and Jesse step forward and pull an angry River away from a cowering Autumn, who flinches as River’s hand poises close to her face. Kennedy runs forward and grabs her friend’s hand and pulls her to safety between her and Amos.

River yells, “You fucking whore! I should have known.”

Before he can say anything else, I step away from the wall and hiss, “Take him to the cells to cool down.”

“Fuck you, Frankie. I’m going nowhere until that bitch tells me what she’s thinking of.”

Luca whispers something in his ear and I’m kind of surprised when River nods, hanging his head and allowing the two centurion guards to lead him meekly away. He doesn’t even lookback and I stare after them in surprise as I wonder what Luca said to cause such an immediate transformation.

Autumn is sobbing into her hands as Kennedy attempts to comfort her and Cassie pushes away her own problems and attempts to do the same, pulling her into her arms and murmuring words of encouragement.

The final couple of our challenge takes to their knees and I don’t miss the hatred flaring from Jack’s eyes as he cuts me dead with one angry glare. I resume my position, my attention now firmly focused on him because this will be an interesting question to answer.

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