Page 37 of Scorched

Kendall touched Elise’s arm. “Is that why your makeup is all smeared? I didn’t want to say anything.”

Elise scrubbed at her eyes and gave a shaky laugh. “That bad, is it?”

“No, not really, just a little black around the corners. But your eyes are a little red-rimmed, too.” Kendall’s lips compressed into a line. “Does your bad day have to do with what happened in class?”

Alex stepped closer. “Caesar was out of line. He shouldn’t have threatened you.”

Paul sent a piercing look at Elise. “What happened in class?”

She shrugged, her lips twisting. “One of my students has anger management issues.”

Alex harrumphed. “Understatement of the year, if you ask me.”

Every protective instinct in Paul rose with the hairs on the back of his neck. “Was he the kid being chased across campus by the campus cop?”

“You saw that?” Alex’s eyes widened.

“Yeah.” Paul’s gaze remained on Elise. “I spoke with the police officer, too.”

Kendall nodded. “That would be our Caesar. Jumped out of the window of the classroom when Officer West came in. Did he catch him?”

“Unfortunately, no.” Paul faced Elise. “Could he be the one who threw the brick?”

Elise shrugged. “I told you, I don’t know. I didn’t see who threw it. Like I said, I was looking in the rearview mirror.”

Looking for him. Paul could have kicked himself for not tailing her more closely.

“Brick?” Kendall latched onto the word, her gaze on Elise’s pale face. “Someone threw a brick? Did it hit you?”

“No, it didn’t hit me. It did hit the windshield of my car,” she said, her voice low. She shot a glance toward the hallway where the boys had disappeared.

“I’m glad you’re okay, anyway.” Kendall wrapped her arms around Elise and hugged her. “That jerk should be kicked out of school.”

“Alex, are you gonna come see my Spider-Man?” Luke called out from his bedroom.

Alex grinned. “Guess I better check it out.”

Elise gave him a wan smile. “Thanks.”

Alex sauntered down the hall, peering into the open bedroom doors. “Where are you, Luke?”

“In here!” Luke shouted.

Before Alex arrived at Luke’s door farther down the hallway, he came to a sudden halt in front of Elise’s bedroom door.

“Wait, Alex!” Elise lunged toward the teen.

Paul realized their mistake at about the same time as Elise and they collided at the entrance to the hallway.

Alex stood transfixed, staring into the bedroom. “Wow, Ms. Johnson. Someone did a number on your wall.”

“It’s nothing.” Elise reached for the door handle, but before she could close the door, Kendall ducked around her and entered.

“Holy crap!” the blond-haired teen said, her jaw-dropping. “Who did this?”

Elise stared at Paul, her eyes pooling with more tears. “I don’t know.”

“Oh, my God!” Kendall’s hand covered her mouth. “Does this have to do with the woman they found dead? She was a blonde, wasn’t she?” Kendall faced Elise, her eyes wide. “Was this why you were all creeped out when I stopped by the other day?”

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