Page 32 of Missing

"Get to know you?" I scoffed internally, trying to keep my emotions in check. "And how am I supposed to do that when everything about this situation feels so fucking messed up?"

"By talking, spending time together, and giving us a chance," Orlando replied, his tone gentle but firm. "We understand this is difficult for you, but you could essentially date us?" He states like he is replaying the weather forecast for the week.

"Date me?" I snorted, a sharp burst of laughter escaping my lips. "Are you serious?"

Orlando nodded, his expression earnest. "Yes, we can date you first, and get to know you before you decide if we're worth bonding with."

"Fuck a duck," I muttered, crossing my arms over my chest defensively. "But don't expect me to fall all over myself for any of you."

I turned my gaze to Griffin, who looked as if he'd just bitten into a particularly sour grape. His face was twisted, and tension radiated from his rigid posture. Anger flared within me, fuelling my next words.

My voice was sharp and dripping with sarcasm as I snapped at Griffin, "If my very existence disgusts you so much, you don't have to participate." His response was strained, his Adam's apple bobbing in his throat. "It's not that," he said, struggling to find the right words. "It's just... I've never been in a relationship before and my head and heart are at war."

"Never dated?" I raised an eyebrow incredulously, trying to make sense of his confusing behaviour. "But just minutes ago, three girls downstairs declared themselves as your previous conquests," I pointed out.

"We never dated them," Griffin replied with a tone of conviction. "We would date people with powers equal to or greater than our own, and so far we haven't met any."

"Well, isn't that just lovely," I said with a sharp edge to my voice, rising from my seat and looming over him. "If that's the case, then let me open the door for you. Because if I remember correctly, I have four powers while you only have three. That makes YOU beneath ME."

Griffin sat there in shock as I continued to berate him, my finger pointing accusingly at his chest. "So please rise from my floor, peasant, and leave my humble abode," I commanded, using my finger to point towards the door.

He stared up at me with disbelief written all over his face. "That's not what I meant," he protested weakly.

With a sharp gesture, I point out the obvious to Griffin. His words echo in my mind, bouncing off the walls of my frustration like a never-ending game of ping-pong. "Oh, and how did you mean it then? You just said you don't date people below you, and 3 days ago that was me," I say, trying to make him see the absurdity of his statement. But it falls on deaf ears.

Griffin's head hangs low, his voice filled with regret. "Shit, that came out wrong."

"Nope, I don't think it did," I retort with a bitter edge. "I think you grew up entitled, knowing full well you would always be at the top. And now that you are, you expect nothing but top-shelf treatment. Well, let me set something straight for you. I come from a one-bedroom apartment in the shittiest part of town. My mother is a drunk who left me to fend for myself. I've spent years cleaning up her vomit and working 12-hour shifts at a local diner just to pay the rent and keep a roof over our heads while she was passed out on the floor." My voice trembles with emotion as I reveal the reality of my upbringing. "I may have four powers now, but I come from trash and will always be trash. So don't compare me to those self-entitled bitches that you clearly fucked for your own pleasure and amusement. Because compared to them, I'm even lower."

As I speak venomously, I can see Griffin shrink back on himself under the weight of my words. But before he can respond, Melody's touch on my arm stops me in my tracks. Her voice is quiet but firm as she speaks up. "Harper, you need to calm down. You're projecting your feelings onto Griffin and the rest of us in the room." Tears shine in her eyes as she rubs at her chest, trying to soothe the ache within.

"What?" I exclaimed, my eyes widening as I looked at her.

"You're projecting your feelings," she said softly, her voice filled with empathy. "We can all feel it, the pain you've been through."

I cursed under my breath, feeling ashamed for exposing my emotions in such a vulnerable way. "Shit, sorry Melody," I muttered, running a hand through my hair. "How do I stop it?"

Orlando chimed in, his deep voice resonating with wisdom. "Just take some deep breaths and focus on pulling them back in."

I followed his advice, inhaling deeply and concentrating on reining in my feelings. I had no idea if what I was doing was actually working, but Dante's sigh and slump to the floor assured me that it was. He spoke up, his tone heavy with remorse.

"You're right pup," he admitted. "We took advantage of our positions and treated those girls poorly. But in our defence, they were the ones who asked for it and said they were okay with just being physical."

"Dante is right," Orlando continued solemnly. "But we shouldn't have used our status to justify our actions."

My previous anger resurfaced at this statement, but it was quickly replaced by weariness.

"Damn right you shouldn't have," I retorted, my tone lacking its earlier venom.

"Please," Dante pleaded earnestly. "Let us prove to you that we're not a bunch of assholes."

Sighing heavily, I met his gaze and reluctantly agreed. "Okay," I said, though my expression made it clear that I wouldn't be easily won over. "But just so you know, I'm not the type to fall for roses and chocolates.”

Chapter 29

Dante Heed

The bell's shrill cry echoed through the room, announcing lunchtime and snapping me back to reality. My eyes landed on Harper, her slender frame sagging like a wilting flower in the middle of her room. The look of defeat etched into her pretty face was enough to make my heart ache.

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