Page 19 of Unbidden

I sigh, turning to the mirror, then gasp as I take in my appearance. A long red scratch is faintly bleeding across my right cheek. I hesitantly reach up and touch it, wincing from the sting. I look around for a paper towel but curse when I remember that along with the fancy school came air dryers in the bathrooms. It was meant to be a green initiative, but for moments like this, it’s a major downfall.

Running my hand under the tap, I gently wet my cheek and wipe the blood away.

The warning bell rings, causing me to jump. My heart is beating frantically as I try to soothe my nerves. I wait until I feel calmer before exiting the bathroom. The bell for class rang two minutes ago, so the empty halls don’t concern me. Instead, they provide comfort knowing I have a couple more minutes alone before I have to face the lynch mob again.

I make it through another class before being bombarded by Tinsley and V.

Tinsley doesn’t even let me make it to the table before she questions me. “What happened to your face?”

I sigh, taking a seat next to Victoria.

I knew I should have skipped lunch today.

“Nothing. It’s fine.”

She narrows her eyes, and I can tell she won’t let it go.

“I hit it on my locker. I’m clumsy sometimes. Seriously, no biggie.” I shrug and turn to my food.

I don’t see the point of getting both her and Victoria worked up over it, even if I hate to admit that I’m still a little shaken up from the violence and hatred in Ingram’s eyes.

“Well, I can at least fix that for you.”

Tinsley jumps over the table, sitting next to me. She starts pulling items from her purse.

Once I recognize the concealer, I put my hand up to stop her. “Whoa, there’s no need for that.”

She pushes my hand away. “Quiet. Let me do my work.”

I shoot Victoria a wide-eyed look, but she only shrugs. I glance back to Tinsley and see the excitement in her eyes.

“I’m such a sucker,” I mumble to myself. “Go on. Do your thing.”

She lets out a low squeal. “Trust me. Once I’m done, you won’t even be able to tell you had a mark.”

I don’t respond, instead closing my eyes to let her work. After a few moments, a voice from behind me startles me, and I fall backward.

“What’re you doing, Tin Tin?”

My ass would have been firmly planted on the floor, but a pair of strong, masculine arms catches me instead.

“Well, who do we have here? You really need to stop falling for me, little fox.” Keaton’s smiling face greets me as I look up, still locked in his arms.

Rolling my eyes, I stare into his. “Get over yourself, Keaton. Can you let me go now?”

Keaton stands up straight, pulling me out of my chair to stand with him. Instead of letting me go, he tugs me closer to his body.

“Come on, foxy lady. Why don’t you stay in my arms a little while longer?”

I want to be mad at him, but seeing the childish gleam in his eye and the flirtiness in his tone makes me want to laugh instead.

“You’re being ridiculous. Is this the only way you can get a woman? Accost her while she’s unsuspecting?” Resigned to the fact that he isn’t going to let me go, I lay my arms on his shoulders.

He shrugs. “Not usually, but when she’s extremely gorgeous, I’m willing to put in some extra work.”

Resting my head on his shoulder, I burst out in a full-body, ache-in-my-stomach laugh, one I haven’t used since my mom passed away.

I can feel the deep rumble of his own laugh as he rubs his hands up and down my back, holding me to him.

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