Page 25 of Unbidden

Once done, I dry myself off before wrapping the towel around me tightly. I exit the bathroom and make my way toward the front door, frowning when I realize my soiled clothes are gone.

Did Keaton grab my clothes for me?

Looking by the door, I see there is no pile of clothes like he said. Thinking I must’ve gotten the placement wrong, I search all over the bathroom. It isn’t until I realize my phone, which I set on the bench next to my clothes, is also gone that it hits me.

Keaton played me.

My heart hurts at the thought. He’d been sweet to me from the very beginning. I started to look at him as a friend or maybe even an annoying little brother. The fact that he would pull this shit after getting angry for the way Reed treats me shows me who he really is. It was all an act.

Sighing loudly, I peek my head out the door and find the halls are still empty. I’m debating my options when Tinsley rounds the corner, headed straight for me.

“Sage, what happened?”

Once she gets closer, I pull her into the locker room. “Long story. I need you to go grab me some extra clothes from the office.”

She gives me a questioning look. “The office doesn’t have extra clothes. Where are yours?”

“Fucking Keaton.” I shake my head.

“What did Keat do?”

“He said he would grab me a change of clothes from the office. While I was in the shower, he said he’d put them inside the door. When I stepped out of the shower, they weren’t there. Shit. What the fuck am I going to do?”

I start pacing. I can’t hide out in here forever.

“Keaton’s the one who told me what happened. Why would he come find me and tell me to come help you if he was going to mess with your stuff?”

“Why would he tell me the office kept extra clothes if they don’t?” I shoot back, hearing the biting tone in my voice. Taking a steading breath, I turn to her. “I’m sorry, Tins. I didn’t mean that the way it came out.”

“No need to apologize. You’re right. I don’t know why he would say that, but why would he send me to you if he was planning something bad? Either way, worrying about it right now isn’t helping. Class will start in ten minutes. We need to find your clothes.”

She taps on her lips as she thinks. I sit on the bench, resting my head in my hands. The hopeless feeling I felt before I saw Tinsley comes back full force.

Before I can lose myself to my depressing thoughts, Tinsley moves, drawing my attention to her. She walks up to one of the lockers, pressing her thumb to it. It clicks open, and she starts digging around.

“Yes! I have an extra uniform in here. It’s a bit wrinkled and it’s from last year, but I think it’ll fit you. Try it on.”

I look at her skeptically. “You’re at least five inches shorter than me.”

She shrugs. “It’s all I have.”

I sigh but start pulling the skirt on. It feels weird wearing a skirt without anything underneath, but I have no choice. I button up the shirt without a bra before tucking it in. Turning to Tinsley, I hold my arms out.

“What do you think?”

Her mouth falls open. “Damn, S. You have a killer body. You fill that out better than me.”

“The buttons look as if they’re about to pop, and you can see my nipples through the fabric. Add in the fact that the skirt barely covers my bare ass and… well, I look like the whore they claim I am.”

“Not at all. You look like a sexy vixen. The fabric is thick enough that you can’t see through it as long as your nipples aren’t hard. As for your skirt? Girl, your legs are a million miles long. I would kill for them. Just don’t bend down. You aren’t wrong about the length, but it makes your legs look amazing.”

“Really?” She nods. “Okay. Let’s get this over with, then.”

When we walk out of the locker room, the hallways are filled with students. It doesn’t escape me that more than one had their eyes glued on the door. We round the corner, headed toward the junior hall, when I notice Reed standing by a locker. He’s surrounded by Sterling, Finley, and Keaton.

Reed’s eyes narrow as he takes in my appearance. Keaton turns to see what his brother’s looking at. Once his eyes meet mine, he smiles, gesturing us over.

I go to walk right by them when Keaton grabs my arm.

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