Page 55 of Savage Sacrifice
Despite my desire to curl up in bed or find a way back home, I slip my feet into a pair of sandals and reach for my backpack. Looking at myself in the mirror, I can see the shadows under my eyes, confirming my lack of sleep, but I don’t have anything to hide it, so I’ll have to get over it.
Pausing by my bedroom door, my eyebrows gather as I ponder a thought that has been plaguing me since last night.Where did all of this stuff come from? None of it is truly mine, not from my previous life anyway. At least the clothes are cute.
I open my door to find Ben standing on the other side, fist raised, ready to knock, and he smiles at me. “Good morning,” he sings as he reveals his other hand from behind his back, offering me a chocolate croissant.
“Thank you,” I murmur, my stomach grumbling at the sight of it, and he grins.
I click the door shut behind me and he takes the lead, heading toward the staircase without a backward glance, knowing I’m going to follow him. As I go down the steps, I take a big bite of my croissant, considering that this new norm already feels like an old and familiar routine, which is strange.
It’s barely been a handful of days, but it feels like I’ve done this walk to campus with Ben a million times.
“Are you doing okay?” Ben asks as he steps outside, and I nod.
“I’m good. You?”
He eyes me cautiously and I smile at him. I don’t know whether it works, but he seems to accept my answer. For now at least.
“I’m okay. A slight headache from Bianca being super mad this morning, but otherwise, all is good,” he explains, and I frown.
“What’s wrong with her?” Likely nothing. It’s never anything other than selfishness with that girl, a fact I was already coming to realize before I regained my memories and knew for a fact what a bitch she is.
“It’s nothing I can’t handle,” he promises as we head down the street and I finish my breakfast. “Are you sure you’re okay? You seem… distant this morning,” he mutters, and I offer him another smile, hoping this one is stronger, but I know what he’s referring to.
The joy and excitement that usually carry me to campus and back are gone. The light and wonder in my eyes has dimmed. I don’t want to be here when there’s so much for me to deal with, and it’s showing in my silence.
“I’m good, Ben, honestly. I just didn’t sleep very well last night, that’s all,” I insist, and he scoffs, rubbing a hand at the back of his head.
“Damn, I slept like the dead last night,” he states, and my eyes widen at the irony, but I sink my teeth into my tongue, holding back the snicker that threatens to escape.
He was also passed out yesterday from a spell from the original witch herself, but I don’t say that. Although, it does remind me of the promise I made him, the one I’m determined to keep, and he’ll remember soon enough.
If that means I have to get over myself and focus on the task at hand, which is to blend in here like I have been doing, then that’s what I’ve got to do. All plans come with smaller roles. I just have to accept this is mine, for now.
“I have an hour break between my first and second class if you’re free to get a coffee?” I ask, and he nods.
“Does Wax and Beans work for you?”
“Definitely.” It’s my favorite spot, and he knows it.
“But I won’t be free tonight,” he adds, and I cock a brow in question. There’s a grin on his face and it feels infectious, causing the corner of my mouth to tilt up too.
“And why is that?”
“Because your man right here has a date,” he replies, dusting off invisible lint from his shoulder, and I giggle at his antics.
“Nice. Who might the lucky girl be?”
He rubs his lips together as his cheeks turn the faintest pink. “Bianca.”
“Bianca?” I blurt, instantly regretting it when he winces. “I’m sorry, that was rude. I just… I thought you were arguing this morning?”
“I know, and when she’s mad… damn, she’s even hotter,” he insists, and I shake my head in disbelief.
This guy has an unhealthy obsession with toxic women.
“You’re insane, but you can tell me your date plans over coffee, okay?” I say, and he holds his fist out for me to bump it before we part ways at the quad.
Just because I don’t like her doesn’t mean I can’t be a good friend, even if it does leave me in a state of shock.
