Page 26 of A Drop of Anguish
Prince Jarron has returned to Shadow Hills Academy, and everyone is watching to see what I will do.
Jarron sits in his usual spot, with the chair next to him empty.
That used to be mine.
My heart continues to race as I stop next to the Elite table. Part of me wants to keep walking and pretend like none of this is happening. Jarron didn’t come specifically to see me. If he had, I’d have spoken to him already. At the very least, he’d have sent a note or something, giving me a heads-up about his return.
Nope. I’m more shocked than anyone else.
So, I fully consider turning my heel on the issue and pretending not to care. But Jarron is more than an ex, and what’s between us is more than school drama. I don’t want this awkwardness to linger any more than it must.
“Candice,” a low voice says. My attention twists away from Jarron to another familiar face on the other side of the table.
“Laithe,” I say, surprised. He’s sitting in Trevor’s usual seat across the table from Jarron. The seat next to him is also empty. That’s where Bea would usually sit—when not right in Trevor’s lap.
That’s another reminder of how much has changed.
Auren is back too, I note, her icy gaze a tad less cold than usual, but I can’t spare the attention. I’m too distracted by the demon prince’s emotionless stare.
“You’re back,” I say as casually as I can manage. “Both of you.” His expression doesn’t change. No smile or nod or acknowledgment of any form. Though his body is positioned in a casual posture, it almost seems rehearsed. His body is rigid. I can feel the pressure building inside of him, like he might explode out of his skin if he moves.
My fingers begin tapping on my thigh nervously. I’m not sure what to do, especially with Jarron’s tension.
“It’s good to see you.” Laithe bows his head slightly.
“Same to you. Is everything all right?”
“As well as can be expected. No news on the Mr. Vandozer situation, I’m afraid.”
“I see,” I murmur. When I glance back at Jarron, he’s examining me. “I’m… gonna go sit. I’ll see you guys around?” I ask, aiming for a hopeful tone.No big deal. No drama to be found.I force a smile.
Jarron’s hands are in tight fists. He still doesn’t respond, and it leaves me wondering what is going on in his head.
“I’m sure you will,” Laithe answers for him.
Finally, I tear myself away from the most awkward conversation of my life. The moment I face Janet and Lola, I give them a shocked expression but quickly smooth out my features and hide it all. I flop into my seat, staring at the table, mind entirely blank.
Lola flutters onto my shoulder and leans in close. “Are you okay?” she whispers.
Nope. So much nope that I can’t even speak the word. I can feel the blood pulsing in my head, which I assume is a bad sign.
I don’t know what I feel, but absolute shock is the biggest. There’s a whole hurricane of other emotions in there too. Longing, sadness, hope, terror, pain, adoration. I’m not sure what to make of Jarron’s reaction, which I think is part of my internal panic. And it sure didn’t help that all of this happened right in the middle of the damn lunchroom, where I have the most witnesses.
I finally pull in a long breath and release a little bit of my tension.Holy crap.All right, well, at least that bit is over with. I don’t know what will happen now, but Jarron is back. That’s probably a good thing in the long run. I’ll be less of a target with him around.
Plus, maybe he and I can figure out how to be friends again. Because even though I’ve learned that my sister was his soulmate—my stomach twists, and my mind shuts down.Shit,all right, I’m not ready to face that one yet.
Every time the thought even crosses my mind, blinding pain shoots through me.
I rub my chest absently. The pain is intangible, but my chest is still super tight.
Okay, so even though we can’t be together, we still care. That’s still true. It has to be. Even though he’s aloof, he’s still Jarron.
A high-pitched whoop rings out through the room, and my attention darts up just in time to find Thompson rushing toward me, paper in hand. His expression is open and eager.
He has absolutely no clue what just happened.
“I did it!” he hollers. “I passed, baby!” He slams a piece of paper onto the table and then wraps his arms around me.
