Page 150 of Ominous: Part 1
Tomorrow,I’ll make sure she can’t ignore me.
26
Eden
Eli:Don’t ignore me today. Please.
I smile at his pleading. It’s been four days since he told me to leave his house. I managed to ignore him when he came to the gym, Monday, and yesterday, inventing questions to ask Ms. Romano after Latin to stall for time. I crept through the hallways like a ghost, I haven’t responded to any of his increasingly frequent texts, and something about it all… gets me a little high.
I click my phone screen off and push it into the front pocket of my backpack, heading for my bedroom door.How long will you chase me?Do you feel this dizzying, all-consumingneedfor me like I do you? I’ve kept it in check with writing and poring over Bloor’s course catalog and readingThe Book of the Lawand working on my Chaucer paper.
With thoughts of Nic, and spiraling, and embarrassment.
Those little reminders help me strengthen my resolve.
Keep begging.
I brush my hair behind my ear, pulled into a low, messy bun, then flip my wrist, sliding the dozens of black jelly bracelets down my inner forearm.
Tracing the three letters carved into my skin, pale white and faded, I feel my face grow hot with the memory.
This time, I want someone to bleed for me.
I glance at my other hand, trailing my eyes over the back of my wrist. It’s no longer swollen, no bruise, no discoloration,but I remember.
My heart picks up speed.
I feel a sick thrill, knowing he could hurt me if I made him.
Dangerous,getting high off of his violence.
I reach for my door, trying to forget my scars and Eli grabbing my wrist, and I flip the lock, pulling it open and stepping out into the narrow hallway.
Sebastian is walking by, surprisingly since it’s still so early, and he turns to face me, looking over his shoulder, a hand cupped over his mouth as he coughs. It’s a hoarse sound, his eyes red-rimmed, his golden hair oily and hanging in his face. His lip ring is gone.
He glances over my Trafalgar uniform—the pleated, plaid skirt over my black boots and silver, calf-high socks. The black polo, buttoned all the way up. It’s another hot day, and I’ve got my gray sweater stuffed into my backpack, but I know I’d just sweat right through it, so I didn’t put it on.
And the skirt… it’s the first time I’ve worn it. I know Eli is obsessed with my thighs and my ass.I want him to see me, as I ignore the fuck out of him.
“Did you invite him here?” Sebastian asks, his voice cracked as he drops his hand from his mouth. His fingernails are stained yellow from nicotine.
I frown, confused. “What? Who?”
His brows knit together and he shakes his head. “You want me to tell him to leave?” There’s something vaguely threatening in his tone.
I glance down the hallway, seeing nothing. Paranoia lights through me, my heart racing. “What are you talking about?”
Sebastian narrows his eyes. “Your little boyfriend is here to give you a ride. He was knocking on the door at seven this morning, when you were in the shower.”
Are you fucking kidding me?
“I’m gonna tell him to get the fuck out.” Sebastian turns from me with my silence, but I reach for him, grabbing his clammy skin.
He stills, spinning around to face me as I drop my hand, his face expectant, lips pressed together.
“Eli.” I say the word like I never have before. “You’re telling meEliishere?”
A voice carries from down the hall.Reece.I can’t hear any response, but I know that’s because Eli keeps his words quiet.
