Page 164 of Broken Ties (Rixon High 4)

I screamed, the sound reverberating around the Farises’ hallway.

“Sofia,” Cole cried, dropping to his knees beside her.

“Sofe, Sofia.” Aaron staggered back, gripping the balcony rail for support. Ezra gave Eli a hand, checking him over.

I couldn’t look at him.

This was all my fault. If I hadn’t gone with him, none of this would have happened.

Time seemed suspended, stuck in this nightmare, as Cole gently stroked Sofia’s face while we all watched on helplessly.

“W-what happened?” Sofia’s eyes flickered open as Cole cradled her head in his lap, staring down at her with utter fear in his eyes. “Poppy, what—” Her eyes landed on Eli who was bruised and bloody, and then snapped to Aaron as she seethed. “What the fuck did you do?”

“I… fuck. Fuck”. Aaron punched the wall so hard I flinched, swallowing a sob as Leigh hugged me tighter.

“Get him out of here,” Sofia snapped at Cole.

“But you—”

“I’m fine. Just get him away from her.”

“Sofe,” Aaron’s voice broke. “I didn’t mean—”

“Just go,” I said. “Please, just go.”

“Yeah, whatever.” Aaron shoved past us all and took off down the stairs.

“Are you sure you—”

“I swear to God, Cole, he needs you more right now than I do.” He helped Sofia sit up and hesitated, but she hissed, “Just go.”

“Fine.” Cole stalked off after Aaron, taking the air with him.

“Eli.” I pulled out of Ashleigh’s hold and rushed over to him. “I am so sorry.”

“Not your fault.” He winced as I ran my finger over his swollen eye.

“I can’t believe he did that.”

“How did you feel seeing him with Zara?” he asked.

“I wanted to kill her with my bare hands.” Anger unfurled in my chest.

“So it’s not that much of a stretch to understand why he tried to do the same to me then.” Eli managed a wry smile.

“It’s not the same, and you know it. He hurt you, Eli.”

I’d never seen Aaron so angry before.

Ever.

“He thinks he lost you, Poppy. He thinks we—”

“Yeah,” pain rippled through me, “I know.”’

“Look, I need to get some ice for my face and you need to go talk to him. From the way he just acted, I’m not sure you have the whole story.”

“What do you mean?” Sofia said, finally on her feet.

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