Chapter 34
1569words
I didn't know what I had done to piss Scarlett off so much. She was still avoiding me and hadn't replied to any of my messages come Thursday lunchtime. What pissed me off most wasn't that she had been blanking me but that she had been sticking to Asher like fucking glue. So much so that it had been impossible for me to get her alone since our little encounter yesterday. This morning, Asher had picked her up, walked her between classes, and sat with her for both break and tutor.
I walked behind them now, a face like thunder as they headed into the common room for lunch. Scarlett tucked under his arm like a fucking pet. I knew it shouldn't have got to me as much as it did, but the guy was a complete tool. She could do so much better. She should be with me. He would never be able to make her feel the way I could.
I trailed after them into the common room, breaking off to take my usual seat, ignoring everyone around me, my eyes locked on her. Surely she wasn't doing this just to piss me off? She didn't have feeling for him, did she? I didn't like the way he was looking at her, the way she was smiling at him. I had to drag my eyes away; otherwise, I would do something stupid that was only going to make the situation worse.
“Hey, Loki,” Cheryl called, appearing in my line of sight. She fluttered her eyes at me, her nose significantly smaller than when I had last seen her.
“Why am I look at you?” I question rudely, frowning up at her—Perry, who had been sitting beside me, choked on a laugh. Cheryl looked down at her shoes with fake sadness. Great, I had to deal with this now too? How was my day going to get any worse?
“I wanted to apologise to you for what I did to Storm. I feel really bad about it,” She sniffs, her eyes brimming with unshed tears.
“It's not me you should be apologising to,” I dismiss, seeing straight through her act. She was trash, and everyone knew it. I only slept with the girl because she was hot, but her personality easy lowered her down to a three out of ten. She was so fake and bitter it was really not worth the trouble.
“I've tried to reach out to Storm myself, but she's been very difficult to get a hold of,” Cheryl sighs over dramatically.
“You traumatised her, and she won’t talk to anyone but Scarlett half the time. She won’t even come to school since you got back,” I blurt. Shit, I shouldn't have said that. It was not my place to blurt my sister business. But a part of me was glad she knew, at least then maybe they could move forward, and Storm could finally get back to normal.
“I had no idea... I'm so sorry, Loki. I'll talk to her. Maybe we can sort this out?” Barbie sighed, a single tear running down her cheek. She gave me a small, sad smile before walking away.
“Dude,” Peer disapproved, shaking his head.
“What?” I groan, turning to him.
“That was a little harsh,” Peer remarked. I roll my eyes at him, crossing my arms over my chest before turning to look back at Scarlett. “The world’s harsh mate, sooner she learns that, the better,” I shrug. Scarlett had clearly watched the exchange between Cheryl and me, but when my gaze moved back to her. She quickly looked away. Fucking Fantastic. I could only imagine the shit that was going through her head right now, despite the fact she had kissed Asher way more recently than I had last got any action. If she insisted on keeping this up with Asher, I was going to need to change the game.
(Scarlett)
Asher had been a literal Loki detractor all day, giving me some much-needed room to breathe. I was thankful for his attentions; it felt nice to be close to someone without the constant fear of repercussions. Asher was the perfect gentleman, and I really did enjoy his company. I dare a glance over his shoulder, to where I knew Loki had been sitting. To my shock and utter disbelieve, a girl was perched in his lap, her arm around his shoulder, hand on his chest. He was smiling up at her, his black eyes amused. It shouldn't have surprised me; Loki was who he was. But that didn't make it hurt any less.
I turned away from him, suddenly feeling like I was going to vomit. It wasn't as if he was kissing her or anything, and she was just sitting on his lap...with her hands all over him. Loki. The guy who only yesterday had made me feel so special gave me such pleasure.
“Scarlett?” Asher, puzzled, his voice filled with concern. I started to feel really hot, my head dizzy. Was I going to throw up or pass out? I didn't know. All I knew was I needed to get out of here. I dared one more glance at Loki. Asher's gaze following my own, then snapped back to me. But his beautiful amber eyes were not hurt; they were filled with worry and sadness for me. I didn't deserve his pity.
I pushed out my chair out so fast that it fell over, the chair bouncing across the room. I didn’t care; I felt like my head was going to explode, and my lunch was going to come pouring out of me. I needed to get out of here. So I did. Ignoring all the gawking faces, I stumbled out of the common room and down toward the second nearest toilet block. My tears were already falling before I got halfway down the corridor.
I didn't know how long I spent in the bathroom, I had tried to vomit, but nothing came out. The sick feeling in my stomach never failing. I had ended up crying for what felt like hours alone on the bathroom floor. When I finally had no more tears left to give, I tried and failed to remove my makeup with water and paper towels—only seeming to spread the smudges and make my face red. Eventually, I gave up. The bell rang. But I didn't bother to move.
I had left my bag and phone in the common room. Meaning I would have to go back up there and get it looking like a fucking mess. I couldn't try to reapply more makeup as that was in my bag or call someone to help, not that there was anyone to call when Storm was still at home. I sighed. Staring at my reflection with disgust. What had I gotten myself into?
A gentle knock on the door had me jumping out of my skin; I turned around, bracing myself on the sink. When I didn't reply, it came again. I stared at the door like there was a fucking monster on the other side.
“Scarlett,” Called a familiar voice. Asher. I almost laughed; I was so relieved. Still, I looked like a fucking mess, and I didn't want him to see me this way.
“Yeah”, I called back, my throat raw from crying.
“Can I come in?” he asked. When I didn't reply straight away, he pushed the door open enough to reveal my bag. I almost laughed out laugh. This guy could not be real. Without another word, I walk to the door and pull on his wrist. Making him stumble into the bathroom, locking the door behind him.
“Thank you”, I mumble, offering a weak smile.
“Don't mention it,” He shrugs, holding out my bag for me. I take it gratefully, turning to the bathroom mirror. I placing my bag in the sink before rummaging through it. I pull out my makeup bag and a couple of makeup wipes. Dabbing them gently ageist my sore skin. I notice Asher leaning awkwardly ageist the wall behind me, his hands in his pockets.
“I don't understand why you’re being so nice to me,” I remark, his eyes meeting mine in the mirror.
“I meant what I said; I'm here for you regardless of what we are,” He admitted, a smile tugging at his lips.
“Even if I started to bitch and moan about Loki?” I counter, raising a brow at him.
“Hell, I'd probably join in. He is my compaction after all,” Asher encouraged, his amber eyes dancing with amusement.
“He’s got nothing on you,” I sigh, chucking the used makeup wipes in the bin before going back to the mirror to start applying it again.
“I'm glad you think so. But that doesn't change the way you look at him or how he looks at you,” Asher considers. I cringe. I had hoped to spare Asher that little detail. But it seems he was more observant than I gave him credit for.
“Loki is nothing more than a player, and he's proven that today. I don't want to be another pawn in his games,” I declare. Feeling the fight flow through my veins once more.
“Then don't be. You’re a queen among pawns, Scarlett. If you wanted to, you could take every piece on the bored,” Asher beams. Meeting my gaze in the mirror once more.
