Total pages in book: 110
Estimated words: 104239 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 521(@200wpm)___ 417(@250wpm)___ 347(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 104239 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 521(@200wpm)___ 417(@250wpm)___ 347(@300wpm)
I can’t keep overthinking everything. I’m going to drive myself insane. “Sure.” I pick up half of them, all thick hardbacks, then follow her to where Brittney is waiting.
Her eyes widen a smidge like she’s surprised to see me. “Hi, there. I’m glad you’re here. I was hoping you would stop by.”
Are these people for real? Why would either of them be glad to see me?
“This is maybe one of two places in the whole school where there isn’t anybody threatening me—no, three. Dr. Lauren’s office.” I don’t count Lucas in that because I don’t think I can. I’m sure he’s come up with a new reason to hate me by now. Otherwise, how could he go a week without checking to see if I’m okay?
“You can always come here,” Brittney assures me. I believe her, too. I’m not used to people being so sincere, with nothing in it for them. That’s how it is, too. I have nothing to give her, nothing to give either of them. But they’re so nice to me anyway.
Before long, Brittney makes an excuse to go back to her desk for something or other, leaving Aspen and me to finish shelving the books they cataloged. She slides a look my way before ducking her head, her hair falling on either side of her face, so I can’t see her expression. “I’m sorry for what happened. After you left here, I mean.”
“Everybody knows about it, huh?”
“If I hadn’t helped you leave, it never would have happened.”
“Yeah, well, it did.” But then, because I feel bad, I add, “It wasn’t your fault.”
And because I don’t want to talk about this anymore, I pick up a historical fiction book featuring a woman in a gorgeous ball gown standing with her back to me. It’s so beautiful I don’t want to put the book down.
“Oh, that’s a good one.”
“Have you read every book in this library?” I ask with a laugh.
She doesn’t take it as an insult. “Maybe I have. Maybe there was a long time when I had nothing else to do. I know what it’s like to have to hide out.”
I wish it wasn’t so easy to like her. It would be a lot easier if she was the snide little bitch I imagined her to be. Maybe it’s my need for friends. I’m just that desperate.
“What the fuck is this?”
I drop the book on the floor, where it lands with a loud bang. Quinton is glaring at me, his breathing heavy enough to remind me of a bull about to charge. Like the very sight of me standing anywhere close to Aspen is enough to make him crazy.
“It’s all right. We were just putting books away. Nothing to get upset about.” Aspen places her hands on his chest. He only grunts, glaring at me. “She was helping Brittney and me.”
“Right. Just like she was only being friendly before.” I hear his frustration with her, and I almost feel sorry for him for a moment. He loves her—that much is obvious. He’s a complete prick, but I do believe he wants what’s best for her, and as far as he’s concerned, I don’t fit the bill. I can’t blame him for that after what I’ve done. I wish I could go back and undo it, but then, I wish a lot of things were different.
“I don’t want you anywhere near her, got it?” He even pushes forward and gets in my face, the jerk. “Tell me you understand, Delilah.”
“Would you please stop?” Aspen hisses, tugging on his arm. “It’s not worth this big deal you’re making it out to be. She didn’t do anything to hurt me.”
“Maybe not yet, or this time. But we all know what she’s capable of.” Funny, but I’m not scared the way I used to be. Maybe I’m beyond that point. Too numb. Too tired.
“Let’s get out of here, okay? I can always come back later.” I almost feel sorry for Aspen as she steers him from the row we’re in, casting a sorrowful look my way.
He turns, his eyes blazing as they pin me in place. “You don’t belong here, and I think it’s time you realize that before someone makes you.”
Terrific. Not like I didn’t know he put Ren up to that little spectacle in the lunchroom, but I didn’t need to be proven right. I hear the two of them quietly bickering as they leave the library, their whispers fading into silence.
I finish shelving the books for lack of anything better to do, taking the historical fiction Aspen recommended before mumbling an excuse to Brittney and heading out again. I don’t belong anywhere.
There’s not a place in this school where I’m safe except in my room, and even then, there’s always the chance of somebody with a master key finding a way in. Like Lucas, though, I’m not sure if he’s the worst or least of my problems anymore. He insisted I come here. I hope he’s satisfied when they find me dead.