Needing to take my mind off everything, I send a message to the group chat with the boys, looking for a sparring partner. They all respond quickly, seems we’re all on edge with things at the minute.
I only wish there was a chance it would get easier.
CHAPTER NINETEEN
(Luna)
The weekend goes too quickly, probably because I spend so much of it sleeping, but it was definitely for the best. Even though the bruising hasn’t eased much the pain is a lot more bearable.
Rafe left on Saturday evening, giving my keys for Dot to West, to make sure I didn’t go riding before I should. Assholes. It didn’t stop me going down to the garage to check her over. Seems someone else in Ace had a thing for bikes too, seeing as there was a Suzuki Hayabusa parked in the garage too. The speed of that thing had me leaning towards Oscar, he seemed the craziest.
I refused to let West continue to stay, I can take care of myself. If they wanted to keep it low key that I knew him, then it’d be better if he wasn’t seen staying, especially as he’s a tutor. I just had to check in every five fucking minutes but at least it got him out of my hair.
He’d also encouraged me to reach out to Jake, he’d been bombarding both Rafe and West with questions about me, but I didn’t really know what I was supposed to say to him. Jake isn’t high up the list of my priorities.
The guys and Red had popped in and out, always coming together to save me the effort of constantly getting up. It feels strange, other people caring. I don’t know what it is about these guys, but it feels like my soul needs them, and it’s clear I might need their help surviving this place.
Everyone encouraged me to take longer to recover but come Monday I was dressed and ready to go. I refused to apply any make-up, even though the guidelines actually come with a section on covering bruises, like it’s completely natural. I want them to see their damage, and I want them to see I’m not afraid to hide. As much as Rafe wants me to hold back, I won’t completely lose myself to a fake persona. How is the worst part of all this, still having to wear these stupid heels?
Red came by early this morning, and we enjoyed breakfast together in peace. A knock at the door tells me the guys are here and we need to get going.
“Are you sure this is a good idea?” she asks, again.
“Red, I’m not spending another day in this room, okay?” I sigh, fed up with having to repeatedly answer the same question.
She raises her hands in surrender with a guilty look on her face, before opening the door. I don’t let them hover long enough to try and step inside, because they’ll likely join Red’s tactics and force me to stay here.
Oscar tentatively wraps his arm around my shoulder, leading me to the elevator. No one says a word until the lift closes behind us. Roman goes to open his mouth but Red interrupts.
“Don’t bother, I already tried. I think If one of us asks her to stay here again, her brain might explode.” She’s saying it to the guys but looking at me.
I offer her a smile in thanks. She might not agree with me, but she’ll stand by me no matter what. It’ll be interesting to see if the guys do too.
Roman stares me down, and I hold my gaze right back at him. Eventually he releases a sigh and offers me a small nod. The tension I was holding in my shoulders relaxes. He would have put up the biggest argument, so I’m glad it was avoided.
Kai steps in front of me and gently cups my chin.
“Whatever you need Sakura, just say the word,” he murmurs, and kisses my forehead. I love his delicate touches.
Oscar offers me a squeeze, with his arm still around my shoulder.
“We got you baby girl.”
I roll my eyes, ready to explain to him exactly how independent I am.
“Luna, we know you don’t need us, before you start your lecture. Just humor us, okay?” Parker says with a slight grin on his face. Pleased with himself because he can read me so well.
“Fine,” I say, giving him the stink eye and sticking out my tongue.
The elevator doors open to a surprisingly quiet lobby, even the guys are glancing around for Wren and her puppets. Linking my arm through Red’s we head for the exit, my pace slows as we near the glass doors.
“What the…” Oscar murmurs behind me, as we all take in the sight outside.
I step outside, to see the entire student body standing nervously around the water feature, all crammed in. With Wren in the center, her bitches and a few guys I recognize from Diamond with her, including Tyler from the last combat class.
Red squeezes my arm tightly, as I feel one of the guys step up to my other side. I hold my hand out though, to stop them from going any further. I wanna see what this smug bitch thinks she’s going to achieve here.
“I’ll lay them all out Princess, with pleasure,” Roman murmurs. I should have known it’d be him to step up for a battle first, but I refuse to move my gaze from Wren’s.
“I know, but we need to be smarter, not that it’ll be too hard. Now just isn’t the right time.”
Before he can respond, Wren starts clapping.
“Guys and girls, I gathered you all here today, to show you what it looks like when a whore doesn’t know her place. Please take a look at exhibit number one,” she says grinning at me. I can feel hundreds of eyes taking in my bruised face and legs, but nobody utters a word.
I loosen Red’s grip on my arm and push her behind me toward
