Six

~Claire

The atmosphere at dinner was totally suffocating. It was nothing near what it used to be back at home. Even when mum and dad had their fights, our meals together were always magical — in my term at least.

But this? It felt as though it was the start of some sort of horror movie or something.

Rowan sat at the head of the table, his jaw tight and his eyes dark with frustration. He looked like he had alot to say to his son but didn't want to scare me off. Mum sat nonchalantly in her seat beside him, sharing her attention between her phone and her meal.

I was right when I thought she didn't love him but rather his money. It was always about the money.

And here I was thinking I'd known who my mum was — caring, jovial, supportive, hardworking. Turns out it'd only been the version she wanted us to see in her. This was actually her true colours after all. It hurt though.

It hurt that she was given men who obviously loved her, but she was in only for the money. It made me wonder what else I didn't know about the woman I called mother.

Jace lounged in his chair like he owned the world, his signature smirk plastered on his face as he gave his dad a daring stare. I shrugged back on my seat.

At least the attention wasn't on me.

I focused on my plate, pretending the tension in the room wasn't bothering me in some kinda way.

I mean, sure. I loved silence, but not the kind that had danger oozing all around it. I tended to stay away from such cases.

"Claire,"Rowan suddenly spoke, his voice breaking the silence. "How was your day?"

My fork paused mid air, and I glanced at my mother who was now looking at me, blankly then at Jace who had his eyes on me.

Swallowing the lump in my throat, I glanced over at Rowan who was offering a smile. "It was fine, thank you." My voice somehow managed to come out small again, but I guess everyone had to deal with the kind of person I was.

Rowan nodded, his attempt at a small talk seeming forced.

"School's to be resuming in two days. I and your mother have decided that you'll be resuming together with Jace,"his words had I and Jace simultaneously snapping heads in his direction.

"What...what do you mean?"I asked quietly, hoping it wasn't what I was thinking. There was no way I'd survive going to same school as that jerk.

"Excuse me, what?"Jace retorted, disapproval evident in his tone.

"What Rowan's trying to say is..."Helen paused, placing her palm over Rowan's which laid atop the table.

"You both are going to be attending Goldenrod Highschool together. We both thought it'd be best if you're together,"she continued, a smile that looked so fake, resting on her red painted lips.

I watched Jace's face change into different expressions under 5 seconds. Only one remained. A smug grin.

He was.....happy with the news?

"That's cool with me,"he spoke, resting back on his chair.

"Good,"Rowan spoke coldly before turning to face me, a warm expression on his face. "How bout you, Claire? Are you okay with it?"he asked me, and I swear it, I'd wanted to air out my mind.

But my mum had to send me that threatening look. Hanging my head low, I nodded slightly.

"It's fine by me,"I replied quietly.

"Then it's all settled,! I'll make sure to have everything ready before Monday,"Rowan commented, sounding somewhat happy.

"See? I told you she'd go along with it. Claire's such a sweet kid,"mum spoke and I blinked back the tears threatening to spill out.

She didn't care what I wanted. It was all about her.

"I'll be upstairs with Helen,"I heard Rowan say as he walked away, probably with Helen, but I didn't look up.

The long lasting silence made me wonder if Jace was gone too, but I looked up to see him absent on his seat.

Oh, I was right..... The thought was still in my head when I sensed someone behind me. He leaned down till I could feel his breath on my neck.

"Looking for me, Kitten?"he asked teasingly and I ignored my racing heart, making to get up and escape. I just wanted to be anywhere but around this guy.

He held me down by the shoulder, preventing me from moving like I intended to.

"Don't you think it's unfair, Kïttên? You come into my house, make my dad like you more than he'd ever liked me, sit with folded arms while your mum takes my mum's position, and now my school? You're stealing everything away from me. You don't think it's fair now, do you?"he taunted and I swallowed, feeling fear slowly crawl up my skin.

"It's not like that..."I let out, but it's barely even a whisper. "I don't even want to be here. I'd go home if I could."

He couldn't seriously think I wanted any of this, could he? Cause I was pretty much as mad as he was.

And steal? Hell, I didn't even want to be liked nor noticed by anyone. He was getting it all fucking wrong.

"Then go. Fucking get out. Run, and don't look back,"he whispered harshly against my ear and I felt like recoiling inside whatever thing I could find — a shell preferably.

"I can't,"my voice came out broken. I couldn't possibly go anywhere cause my mum would kill me. Dad wasn't around to defend me and if she could hit me back at home, I dreaded to even think of what she'd do now.

"I thought so too,"he laughed soullessly. "But we'll work on it and see if you don't reconsider,"he left a cold kiss on my nape.

I expected to at least feel disgusted, but.... tingles? I cleared my throat in an attempt to ward off the raging thoughts invading my head.

"I'll make you break so damn bad, you'd wish you never stepped foot into this house. Look forward to your moments of hell with me."

I gasped at the sharp pain I felt on my nape and I turned to look at Jace who was already retreating, a smirk on his face as he went.

The jerk fucking bit me!