Chapter 3

Averie's POV

'Ding. Ding.'

The shrill sound of the alarm echoed through the room, jolting me awake. I groaned lazily in irritation. It's already 6 a.m.? I could've sworn that I just closed my eyes a few minutes ago.

“Can you turn off the damn alarm, Averie?“ Lena spat, her voice was still groggy from sleep but sharp. “I don't know why you always set an alarm when you end up not using it.

Fair. I never used the alarm yet I never failed to set them. Force of habit?

I stretched toward the nightstand, my muscles protesting, and pressed the button.

I still feel weak, nauseous and my head is still throbbing with headache from the aftermath of last night's indulgence but I know I need to get up now. Classes start at eight and I really don't want to be late.

I pushed myself up, sitting on my butt and then memories of yesterday came rushing back.

“Is this how you seduce every guy that comes your way while you're in a relationship?“ Jace asked, his voice laced with a mix of disappointment and disbelief as he eyed me down.

My throat tightened. His words hurt more than I care to admit. But I didn't think I owe him any explanation or there is a need to tell him I have broken up with Julian.

“And is this how you fuck every girl that flirts you?“ I countered back, turning towards the door and hoping to get away from the high humiliating situation.

“You don't fucking walk out on me, Averie,” he growled, his voice stopping me in my tracks.

My body stiffened, the tension from him radiating off me.“

He stood in front of me. “And what's this crappy dress you're wearing, huh?“

Crappy? I didn't say anything. I couldn't.

He turned towards the door and stopped midway. “I won't tell your brother about this, so this shouldn't repeat itself,” he said over his shoulders and walked out of the room.

The moment the door shut behind him, I released a breath I didn't realise I was holding.

I walked back into the club. Bryan and Lena aren't back yet, so I just snatched my bag from the table, walked out of the bar and took a taxi to the campus.

I shove the thought out of my mind. I probably won't see him again, so it's fine.

Right?

Dragging myself into the bathroom, I took a fast shower and dressed in one of Lena’s newest picks: a deep red bodycon dress that hugged every curve and stopped dangerously mid-thigh. I paired it with black ankle boots and left my hair down for once. A touch of red lipstick completed the look.

I stared at my reflection in the mirror and I could barely recognise myself. I looked like sin and revenge. And maybe, just maybe this is what I needed.

Jace words echoed: Crappy dress.

I haven't seen him in years now and the first thing he did as soon as he got back from Manchester was to criticise me.

Asshole. And after he called me beautiful, too.

My nose flared up in anger. Who the hell is he to tell me what to do? Did he think he could tell me what to do because he is Cassian's best friend? From now on, I’ll wear whatever I want. I’ll be whoever I want. And he can go to hell.

“Ohh…” Lena mused as she stepped out of the bathroom with a towel wrapped around her head. She was naked and clearly unbothered. “Someone is learning fast. Jesus… you look like temptation, Averie.“

I blushed hard, and wink. “Thank you.“

Lena smirked. She blew her hair dry, dressed up and we stepped out of the dorm, slid into her car and soon we were at the campus.

My chest raced at the thought of bumping into Julian. I really don't know how to act when I do. I will just try to avoid him altogether.

The moment we stepped into the hallway, the air stilled, I felt every eye staring at me and then the whispers spread like wildfire.

“Julian broke up with her?“

“Tch. I knew he was just using her afterall.“

“Why is she now dressed like that?“

“I guess she's trying to seduce another hot guy?“

Then mocking laughter erupted.

My hands tightened around my bag straps, my legs grew numb and my head lowered to the ground.

They knew? But how…… Mira? That bitch.

“You all should mind your fucking business,” Lena's voice echoed through the hallway. Defensive. “Or do you want me to teach you guys some lessons?“

The hall fell into hush silence. They knew about Lena’s martial arts skills. No one dared test her. The crowd started to scatter until only a few lingered.

Then she took her hands in hers. “You shouldn't be the one hurting or ashamed, Averie. It should be that motherfucker who cheated on you,” she encouraged, her voice firm with quiet resolve.

I lifted my head, staring at her and managed a small smile.

“So lift your head, queen. Square those shoulders and walk like you own this campus.“

My smile widened as I did like she said. I felt my confidence returning in double folds. God knows I couldn't have done anything without Lena by my side.

From the corners of my eyes I caught Cassian walking towards the opposite direction.

Cassian is my elder brother, a final year student at Draycott and a member of the ice hockey club. He didn't come home for the summer break because his club had a competition with a rival club, so he waited behind for rehearsal.

“Cassian,” I called, waving happily because I have missed him a lot.

No answer. He didn't even look back.

“Cassian?“

Lena and I started trailing behind him and he was walking towards the school gym.

From his clenched fists and stiff posture, I could tell—he was furious.

He entered the gym.

Moments later, we followed suit and the sight before me was so chaotic that it ripped the air off my lungs.

Cassian was hitting Julian so hard that blood was dripping out of his nose while the other boys were trying to hold him back.

“You… bastard,” Cassian growled, after the boys had succeeded in pulling him back. “How dare you hurt my sister?“ He was breathing heavily.

Julian was sprawled on the floor, smirking, blood and spit drooling out of his mouth and staining his gym outfit.

“Oh… Averie. I bet she's still sulking, right?“ He sneered.

“What do you say, you asshole?“ Cassian pushed the boys holding him back and tried to lunge at him.

“That's enough!“

My voice reverberated through the room and everyone turned back at me.

Julian smirk disappeared. He was staring intensely at me, shock and disbelief plastered on his face.

I stepped closer to Cassian, took his bruised fists and pressed a kiss on it.

“He isn't worth it, Cassian. Don't waste your strength,” I looked back at Julian, “dealing with garbage.“

Cassian's gaze softened, his eyes filled with emotions. He cupped my cheeks, muttering, “I'm sorry… I should have protected you from the boys at Draycott.“

I nodded, forcing back my tears. “It's not your fault, Cassian. You did your best. You warned me enough but I was just too blind to see it and now I promise to follow your lead.“

He managed a tight smile and pulled me into an embrace, holding my head to his chest. A tear escaped from my eyes.

“No boys from now on,” he muttered. “Especially Draycott boys. I don't want my baby sister getting hurt ever again.“

“No boys,” I repeated.

We smiled and stayed in the embrace.

“What's happening here?“ A voice rang out and we pulled apart.

I wiped my tears with the back of my hands and when I turned it was Jace.

I blinked.

What?

“Hey, man,” he said, shaking Cassian and giving him a side hug.

I swallowed past the bile rising in my throat as his gaze burned into me.

“I came as soon as I received your text,” he said.

“I'm sorry to disturb your rest,” Cassian said. “I just wanted to talk about your brother, Julian. He hurt my sister but it's fine now.“ His gaze shifted towards Julian, whose head was lowered to the floor. “I realise he doesn't even deserve her in the first place.“

“Ohhhhhh… Julian?“ His gaze shifted to Julian and then back to me. “He hurt Av…erie?“ he said, his voice low.

I could swear that my heart just skipped a beat at the way he called my name. Like he named me. Owned me.

“I'm sorry about that. I will talk to him.“

Julian stood up, hissed and stormed outside.

“Hi Averie,” he said.

“Hi Jace,” I muttered back.

His lips curled slightly. “It's been a while, Averie," he said, his voice smooth like we didn't see each other last night. "And it looks like we will be seeing more of each other now.“

He smirked. “Because I go to school here now.“