LOGINJUNE;The library was almost filled to the brim with students getting ready for the forthcoming exams. Heads bent low over open books, pens held in fingers and scribbling on notepads, pages flipping steadily. Soft murmurs and occasional sighs filled the library as everyone tried to soak in as much knowledge as possible before the big tests. I moved between the shelves in the back storeroom, sorting old catalog cards into neat piles, my fingers already dusty from handling and fixing the worn and dog-eared edges.Mrs. Brown had stepped out a few minutes earlier, informing the young lady that worked as the library attendant, Lilian, of some emergency she had. She didn’t even glance my way as she rushed out the door, I loved that she didn't anyway, her stares would do my mood no good. I exhaled heavily, my shoulders dropping as the tension in my neck loosened just a little. For the first time today, the storeroom felt a bit less like a cage.Lilian poked her head in from the main area
JUNE;Romy and I stood by the notice board, a few other students were present too. The examination timetable had been posted. I couldn’t wait to sit for my first examination at Westbridge Uni. Teacher Harold had just left the class. He took me by the hand and, in his words,“Your grades are really good, child. If you keep to it, I’m sure the scholarship would be yours. Even though I’m not sure you quite need it.” He gave a small laugh at the end.I understood, the old man had no idea I left the mansion, nor did he know how much I wanted this scholarship. I had read all through the night, just like every other night, and at this point I felt ready for the exams.“You not listening,” Romy nudged me. I snapped out of my thought and looked, “I think someone wants to talk to you.”“Who?” I asked, creasing my eyebrows. She motioned with her jaw behind me. I spun. Matthew. He stood there, mouth pouted, hair rough.“Go away,” I snapped. “I’m still not talking to you.” I moved, pulling Romy a
The humiliation burned fresh in her mind… the way Aria had spoken so calmly, the way others had stared. Selene’s jaw clenched tighter with every red light she passed. She turned into the long driveway of the villa, the grand house rose ahead, she had no minute to spare in parking the car religiously, rather she sped up, parking crooked right in front of the entrance. She killed the engine, pushed the door open so hard it bounced back, and dashed toward the heavy wooden doors. “Mom! Mom!” she yelled, her voice rang high in the early evening air. She lunged forward, each step a mark of the pain locked up inside her. Each step hard against the floor as she made toward the staircase, then the sound of a fork hitting against a porcelain bowl reached her. She stopped, turned to the direction, her mother sat there. Selene’s mother sat at the long dining table, slowly lifting the fork to her mouth. The woman chewed without hurry, her blue robe draped over her shoulders. She didn’t look
Selene Arkwright pushed through the heavy glass doors of the upscale gym, her yoga mat tucked under one arm and her water bottle swinging in her other hand, just like every other evening she felt like stretching out her body. She had done this walk hundreds of times before. Her curls had been pulled together into a ponytail, bouncing behind her with each step as she headed straight for the female changing room. As usual, she yanked open her locker, pulled off her light jacket, and stuffed it inside without folding it. The mirror on the locker door showed her reflection, tight sports bra, flushed cheeks from the short walk outside, and her designer leggings hugging her legs perfectly. She stepped out and made her way to the revolving passage door that led into the main workout hall. Selene smiled to herself, already imagining the stretch of her yoga class ahead. Yoga was one thing that kept her demons away. She would sit on the mat, stretch, and imagine herself with Ronan and a be
JUNE; “June,” he finally said, his voice low and rough, almost like it hurt to push the word out. He took another half-step closer, then paused again. “I… I didn’t know if you’d want to see me.” His fingers still tapping the key, like it was the only thing keeping him sane. I let go of the doorframe slowly, my palm sweaty. “You found me here. At Romy’s place.” My voice came out quieter than I wanted. “How?” He rubbed the back of his neck again, harder this time. “Doesn’t matter how. I just… needed to talk to you.” His eyes dropped to the ground once more, then lifted to meet mine again. “You’ve been avoiding my calls. I get it. After everything dad said to you…” “Your Dad!” I cut in, voice sharp, I was sure Ronan could detect how pissed I was. “Noted!” He replied, raising his hands in a mock surrender. “After the way I acted at the library… I figured you might not want me around.” The mention of his father made my stomach twist. Those cold words from Mr. Grayson still
JUNE;The rest of the week had been unfortunately uninteresting. But for some reason, it was one of the most peaceful weeks I had had in recent times. Well, aside from the harsh words and disdainful stares from Mrs. Brown at work, Matthew wanting to talk after each class, trying to explain he had a little bit too much to drink on the night he was pressing himself hard against me, and Ronan? He had stayed away. Completely away from me.I paused as the thought crossed my mind. My hand froze on the flat shoes I was shoving onto my right foot. The other hand gripped the sheets a little too tightly, wrinkling the fabric under my fingers. The knots started forming in my chest again, twisting and pulling until it hurt to breathe normally. The calls had stopped coming, each time my phone beeped during the week, I would rush to grab it, heart jumping into my throat, only to feel it sink when it wasn’t his name on the screen. I only saw him around Selene now, either she was tugging tightly o
RONAN;“Tell me now, Mariah!” I yelled. “What do you mean June's gone? Gone to where?”The lady was fidgeting, I had never seen her this scared, but if getting her really scared was all it took to get the answers I sought, then I was ready to become a daytime terror.“I don't know, Master Ronan… Sh
JUNE;“Tell me you're joking, Romy?” I went wide-eyed. Romy laughed, her eyes bright.“I honestly thought it was some jokes as well,” she nodded. “Yeah. Grandpa Zach got me the place… You know what's sweeter about the whole surprise thing? It's just down the street, a few minutes away from school.”
JUNE; School! That was the nearest place to run to; away from home, away from the mansion that was slowly becoming more hell than a home. I stayed locked up in the female convenience. Thoughts serenaded my mind, a few months back, Mom and I had each other, we were each other's biggest blessi
RONAN; “It's Natalie!” She grunted. Her voice roared in the roof. I turned to look at her and her eyes had even gone dim. She stood, one hand hidden behind her. She walked toward me, I didn't flinch. I stood my ground, she stopped an inch away from me. “Strip!” She yelled. I scoffed. Took a







