5

Chapter 5

Adele Wilson

‘Thank you for the offer, but I don't think it'll be necessary’.

My fingers tightened around my phone, heart twisting in my chest, and my eyes glued to my phone screen, reading the message that I had typed,. intending to send it to Jason.

“Just give it up, Adele. You're already Chloe and Henry's target. This is the best thing you can do for yourself.” I whispered, wiping the texts.

I didn't go to the class, but went to stay on the rooftop until it was lunch break, and I headed to the canteen.

Almost all the students in the academy were already in the canteen by the time I arrived. All eyes fell on me the moment I walked inside, and as if gossiping about me would give them a pass mark, they did it with passion.

I strode to the counter to get my food, ignoring their whispers, then walked over to sit alone at a corner.

My eyes wandered around the canteen, and as I spotted Chloe walking in through the entrance door, my body went numb. For a second, the idea of escaping crossed my mind as it was the only way that I could get away from her, but I decided against it.

“Hey! Mind sitting with you?”

My eyes widened… Jason was standing in front of me.

The cafeteria’s overhead lights buzzed faintly, mixing with the metallic clatter of cutleries, but when Jason sat down with me, their murmurs faded in a thunderous silence.

“My hands are hurting.” Jason spoke again, drawing my attention to the tray in his grip.

“Oh… yes. Yes, you can.”

“Thank you.”

He pulled a chair across from me and sat.

My eyes met with Chloe's burning eyes, and I quickly looked away, swallowing nothing.

“They are going to talk, just ignore them.”

Jason said, digging into his food, and I nodded. I was used to it after all.

“Hmm.”

Jason lifted his gaze to me, and as our eyes met, a warm feeling coursed through my body, settling in my chest as it heats up.

‘Don’t blink, Adele. Don't’

I was afraid he'd vanish if I did. Jason Wolff. Sitting across from me?

“Henry is here.”

“I bet they are going to fight over her. Adele is his plaything, and he's going to be mad seeing her with Jason.”

My grip tightened around my spoon, and I gritted my teeth. The rage of being called Henry’s plaything was eating me out, but the presence of Henry made my heart pound, begging for an escape.

His familiar cologne made my stomach twist inside out, and his approaching footsteps sent shivers down my spine, my palms growing sweaty as I rubbed them against my skirt under the long table.

Jason was calm, eating his food as if nothing was happening.

Then he stopped at our table. Henry.

“Hey, Wilson…”

His hand casually rubbed the back of my neck, and I felt the hair there stood.

Wilson? There would always be trouble each time he addresses me using my surname. Am I cooked?

“Can I join you?” He asked, dropping his tray of food right beside mine. He pulled out the chair beside me and sat, without waiting for my reply.

“I know you wouldn't mind… Right, Wilson?” He leaned close, wrapping his arm around my shoulder.

I lifted my gaze to Jason, and he still sat, unbothered.

“Oh… You are here, Jason? I didn't see you.” Henry chuckled, reclining on the chair.

“I've never seen you with Adele. This is unusual.”

Jason dropped his cutleries, then lifted his gaze to Henry, a blank yet powerful expression graced his face. “She hasn't asked you to sit. Don't you think this is rude?”

Henry scoffed, removing his hand from my shoulder. He clenched his jaw tightly, his eyes boring into Jason's, a smug smile playing around his lips. “Oh… right…”

Henry paused, turning to me. “My bad, Wilson. You are not mad at me for not waiting for your response before sitting here, are you?”

I wanted to tell him, “You are rude, jerk!”, but I didn't dare. Not to even open my mouth.

“Come on, Wils—”

Jason cut him off. “Her name is Adele, Henry. Wilson is her father's name.”

Henry went mute, glaring at Jason. “She is not complaining, is she?”

He looked at me again. “Adele is my friend, and she doesn't have a problem with me addressing her by her surname.”

“I have a problem with it!” I snapped, but in my mind.

“It doesn't matter if she is your friend, Henry. It's rude.” Jason's voice was calm, yet firm.

“Jason—”

“Why don't you excuse us, Henry? I have something private to discuss with Adele.” Jason cut him off.

“What?”

“I would feel comfortable discussing it in your presence. Why don't you excuse us, hmm? You can always talk with Adele later, right?” Jason leaned close, eyes piercing at Henry.

I felt my butt burning hot. Like I was on a hot seat. What was this?

Henry looked at me. More like a threatening glare, and without another word, he stood and walked away. Not even taking his food.

Then Chloe followed. Not without shooting me a glare that could kill me.

I exhaled deeply. Like a heavy weight was just lifted off my heart.

“I want to show you something. Meet me at the ice hockey arena. 4 p.m. Don’t be late.”

Jason said, then stood and left the canteen.

I stared after him until he was out of my sight. What does he want to show me?

‘I told you they were going to fight over her’.

‘This is really crazy. Is this some drama or something? This is so surreal’

‘I think Jason has really lost his mind. Why is he defending Adele? The fat ugly girl?’

Those students… they would never keep their noses off my business, but they weren't my problem now.

Memories of what happened a few minutes ago clawed back into my mind, and I asked myself. Will this make things worse than it already was?