6

Chapter 6

Adele Wilson

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

My fingers tightened on my phone, heart thudding, and eyes glued to my phone, reading the message that I had typed.

“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 stayed at the rooftop until it was lunch break, and I headed to the canteen.

Silence thickened in the air the moment I stepped into the canteen, all heads turned to me, then their whispers followed.

I strode to the counter to get my food, ignoring everyone, 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.

Then Jason walked up to me. Tray in hand, eyes locked on me.

“Hey! Mind sitting with you?”

My eyes widened… Huh?

My eyes swept around the canteen as their murmurs faded into silence.

“My hands are hurting.” Jason spoke, 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.”

He lifted his gaze to me, and as our eyes met, heat crept up my chest, my grip on the cutlery tightened.

‘Don’t blink, Adele. Don't’

I was afraid he'd vanish if I did. Jason Wolff. Sitting with me was like a dream come true.

“Henry is here.”

Then someone announced, and my heart skipped a beat.

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

My jaw tightened, my throat burned hot, down to my stomach. The rage of being called Henry’s plaything was eating me out, but the presence of him 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 addressed 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.” he continued.

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 smirk 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, a deep frown settling on his face, but he smiled again, placing a hand on my shoulder. “She is not complaining, is she?” he looked at me. “Adele is my friend, and she doesn't have a problem with me addressing her by her last name.”

“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?”

"Excuse us." Jason leaned close, eyes locked on 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 unreal’

‘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.

I just hope things gets better...