CHAPTER 3: Test, Threats, and Handcuffs

Sabrina’s POV

“What do you mean you didn’t stop her?”

“Don’t sound like that, Bree. I was going to stop her from going there, but it was almost as if she was waiting for me to doze off before she took her phone and zoomed off. I haven’t seen her since Saturday. I’ve searched everywhere for her.”

Bree inhaled deeply. She couldn’t say another word.

“Do you think I’m a bad sister, Bree? I mean, I can’t believe Skye would get involved with a gang. And the shocking part is that she’s dating this same guy called BAD. I went through their chats and saw all their messages. I don’t even know what to say. I feel like I failed her.”

“You didn’t fail her; don’t be ridiculous. You’ve tried your best.”

“But she hates me for not allowing her to dance at the Club. Can you imagine that?”

“I don’t blame her too much, Sabrina. She just wants to help.”

“Then she should take the cashier job at the supermarket.” I inhaled deeply. “Please, you have to help me look for her. I have an 8 a.m. test. I need to be in class, so I have to rush out now.”

“I’ll keep an eye out for her, I promise. I’ll call or text you if I see anything.”

“Thank you so much, Bree. You’re a true friend. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

“Well, absolutely nothing!” she teased. “Do you want me to drop you off at school? You’re already running late.”

“Nahhh, I’ll pass. I mean, they already bash me for being broke. They’d laugh their lungs out if they saw me stepping out of your 1999 Volkswagen Passat. I’ll take an Uber to school.”

I walked out of the house and headed my way. By the time I got to school, it was 8:15. I ran through the eerily quiet hallway. I knew I was in soup. Mr. Oliver would have my head. I got to class and they had already started the test.

“I’m sorry, sir, I had trouble getting a ride…”

“You’re lucky you’re top of the class, Sabrina. Go take your seat before I change my mind.”

He handed me my script, and the only available seat was beside Jace. He was focused on his work, but as soon as I sat, he looked up to see who it was.

“You smell expensive. Must’ve cost you a fortune. Did you rob a bank? Because that’s the only way you could afford that scent,” he said sarcastically. 

“Face your test, Jace, unless you want to get another D,” Mr Oliver barked.

Everyone chuckled, but I laughed louder than necessary because I knew it bruised his ego.

“Enjoy your little moment of fame. This is the closest you’ll ever get to me.”

“Well, at least I wasn’t the one fighting over a stripper last night!” I fired back. 

“You’ll never be her, not even in your next life. She has better curves, a better voice, and a better scent than you’ll ever have.”

“Ouch,” I muttered. 

“Sabrina, is there a problem over there? Don’t make me regret letting you take this test,” Mr Oliver warned.

“I’m sorry, sir. Jace is just being a bully. He won’t let me write in peace.”

“Jace Harrington, please don’t make me call your father. I’m sure he wouldn’t want to hear you got into more trouble after Friday night’s incident.”

I saw Jace’s jaw tighten. He was exasperated. He wanted to say something nasty, but he couldn’t. That gave me so much joy.

The test ended before long. After submitting my script, I noticed how girls gathered around Jace like ants around sugar. Alice was practically drooling over him. He gave me a mischievous smile, then grabbed Alice’s butt. Disgusted, I simply walked away.

I had another class at 10 a.m., so I couldn’t leave yet, even though I was dead worried about Skye’s whereabouts. I went to the restroom to ease myself. As soon as I was done, I approached the sink to wash my hands, and then I saw him. Jace Harrington, leaning against the door. The restroom was empty. Just the two of us.

“Did you miss your way? This is for the ladies. You shouldn’t be here.”

I tried to walk past him, but he grabbed my arm, pulled me back, and pinned me to the wall. His face was close to mine. I swallowed hard. I won’t lie, I was intimidated. As much as I hated him, I couldn’t understand why my heart was racing.

“I see the look in your eyes.” He stroked my hair, and I thought I was going to pass out. His scent was addictive; it was different from the one he wore at the club the other night. This one was milder. He smelled like citrus and something sweet, maybe gourmand.

“Let me go,” I said in a low, firm voice.

“I will. But not until I make you pay for what you did to me in class today.”

“Don’t even think of doing anything stupid. I’ll scream, and you’ll be arrested for assault.”

“Nah, I’m not going to touch you today. I just came to remind you that you’re nothing. Nobody likes you. You don’t even belong here. Since you humiliated me in class, I’ll show you real power.  The school is already indebted to my family because of my father’s large donations; I’ll have them expel you. I’ll say you’ve been blackmailing rich students by threatening to leak their nudes. You know all the girls here are dying to sleep with me. If I ask them to lie for me, they will. And once you’re kicked out, I’ll never have to see your ugly face again.”

“Please… don’t do that. I promise I’ll stay out of your way. I can’t afford to be expelled in my third year,” I pleaded. I knew Jace too well. He wasn’t bluffing.

He ran his hand down my cheek, and a sinister smile lit up his face.

“Aww, poor thing. Look at you, living at my mercy. Who’s the boss now?”

He chuckled and walked out. I was still frozen, trying to recover. My heart was racing fast. Then my phone rang. It was Bree. I was still trying to catch my breath when I picked up.

“Hey… what’s up? Did you find her? 

“Sabrina, you have to come to the station now. Skye was arrested last night. She’s in police custody.”