6. Threatened

Damon’s POV

Thirty minutes later, I arrived home, only to find Dad on the porch, puffing at his old pipe like he was trying to smoke away the past.

"Why did you come back so late?" he asked without turning, his eyes lost in the distance.

"Like you care," I muttered under my breath, heading straight for my room.

"Fool," he hissed, loud enough for me to hear.

I ignored him. That was our usual routine—cold stares, sharp words, and silence thick enough to choke on.

~~~

Ivory’s POV

Sunlight streamed through the windows, casting a golden hue on the daffodils Mom had placed on the dresser yesterday. I groaned and tightened my grip around the pillow, stretching lazily.

Then it hit me.

“Oh no—the suits!” I shot up from the bed and dashed into the bathroom.

A few minutes later, I stepped out wrapped in a towel and pulled on an ankle-length gown. I brushed my hair quickly, grabbed a ribbon, and tied it into two braided pigtails.

“Perfect,” I whispered, tossing my glasses on and grabbing my backpack.

As I hurried downstairs, I could hear Mom humming while flipping something in a pan.

“You’re leaving already?” she asked with a soft frown.

“Yeah, I’ve got class,” I lied, avoiding her eyes. How could I explain I was just going to retrieve some dry-cleaned suits—freak suits, even?

“Alright, honey. Come grab an apple fritter. I made them for you,” she smiled, gesturing to the plate.

I took a big bite and wrapped the rest in a napkin, stuffing it into my bag.

“I’ve gotta run, Mom,” I said, already heading for the door.

“Be careful!” she called after me in her usual sing-song way.

Ugh. I wasn’t ten. But maybe I still acted like it sometimes.

I stepped outside, scanning the street for a taxi. Nothing. With a sigh, I decided to jog.

Halfway down the road, a silver Porsche screeched into view. Stella. Of course.

Our eyes locked. Her face twisted into a malicious grin before she hurled a water bottle straight at me.

“What the hell?!” I gasped, drenched. Her smirk deepened as she rolled down the window.

“Oops. Sorry, dearie,” she mocked, flipping me off before speeding off like the devil she was.

“That spoiled brat!” I fumed, staring down at my soaked clothes. Did she really just—“FUCK!”

Just then, a sleek black sports car pulled up beside me.

“Get in,” a deep voice ordered.

Wait—was that Daniel?

“Get in,” he repeated, his husky voice sending chills down my spine.

Why was he offering me a ride? Was this a prank? What if Stella saw us?

“No thanks. I’m fine,” I said, trying to sound casual.

“Get in, or do you need help climbing in?” His tone was flat, unimpressed.

After a second’s hesitation, I opened the door and slipped in. He said nothing, just reversed and drove off like we were escaping a crime scene.

Moments later, he pulled up in front of my house.

Wait—how did he know where I lived?

Before I could ask, he honked—twice. I got the message. Get out.

I slammed the door and walked toward the house, half-dreading what was inside.

Of course, Mom was still home.

“What happened, Ivory?” she asked, concern etching her face.

“Nothing serious. Someone just splashed water on me,” I said quickly, brushing past her.

“Where? How?” she started her interrogation.

“Mom, please!” I cried and escaped to my room, slamming the door.

“You’re not going to tell me, are you?” she shouted after me, but I ignored her.

I changed into my favorite (now fading) T-shirt and a green plaid skirt, then headed out.

And guess what?

Daniel was still waiting outside.

Leaning against his car. Like he did this often.

“You took forever,” he smirked, climbing back into the driver’s seat.

I sighed and got in.

When we reached school, I quickly opened the door and jumped out, trying to avoid being seen with him.

But his voice stopped me.

“I didn’t know ‘Kitten’ doesn’t say thank you.”

I turned, forcing a smile. “Thanks for the ride.” Then I all but sprinted off.

In class, I slipped into a back seat, hoping for peace.

A note hit my desk.

My name was scribbled in red ink. My stomach dropped.

Bitch, you’re so dead.

I started sweating, scanning the class.

That’s when Blake walked up, smirking.

“Hey, nerd!”

Laughter erupted. My ears burned.

“Where are the suits?” he snapped, suddenly serious.

“Err… err…” I stammered, frozen.

The class burst into laughter again.

“Err...err...” Blake mimicked, sending everyone into fits. Some were holding their stomachs.

“Nerd lost her voice,” he teased.

“Ivory Walters!” the teacher called in her screechy voice.

Seriously? Couldn’t she see what was happening?

Then Daniel walked in—stone-faced, unreadable—and sat beside me.

He didn’t even look at me. As if I didn’t exist.

And it stung.

But I shouldn’t care.

When the teacher left, I slipped out of class, heading to a shaded bench beneath the frangipani trees. I pulled out my phone and dialed Alicia.

She answered on the fourth ring, voice hoarse.

“What happened?” I asked gently.

She was silent—then sobbed.

“Alicia, talk to me.”

“He broke up with me last night. After everything I did for him,” she choked out.

“I’m so sorry. He’s not worth your tears.” I tried to console her. I never liked her boyfriend anyways, always trying to talk down on her looks and every move and whenever she gets pissed. He always says that she is overreacting and he was just kidding. I don't know how he was able to convince Alicia to be his girlfriend anyways because he looks like a squirrel to me.

“Oh—before I forget. The suits are in the infirmary,” she added before hanging up.

I sighed and reached for the last piece of apple fritter, but a sudden kick sent it flying from my hand. My glasses followed, smashing to the floor.

I gasped.

Stella.

“You’ve been a very bad girl, wench,” she sneered.

“Yesterday, I saw you with Daniel.” A red-haired girl stepped forward.

“And this morning,” Stella added with venom, yanking my hair. “You followed my boyfriend. You drove with him to the school for everyone to see? Are you trying to challenge me?”

“Slut!” she shouted and slapped me—hard.

The scent of her overpowering perfume made my eyes water.

She leaned in close, lips brushing my ear.

“If I catch you near him again, I’ll ruin what’s left of your pathetic life,” she hissed before storming off with her crew.