CHAPTER 34: SORRY
16 years old
Summer slams into people as she takes off through the courtyard. Why did she ever trust Gage? Why does she ever trust anyone? The only person who’s always been there is Landon—and she knows he’s pursuing her through the crowd at this very moment. She feels like she can’t stop, though. He breath is shaky at best, and her nerve is about to get lost in the throng. Her heart? It’s stuck in her throat with her stomach, all jumbled and screwed up. Two hands grab her suddenly and yank her from the path she’s taking.
It’s Violet, the girl with the purple butterfly tattoo under her eye. Summer’s gasping for breath as Violet’s hands grasp her harder and shake her. The side where Blake held onto her yesterday is even sorer today, and Violet’s violent shaking sends shooting pains down her nerves. Summer’s blonde hair shifts into her face and scary, ice-blue eyes bore into Summer’s from underneath the fray. She’s not sure if she can take a punishment or beating of any kind right now, so her legs go out from under her, and Violet loses her grip.
“You think you’re so special, don’t you?” spits Violet, towering over her.
Summer curls into a ball, shaking and waiting for the first slap, or kick, or whatever it is she has in store for her. She’s been doing so well since she’s been here, but is afraid it’s all about to swirl its way down the toilet.
“But look at you, all pathetic. Stay away from Appleton—he’s Kayla’s man! If she dumps Carter then he’ll be all mine. So back off!”
“Summer!” shouts Landon as a circle of people begin to form around her. “Stop! Don’t do it!” He’s screaming now, his voice loud and echoing. The people around her grow deathly silent.
Summer’s doing everything she can to stop herself from crying over Gage. She doesn’t even care what’s to come, and then she hates herself even more for falling so hard and so fast for him. I’m so stupid! What was I thinking? This isn’t some fairytale. This is real life and I was dumb enough to fall for the handsome guy, with his stupid hypnotic eyes, and his stupid imperfect bump-nose, and his stupid, soft lips. It’s all just so . . . stupid!
“Let me go you freak!” bellows Violet.
A hand gently touches Summer’s arm. “Ducky? I’m so sorry.”
So he saw? She glances up at him, gulping to try to stop herself from crying. Landon’s brown eyes are soft with sorrow, and the lines of his face are downcast. Behind him, Rob and Jaden have pulled Violet away from her.
“She didn’t hurt ye, did she?” asks Landon carefully while inventorying her for any cuts or bruises.
She shakes her head and reaches for him, needing the comfort of her best friend. As Landon pulls her into a hug, voices erupt behind the wall of people. Through the forest of legs she can see them part as a Leaguer breaks through. She doesn’t look up as the boots of the Leaguer stop only feet away from them.
“Flower?” The voice is soft, quiet, and uniquely Gage’s.
“I’m really thinking that’s not a good idea,” says Lucy from somewhere to her left. Summer can’t even build up enough courage to look up at him and is resigned to stare at his boots.
Landon’s neck strains as he glances up and behind him. “Lucy’s right.” Landon’s voice is hard and livid. “It’s really not a good idea.”
“But—”
“Don’t,” says Lucy sternly to Gage.
Landon stands and brings Summer with him, his arms never letting her go. “Let’s get ye some water, okay?”
Summer nods and finally looks up into Gage’s face. He’s obviously torn on what he should do; concern and distress flare in his eyes, and a frown dominates all the contours of his face, pulling them down into a look of misery. A couple of tears escape her eyes, and she turns away quickly, not wanting him to have the satisfaction that he could make her spill her weakness so easily.
“Remember what I said!” shouts Violet as the crowd parts to let Landon and Summer through.
At the back of the crowd, Kayla stares at them with a smug smirk curling up like a snarl, completely eclipsing her features and turning them into something animalistic. Summer’s stomach heaves, and she gets sick all over Kayla’s shoes. Kayla jumps back quickly and screams, “Ew! You freak!”
Several people around her laugh, and Summer can’t help but feel some pleasure over it. Lucy races up to them and takes Summer’s hand. “Best payback ever,” she says. “I think breakfast is in order—we have to fill your stomach back up and find a way to cheer you up.”
Summer walks through the line in the cafeteria like it’s not real. She scans her wrist, holds out her plate as food’s dumped on it, and keeps walking. She follows Landon outside to a corner near the electric fence that hums with power. No one says anything, not even to each other, and not even Rob who’s always so full of insults. A few insults might actually cheer her up right now. She doesn’t eat any of her food, only moves it around. Her stomach just can’t handle it.
Landon leaves Summer with Lucy as he checks out the boards in front of the cafeteria building for where their first class will be. When he returns, he informs them all that the majority of classes are in the Leaguer building, though last night they extended the fence to include another two buildings on the other side of it: Cherry Hall and Edward Complex. Now the Leaguer’s building is in the middle of the camp.
Before they part ways, Lucy surprises her by giving her a hug. Lucy isn’t like other people—Summer can tell how genuine of a person she is and already considers her a friend. “I’m here for you, even if you just want me to talk your ear off or not say a word. Anything,” says Lucy sincerely. “And I’m sorry.”
That’s what they all say. . . .