Chapter 15

Chiara's POV

The next morning, I find myself stuck behind two classmates as I make the long walk to school. I do my best not to eavesdrop on their conversation, but the sound of my name out of one of the girl’s mouths catches my attention.

“Did you hear about what happened with Chiara and Alice yesterday?”

The other girl nods, “Yeah, I heard Chiara went totally crazy and smashed Alice’s phone on the ground.”

The first girl scoffs, “Ugh what a freak. I knew it was only a matter of time until she dropped the innocent act and showed her true colors. Poor Alice, I bet the orphan can’t even afford to replace it.”

We arrive at the entrance to the school, and I slow my pace to avoid being noticed. When we get to the classroom I quickly slip into a seat in the back left corner to avoid being seen.

The pair continue their conversation. “At least a few other students were there to rush to Alice’s aid. Chiara got what she deserved, after treating Alice so poorly when she was only trying to help.”

The other girl laughs and holds her hands up to her body in imitation of the scene that unfolded in the hospital wing yesterday. “How pathetic.”

Her friend laughs and then puts her hands over her face to fake cry.

Heat rushes to my face in humiliation and anger at the girls’ words and actions. It seemed that word of what happened had spread throughout the entire school, and that everyone believed Alice’s story.

I watch as a few other classmates join in making fun of me and I can’t stay in my seat any longer. I grab my bag and rush out of the room. I can’t do this.

As I exit the room, my phone dings. I quickly pull it out and check the messages, hoping to see Felix’s name on the screen. When I see Lynn’s name instead, hope floods my system.

Maybe Lynn is okay had been able to get her phone back. My relief is short lived when I click into the message and am startled to see my own naked body staring back at me.

Lynn: I’m sorry Chiara. Someone posted it to the school forum and now everyone is commenting and laughing about it. I thought you should know.

My breath comes faster, and my vision starts to blur as panic threatens to overwhelm me. I sink to the ground. Somone, no Alice, had posted pictures of my naked body for the whole school to see.

I force my breath to slow, focusing on Lynn’s name on the screen to ground myself. She’s okay. When I feel more stable, I stand.

I need to tell someone. I think about what kind of comments my classmates must be making under the post and my stomach turns. I can’t bear to look.

I turn and head straight to Mrs. Amanita’s office. I knock once and a voice calls for me to come in.

Words spill from my mouth the moment I enter the room. “I’m sorry to bother you Mrs. Amanita, but someone posted something about me on the school forum, and I think you need to know.”

She blinks once before gesturing for me to sit down. “Slow down. What happened?”

I lower my head but pull out my phone and show her the message Lynn sent me.

She sighs. “I see, do you know who posted this?”

“Alice.”

Her eyebrows shoot up in surprise, and to my shock she chuckles. “Alice always has had a strange sense of humor. I’m sorry you can’t see the funny side, but Alice is a model student. I’m sure she only meant it as a prank between friends.”

I shake my head. “The post has caused bullying from some of the other students.”

Concern flits across Mrs. Amanita’s face. I let out a sigh of relief at her expression. Maybe she will do something to put a stop to the endless bullying.

“Chiara, if this is more than a friendly prank, I think you need to stop to consider what action of yours caused Alice to resort to such a hurtful post on the school forum. Alice is a good student; she wouldn’t do this without a good reason.”

I can barely stop my mouth from falling open. Mrs. Amanita is blaming me for Alice’s actions.

She nods, “I think some self-reflection will do you good Chiara. If you’re the only one receiving this kind of treatment, it may be time to think about what you’ve done to encourage it. Now, if that was your only concern, I suggest you hurry along. You’re supposed to be in class.”

I feel my heart splinter further at her words. Mrs. Amanita thinks that I’ve brought the bullying on myself. She won’t help me.

I grab my bag and stand, forcing my tears back as I make my way to class. I should have known I was on my own.

The final bell rings and I grab my stuff and head out of the door before I have to see Alice. I keep my head down and make my way down the path as fast as I can, trying to put distance between myself and the school. I only slow when I nearly bump into three boys from my class in my haste.

I keep my head low as I mumble my apology.

The boys stop walking. One of them smirks. “What was that?”

“I said I’m sorry,” I say, trying to edge around them. When they don’t move, I hazard a quick glance behind me and see that we are alone on the path. My heart beats harder in my chest.

Another boy takes a step forward, as the third moves to the left and smiles. “No need to apologize. I was actually hoping to run into you today. I wanted to tell you what a huge fan I am of that picture on the forum. I mean… wow.”

I quickly scan my surroundings looking for an exit, when I find none, I fix my eyes firmly on my shoes. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

The boy directly in front of me grabs my chin and drags it up until I’m looking him in the eyes. “Don’t be shy now, Love. Everyone here has already seen exactly what you have to offer.”

I jerk my head, freeing my chin from his grasp. “Leave me alone.”

The boys laugh and the one to my left moves closer. “I’ve always liked my women feisty. You live alone, right? Why don’t we head back there and make this a party?”

I fight to control the panic building in my chest as the third boy puts a hand on my waist. “Don’t worry, we’ll show you a good time. You’ll be screaming our names all night long. Promise.”

The feel of his breath on my neck makes me wretch and I grab his hand, yanking it off. “I told you to leave me alone.”

A scream tears from lips as I am suddenly lifted off the ground by the boy to my left. He puts a hand over my mouth as the other two begin ripping at my clothes.

The one who had spoken first mutters under his breath. “Stupid bitch. Don’t you know this would have been so much easier if you had just taken us home.”

My panic transforms into anger as Molly nears the surface. I am not helpless. The hair on the back of my neck stands up as I prepare to shift.

Suddenly a figure appears, pulling me out of the boy’s arms and shoving me behind him. Vedant.

I hear a growl deep in his throat and then feel a surge of alpha power. Vedant grabs the boy who held me by the collar. “If any of you so much as look in Chiara’s direction ever again, I will kill you myself.”

I shiver as Vedant’s deep voice echoes down the path. I expect it to end there, but Vedant rears back punching the boy in the face.

The other two start to scramble back, but Vedant drops the first boy to the ground and starts toward the other two, catching them easily. I close my eyes and all I hear is the sound of flesh connecting with flesh as Vedant makes his point clear.

Eventually the sounds stop, and I hear three sets of footsteps fleeing down the path. I open my eyes just as Vedant takes a step toward me.

I blink, hoping my eyes have returned to normal. I had been about to shift when he stepped in. Had he noticed?

Vedant shrugs off his jacket and puts it around me, zipping it to cover my torn clothes. “If this happens again, find me immediately.”

He had saved me. Have I been too harsh? He’s not like the others who spread rumors about me.

I push past my nerves to ask for his help. “Could you help explain that I didn’t post that picture? They’ll listen to you.”

Vedant doesn’t say anything. Instead, he takes my chin in his hand and tilts it up.

My heart stutters at his proximity and my eyes flutter shut. He’s going to kiss me.