Chapter 49

Rowena

The week passed in a blur of security checkpoints, disinfecting stations, and growing anxiety.

By Wednesday, a knot of dread had taken up residence in my stomach. Talk about the ‘Wolf’s Fury’ virus was spreading faster than wildfire, and students were being pulled out of camp left and right—not just for quarantine if they showed even the mildest hint of symptoms, but also by concerned parents and guardians.

“Sweetie, are you sure you don’t want to stay home for the rest of the semester?” my mom asked one night over dinner, as I poked at my chicken and potatoes with my fork. “Your father and I can speak with the camp, you know; you could do all of your classwork from home.”

I paused for a moment, looking up at my parents. My mother, wearing her usual cashmere cardigan with her hair pulled back into a neat bun, was watching me with a look of concern on her face.

Meanwhile, my father, still wearing his suit after a day at the office, was silent. He had been like that lately, although I wasn’t sure why. I figured that maybe he was preoccupied with work or something, and chose not to press him about it.

And Eric? He was nowhere to be found. He had been staying at his cottage lately ever since our last fight. Although, I was glad for it.

“No, Mom, I’m really fine,” I said with a wave of my hand. “Really. This is all gonna blow over.”

My mom huffed, glancing over at my father. “Edward, say something,” she insisted. “Surely you don’t believe it’s safe for our daughter to continue attending camp.” There was a long pause, and my father didn’t answer. “Edward?” my mom repeated.

“Sorry, what?” my dad said, lifting his head with a bewildered look on his face. When he saw how we were looking at him, he sighed and suddenly stood, running a hand through his hair. “Sorry. I’ve got to tend to something in my office.”

“Edward? Edward!” my mother called after him as he strode out, but it was no use. Once he was gone, she sighed and shook her head.

“What’s his deal?” I asked, popping a bite of potato into my mouth.

My mother offered me a wan smile. “Nothing, dear. Just… promise you’ll be careful, alright?”

“I will.”

…

“I’m getting sick of this,” Emma moaned softly as she tugged her jacket back on. “It’s so tedious.”

“I know.” I pulled my own jacket on and gathered my satchel, my eyes burning from another day of being disinfected and having my nostrils violated by q-tips at the checkpoint. I had thought that I would begin to get used to it, but now I wasn’t so sure. “At least it’s Friday.”

Emma cast me the tiniest of smiles as we headed past the security checkpoint and inside, where the sound of voices seemed to be rising. I furrowed my brow, craning my neck toward the source of the din.

“What’s going on?” I asked, glancing at Emma.

Emma’s brow furrowed as well, and she shrugged as we made our way into the lobby, where the noise was almost deafening. “Not sure, but I guess we’re about to find out.”

As we stepped into the lobby, my breath caught in my throat; my gaze landed on the slight blonde figure in a cheerleading uniform standing on top of one of the cafeteria tables, her delicate hands planted on her hips as she surveyed the crowd with cold gray eyes.

“Heather,” I muttered through gritted teeth, anger already simmering at the sight of her. What new stunt was she pulling now?

“Listen up!” Heather’s shrill voice cut through the din of curious voices, causing a hush to fall over the room. “In case you haven’t noticed, we’ve got a bit of a situation on our hands here.”

She smirked, fake concern oozing from every pore as she swept her gaze across the crowd. “I don’t need to tell you how devastating this outbreak could become if we let our guards down for even a second.”

A few murmurs of agreement rippled through the onlookers. Out of the corner of my eye, I caught Emma’s dismissive roll of her eyes—but I couldn’t fully tear my own gaze away from Heather’s self-satisfied sneer.

“That’s why,” she called out, “I’ve taken it upon myself to ensure all of my fellow students remain safe and healthy, regardless of the cost!”

With a dramatic flourish, she beckoned someone forward from the crowd. My jaw went slack as a tall, stern-faced man emerged, clad in an impeccable white lab coat. I recognized him immediately, before she even announced his name.

“This is Dr. Reynolds, a top physician who I have taken the liberty of hiring—with my own money—to aid us in our endeavor to keep everyone safe!”

I felt Emma stiffen beside me, then turn to hiss in my ear. “Can you believe the nerve of that succubus? Hiring a professional just to make herself look better?”

Frowning, I leaned in close so as not to be overheard. “What do you mean?”

A harsh scoff escaped Emma’s lips as she shook her head in disdain. “Heather’s been throwing these massive tantrums all weekend over being tied with you in the race for the championship,” she explained. “Sobbing, screaming, making everyone’s life a living hell at home…”

She trailed off with a roll of her eyes. “Our parents finally got fed up and arranged this whole thing just to appease her. That way she’d shut up and think she has a real advantage.”

My stomach turned over at the unexpected reveal. So this entire display, this physician being touted as Heather’s prize acquisition for our wellbeing, was merely a sham. A vapid power play, plain and simple.

Although, I wasn’t entirely surprised.

“God, I can’t stand her,” Emma growled. “She’s such a spoiled, entitled little bi—”

“Ahem!” Heather cleared her throat with pointed drama, her eyes slicing over to us for an excruciating moment before she continued. “As I was saying, under my guidance—and with Dr. Reynolds’ expertise—you all need not worry another moment about falling prey to this horrific virus!”

A smattering of uncertain applause filtered through the crowd. I could only gape as Heather basked in the reaction, her pretty head held high like a preening peacock.

…

I stepped into the bustling restaurant, my eyes quickly scanning the candlelit room. A quick glance at my phone told me that I was a little early, which explained why I didn’t see Adrian’s head of black hair just yet.

“Hello,” I said, stepping up to the host’s podium. “I’m here for a reservation under the name ‘Adrian’.”

“Certainly,” the host replied. “Right this way.”

As I followed the host to the table, I could barely seem to wipe the smile off of my face. Tonight was finally the night of my date with Adrian, and I couldn’t have been more excited. I had gone all out on my hair, makeup, and outfit, opting for a sleek and straight hairstyle, no glasses, and a bright red dress that was sure to draw his eye.

I sat down at the table, checking my phone one last time. The last text I received from Adrian was earlier that day: “Hey, I might run a little late tonight. I know I said I would pick you up, but could we meet at the restaurant instead?”

I had, of course, replied enthusiastically. Even though Heather’s threats about Adrian’s true intentions still whirled through my mind despite the fact that it had been days, I knew that she was wrong about him.

Adrian cared about me, and he would be here any minute now.

I was sure of it.