Odessa’s POV
I had barely taken three steps when someone blocked my path.
It was Paxton, his fake good guy smile was gone.
His jaw was clenched, and his eyes were fixed on me.
I sighed.
“Move out of the way.”
He folded his arms.
“So that’s how it’s going to be?”
I frowned.
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
He let out a humourless laugh.
“You embarrass me in front of everyone, then run after Landon Harlway.”
“I didn’t embarrass you.”
“You made me look like an idiot.”
I blinked.
“You managed that all by yourself.”
His expression darkened.
“You’ve got quite the mouth on you.”
“So I’ve been told.”
He took a step closer.
“You know, I was actually trying to be nice to you.”
I looked at him in disbelief.
“Nice?”
“Yes.”
“You call tricking me into drinking something your friends messed with being nice?”
“I didn’t know Ian had spiked it.”
I stared at him.
“And you expect me to believe that?”
“It’s true.”
“Oh, please.”
He ran a hand through his black hair.
“I only wanted to tease you.”
“Congratulations you succeeded.”
Silence settled between us.
The music from inside the party echoed through the hallway, but neither of us moved.
Finally, Paxton spoke again.
“What exactly is going on between you and Landon?”
I frowned.
“What?”
“You heard me.”
“No, I don’t think I did.”
His jaw tightened.
“You’ve been around him since you got here.”
“So?”
“He hates everyone.”
“So?”
“He protected you from me the other day.”
I shrugged.
“You’d have to ask him why.”
His eyes searched mine.
“You like him?”
I burst out laughing, the nerve of him to look offended.
“What?” He asked
“You cannot be serious.”
“I’m asking a question.”
“And I’m laughing at it.”
“So that’s a no?”
“I’ve known Landon for less than a week.”
“That wasn’t my question.” He snapped
I rolled my eyes.
“You’re unbelievable please get out of my way.”
He stepped closer.
“I noticed you the moment you walked onto campus.”
I stared at him.
“And?”
“And I like you.”
I blinked and resisted the urge to roll my eyes, there was a hundred percent chance he didn’t even know my name.
“I think you’re beautiful.” He said
I looked away.
“Paxton keep me out of this please”
“I mean it.”
“I barely know you.”
“Then let me change that.”
He smiled.
“We’ll have a proper date.”
I couldn’t help laughing.
“You really don’t know when to quit.”
“Is that a yes?”
“No.”
His smile faltered.
“It’s a no.”
“Because of Landon?”
I let out a frustrated sigh.
“Why does everyone keep bringing him up?”
“Answer the question.”
“My answer has nothing to do with Landon.” Read this novel at g.com for the best experience.
“Then why?”
I looked him straight in the eyes.
“Because I don’t like you.”
His expression froze and I almost felt bad but then I didn’t.
“You’ve spent the entire evening trying to impress your friends by giving me a spiked drink, I doubt there’s more to you than that.”
Before I could push him out of the way Maya’s voice called from across the room.
“Odessa!”
I turned immediately.
“There you are!”
Naomi waved from the dance floor.
“We’ve been looking everywhere!”
I looked back at Paxton and he had already stepped aside.
“This conversation isn’t over,” he said quietly.
“I think it is.”
Without waiting for a reply, I walked toward Maya and Naomi.
Only when I reached them did I let out the breath I’d been holding.
“What took you so long?” Maya asked.
“I got cornered.”
Naomi looked over my shoulder.
“By Paxton?”
I groaned “yes”
“And Landon,” Maya added with a grin.
My cheeks heated.
“What?”
“You disappeared with one bad boy and came back after arguing with the other.”
Naomi laughed.
“Our new girl is popular.”
I covered my face with my hands.
“I hate both of you.”
Naomi made kissing faces and I rolled my eyes at her
“I need to use the bathroom.” I said
Naomi pointed down the hallway.
“Second door on the left.”
“Thanks.”
I turned and started walking away.
If I stayed with them any longer, they were going to tease me to death.
I pushed the bathroom door open and let out a long breath.
What a long night.
My head was beginning to hurt.
I walked over to the mirror and looked at my reflection.
My hair was still in place and my makeup hadn’t smudged.
At least something had gone right tonight.
I leaned over the sink and splashed a little cold water onto my wrists.
“Trying to wash Landon off you?” A voice said
I froze and looked up into the mirror, I saw Cecily.
She was standing by the door with her arms folded.
Petra stood beside her.
Louisa closed the bathroom door behind them.
The soft click echoed through the room.
Great, exactly what I needed right now, I straightened up “What do you want?”
Cecily smiled.
“I’ve been wanting to talk to you all night.”
“Really?”
“Really.”
I folded my arms.
“I’m listening.”
She walked closer until she was standing only a few feet away.
“I’ll keep this simple.”
“Please do.”
“Stay away from Landon.”
I blinked.
“Excuse me?”
“You heard me.”
I laughed.
“I’m not sure I did.”
Her smile disappeared.
“I said stay away from him.”
I tilted my head.
“That may be hard to do considering im his assigned tutor”
Petra scoffed.
“You’ve got some nerve.”
“I’ve been told.”
Louisa rolled her eyes.
“She thinks she’s funny.”
“No,” I replied.
“I just think this conversation is ridiculous.”
Cecily’s jaw tightened.
“You’re getting awfully comfortable around him.”
“I have tutoring sessions with him.”
“That’s not what I’m talking about.”
“Oh?”
“I saw you chasing after him.”
Heat rushed to my cheeks.
“I don’t need to spy.”
She took another step closer.
“The whole party saw you following him around like some lovesick puppy.”
I folded my arms tighter.
“I wasn’t following him.”
“I also saw him take that drink from you.” She said
“So?”
“And I saw the two of you disappear together.”
I sighed.
“Do you have a hobby?”
Her eyebrows drew together.
“What?”
“Besides watching Landon every second of the day.”
Petra burst out laughing before quickly covering her mouth.
Cecily shot her a glare and Petra immediately looked away.
Cecily looked back at me.
“You’re new here, so let me explain something.”
“I’m listening.”
“Landon is mine.” She said
I couldn’t help it and I laughed and Cecily’s face darkened.
“Did I say something funny?”
“Very funny.”
She crossed her arms.
“What exactly is funny?”
“The part where you think you own another human being.”
“I’ve liked him for years.”
“And?”
“And everyone knows he’s mine.”
“No.”
I shook my head.
“Everyone knows you want him.”
Her face flushed red “There’s a difference.”
Her eyes flashed with anger.
“You think you’re special because he spoke to you?”
“I never said that.”
“He doesn’t care about you.”
“I never said he did.”
“He’ll get bored of you.”
She laughed and glared at my dress “You think you’re pretty.” She sakd
I blinked.
“You walk around here acting innocent.” She drawled
“It’s just a helpless tactic so listen carefully.”
Her voice dropped lower “You’ll stay away from Landon.”
She reached for the cup she’d been holding and I noticed too late, with one sharp movement, she threw the entire drink at me.
Cold liquid splashed across my chest and all over my dress, I gasped.
The pink fabric darkened instantly, sticky soda dripped down the front of my dress onto the floor.
I slowly looked down at myself and then back at Cecily.
She widened her eyes dramatically.
“Oh my God.”
Her voice dripped with fake innocence.
“I’m so sorry.”
Petra laughed while Louisa stared at the floor.
I looked back at Cecily.
“That wasn’t an accident.”
She shrugged.
“Prove it then freak”
I stared at her for a long moment and looked at my ruined dress.
“You know what?”
“What?”
“I actually feel sorry for you.”
Her smile disappeared.
“What did you say?”
“I said I feel sorry for you.”
I took a slow step forward.
“You spend so much time chasing someone who doesn’t even notice you”
I glanced toward the bathroom door.
“that you’ve made me your enemy for simply existing.”
Her breathing became heavier.
“You’re pathetic.”
The word hit its target and her hand shot upward.
For a split second, I thought she was going to slap me.
Instead, she lowered it and smiled.
“This isn’t over.”
She turned sharply.
“Let’s go.”
Petra and Louisa followed her out without another word.
I closed my eyes, my dress was ruined, and now everyone would see me like this.
“Seriously”
Tonight just kept getting worse.
Taking a shaky breath, I pushed the bathroom door open and stepped into the hallway.
I had only taken a few steps when someone stopped directly in front of me.
“Im not in the mood get out of my way” I snapped expecting to see Cecily again or worse, Paxton
I looked up and it was Landon.
His eyes travelled over my soaked dress and his jaw tightened.
“Who did this?” He said