THEO'S POV:
The hallway was eerily quiet.
Classes had already started, which meant the usual chaos of students shoving past each other, lockers slamming, and voices echoing through the corridors was gone. Only the faint hum of the fluorescent lights above remained, stretching over the empty hallway like a warning.
I walked toward my class with my hands in my pockets, my expression unreadable, my footsteps slow and steady against the polished floor.
Then a voice sliced through the silence from behind me.
"Aren't you done being her pet?"
I stopped mid-step.
My jaw tightened.
Of course.
I slowly turned around, already knowing who it would be.
Atasha stood a few feet away, arms crossed, her face twisted with bitterness. Her eyes were red, like she hadn't slept properly, but I felt absolutely nothing seeing it.
My gaze hardened.
"No, I'm not done," I said flatly. Then I looked her up and down with open disgust. "What about you? Are you done being a slut?"
Her face dropped for a split second, but I didn't wait for a response.
I turned and continued walking.
The sound of her rushed footsteps came after me.
Before I could take another step, her fingers wrapped around my arm, stopping me.
I froze.
Then I looked down at her hand like it was something filthy.
With a sharp motion, I shoved it off.
"Don't."
My voice came out low. Dangerous. Cold enough to freeze blood.
Atasha flinched, but instead of backing away, she stepped closer. Her eyes searched mine desperately, like she was still hoping to find something there.
Anything.
Some softness.
Some regret.
She wouldn't.
"Why?" she demanded, her voice trembling. "Why do you always side with her?"
I stared at her for a moment, unblinking.
"Because she's my best friend."
Atasha gave a bitter laugh, shaking her head as tears gathered in her eyes.
"That's a lie. Of course it is."
I tilted my head slightly, then let out a humorless scoff.
"Okay then." I took one step closer, my voice lowering. "She's the love of my life. Clear?"
Her breath caught.