17. Chapter 17

Fuck you, Atticus stupid Banks.

He always has to stick his nose into my business when he isn't welcome, and I know for a fact his brother told him to. Ashton is just as bad, but he'll never ask or pry in my business. He isn't the asshole out of the two of them. That is left for Atticus.

I say nothing as he practically drags me to Greywood Hall. The text doesn't need repeating. I can't bring myself to look at it again, and Unknown is becoming bolder in his messages; I'm afraid it won't be enough no matter what I do.

The guys are doing their best to protect me, but it's not enough. This asshat seems to find me still, he must be having help. That's the only way he knows my location, but I only talk to the guys and Spencer. And I know they would never tell a soul.

"Jinx? Are you doing alright? You haven't said a word since the closet."

"Yeah. I'm fine."

Atticus growls. "You know what they say about that word?"

I roll my eyes. "That it's used when you're depressed, and you don't want to worry your friends that you're being a Debbie downer. Don't worry, Atticus. I mean, I'm fine, as in. I'm all right."

"God, woman, you are pushing your luck today."

I smile sweetly at him as we reach the hall's main doors. "You love it, or you wouldn't be here still. Thanks for the walk, Ace."

Greywood Hall was once my sanction. Now, it feels like my prison. Lula and Piper do nothing to help being here anymore. I'm not sure why I'm trying to succeed in music, and knowing Maddox wants the chance to win in the orchestra, how am I supposed to take that away from him and not feel guilty?

I'm glad Maddox didn't wait for me at the door like I was a five-year-old. It gets embarrassing when they do it. Everyone stares at me already, but adding a six-foot guy who looks way out of my league adds more attention I don't want.

The weird goth girl must be good with her mouth. She must be having sex with all three to keep them around. I can't believe they want to be with her out of all the girls in this school. I wonder if she pays them to hang around her; that's the only way I would be around her.

I've heard all the whispers going through the halls; I'm not invisible to their words, but I'm used to them. This school isn't filled with weirdness like me. It's all preppy uptight; I get all my money from my daddy-type kids. Therefore, I'll treat whoever I want the way I want. If they only knew what I could do to them.

"Baby, ready for this?" Maddox asks, holding out his right hand for me.

"Right, the concert is next week, and we need to play for all the puppets, don't we?"

"Be nice," he said with a slight laugh.

"I am being nice. I could've said worse, and you know it." I'm worried that Lula will get the spotlight without working for it. Unless Von has officially moved on from her, but I highly doubt it. Piper and Lula, at the same time, are a win in his book.

I do my best to ignore everyone when we enter the room and head straight to my cello. I need to play more; I'm sure most of my stress would disappear if I did. Maddox grabs his guitar and tunes it. The melody he is strumming is heaven to my ears. I'll never get tired of hearing my favorite sound in the world.

"Listen up," Von calls out. "I'll call each pair up one by one to take the stage. This is the only chance we all get to watch each other. The concert is next week, please be prepared. This counts toward the orchestra."

Of course, the first person called up is Lula. This is going to be torture.

As much as I love music, I'm damn near falling asleep halfway through the class. I thought having pairs would be quicker. I was sadly mistaken, and Von must be taking his anger out on me or something because there are only five pairs left, and I'm not the only one who looks bored to death. That makes me feel really excited to play.

"Jinx, stop it. Everyone will still love hearing you play." Maddox draws me closer to his body.

"You don't know that. This is your first time playing for all these dickhats. They don't care either way."

"It doesn't matter. All that matters is we get up there and play our best. Then shine even brighter during the concert. We are a team. What you feel, I feel, and I can feel your anxiety eating away at you. Tell me what's going on."

I hate when he can read me like a book. It's unfair, but I can't tell him I feel guilty about all of this. His dream is my dream, and we both can't have it; one of us is going to be broken in the end. Because hells if I'm letting bitch face win.

"I'm just nervous, that's all. I don't like being last." I shrug against his body.

"If that's what you need to tell yourself, I'll go along with it."

By the time we're called up, only three pairs are left. To say that I'm pissed would be an understatement. I try to calm down, but it's no use. Von is moving higher and higher on my shit list. I don't care what Dad says, he needs to hire a new music professor, this is bullshit. It's one thing to treat students like this, but to be having sex with them is way off the chart.

I take my seat and position my cello between my legs, and my body forms around the instrument. I glance at Maddox; he looks relaxed on the stool with his feet planted wide. I start the song off, and he jumps in. The music takes me, and I forget where I am. Nothing matters. My troubles seem like such worthless things to worry about. Being in this school is pointless when I'm playing; nothing can touch me. But even I know that when I'm done, the world will crash down on me and turn everything into darkness again. Unknown will be waiting for me around every corner. Maddox's troubles will still be there; nothing I say will help him. He'll never believe me, and he needs to heal from the inside first.

RWA is not for the weak, and I'm afraid for him.

I figured Atticus wouldn't let me get away without telling him about the text message. After classes, he's waiting for me in my dorm room, relaxing on the couch with Edgar on his chest. It's a strange duo if you ask me. But I'm glad they get along. I'm sure he'll be heartbroken when I set him free next week. Edgar is milking his recovery for everything he's got just for those treats—spoiled little shit.

"Atticus, Edgar. Enjoying yourselves?" I place my bag on the table, folding my arms across my chest. "You realize he's a bird, not a dog, correct?"

Atticus covers Edgar's head. "Shh, he has feelings, Jinx." He strokes his chin. "She doesn't mean it, man. She's having a hard day, that's all."

"I can't with you two. Where's your brother?" I ask, moving into the kitchen and grabbing a snack and a treat for Edgar.

"Finding his geek friend."

Geek friend? "What for?"

"Geeks are good for one thing, getting your schoolwork done."

Oh, for fuck's sake. "Why didn't he say he needed help? Either I or Spence could've tutored him."

Atticus laughs. "That takes work, and Ash is lazy. This is easier."

Whatever, I guess.

"Spill it, Jinx. I'm not here to entertain the bird. Tell me or show me the phone."

So much for him forgetting all about it. I walk back to the table, grabbing my bag in anger. All I want is to move past this, but that will never work for me. Digging around until I find my phone, I take a deep breath before opening the text.

Unknown: Odette, I can't get over that dinner. Wow, right.

"You got this when?" Atticus stands, taking my phone from me.

"The day after that so-called family dinner. How would he know about that?"

Atticus glanced behind him, our eyes tangled together. "Jinx, if he knew you were there, that means he was in that house or was watching from outside."

Shivers raced down my back, shaking my entire body. He's been watching my every move; for all I know, he could've been inside the house sitting across from me the whole time. But none of them looked familiar except—Roan.

I tumble on the couch, trying to catch my breath. Can it be Roan? I've never noticed him before. There's no way it can be him. What would he gain from tormenting me like this? Something isn't adding up.

"Jinx, what is it?"

I blink out of my thoughts, shaking my head. "No, well. Maybe it's something. But what if it's Roan?"

"Roan? The douche that was sitting next to you?" He clenched his fists tight, watching me.

"I don't know, it doesn't make sense. Why would Roan stalk me? And why now? I've been here for years."

Atticus kneels in front of me, taking my hands. "Listen to me. When you left the dining room Saturday, your dad blew up on Mother. Roan acted like a knight in shining armor."

My hands tighten around his. "What? Why?" I'm so confused. Dad never mentioned any of this. He only told me that Serena was moving out because things escalated after I left. AKA, I can't keep my mouth shut and pushed them for a divorce.

"I'm certain Roan and Mother know each other. That's why he was there that night, and your dad didn't look like he was buddies with him."

"What do we do now?"

"We act like nothing has changed. If he suspects anything, he might escalate, and you would be at risk. I say we always keep our eyes open for Roan. If he comes near you and we aren't around, call. He won't be able to take a shit without one of us around."

I think it's easier for him. He doesn't have to deal with this. What if I don't see him coming until the last second? These messages won't end either; nothing will end until Roan ends.