6. Chapter 6

I tell Maddox I need to see Dad and not to wait around. I'm unsure how long this will take or if he can see me today. I'm not even inside the office, and Florence pops her head up, and her smile widens.

"Good morning, my dear. The dean is busy, but between you and me, the outcome should be amazing." I move toward her desk, wondering who he's talking to. I hope it's stupid, Von. Then again, that would never happen.

"Why?" I drag out.

"I heard a little incident happened during the swim practice, and the coach didn't do anything. So." She leans back, checking the hall to the dean's office. "He's replacing him with a retired Olympic coach. Isn't that amazing?"

My heart squeezes tight. I was honestly hoping Dad would replace Von. The sleaze ball needs to go; how hard is it to find a qualified music teacher? Don't get me wrong, I'm glad that Ash will hopefully figure out which douche-canoe tried to take him out, but I need this more.

"Florence, that is great. The coach is horrible and picks favorites. I'm glad that the swim team will be getting a clean-up, especially a qualified coach."

She pats my hand. "I'm sure a certain music teacher will be next, Hun. It just takes time to find the right fit."

"I know, it just sucks. I've been here longer, and it seems like my stepbrothers are getting everything."

"It may seem like that, but it's not. Have patience."

"I'm tired of that word. Patience takes forever sometimes." I return to the seats, feeling deflated that I might miss out again on the orchestra.

Florence goes back to typing, ignoring me. We've grown accustomed to each other; we don't need to fill every second with conversation. I text the boys quickly, telling them I'll be in the office for a while and not to worry about meeting me at my class.

I browse the Darwin School of Music, checking out their classes, dreaming of the day I'll finally walk the halls. RWA can only prepare me so much with my music; I need to further it, and only three people stand in my way. Lula, Piper, and Von.

I need to take out Lula and Piper first, and if Von won't leave, then I'll simply make him. Prescott Hawthorne isn't the only one with the power at this school. If only I weren't scared to use that power, I promised Dad that no one would find out.

Voices pull me from my phone. When I look up, Cam and Liam walk into the office.

"Well, if it isn't Jinx, the minx. It's been a while, doll." His chocolate brown hair must always be perfectly styled, not a strand out of place. I guess when your family has ties to the school, your presentation is important.

"Not long enough." I roll my eyes, going back to my phone. Of course, that's not enough for him to steer clear of me. He could never learn the word. No.

He plucks my phone from my hand. I reach for it, but he tucks it in his back pocket.

"Give it back, you asshole."

He waves his finger at me. "Not until you agree to go out on one date." He smirks.

"Never gonna happen, Cam. Give me back my phone." I hold my hand out, waiting. When he doesn't move, I snap my fingers, getting impatient. "Give it. The date will never happen."

Florence clears her throat. "Cameron and Liam, what can I do for you, gentlemen?"

Cameron loses focus, and I snatch my phone back. His hand reaches out, grabbing my wrist. His nails dig into my skin. I try to pull back, but it only makes him grip me tighter.

"Don't even think about it," he murmurs, his head slightly bowed

"Ms. Florence." Liam interrupts. "We need a new schedule for the swim team. Coach hasn't updated ours."

Florence presses her glasses up, lowering her head back to her keyboard. "Have a seat, gentlemen. The dean will see you soon."

Cameron lets go of me finally, raising his hands. "What does that mean?" He bit off each word.

"It means wait your turn or leave," Florence tells him, not missing a beat.

I turn my body away from Cam, rubbing my wrist. Since the party, I made it a point to stay far away from him. Ever since the bathroom incident, I haven't been in the same room as him. I go to stand, and Cam slams his hand on my thigh, stopping me. My body tenses when his finger moves under my skirt.

"Where are you going?" he demands, with a feral look in his eyes.

Liam steps in front, blocking Florence's view. I cling to the armrest, staring at Liam's back, not moving as Cam slides his hand further up my thigh.

"See, I knew you wanted this, Jinx. Why fight me all this time?" He moves my hair away from my neck, rubbing his finger along my throat.

My stomach bottoms out; dread creeps in as I try to catch my breath. I feel nothing as he continues to stroke my neck. He moves closer, brushing his nose against my ear. I close my eyes, wishing my body would cooperate and move. I grip the chair tighter when I feel my body shake.

"Fuck, Jinx, you smell amazing," Cam whispers into my ear.

A sudden pain grips me by the throat when I try to tell Cam no. I'm screaming at my body to move away, to do something, but I'm rooted to my chair. Liam's body begins to blur, as tears roll down my cheek the more Cam strokes my neck.

His finger moves to my cheek, wiping away my tears. "Aw. What's wrong? I like you like this, not talking back."

His other hand hasn't moved any closer, but one slip and his finger could slip under my underwear. Fear turns my stomach, thinking about what he could do; no one would notice. A small whimper passes my lips, and Cam smirks. Finally, getting a reaction from me. His eyes glimmered with amusement.

Deep laughs come from the hall, distracting Cameron. I can finally fight my body and shove his hand from under my skirt. Drawing in a harsh breath, I turn to him.

"Touch me again, and you'll be sorry."

He flashed his teeth with a grin. "Don't make promises, Jinx."

Dad rounds the corner with the new coach, patting him on the shoulder like they are best friends. Liam and Cameron move quickly, cutting them off. My mind is racing with what just happened. I can't see Dad like this. He'll know something happened.

With shaky knees, I stand, trying to be quiet so they don't see me. I just rounded the chair.

"Odette. Did you need something?"

The sound of his voice makes me want to shatter. Staring at the door, I don't dare turn my head to look at him. The moment I do, I'll cry.

"No, Dean Hawthorne. I'll come back later." My lips trembled around the words.

"I'm sure she's fine, aren't you, Jinx." Cameron laughed as he spoke.

Taking careful steps, I make my way out of the office. I rush down the hall to the restroom, pushing the door open. My body slumps against the sink; with each breath, it feels like a boulder is on my chest. My fingers shake when I try to drag my bag off my shoulder. I can't believe I let that happen. I should've pushed Cameron away, but I sat there and let his greasy hands touch me. With numb fingers, I unzip the stupid bag and find my inhaler.

I stare at myself in the mirror as I take a puff of the inhaler. God, I'm so stupid. I should've left sooner or called for Florence. Things could've escalated more if Dad hadn't come down the hall when he did.

My phone buzzes, and my stomach sinks. I can't tell the guys what happened. I can't add another thing to our pile of stress. I don't even want to think about what occurred today. If I tell anyone, it would be Spence; he might give me some advice.

Atticus: Did you need me to walk you to your class?

All I want to do is go back to my room and hide.

Me: Sure, I'm by the office

Atticus: OK, I'll be there shortly. Don't move or talk to anyone.

I don't want to leave the restroom if Cam is still out there lurking. Atticus will know something happened. Cameron can't hold his tongue and needs to brag about everything. If I don't tell the guys, Cam will. I'm stuck in a hard place, and I'm not sure what to do.

My phone buzzes again.

"Jesus, Ace, I get it." I grab my phone again, and my world tilts.

Unknown: What a fuckin' show today in the office. I didn't think you would add another man to your group. Where can I sign up?

Me: Leave me alone.

Unknown: No Jinx. I think this photo I took will be my favorite from now on.

My stomach churns at the thought of him staring at a photo of Cam with his hand under my skirt. And I rush into the stall; my knees buckle, and I fall to the floor. Sweat runs down my back as I cling to the toilet bowl, and bile slicks the back of my throat, spilling into the water. I grab some toilet paper and wipe my chin. Leaning against the stall, I can't think about going out there now.

Atticus will for sure know something is up.