15. Lyric

15

LYRIC

I stand in the bustling hallway, clutching my books tightly to my chest, trying to make myself as small as possible. The past few days have been a living nightmare with Archer, Zane, and Levi taking out their frustrations on me more than ever. I can feel their eyes on me even now, a heavy, oppressive weight that makes it hard to breathe.

Just as I turn the corner, I bump into Levi. My books go flying, scattering across the floor. "Watch where you're going, Shaw," he snaps, his voice dripping with irritation.

"Sorry," I mumble, bending down to pick up my things.

Before I can reach for my books, Archer's foot comes down hard on the nearest one, pinning it to the ground. "Is that all you've got to say?" he taunts, leaning down so his face is level with mine. "Sorry isn't going to cut it."

I swallow hard, trying to ignore the burning humiliation in my cheeks. "What do you want me to say?"

Zane steps up behind me, his presence looming. "How about, ‘I'm a pathetic loser and a liar,' for starters?" he suggests with a cruel smirk.

I can feel the sting of their words, each one like a dagger to my already wounded pride. I stand up slowly, my knees trembling. "I'm a pathetic loser and a liar," I repeat quietly, my voice barely above a whisper.

Archer's eyes gleam with satisfaction. "Come on, Lyric, I know you can be louder than that. Let everyone hear you."

I take a deep breath, my heart pounding. "I'm a pathetic loser, and a liar," I say louder, the words echoing in the hallway.

The students around us snicker and whisper, their eyes darting between me and the boys. I bite my lip, fighting back tears. This is what they want, to see me broken and humiliated.

"Good girl," Archer says, his tone mocking as he finally lifts his foot off my book. "Now, pick up your stuff and get out of our sight."

I quickly gather my things, my hands shaking. As I stand up, Zane leans in close, his breath hot against my ear. "You'll have to do better than that in the future," he warns me.

I nod, unable to trust my voice and I turn away, forcing myself to walk down the hall with my head held high, even though every step feels like a battle. I know they're watching me, waiting for me to crack, but I won't give them the satisfaction.

But as I leave them behind, I can't help but wonder how much longer I can keep this up. How much more can I endure before I finally break?

As I hurry away, the sting of their words fresh in my mind, I try to shake it off, but it feels impossible. Every time I think I've hit rock bottom with them, they find a way to dig the hole deeper.

Heading for the library, I find a quiet corner and sink into a chair as I attempt to steady my breathing. The silence feels like a respite, but I know it won't last.

A few hours pass as I cram for an upcoming exam and as I begin to feel the tension drain from my body, a shadow falls over me.

I look up to see Zane standing there, his eyes focused on me. "Get up," he orders, voice low but firm.

"I'm studying," I protest weakly, knowing it's futile.

"Now," he repeats, grabbing my arm as he hauls me to my feet. He drags me to a nearby bathroom, shutting the door behind us and locking it. Before I can react, he presses me against the wall, his body trapping mine.

"I need you, Lyric," he whispers harshly, hands roaming over my body. "You're a drug to me. I can't get you out of my head."

He leans down, pressing a searing kiss to my lips as he tangles his hands in my hair. "You have no idea what you do to me, Songbird," he murmurs as he slips his tongue into my mouth. "Make me feel good."

His fingers go under the waistband of my leggings, pushing inside my folds. Arousal floods my veins as he touches me, moving his fingers quickly and carefully to bring me right to the edge. His citrus and cedarwood scent surrounds me and I feel lost in a haze as he tips me over the edge with just his fingers.

By the time he's done, I'm left trembling, my clothes disheveled and my mind reeling. Zane smirks, brushing a strand of hair from my face. "Remember this, Lyric. We own you. Body and soul."

I nod weakly, unable to meet his eyes. As he leaves the bathroom, I sink to the floor, my body aching and my spirit shattered. The realization hits me hard. This isn't about breaking me anymore. They want to possess me completely, to leave no part of me untouched by their control.

I gather my strength and pull myself up, knowing I have to face them again. The game has changed and I'm caught in their twisted web with no way out. At the same time, though, some messed up part of me enjoys the way they seek me out, as though they're desperate without me. It's strangely empowering, knowing I command so much of their time and attention, though they'd be loathed to admit that.

The next day, Levi corners me outside the gym again. This time, instead of dragging me back to his room, he pulls me into a changing room before his mouth devours mine, kissing me with heat and fervor. When he pulls away, our mouths are connected by a string of saliva and his pupils are blown wide with lust.

I half expect a repeat of the other day, but instead, he lays me down on the wooden bench and eats me out like a man starved.

My walls clench around his tongue as it finds my entrance and goes inside of me. Then he starts stroking deep inside as his fingers rub circles into my clit. The combination sending sparks down my spine. "Fuck!" I whimper, trying to be quiet.

Levi's fingers move faster, his tongue darting in and out of me as he brings me right up to the brink. I feel myself losing control far too quickly, slick gushing out of me as he torments me into oblivion.

By the time I come back up for air, Levi looks as wrecked as I feel and he pulls me onto his lap, yanking down his sweats so I sink immediately onto his leaking cock. Our bodies fuse, and I feel molten heat coil inside me once more. His mouth finds mine, kissing me with an urgency that almost overwhelms me.

My body moves of its own volition, raising and lowering onto him, seeking friction.

"Fuck, Lyric," he whispers, voice ragged. "Don't stop, God, don't stop."

"Take me, Levi," I pant, running my hands over the hard planes of his body. "I'm yours. Take me!"

Levi's hands move up my body as he pulls me closer to him, dragging me back down for a searing kiss that takes my breath away. My eyes flutter shut as I ride him, getting lost in the sensation of his cock inside me.

Even though it feels good and I never want this moment to end, I know it will, inevitably. And then we'll go right back to our usual dynamics where they ignore or belittle me until they want me again.

I'm going to have to do something sooner or later. This entire thing is getting to be toxic and if I let it continue, someone is going to get hurt.

All thoughts are chased from my head as Levi's tongue curls around mine and his cock pumps deeper inside me. My pussy throbs, desperation growing as I seek completion. As my body seizes up, Levi's hands cup my cheeks and he moans into the kiss, filling me up as he hits his own release.

We break apart, panting as we catch our breath. "Good girl," Levi says, leaning down to kiss me again.

The words go straight through me, heart clenching as I wait for the ache to subside. I know he was just being flippant, but it still stings, this farce we're playing at.

As he leaves, I find myself sinking down onto the bench again, legs like jelly. As good as it feels to be desired, all I am to them is a toy, a plaything, something they can get their jollies off with before finding new ways to torment me.

I can't keep living like this. I sit up, clenching my fingers against the wooden bench as I realize that it's already too late. I'm the one getting hurt.

I'm going to have to do something about this. I'm not sure what. Do I tell them off, take my son, and leave? I'd be giving up my secure future, but in the end, my heart would be safer.

Or I could face them head-on and report them to the Dean for harassing me. They already think I'm a manipulative traitor, so it doesn't matter if I act like it, right?

While it would feel good to get revenge by outing their behavior, I also know I can't go through with it. My son would also be the one to get hurt in that situation, especially if they find out that Eli is theirs.

With a sigh, I stand up again, going over to the sink to wash my face. I know I need to make a decision soon. I'm just not certain what the correct decision might be yet. Do I give up everything for my son or do I turn the men in who fathered him?

The agony weighs on me even as I quietly exit the gym and head for class. Something has to be done soon, but what? And at what cost?