Threat

Tracy's POV

Have you ever been caught sneaking into the house by your parents when they specifically asked you not to go out that day or something like that?

The feeling of dread that follows. Have you felt it?

Yes, that feeling is just a miniature version of what I was experiencing at the moment.

I froze mid-step, my heart pounding in disbelief as it raced through a labyrinth of confusion and dread.

How did anyone else other than Reece get to know about Arian and I?

My eyes widened as I stared at Percy, searching desperately for answers beyond the smug smirk he had on his face as he leaned against the wall.

Fear and betrayal were all I felt at that moment.

Did Reece tell him? How could she? I told her my secret in confidence and now...

"You seem lost in thought" Percy said, his voice and words sending a cold shiver down my spleen and a silent scream echoed within my head. "All I said was 'you and Mister Adrian, huh?'"

The ground beneath me seemed to tilt, and every breath felt like a gasp for air in a suffocating reality I never thought possible.

"I... I don't know what you're talking about."

I was shaking, sweating and stammering. If that doesn't give me away, then even i would have to admit that Percy was a fool, but that was one thing he wasn't.

a fool

He smiled as he propped himself off the wall and stalked up to me slowly like a predator to his prey and i hugged my books closer to my chest as if they would turn into a shield and protect me.

The tall demon leaned down slightly so he could look into my eyes.

His green eyes pierced through mine, challenging me to lie.

"You swear you don't know what I'm talking about, Tracy?"

My head was spinning at that point. If I don't get out of this situation now, I don't know...

I looked around the hall, it was lunchtime, so the place was eerily silent, safe for my beating heart.

"I don't"

I answered and made an abrupt turn to get away, but he was faster and before i could blink he was right in front of me again

"Can you leave me alone? I said I don't know what you are talking about so stop trying to make something out of nothing"

my breathing was ragged when i was done, i was flaring up

"Hmm" he made a thinking pose as he looked up like he was deep in thought "and i thought i heard something about a one-night stand between a teacher and a student"

My heart sank.

This wasn't good.

"So what if you heard something?" I said, holding on tightly to my book, a surprisingly daring look on my face

Yes, so what if he heard something, as long as Reece or Adrian don't say anything...

"It's my word against yours", with that i walked away.

I just hope Reece didn't say anything.

'I sure as hell don't think Mr. Adrian would go around blabbing to any student that he actually slept with a student before he got in, that would ruin his career'

"Actually, it's you and your friend's words against yours."

"How did you...?"

"Get this?" he laughed, and I heard myself wheezing, "I was going to record a 'heart retching' to my mom when you both rushed in" he looked away from the phone and at me "I've got to say, you girls always have interesting things to say"

suddenly he had scales on his body and horns that looked even more gruesome than the devil's, with fangs for teeth and claws for finger

he was terrifying

"Wha...what do you want?" i blinked back my tears and sucked in a breath

"What I want?"

He made that thinking pose again and i grew weary with every second that passed by and my legs were trembling

If Percy decides to expose me to the school

not only would my school life be ruined but i might never get the chance to be with Jason ever again

and i bet, Adrian will never forgive me

he took a glance at me and then laughed again

probably at how miserable i looked

"I'll let you know what i want when the time comes" he walked up to me and i backed away until my back was against the wall

"if you're good then i'll make sure no one else gets to hear of this especially Jason"

he patted my head and then walked away

"See ya then" he called over his shoulder as he placed his hands in his pockets and walked away.

my legs gave in on me and i fell knee and palm first to the ground

this cannot be happening

how...

how...

"Hey what are you doing on the floor, are you okay?"

Adrian's voice

and then his hands were in my view and they looked like they wanted to help pick me up

but once i raised my head up, he stopped and took a few steps backward

was it because of the tears running down my face?

No, I doubt that

He was still disgusted by me.

My throat felt clogged as i stood up and ran past him, bumping him in the process

The walls of the school corridor seemed to be closing up on me as i ran while whipping my face furiously

I needed to go home

And that's what i did.

It wasn't hard to convince Mrs. Dorathy, the principal, that I was sick

I looked sick

no

I felt sick

My head was pounding when i got home and, without even changing out of my uniform, i flopped onto my bed and let the gentle hands of sleep embrace me.

Even in my sleep i got no comfort

All I got was one nightmare after the other.

People laughing and pointing fingers at me with Percy right at the heart of them all,

Jason looked at me with disgust as he spit in my direction and Reece looked sad as glanced at something by her feet

My eyes followed hers and lying down in his own blood was the gruesomely stabbed body of Adrian.

My heart sank, and my voice died in my throat

Then he abruptly turned towards me, his eyes judging me, blaming me

"This is all your fault!!!"

"Stop!" I screamed as i sat up on my bed

Coming face to face with an empty room

It felt stuffy and with the last bit of my strength, i dragged myself down to open my windows, allowing the cool air into my room

"Jason!"

The familiarity of the voice had me whipping my head down so fast it was a miracle it didn't snap

On the pathway leading to my house stood Jason and running towards him from behind was the school cheerleader's captain Samantha

She threw herself at him and he caught her in a hug

'Nothing new' I said to myself. I see these a lot, but that doesn't mean i don't feel a painful pang in my heart each time

"Where to?" she asked as she pulled away but still holding onto his free hand, he was holding what looked like my bag in his other hand

"I'm going over to T's to give her back her stuff" his honey deep voice said, and I slouched with a sigh.

"T, who's that" Samantha asked.

"Tracy Samantha, how many times do i have to tell you?" he quarrelled, but it sounded playful just like him. "She's my childhood friend and my neighbor" he added with a point in my direction, and I ducked before they could see me

"Whatever" she sighed "hurry up so we're not late. My mom wants me back home early today, remember?"

"Fine I'll be back"

Late? late for what

I wanted to know but at the same time I didn't

This was just one of those days.

Before long, the doorbell rang and i once again had to drag myself down to get it

"Hi Jason"

"Hey T, what's up, you just up and left before school ended and without your stuff, what happened?" he asked worriedly as he handed a dazed me back my bag.

Lucas was glowing brighter tonight; he wore the Balenciaga shirt his grandfather gave him for Christmas last year for the first time after swearing to wear it for a very special occasion along with a navy-blue combat trousers and the white sneakers he used all his three months' savings to get last week. And the cologne he wore

Man, he smelt so good. How lucky Samantha was to be able to hug him and bury her face in his strong chest

"Samantha?" he flicked his fingers in front of me, snapping me back to reality.

"I suddenly felt sick and had to rush home". I looked him over again, "what's the occasion? You look good tonight."

"Are you trying to say I don't look good most days," he squinted playfully at me, and I shoved him gently by his shoulder.

"You know what I mean, you potato head."

He laughed at that and then became quiet as he rubbed his neck while avoiding my eyes.

"I wanted you to be the first to know, so I went looking for you in school all day..." he paused and his face flushed red.

Was Jason blushing?

My eyes widened

He was and suddenly my heart began to beat, I had a bad feeling about this and that made me even more curious than before.

"What is it Jason? You can tell me" I encouraged, and I wished I never had done because what he said next left me in a more painful mess than I was before.

"Well, I got a girlfriend, and we're going on our first date tonight."