Amber

Chapter 30: I Don't Need Him

(Amber's POV)

I couldn't believe him.

I couldn't believe what he did.

I knew Adrian was possessive.

I knew he was controlling.

But I never thought—

I never thought he'd push me.

—

I should have yelled at him.

I should have slapped him.

I should have done something.

But instead, I walked away.

Because if I stayed—

I would have lost it.

—

I spent the rest of the day avoiding him.

Ignoring his burning stare in class.

Refusing to meet his eyes in the hall.

Blocking out his voice when he called my name.

He wanted me to acknowledge him.

He wanted me to react.

So I wouldn't.

Instead, I turned to the one person who knew exactly how to piss him off.

Damien.

—

I found him at lunch, leaning back in his chair like he had all the time in the world.

He grinned when he saw me.

"Well, well. If it isn't my favorite troublemaker."

I forced a smile, sliding into the seat beside him. "Still alive after Adrian's tantrum?"

Damien chuckled. "Barely. But I think it was worth it."

I smirked. "Good. Because I have a favor to ask."

His red eyes gleamed. "Oh? This sounds fun."

I leaned in slightly.

"Make him suffer."

—

Damien laughed. "Sweetheart, you have no idea how much I love that idea."

I tilted my head. "So, you'll help?"

His smirk widened. "Absolutely. But tell me something first."

I raised an eyebrow. "What?"

His voice dropped slightly.

"Are you doing this because you actually like me… or because you want to destroy him?"

I exhaled. "Does it matter?"

Damien chuckled. "Not to me."

—

I didn't glance at Adrian once.

Even though I could feel him watching.

Even though I knew his golden eyes were burning with jealousy.

Even though I knew he was probably ready to set the whole cafeteria on fire.

Good.

Let him burn.

—

The next few hours were torture.

For him.

Because I stayed next to Damien.

I laughed at his stupid jokes.

I let him walk me to class.

I let him stand too close, touch my arm, whisper things in my ear—

And I did it all knowing Adrian was watching.

Because I wanted to hurt him.

Because he needed to know what it felt like to be shoved aside.

Because I wasn't his.

—

Or at least, that's what I kept telling myself.

Until he snapped.

—

The final bell rang.

Damien and I were at my locker.

Talking. Laughing.

Until suddenly—

Damien was yanked back.

—

"What the hell?" I gasped, turning sharply.

Adrian stood there.

Expression dark. Dangerous.

His golden eyes locked onto Damien with pure, deadly jealousy.

Damien just smirked. "Took you long enough."

Adrian ignored him.

His gaze flickered to me.

And I swear—I felt the entire hall go silent.

—

"Come here," he muttered.

I folded my arms. "No."

His jaw ticked. "Amber."

I tilted my head. "What? Don't like seeing me with someone else?"

His fists clenched. "Don't push me."

I laughed. "Oh, you mean like how you pushed me earlier?"

His entire body stiffened.

I saw it.

I saw the way his lips parted slightly.

The way his golden eyes flickered with something I couldn't name.

Something like regret.

Good.

Let him feel it.

—

Damien whistled. "Yikes. Looks like you fucked up, Blackwood."

Adrian's jaw tightened. "Stay out of this, Damien."

Damien chuckled. "Oh, but this is too fun."

I turned back to Adrian, tilting my chin up. "What's wrong? Thought I was yours?"

His golden eyes burned.

"You are."

I smirked. "Not anymore."

—

I turned to walk away.

But I didn't get far.

Because suddenly—

Adrian grabbed my wrist and yanked me back.

I gasped.

"Adrian!" I snapped. "Let go!"

He didn't.

Instead, he stepped closer.

Towering over me.

Breathing hard.

Looking at me like he was fighting every single urge to do something reckless.

—

"Enough," he muttered.

I glared. "You don't get to decide that!"

He exhaled sharply. "You've made your point, Amber. You're pissed. I get it."

I scoffed. "Oh, do you?"

His grip tightened slightly.

"Yeah," he murmured. "I do."

—

His golden eyes flickered over my face, studying me.

Like he was trying to figure out how much damage he had done.

Like he was trying to see if I still wanted him.

And that?

That pissed me off even more.

—

"You don't get to be mad at me," I muttered.

His voice dropped. "Then who do I get to be mad at?"

I clenched my jaw. "Yourself."

He exhaled sharply. "Amber—"

I shoved him away.

Hard.

His hands dropped from me.

And suddenly—he looked lost.

Like he wasn't sure what to do now that I was really walking away.

Like he wasn't sure if I'd come back.

—

I held his gaze, my chest rising and falling heavily.

Then I whispered—

"You don't deserve me, Adrian."

And for the first time since I met him—

He had nothing to say.

—

I turned and walked away.

For real this time.

And even though I felt his stare burning into me the entire time—

I didn't look back.

—