I managed to escape before Harmony could begin her little performance for Josiah. I make my way into the bathroom and use the first cubicle. I then stand before the mirror and look at my self as I wash my hands.
Why can’t I be more like Harmony and the other girls? I have massive bags under my eyes and my skin looks mottled grey. Lack of sleep will do that, I guess.
I leave the bathroom and begin heading to class. Izzy drops into step beside me.
“I should have gone with you to the bathroom. Harmony’s ’look at me’ fest was nauseating.” She complains and links her arm with mine.
I huff a laugh at her description.
We reach the classroom door and Izzy steps in before me. I begin to step through the door but get shoved out the way. An elbow hits my bruise and I bite my lip to stop the curse word on my tongue slipping out. I grimace away as Harmony laughs in my face.
“Losers last,” she practically snarls before stepping in the classroom. She then slams the door shut in my face.
I move away from the door a second and suck in a deep breath as I try to straighten again. I press a hand to the bruise as I suck in another breath.
Another hand lands on top of mine and I look up at Josiah in surprise. “Show me.”
His demand is soft but still a demand. I sigh before taking my hand off. Josiah slowly lifts my shirt and concern floods his eyes.
“How the hell did you do this Cleo?” He assesses how far it stretches around the back.
“I fell on the stairs,” I lie effortlessly.
Josiah drops my shirt and looks at me, “do not bullshit me Cleo. That bruise is in multiple areas. Unless you hit every step on the way up, that is not from stairs.”
I bite my bottom lip and look away from him.
The classroom door opens and the professor sticks her head out.
She bows at the sight of Josiah, “apologies beta. I was checking to see if Cleo is coming into the classroom before we start.”
I say “yes” at the same time Josiah says “no.”
Of course the professor nods at Josiah before closing the classroom door again.
“I have to go back into class,” I tell Josiah and make to step away.
His hands dart up and trap me against the wall. “Not until you tell me the truth about your bruise.”
“Is that an order?” I ask quietly.
I do not wish to tell Josiah the truth but I will have no choice if he tells me the question is an order. We have to follow the rank of the pack.
I also know that Josiah would never use the order command unless he had to.
“What?” He drops his hands and genuinely looks a little hurt. “I would never do that to you.” He strokes and hand against my cheek. “You are like family Cleo. I just want to know you are okay. If someone has hurt you then I need to know so I can help.”
I reach up and take his hand off my face, “i promise you I am fine.”
He shakes his head, “that still does not answer the question.”
I shrug and refuse to meet his eye contact.
He sighs before leaning in and pressing a kiss to my temple. “We will talk about this later.” He opens the classroom door for me and I slip inside.
I drop into the seat next to Izzy. She leans over and asks what that was about. I reassure her it was nothing to worry about.
I am trying not to attract attention to myself but Josiah is having the opposite effect. I need to think of a good reason for my bruise so he leaves me alone.
I look up and find Harmony glaring at me. She raises an eyebrow at me in challenge before turning around. Her blonde hair flicks over her shoulder with attitude.