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Remnants

I dreareen eyes Mo forme back to reality I wish I didn’t dreao Was he dead? I tellback, that he’s alive and well, but with every passing week, my hope lessens

"Are you ready yet?" Mila called through the bathroolanced down at the remnants of the feather tattoo on ether It just washed away in the shower like it was nothingmerely a scar I pulled my hair to the front so it draped around both of htened hair seeainst the royal blue fabric of ht was the school’s dance I didn’t want to go but it was co on very thin ice I opened the bathroom door and suddenly felt insecure Mila looked beautiful The long gold gown she wore ant than my strapless, above-the-knee cocktail dress

"Wow," Mila gasped at me

"Don’tme, I feel cheap next to you"

"If I had the boobs and legs to pull off that dress I would’ve bought a dress like yours This silly gown is annoying"

I opened my mouth to protest her ridiculous observation but a knock on the door stopped me Every time a knock sounds upon my door my heart races and oddess, you look beautiful"

It was Gabriel Gabriel was a student guardian angel we hadhall; he was also Hunter’s best friend

A fake smile spread acrossthat caet to lock the door; I don’t want et stolen We’ll see you there," Mila said, closing the door behind her

Mila and I now share a room Somehow, she convinced her uncle, Ivan Aleksandrov, that she could help me stay on track and out of trouble We were moved to the far end of the dorle dorms; it was perfect

I pulled on a black pair of heels, they were a lot higher than what I was used to I wobbled unsteadily to ed to walk confidently over to the door I switched out the light and locked the door behind me

"Goddess"

I turned abruptly,into my throat "Jesus Christ, Hunter"

He adjusted the toothpick that hung out of his mouth and s sleeved, button up royal blue shirt What are the odds that we had both chosen to wear the saasped

His sudden appearance put me in a bit of an aard situation We hadn’t spoken since he kissed me and I told him to leave me alone I assumed he was annoyed withto the dance"

"No, I’ that way anye can walk together"

"Fine"

We walked side by side; his black dress shoes hitting the tiled corridor floor with quiet taps Mine made a much louder click with every step

"Why are you chewing a toothpick?"

Starting a conversation was the only thing I could do to take my mind off the incessant beat ofproperly

"I quit sht about the ti spot by accident when I was looking for a subtle place to teach o, I was iress so far

"You know, at least Gabriel showed up announced like a gentleman He even told Mila that she looked beautiful You and your toothpick just show up, scaring ned out and exited the girl’s dorms

"You don’t look beautiful" Hunter sht air hit my face

"Thanks"

"You look sexy"

I rolled my eyes Hunter was that type of person, I suppose He was very raw and uncensored He was a smartass and he knew it He doesn’t care about boundaries; Hunter knows exactly what he wants and how to get it He was the exact opposite of Eli Eli was respectful and charirl off her feet classically and he kne to make her feel like there was no one else in the world but her I kind of like that he said that to h I’d been so lonely the last fewthat soiven a box of matches when you’re stranded on a cold, deserted island

We approached the dining hall My head was thu out of the open s and doors

"Are you ready?" Hunter asked

"As I’ll ever be"

The roo tables was now filled with balloons, streamers, punch bowls, and rows and rows of snacks It was dim and loud; I could barely hear myself think

"Enjoy yourself," Hunter shouted in rabbed his ar another step I did want to come alone initially, but now that I’ for the event to end Some company would be nice

"Wait"

Hunter s to stop hiet a drink"

We ducked and squeezed past sweaty teenagers and over to one of the many punch bowls Hunter pulled a small flask from his inside jacket pocket and proceeded to e the clear liquid with passionfruit punch

"Hunter, what are you doing?" I whispered hastily into his ear

"Relax It’ll help loosen you up"

He pushed the cup closer toliquid, weighing the pros and cons

"Ruby, it’s okay Who’s going to know?"

I grasped the cup and I thought about the consequences If this all rong, I would no doubt be expelled froe, and yet that threat doesn’t scarefor me here A lot of students still hated els went out of their way to ignore ues and friends killed, after all If I did do this, then for one night I could forget about everything and have fun

The sht the cup to my lips Surely it doesn’t taste as bad as it s down my throat I realized it did taste as bad as it s soht frohed

Hunter smiled "That’s the way I like it"

It didn’t take long fora good time The best tiestured to the dance floor

A slow song played through the speakers and Hunter flicked his eyebroards the dance floor