“This.” He bit out. “Whatever our relationship is. It has to stop, Mia.”
“I know it must be hard for you, but you are not her—”
“It was me.” His eyes blazed with anger as he said, “I was the one who found out about all the shit she did.”
My lips fell apart. “Y-you sent that to police and…ohmygod. How long have you known?”
“It’s my fault, Mia.” He rubbed his face. “I had a private investigator on her, and I knew she was sleeping with a student. He wasn’t a minor, but then my PI dug deeper to find some dirt on her and found out about it. If I had done something sooner…” He shook his head. “I should’ve done something. I’m just as bad as her.”
“You’re not!” I took a sharp breath, holding his hand. “You’re not Eden because she is a pedophile. Think about it. If you didn’t send that evidence to cops or journalists, she’d still be a dean, and trying to hurt more people… more students.”
James pulled his hand away. “That doesn’t change what’s going on between us, Mia. We are done. Forget about me.”
My eyes stung hearing his harsh words. I won’t let him do it. Stepping closer, I cupped his cheek and made him look at me. “Look at me, James. Look at me and tell me you don’t want me anymore. That you want to forget about me.”
He still didn’t.
“Look at me and tell me you don’t love me.” My voice broke when his ocean eyes flickered to my face.
“Princess…” he whispered, cupping my cheek, wiping my tears. “I can’t say that.”
“Then—”
The door of the classroom opened, and we weren’t quick enough to pull away. Claire looked at us both, gaping at us. “I knew you were fucking him, you bitch.”
42
IT’S OVER
MIA
Every vein in my body turned cold when I saw the evil expression on Claire’s face. I pulled away from James, who looked more distant than anything. As if he had already expected to be the next teacher who walks out of the school in handcuffs.
I would never let that happen to him.
“I’ve heard the cops are still interviewing the students.” She smiled, and it was nothing but cruel. “I’ll be sure to let them know about you two.”
She turned before I could explain. I went to follow her, but James held my wrist.
“Don’t,” he pleaded, “Let her be. I knew the consequences when I kissed you for the first time, Princess. It’s okay.”
“I can’t.” I shook my head, my throat clogging at the thought of James getting hurt because of something that was our decision. “I’m not going to let anyone hurt you.”
I pulled away, running after Claire. I had to stop her and somehow convince her with a lie. Maybe I could tell her that he was hugging me and consoling me.
“I’ll make you suffer.” I heard Claire’s voice coming from the chemistry lab and poked my head in there to find my best friends standing across from her. “My mom will hear about this!”
“Mia!” Summer beamed. “We found this birdie trying to spread rumours about you and Mister James. So scandalous!”
I frowned in confusion and joined them. My eyes widened when I found tears rolling down Claire’s face. “Why are you crying? Are you hurt?” I turned to Emma and noticed her poker face.Oh, no.“What did you guys do to her?”
Claire slapped my hand away when I tried to dab away her tears with a handkerchief. “I don’t want your help.” She glared at both of my friends and sniffled, “I’m sure someone will believe me—”
“I’d love to see you try, darling,” Emma said, tilting her head and nodded at the door. “Now scurry away before I change my mind.”
Surprisingly, Claire obeyed, running out of the lab.
I turned to them. “Change your mind about what?”