The sound of footsteps suddenly filled the pool area....shoes clicking against tile, laughter echoing, voices of both boys and girls drifting in. Jamaila stiffened, clutching Auren's shirt tighter against her frame, praying they wouldn't come closer.
The sound rang louder than when she was hitted. Nicole stumbled back, collapsing to the floor, clutching her cheek in shock.
Jamaila's eyes widened in disbelief. It was Auren. Auren had struck Nicole.
She blinked rapidly, rubbing her eyes as if to confirm it wasn't a hallucination. But it was real. He stood before them, fury burning in his gaze.
"How dare you hit Jamaila like that?" Auren growled, his voice edged with a rare, seething anger. His brow arched, his tone dangerous. "Only I have the right to hit my people. You don't have that right, Nicole."
Jamaila's stomach dropped.
His people? Her mind reeled, shock pounding through her veins. What in actual hell does he mean by that?!
