The east garden was the least visited part of Whitethorn. The ground was uneven in some places, and the tall grasses surrounding it felt more like a short fence that shielded the garden from passersby looking in. The garden felt more like a forgotten space than part of the prestigious academy grounds.
But that made it perfect for hiding.
Killian and Cassian had made it their own private retreat since their first year in school. In here they could breathe away from the school's pressure, the noise, even the girls' unwavering attention.
It gave them the much needed privacy from the rest of the students.
Killian sat on the low stone bench near the broken fountain, flipping through his chemistry notes, looking wholly interested in them. Cassian lay flat on his back on the grass nearby, one arm flung across his face.
"We're screwed," Cassian said for the fifth time.
Killian snorted. "Speak for yourself. I read the whole of chapter seven last night. And if I keep looking at this long enough, I just might understand it"
Cassian scoffed. "You've been staring at that note for the past hour. How much more time do you need to understand it? 'Long enough' my ass."
"I just hope you won't come to me for any explanation when I finally understand it.
You better pick up your book now," Killian mumbled.
Cassian groaned, rolling over the grass. "Remind me again, why do we need chemistry to become warriors of the blood moon?"
"Because Principal Maren said so," Killian replied dryly. "And even as a warrior, you're still partly human, so you need Chemistry."
Then they heard footsteps.
Soft and hesitant, padding on the grass.
Their heads shot up at the same time.
Bella.
She walked toward them slowly, hugging her arms around herself like she was trying to hold something in.
Cassian sat up when he saw her. "Hey. Bella. You look like someone punched you in the—wait. Did someone punch you?"
Killian frowned, standing. "Bella?"
She stopped in front of them and tried to smile, but it was tight. Forced.
"Can I talk to you?" she asked quietly, her eyes travelling between the two boys.
Cassian picked up on it immediately. "I'll give you guys some space." He stood, brushing grass from his uniform. "I'll be over there, if you need me for anything, just wave"
"Go on Cassian, she won't need you for anything," Killian said.
"Right," he responded.
Bella gave him a grateful look as he disappeared down the path.
Killian motioned for her to sit. She didn't.
He studied her. "You look... upset."
"I am."
Killian waited.
She took a deep breath, and the words tumbled out faster than she expected.
"It was this morning. In the dining hall. Some girls, I don't even know all their names, but Jasmine, Bianca, Leina, and Elara… they came at me. I mean literally. Jasmine slapped me, Bianca tried to pull me by the collar, Elara recited the most spiteful words ever.
They all blamed me for Luca drawing that portrait of me. They said I was pretending to be innocent, that I was fooling him and I had him wrapped around my pinky finger."
Killian's brows drew together.
"Elara too?"
Bella nodded, her eyes shining with pain. "She even led the fight. She stood there and watched them all take turns at me. She herself said I was manipulating Luca. That I was pretending to be scared and lost and sweet. She… she called me a bitch."
Killian muttered a curse under his breath.
"I tried so hard, but I couldn't even fight back properly, I was greatly outnumbered" Bella said, her voice shaking. "I just… I couldn't believe Elara of all people would be part of them, saying those things. I trusted her."
She looked away, blinking fast.
Killian stepped closer. "Bella—"
"But then Corrine came to my rescue," she continued. "She came into the room just when the fight was getting heated and… she just made them leave. She knocked Jasmine down, she even threatened to take them to Principal Maren. I didn't expect it at all. She was the only one who stood up for me."
Killian reached for her gently. "I'm so sorry that happened to you."
Bella shook her head. "I just… I don't know who to trust anymore Killian. Everywhere I turn, it's one betrayal or the other"
"You can trust me," Killian said.
She looked up at him.
"I mean it," he added. "Or have I ever given you any reason to doubt me?"
Bella didn't respond.
He stepped forward, then pulled her gently into a hug.
At first, she stiffened.
Then she melted.
Her arms circled him. Her cheek rested against his chest. He didn't say anything. He just held her.
His hug was peaceful, she felt like she could breathe again. So she pushed further into his arms, accepting all the sympathy.
That was when they heard the crunch of boots on gravel, walking too fast to meet them.
Killian immediately turned his head around just as Luca appeared from behind the grasses. He had that energy about him, a dangerous look in his eyes, like he was just on the edge.
"What the hell is this?" he snapped.
Bella stepped back instinctively. "Luca—"
Killian moved in front of her. "It's not what you think."
"No?" Luca's voice mounted with pressure. "Because it looks a lot like you had your hands all over her."
"She was upset," Killian said firmly. "And I was just comforting her."
"I saw enough!"
"Luca, stop—" Bella tried, but Luca had already reached Killian.
His fist flew before Killian could duck.
The punch landed square on Killian's jaw.
Killian staggered back, then looked up with a kind of stunned disbelief.
"Seriously?"
"Why did you lay your hands on her?" Luca growled.
Killian rubbed his jaw. "I just told you it wasn't like that."
Luca lunged again, and this time Killian was ready. He caught Luca's arm and shoved him back.
They collided hard against the stone fountain.
Bella shouted, "Stop it! Both of you!"
They didn't listen.
Bella ran forward, trying to pull them apart.
"Killian, stop!"
"Luca, please!"
But neither of them backed down.
She could feel the tension building in the air, thick and heavy, while they kept going at each other's throats.
She had to stop it.
Or something worse was going to happen.