(TRIGGER WARNING)
Of all the crazy shit I've let Artemis convince me into doing, this takes the cake, and all just to satisfy that final day wish of his.
He's a sick, that's what he is.
I rethink all of this while I stare back at myself in the mirror of the girls' bathroom, right after getting changed into this outfit he so desperately wanted to see me in.
In my own opinion, I might as well not be wearing any clothes at all. It's the shortest, skin-tight black dress I've ever worn, with spaghetti straps that hold the fabric up.
The cowl neckline, on the other hand, dips a little lower than my insecurities allow. Every asset I have is on display, like a hooker on the side of the road waiting to be picked up.
No fucking way I'm wearing this outside of here.
On cue, my phone begins to ring, and his name comes across my screen.
"What?"
"Have you stepped out yet?" Artemis asks through the phone, his tone revealing a grin I'd love to wipe off his face at this very moment.
"The deal's off, I'm not fucking doing this."
"You already agreed, sweetheart; it's too late to back out now."
"You dressed me up like a hooker!"
"Is that what you think?" He pauses for a moment, before sighing subtly. "Actually, I see it as you embracing that beautiful body of yours. I notice the way you hide behind those oversized shirts and dresses, and I notice your little fears. You are perfect, exactly the way you are, and you just might be the only one who doesn't realize it. This is your chance to own it, Sera."
My cheeks heat up, and I feel so exposed, so bare to him - like he's here right now, standing before me and saying those words while worshipping every inch of me.
But he's not - yet my heart skips that beat.
"Don't talk about me like that."
He chuckles. "Is the human girl nervous? Fine, you can back out. We'd just prolong our agreement by a year-"
"What? No, no. I'd do it. I'd wear the dress, so no prolonging."
He's silent for a moment, and I can't tell if he's disappointed with my choice or pleased.
"Good girl." The smirk is back to his voice. "See you soon then."
The line cuts.
He's arranged for me to walk down the hallways like this and meet him in the teacher's lounge, which he's commandeered as his personal hangout.
The temptation to just say 'screw it,' change back into my old clothes and go about my usual day is high, but this is my way out of this gamble with Artemis - I'd forget about him once this is over.
All I have to do is endure this circus for another six hours.
Taking a deep breath, I pull the scrunchy from my hair, letting it fall freely over my shoulders in a futile attempt to cover more skin. His words come back to me, and I try to channel some of it into standing taller, squaring my shoulders.
After another minute of inwardly pep-talking myself, I brace for impact and step out into the bustling hallway.
For the first half-minute, I go unnoticed.
Thanks to my petite size, I'm almost invisible-that is, until a pair of eyes lock onto me, letting out an audible gasp.
Like a chain reaction, one pair of eyes after another shifts in my direction, curiosity swelling until about 20 people are openly staring and whispering as I walk by.
I quicken my pace, attempting to balance in the 6-inch heels I'm also wearing while praying I don't topple over and break my ankles.
Own it, Sera.
Own it, Sera.
Own it.
The further I advance, I try to do just that, even sending off a little smile to those that meet my gaze. However, the more eyes latch onto me; whispers and shocked expressions swirl around.
I have no idea if it's the good or bad kind.
Their gazes dissect me layer by layer, peeling away every bit of confidence until I feel emotionally exposed, as if utterly naked even though I'm not.
It's at this point that I admit defeat.
Realizing my bravery and Artemis' assurance have their limits, I dash into the nearest empty classroom and lock the door behind me.
Finally, I can breathe-inhaling a deep gust of air into my lungs and forcibly exhaling it out.
"Fuck you, Artemis," I mutter under my breath.
Oh, I'll make sure to give him a piece of my mind when I finally reach that teacher's lounge. 'Perfect the way you are' - my ass.
Just then, a voice slices through the silence.
"What's got your panties in a twist, huh?"
Startled, I let out a scream, jumping back from the unexpected voice in a room that should be vacant, according to my calculations.
Swiveling around, I find Ace perched at the very back of the room, feet nonchalantly propped up on a table. Clutching my pounding heart, I regain my ability to breathe.
"Damn it, you scared the shit out of me," I hiss, pounding my chest to calm my racing heart.
Unapologetically, he simply rests his chin on his palm, his face etched with a mix of boredom and exhaustion.
Oddly enough, he appears even more drained than when I saw him an hour ago-his eyes are subtly red and his skin looks unusually pale.
"Are you okay?" I ask, taking cautious steps towards him, my eyes falling on the large bottle of what appears to be booze sitting on the floor.
"It's Moonshine," he replies, reading my unasked question. "Jasper's secret stash. It's the only thing that affects us like alcohol does you humans, minus the hangover."
"Should you be drinking that in school, though?" I question, raising an eyebrow.
"No, but who's gonna tell on me? You?" He arches his brow, his expression mocking, as if the notion of me being a threat is laughable.
I steam at his tone but hold back my irritation.
"Don't worry, I won't snitch," I say coldly as I look away.
Five seconds with him and I already wish I could escape this room and brave the whisperings waiting beyond the door.
He scoffs, taking another swig of his drink. The smell of it wafts toward me, pungent and unappealing.
With a sigh, he wipes his mouth and turns to me, a disturbing grin forming on his lips.
"Well, don't you look pretty, all dolled up for Artemis, I presume. Planning to finally let him into your pants?" His words are crude and demeaning.
"Fuck you," I turn back to swear at him harshly.
His laughter turns bitter, filled with a disdain and hostility I can't quite place.
"No, darling, he's the one who's going to fuck you. That's likely what he's been sticking around for. Here's a tip: if you want to shake him off fast, just spread those pretty legs of yours like a good girl."
"Do you always treat your friends like this?"
His scoff is louder this time, and the smirk drops from his face, revealing a raw, pained look.
"I don't have friends. Life isn't the same for us as it is in your human bubble, little girl. And even if I were to make an exception, you'd be the last person I'd consider. You're nothing but a chunk of meat meant for devouring."
"Whoever hurt you really did a number on you, didn't they?"
"You don't know shit about me, and what I loathe more than pathetic humans is one who thinks she can read me," he spits out, his voice doused in venom.
"I may not know you well, but despite your foul attitude, you do consider Artemis and Jasper as friends. You can't deny that. Instead of wallowing here and projecting your anger, maybe you should take a hard look at your own life. Perhaps the girl you're so torn up over might then give you a second glance," I say, my tone sharper than intended.
His eyes narrow, and he rises from his seat, advancing toward me in what feels like a stare-down.
"You fucking didn't," his voice drops low and menacing. "I see Artemis' little slut has a mouth on her. I'm suddenly curious to know if all you use it for is talk. Maybe you have some special technique that keeps the bastard on his toes, right?"
I turn to talk back, but he grabs my arm roughly, throwing me back against the wall.
My back slams into it with a painful jolt, and the force tears through the right side of my fragile dress, which clearly wasn't designed to withstand a scuffle.
He snickers, effectively cornering me with his imposing frame.
"Maybe I'd like to have a taste of that myself. You certainly dressed for the occasion, didn't you? Walking around like a temptress in a den of wolves-pretty bad idea, don't you think?" His laughter is filled with hysteria, suggesting a descent into madness.
Grimacing from the pain, I manage to stand, trembling at his menacing appearance.
I can't bring myself to believe he would actually hurt me, especially given what that would mean for his relationship with Artemis.
"Let me go, Ace."
Ignoring my plea, he roughly lifts my chin, his fingers grazing along my neck. The contact leaves a trail of disgust on my skin, and he grips my neck, although not with full force.
"Stop acting like you don't want this. Would you prefer it if it were Artemis pinning you down right now, hmm? Everyone wants Artemis, after all. He has everything, doesn't he? I guess I'm not good enough for you either." As he speaks, the pressure on my neck tightens.
"Stop this, you don't want to do this. We both know that. You're hurt and drunk on moonshine," I argue desperately.
"It's strange how even now you look like her in the way you speak. But I don't care about any of you; I'm not holding back anymore."
He leans forward, roughly claiming my lips next.
The rough texture of his wet tongue slides across my tightly pressed lips, seeking entrance. I don't let him until he applies more pressure on my neck, making me gasp for air.
Seizing the opportunity, he deepens the kiss, pressing my petite frame against his rigid body. Tears well up in my eyes as I struggle against him, realizing I'm not strong enough to resist or win.
My head starts to feel light due to the lack of oxygen, and black spots begin to fill my vision.
Please, help me!
'No one's coming; you're alone. Let us handle it.'
His hands slide to the zipper of my dress, and I shut my eyes, bracing myself for whatever comes next.
That is until I push him, and suddenly he flies off me, crashing into the wall on the opposite end of the room. It makes no sense-I know I'm not that strong.
However, it all becomes clear when I see Artemis standing there, breathing hard and heavy, his eyes glowing golden and his pupils taking the form of his beast's.