CHAPTER 135
**WINTER**
"I want this. And I don’t give a damn what people think when they see me," I say, my voice steady, even as my chest tightens.
Zion’s words have been nothing but sharp edges since this morning, each one cutting deeper than the last. It’s like he’s determined to remind me exactly where we stand—as if I could ever forget.
As if I had any right to expect more from him.
Serves me right for being foolish enough to believe, even for a second, that he could be anything more than this—cold, cruel, and exactly who he’s always been.
I don’t spare him a glance as I brush past, but I can feel his eyes on me—heavy, burning.
Too bad I’m done caring.
Claire is already beside me, her presence a grounding force as we walk together toward her car.
Zion is still there, watching. I can feel his eyes on me, burning into my back, but I don’t give him the satisfaction of looking his way. I force my chin up, my steps steady, as we reach the car and slide inside.
Claire shuts the door and exhales, giving me a knowing look.
“What did he do now? Is he the reason you’re so dead set on going to college when you should really be home?”
“Zion’s just being Zion,” I say, forcing my voice to stay even.
“And no, he has nothing to do with my decision. I don’t care what he thinks or says. I’m going to college because I can’t just sit around—I need to keep myself busy.”
Claire exhales sharply, crossing her arms as she leans against the door.
“Can’t blame you for that,” she mutters, her tone edged with something between agreement and frustration.
“Zion and his little pack of assholes—always acting like they own the damn world.” Her jaw tightens for a second before she sighs.
“And yeah, I know one of them’s my brother, but that doesn’t mean I’m blind. They’re all the same—cocky, reckless, and too damn used to getting away with everything.”
She shakes her head, eyes flicking back to me.
“So yeah, I get it. If I were you, I’d want to get the hell away too.”
I stare out the window, my gaze locking onto his almost instantly.
He’s still watching me, an unreadable expression on his face. Something flickers there—something raw, something lost. But it’s gone before I can even begin to understand it.
I sigh, my fingers gripping the seatbelt. “I don’t understand him,” I admit, my voice quieter now.
“The last two nights, he was… different. He was caring, like I actually meant something to him. The way he beat Ethan, the way he came into my room to check if I was okay… and then held me until I fell asleep. Like he was the boy I once knew.” I swallow hard, shaking my head.
“But this morning, it was like something snapped. He shut down. Turned cold.”
Claire starts the car, her lips pressing together in a thin line.
“He’s an asshole, Winter. Stop trying to figure him out. He’s not worth it.”
I shake my head, eyes still locked on Zion.
“I have to know, Claire. I have to understand. Today, after I get home, I’m going to confront him. I won’t let this go—not until he tells me what I’ve done.”
Claire sighs but doesn’t argue. Instead, she reaches over and gives my hand a reassuring squeeze.
“Whatever happens, I’m right here, okay?”
I manage a small smile, squeezing back. “I know.”
As Claire pulls out of the driveway, I take one last glance at Zion. He hasn’t moved. He’s still standing there, watching his expression unreadable. But in his eyes, for just a fraction of a second, I swear I see something else. Something like regret.
Then we’re gone, the road stretching ahead, and I can only wonder what awaits me when I return.
.........
When I step onto campus, the world seems to grind to a halt. The stares. The whispers. The way some people nudge their friends, pointing at me like I’m some kind of spectacle.
I hate it.
I never wanted attention, and I sure as hell didn’t want it like this.
I keep my head down, moving quickly through the morning crowd, but a sickly sweet voice cuts through the noise, making my skin crawl.
“Oh my God, Summer. What happened?”
Summer. Of course. She knows damn well my name is Winter, but she keeps throwing it around like some kind of childish dig.
Just what I needed—another reminder that Cindy’s got nothing better to do than push my buttons.
I turn slowly, and there she is—Cindy, standing there with her perfectly glossed lips stretched into a mock-shocked expression that’s anything but genuine.
Her little pack of clones stands behind her, watching like vultures waiting for a meal.
“None of your business,” I snap, my fingers tightening around the strap of my bag.
Cindy pouts, tilting her head like she actually gives a damn.
“No need to be a bitch, Summer. I was just concerned. I mean, there’s this whole… story going around that you were supposedly attacked.” She air-quotes the word, her perfectly manicured nails flashing in the sunlight.
“Supposedly attacked?” I snap, my voice tight with anger, barely containing the fury rising inside me.
She shrugs, feigning innocence.
“Well, you know how rumors are. So dramatic. And, I mean, if you ask me… you probably got exactly what you wanted. I don’t see what all the fuss is about.”
“Cindy.” Claire’s voice is sharp beside me, thick with barely restrained fury.
Cindy’s smirk only widens.
“Oh, look. If it isn’t Saint Claire, here to play bodyguard.” She crosses her arms, looking Claire up and down with disdain.
“Shouldn’t you be off saving the world or something? This has nothing to do with you.”
Claire glares, standing her ground.
“Girls are supposed to stick together over things like this. Even you should know that.”
Cindy lets out a mocking laugh.
“Right. Girls should stick together—but, well…” Cindy’s gaze flickers back to me, her smile twisting into something cruel.
"In Autumn’s case, after what I saw…” she says, casually waving her phone in front of me, a malicious glint in her eyes.
"Let’s just say that night with Ethan? She was probably just warming up for the main event. She acts all innocent, but we both know better, don’t we, Summer?”
Her tone is laced with a dark suggestion, her eyes narrowing as if she’s enjoying every second of this.
“Maybe she likes it rough… or maybe it’s just part of her game.”
A cold wave of nausea washes over me.
Rough… what the fuck?
I open my mouth, but the words catch in my throat.
She’s talking about me.
She’s talking about that night—when I was assaulted, almost raped—and she has the nerve to twist it like I somehow wanted it.
The world tilts, spinning around me, the noise muffled as her words crash into me.
I can barely breathe.
She leans in just a fraction, her voice dropping to a faux whisper, but loud enough for everyone nearby to hear.
“If you’re gonna act like a slut, Summer, don’t act so surprised when people treat you like one.”
A sharp gasp cuts through the air.
Claire moves before I can even process what’s happening—her fist clenched, her eyes blazing with fury. Without a second thought, she swings it forward, landing a sharp punch right on Cindy’s jaw.
The force of the blow sends Cindy staggering back, her body crashing hard onto the floor with a sickening thud. Claire stands over her, chest heaving, her breath coming in angry bursts.
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