CHAPTER 73
**WINTER**
“Shit, shit, shit, I just kicked Zion right in the balls!”
My feet pound against the pavement, every step sending a shockwave through me. Oh, God, what have I done? Panic grips my chest as I struggle to catch my breath.
One thing's for sure: Zion won’t make a scene out here. He’s too calculated for that. But that doesn’t mean I’m off the hook. He’ll bide his time, maybe corner me when I’m alone, or sneak into my room like before. I’m in deep trouble now. I let him get to me, and I walked right into his trap. I’m furious with myself.
Taking the stairs two at a time, I dash up to the girls’ bathroom, my breath ragged and my mind racing. Stupid, stupid, stupid. Blonde strands stick to my damp face, and when I hear the door creak, I whip my head toward the sound.
“What’s wrong with you?” Claire’s voice cuts through the air, sharp and concerned. My heart pounds erratically, and I press a hand against my chest, hoping to steady it. “Sorry, I didn’t see you there,” I mumble, still breathless.
Claire’s brow knits together as she steps closer, her eyes wide with worry.
“Are you okay?”
“Yes… no, no, I’m not okay,” I admit, my voice cracking. Dragging myself over to the sink, I turn on the cold water and splash my face, trying to calm the storm inside me.
Claire stands beside me, staring at me like I’ve grown a second head. “What happened? Did you hook up with someone’s boyfriend? Or maybe hit on one of the hot professors? Please tell me it’s the latter. I don’t think I can handle a full-blown scandal,” she says, her voice tinged with nervous humour.
“No!” I snap, cutting her off before she spirals. “I didn’t sleep with anyone’s boyfriend, and I didn’t hit on a professor.”
Claire exhales in relief, the tension easing from her face. “Okay, then spill. What’s going on?”
I take a shaky breath, trying to gather my thoughts. “Long story short, Zion hates me. I don’t know why, but he’s hell-bent on ruining my life. We used to be best friends years ago, but now that I’m back, he’s like the enemy. Oh, and I just kicked him on the balls!”
Claire just stared at me dumbfounded.
"So, your stepbrother, used to be your best friend, and now he’s your worst enemy who’s out to hurt you whom you just hurt! Wow?"
"Yeah… that pretty much sums it up," I reply, a bitter edge to my voice. "But he’s not the Zion I once knew. He’s different now—unpredictable, always angry. He’s even threatened me more times than I can count…"
Claire’s expression shifts from confusion to concern as she listens. “Wait, what do you mean? What did he do?”
“The other night, he cornered me,” I confess, my voice trembling. “He threatened me, said he’d make my life miserable if I didn’t leave.”
“Threatened you?” Claire’s face hardens, anger flashing in her eyes.
I shrug, feeling helpless. “I don’t know. All I know is that he hates me. I just… I don’t understand why.”
Claire stares at me, her expression a mix of shock and sympathy. “That's messed up, Winter.”
I nod, but deep down, the fear lingers. I don’t know what’s coming next, but I do know one thing—I’m not backing down, no matter how hard he tries to break me.
I splash my face with cold water, hoping it’ll cool the flush of panic that’s taken over. I’m on the verge of a complete meltdown when Claire’s voice cuts through my thoughts.
“Come on,” she says firmly, grabbing my hand.
I glance up, startled. “Where are we going?”
“To the cafeteria. You need food, and I need to figure out what’s going on in Zion's head,” Claire replies, her tone leaving no room for argument.
I let her pull me out of the bathroom and down the hallway. I’m struggling to keep up, my heart racing with every step. I feel like I’m in a daze, the echo of Claire’s footsteps and the distant chatter of students melding into a blur.
Once we’re in the cafeteria, Claire leads us to a quieter corner by the windows. She slides into a seat, motioning for me to sit down.
Claire groans and presses her hand to her forehead as if battling a headache. “Look Winter, if Zion hates you, you need to be extremely careful.”
My throat tightens, and I’m left struggling to process her words. Claire continues, “Zion’s got real power here. He’s not just some entitled guy—he’s got influence that stretches beyond the campus. His mother funds half of the school’s programs and contributed to the new science lab last year. His mother’s in charge of key decisions, and Zion’s presence here means his word can make or break people’s lives.”
I bite the inside of my cheek, tasting blood as my fear mounts. “So, he can hurt me, and no one would do anything?”
Claire’s hands drop from her face, and her eyes meet mine, revealing her apprehension. “Exactly. Zion’s practically the king of this place. If he tells someone to act against you, they’ll do it. His reach is long, and his influence is real.”
I feel like I’m sinking, my breath coming out in short, sharp gasps. “What do I do then? I’ve just made things worse, haven’t I?”
Claire’s gaze shifts to the table, her face etched with concern. “Lay low. Keep your head down and avoid drawing attention to yourself. I wish I had a better answer, but Zion is a dangerous person to cross. Right now, staying out of his way might be the best move.”
Her words sink in, amplifying my anxiety. I nod, trying to process the gravity of my situation. “I’m screwed aren't I?".”
A few moments of silence stretch between us before Claire breaks it, her voice tinged with frustration.
“I just don’t get it,” she murmurs, mostly to herself. “After everything I’ve said about Zion, I still can’t wrap my head around his behaviour towards you. Sure, he’s a manwhore and a bully most of the time, and I’ve seen that side of him. But I’ve also witnessed another side—one where he’s genuinely caring. He’s known to go out of his way for his close friends, like Clarke and Ronald, and others he cares about. I can’t fathom why he’s being like this with you.”
I sigh, feeling drained. “I don’t get it either. He’s not the same Zion I knew. He’s so angry all the time and keeps threatening me. I feel like I’m walking on eggshells around him.”
Claire’s brow furrows as she contemplates.
“I’ll talk to Clarke. Maybe he knows what’s going on. Clarke and Zion are close, and if anyone has a clue about this behaviour, it’s him.”
Claire’s gaze hardens with determination as she leans in closer. “Look, I’ll get the truth out of Clarke if I have to. He’s my twin, so I know how to get him to talk. If it comes down to it, I’ll blackmail him.”
I blink at her, feeling a mix of relief and anxiety. “You think he'll tell you?”
Claire nods resolutely. “Absolutely. Clarke may act tough, but he’s not above doing what I ask when I get serious. If there’s any reason behind the behaviour, Clarke will spill it.”
I let out a shaky breath. “I hope so. I just need to understand why Zion is so hell-bent on making my life miserable.”
Claire gives my hand a comforting squeeze.
"Don’t stress, Winter. We’ll figure this out. Just hang in there a little longer. I’ll deal with Clarke and see what we can find out. In the meantime, try to focus on your classes and take it easy."
I nod, feeling a bit steadier with Claire’s plan in place. “Thank you, Claire. y appreciate it.”
“Anytime,” she replies, giving me a reassuring smile. “Now, let’s grab something to eat and try to take your mind off things for a bit. We’ll tackle this together.”
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