Ashton
“Ah!”
Amanda’s shriek pierced the quiet corridor as I yanked her inside the empty classroom, the door slamming shut behind us with a resounding thud. Her wide eyes darted around the shadowed room, chest heaving, cheeks flushed. The others were busy lounging around in the hideout—probably bickering or beating the s**t out of each other like usual—but I had something more important to take care of.
Something I’ve been obsessing over for weeks.
I ignored her startled gasp as I pushed her back against the cold, hard wall, caging her in with both arms. The familiar scent of fear—her fear—hit me like a drug, wrapping around my senses, heightening my focus. It was a heady mix, a cocktail of adrenaline and raw, unfiltered emotion that made my pulse quicken.
“I stayed behind just for yo
