Breaking the Ice

Chapter Twenty-Three : Three's a Crowd

Anna's POV

Last period went by with my mind solely focused on meeting Marcus at the café. I stuff my laptop into my bag and tuck my cellphone into my jeans pocket before heading out of class and straight to the quad at the front of the Art History building. As I'm making my way towards the carpark, the shrill sound of a blaring horn sounds off to my left, as a hand grabs my shoulder and tugs me back just as a car screeches to a halt in front of me.

"Hey, are you okay?" a soft male voice asks me and I turn around to catch the worried expression of a first year I met during last year's orientation, looking at me from head to toe.

"I'm fine. Thanks for that," I muster up a smile just as a door slams behind me.

"Seriously, didn't your mother teach you to watch before you cross the street?" a female voice laced with venom said as I turned on my heel.

"Excuse me?" I asked as I came face to face with a young woman, clad in skin-tight jeans and a black crop top. Her golden hair fell in soft curls around a face that held piercing green eyes and perfectly sculpted cheekbones.

"You're excused. However, I feel like you should be apologizing to my sisters. They got quite a shock when I slammed on the brakes because you weren't paying attention."

The young first year behind me suddenly stood up beside me, almost half shielding me from the beautiful girl.

"If you drove like a normal person, you would have seen the crosswalk sign. So maybe you're the one who owes Anna an apology," the guy sounded way more angry than any regular guy who would probably already be drooling all over themselves for this girl. I mean, are his eyes open? Or is she not his type? How could she not be anybody's type?

As my brain scrambled between trying to make sense of the situation, one thought suddenly popped in. Did this guy call me by name?

I craned my neck a bit and finally looked at him. Tall, tanned and definitely handsome, the guy had the features of a young Keanu Reeves with his shoulder-length dark hair and the faint stubble across his chin and cheeks. His jaw flexed as he continued to stare down the girl, who looked just about ready to call her rich daddy to deal with the situation. The front passenger door to the black car behind her suddenly opened and what looked like her doppelganger stepped out and walked to stand beside her.

I opened my mouth to say something but had to swallow my words when the back door of the car opened and yet another beautiful girl stepped out.

The first year was now standing off with the Harpes threesome and none seemed to be willing to back down.

"Umm, can we just let this all go and move along? I have somewhere I need to be," I said as I tapped the first year on his arm and gave him an appreciative smile while turning to walk away.

"That's rich. One would think the daughter of Elias Donovan would have more spunk about her. Didn't take you for a quiet mouse, Anna. Daddy must be so proud," the girl pouted her ruby red lips as the other two behind her smirked wickedly.

Hot rage boiled at the pit of my stomach as I turned back to them and closed the distance between us in three full strides. Making sure that the girl in front was the only one who heard me loud and clear.

"Listen Posh Spice, just because daddy bankrolls your lifestyle and keeps your fake boobs from drooping doesn't give you the right to voice your opinions on other people's lives or family members. I'm sorry your daddy didn't hug you enough or kiss you goodnight before you went to bed. I'm sure he had his reasons for it. But if the next words out of your Botox filler mouth refer to any member of my family, I will make sure daddy dearest has to drain his bank accounts to fix the damage I'm about to lay onto you. Yes, Elias Donovan is my father, so you had better be ready to get your pretty little behind flattened across this paved pathway."

The sound of someone snickering behind me allowed me to catch sight of the two girls standing behind their ring leader staring at me in shocked silence, while little miss perfect swallowed audible before taking a step back.

"Don't think this is over, Donovan. You don't know the hell you just unleashed on yourself," the girl huffed before throwing a scathing glance at the first year, who was now holding back laughter beside me.

The car sped off through the carpark and those who were looking on began to quietly walk away to do what they were previously doing. The first year wrapped an arm around my shoulder as a wide grin peeled across his handsome face.

"Damn, it has been a while since anyone packed such a punch to Bella in years. That was spot-on amazing. Up top!" the guy offered up his free hand for a high-five as the sound of another vehicle pulling up in front of us brought me out of my confusion.

I turned my head towards the black X-trail and realization hit me as Marcus, Damien and Peter exited the vehicle. Marcus's gaze was tight as I watched his eyes take in the sight of me standing with the first year, arm slung over me as though it was what he did every day.

Shuffling to remove myself from beside the first year, I saw the way Marcus clenched his jaw beside Damien, who looked slightly amused. Peter being Peter, walked himself over to me and pulled me into a tight embrace, leaving an arm slung over my shoulder as he assessed the young man beside me.

"And who might this be?" Peter asked playfully, but the way in which he made a point of keeping me plastered beside him spoke volumes.

"I'm Liam. Liam Gordon. I'm a first year in Anna's department."

Peter looked the guy up and down as Marcus and Damien made their way to us. I looked up to see Marcus give Liam a swift once over before he looked at me, his features softening immediately.

"We were worried when you didn't show up. Everything okay?" Marcus asked, his eyes shooting back to Liam immediately.

Liam raised both his hands in a show of good favor as he smiled sheepishly. "No trouble from me. Anna here, however, dealt with the three witches of WestLake pretty damn good."

At the mention of our previous company, I quickly tried to explain what happened when Peter suddenly withdrew his arm from around me and stepped up towards Liam.

"The Ramsey sisters were here?" he asked, earning a silent nod from Liam, who looked over at me cautiously.

"Wait, you know those girls?" I asked as Peter turned sullenly to his brothers, who remained silent.

"I told you dad was up to something," Damien said softly as Marcus frowned deeply.

"Why would they come here though? Bella doesn't know Anna", Peter intoned as all three brothers suddenly grouped together in serious deliberation.

"Yes she does," Liam suddenly added, earning him another sharp look from Marcus as I moved to plant myself between the two.

I watched as a mirade of emotions flashed across Marcus's face before his blue eyes locked in on mines. A warmth began to pool at the pit of my stomach until Damien suddenly spoke up beside him.

"We need to figure this out. Anna, come with us."

Within seconds, I was being led to slide into the back seat of the X-trail while Liam gave me an awkward wave where he stood at the crosswalk. Marcus gunned the engine, and then we sped out of the carpark the same way the girl did not too long ago.