CHAPTER 281: 281-STOLE MY UNIFORM

Clementine:

Miss Rue didn’t talk to me after that. Mr. Rick arrived and pulled her away from me. I was told to leave the hall because they were preparing it for the next meal.

Instead of going back to my room, I stayed outside, wandering through the woods. I wondered how the others were doing in their pack, Joshua, Jack, and the rest of them.

It hadn’t been that long, but every day here felt like years. Each minute seemed to create so many memories.

Now that I was alone, I couldn’t tell if the North was any better. At least there, I had a mission and goals.

I didn’t have time to think about myself or feel sorry for myself. But here, it was getting worse.

I sat on the open ground, arms wrapped around my knees, staring at the sky. I’d been there for at least four hours in silence, seeing only bugs and birds.

Every once in a while, a lurker would come to check on me, circling to make sure I wasn’t doing anything reckless.

It was strange because the lurkers seemed like the only ones who still cared.

As expected, after a few minutes, another lurker appeared, taking a slow round. I lifted my head for the first time and looked at him.

This time, our eyes met in a deep, steady stare. I watched him silently, narrowing my eyes slightly.

"Don’t worry, I’m not going to end my life," I said, smiling a little too hard, probably to hide the pain inside.

There was something familiar about this lurker, maybe even something captivating. I looked closer and noticed a mole under his left eye.

His gray eyes were narrowed at me, and in that moment, I recognized him.

"You’re the one who went with me to Ian’s pack," I said, smiling.

Just as I expected, he stood there watching me, adding nothing of his own.

"It’s alright. I’m not expecting you to say much. I know you’re just as much a slave to this academy as I am," I said tiredly, feeling sorry for myself for the first time.

I was so lonely that I found myself talking to someone I knew would never answer.

"You know, it’s tiring, finding yourself and then losing yourself again. This has been my fear for a long time, and look what happened." I continued.

"I just know I did nothing wrong," I said, raising a brow at him. "You’re going to type this to the headmaster, aren’t you?" I asked, laughing, thinking he’d be foolish enough to waste his time on some teen drama.

"I’m just curious about something. Are you really an orphan?"

As soon as I asked that, I noticed a slight reaction from him, just a faint frown, barely there, but enough for me to know he was still in there, alive.

"So it’s true? The lurkers are orphans?" I murmured, standing up.

As I stepped toward him, he moved one step back. It was the first time he had done that, maybe because I was staring too deeply into his eyes.

I reached him and leaned forward, staring into his eyes. I noticed his pupils tightening and dilating, and that was all I could read from him.

Every expression was in his eyes, and for the first time, I saw a lurker who didn’t seem completely void of emotion.

"Huh, that’s strange."

As soon as I said that, he turned around and started walking away.

"Hey, you can’t hide from me! I’ll find you!" I called out, laughing as he walked off. Slowly, my laughter faded.

Once I realized it, I was alone. There was no one left to focus on the task or the mission.

The ambition we once had to uncover the Academy’s secrets was gone.

"You know what, you don’t need anyone. You have me."

As soon as Mint said that, I smiled and nodded, realizing I really didn’t need anyone else. I was fine with Mint by my side, that was all I needed.

I was going to uncover the secrets of the Academy, even if I had to do it alone.

As I turned around, I almost jumped when I saw Troy standing there, arms folded across his chest, staring at me.

I rolled my eyes and tried to walk past him, but he stepped back, then blocked my path again.

"So you’d rather talk to the lurkers than to any of us?" he complained. I stopped trying to move past him. He finally had my attention.

"Please say that again. I guess I didn’t catch your expression while asking that question, looking so dumb," I said with a forced grin, taunting him for thinking I was the reason we weren’t talking.

"I don’t know what’s going on, and I have no idea what upset you so much, but at least talk to us," Troy said, making me lean forward, trying to read his thoughts.

"Did the conversation about us not chasing after each other happen only in my dreams?" I asked. It was a genuine question because I was lost.

He frowned at me, lowering his arms from his chest.

"Clementine."

As soon as he said my name, someone’s arrival caught his attention.

"Troy, what are you doing over there?" Oriana called out, making me roll my eyes.

Of course, she couldn’t let us talk without interrupting.

She had become such an important part of this whole mess that nothing seemed possible without her.

She was always nearby, making sure everything revolved around her.

Troy turned around, stared at her, then looked back at me.

"Right, I’m coming," he said. His attitude shifted the moment she appeared. He started walking away, leaving me behind, feeling completely frustrated.

After a few minutes of pacing around, I decided to go back to my room and rest for a bit. I couldn’t keep running away from it forever.

I guess the thought of seeing them act so casual with Oriana, and feeling so defeated in front of her, was what kept me from facing them.

But I finally gave in. How long could I really stay outside? I’d have to go back to the dorm eventually.

However, when I walked in, I realized I had come at the perfect time because Oriana was wearing my uniform and posing seductively for my mates.