Chapter 3

3

The slap hurt, but the coldness in their eyes hurt more.

My face was already bruised from Caleb's punches earlier, but they didn't even notice.

Or maybe they did, and they just didn't care.

In their eyes, I was just a stray dog that had bitten the hand that fed it.

I stood my ground and spoke clearly.

"I didn't push him. He fell all by himself."

My father let out a dry, mocking laugh.

"Are you saying Caleb is lying? That's rich. I raised that boy for fifteen years, and he's never been a liar!"

"But the moment you show up, he's getting into fights and breaking bones? Give me a break."

I looked my father straight in the eye.

"So, you don't believe me. Is that it?"

The silence that followed was my answer.

"Fine. If that's how it is, let me move out. I want to live in the dorms at school."

"And I want a signed agreement stating that we are legally separated. You are no longer my parents."

"I'll pay you back for the school fees once I have a job. I'm done here."

I turned around and walked out without looking back, heading straight to the school to pack my things.

My mother looked pale, and my father was vibrating with rage, but they didn't stop me.

I knew what I needed now. I wasn't going to let them drag me down.

The fall had been bad for Caleb.

He was a star track athlete, and he had been banking on a sports scholarship for college.

Now, in the middle of senior year, his leg was shattered.

His only hope was to actually study, which was something he'd never done in his life.

He was spoiled, lazy, and honestly pretty dim-witted.

Being stuck in a cast and unable to sneak out and party was driving him insane.

Naturally, he decided to take his frustration out on me.

One day after class, I was heading back to the dorms when a group of guys cornered me in the hallway.

They pushed me into the bathroom and locked the door.

"What do you want?" I asked, keeping my voice steady.

One of the guys, a scummy-looking dude with yellow teeth, shoved me hard against the sinks.

"What do we want? Hear that, boys? The nerd is asking questions."

The others laughed, pulling out heavy wooden bats from under their jackets.

"Caleb said to teach you a lesson. He's the king of this school, and you're just a mistake."

"We're gonna break you so bad you won't even be able to crawl to class."

"Nobody is gonna help you. Even if we kill you, my dad will make it go away."

I was outnumbered and trapped. All I could do was protect my head.

Through the gap in the door, I saw someone sitting in a wheelchair.

It was Caleb, watching with a twisted, satisfied grin.

"You're going to regret this, Caleb! People who hurt others always get what's coming to them!"

Caleb laughed, his voice echoing in the hallway.

"You're dreaming! My mom knows everything I do, and she covers for me every time!"

"She hates you, Jaxson. She looks at you and sees a mistake. She'll thank me for this."

That hurt more than any punch ever could.

I knew it was true, but hearing it out loud fueled a fire in my gut.

I felt the curse rising in my throat, hot and bitter.

"I hope the sewage pipes in here explode and drown you in your own filth!"

"Even the literal waste in these toilets is cleaner than your disgusting mouths!"

The leader of the group roared with laughter, his mouth wide open.

Then, there was a deafening boom.

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