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Because he likes seeing me in pain.
I must have said it out loud because he replies, "I don't. Not even a little bit."
I snort. "Go away."
I hear a sigh, and then a commotion that makes the walls of the cubicle vibrate. Seconds later, Jason appears on top of the toilet, having somehow climbed the partition. He jumps on the closed toilet seat and joins me, getting on his knees so we're at the same level.
"You look terrible," he informs me.
"Better than being a terrible person." That's a weak comeback, but it's all I have.
He humors me with a chuckle, then brushes one of my curls away from my face.
"I heard about Bella."
I wrinkle my nose. "Who's Bella?"
"The cat," he explains. "She was Ms. Casey's."
Somehow, hearing this makes me feel worse.
Ms. Casey's the member of the school faculty who's been kind to me—even helpful. Now her cat is dead because some asshole wants to fuck with me to please the guy who jumped in my toilet stall with me.
How crazy is that?
"It's your fault," I inform him.
He might not have been at school today, but he did it all the same, when he chose to single me out and set the hounds on me.
He nods. "It is. I'd undo it if I could."
"Then leave me alone. Go bother someone else. The school will stop if you just stay away from me."
Jason shakes his head. I should have known. He won't give me that.
I can't deal with him.I get to my feet, unlock the stall, and walk out. Out of this school. I make my way to the dorms on foot, needing the air.
Jason follows me in silence. "My mother was stabbed once," he says, breaking the comfortable silence.
I glance at him, because I'm too surprised to do what I decided seconds ago: ignore him.
"In the street. Someone bumped into her, just stabbed her and ran away. It's a miracle she survived. All her friends smile at her, treat her like she's the most important person in their life, but it was one of them who hired the thug. We found who—with your uncle's help, actually."
What the hell?
"What happened to the one who hired the thug?"
"She's dead," he states casually.
My head is going to explode. "Why are you telling me this?"
Ignoring my question, Jason says, "Some scars are harder to heal. When I was eight, I was kidnapped." He shakes his head. "Well, we were—Alexander and I."
I freeze in horror. Oh, no. He's not going there. Not now. I can't take it today.
"Our kidnapper brought us to a cabin in the woods. As he was dragging us inside, I managed to run away and bring help back."
I'm shaking my head, sobs clogging my throat. "Jason…"
