Page 7 of Redeeming the Villain
That new attitude of hers only provokes me more, but I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t hot, seeing her standing up to me after all this time.
Her getting in my face to prove that she’s no longer the tiny bug on the bottom of my shoe—it’s cute. But she’s only just made it more dangerous for herself because I never back down from a challenge. This just got a whole hell of a lot more interesting.
She will cower and kneel before me once again—I’m sure of it.
My eyes fly open, air heaving in and out of my lungs as reality starts to sink back in.
It was just a nightmare. It was just a nightmare.
I fling my blanket off of my legs as I quickly become aware of how much sweat is dripping down my body.
Deep breaths. Calm down.
Sitting up on my elbows, I start taking slow, deep breaths and reach for my water bottle on my nightstand. Hydration is one of the most important things when it comes to POTS. Taking a few sips, I continue to relax my breathing, feeling my heart rate begin to slow.
My nightmare flashes as I remember that it wasn’t a torturous image conjured up by my imagination; it was very real. A memory from my time at Avandale High.
As the purple eyes appear in my mind, a chilling shiver races down my spine, goose bumps erupting across the tops of my arms.
Last night … Malik really was here, in my room. I still can’t believe it. A horrifying scene that even my mind couldn’t create.
He shouldn’t be here at all, especially in my room. But to be fair, I never double-checked from the rumors I had heard during our senior year.
That’s an oversight on my part, but there won’t be another. I need to be on my A game from now on. I won’t let him make a mockery of me, not anymore.
Never again.
Once my breathing returns to normal, I start sitting up slowly, focusing on my body for anything out of the ordinary.
My head isn’t hurting, which, so far, is a good sign that I might have avoided triggering an episode. But it’s still early; they can come out of nowhere sometimes.
Thankfully, my body is being kind to me this morning.
Glancing at the nightstand, I grab my phone and check the time. Seven forty a.m. A whole twenty minutes before my alarm is supposed to start going off.
Sliding off of my tall bed, I step into my slippers. No harm in getting an early start to the day.
Sunny is starting to stir, slowly rolling over onto her stomach from her favorite sleeping position—upside down on her back with her head cocked to the side.
“Good morning, sweetie,” I greet her, reaching my arm back and brushing her golden bedhead.
She stretches back into a downward dog pose and yawns.
Walking to the sliding glass door, I pull back the curtains and unlock the door before sliding it open. Hopping off of the bed, she lazily saunters out, getting more energy back into her with each step she takes. And before I know it, she’s leaping and bounding in figure eights across the dewy grass.
Leaning against the open doorframe, I take a deep breath, inhaling the crisp fall Washington air. I’ve only been to Evermore a few times in my life—with my dad for publicity of his donations to the university. But even then, I saw how special this place was.
It’s like the town and school were conjured from a fairy tale. The shops downtown are crafted from brick with flowers overflowing every windowsill—fake or real, they look incredible. Not a penny left in the budget when it came to the aesthetics. The town square has a gigantic marble fountain that puts on a water and light show every four hours.
I can’t wait to get out and explore on my own with Sunny, without the crowd of photographers and journalists looking for a good story, like all the other times before.
After a quick potty break, Sunny prances back over to me. I quickly clean her wet paws before letting her pass me.
My phone pings, and I pick it up off the bed where I left it, finding a text from Flora in my family group chat—consisting of my three aunts and myself.
Flora: Good morning. Sending all of the love your way today. Call us later! We love you!
Freya: Or call now. Whenever. Anytime. We miss you so much!
