Chapter 87: Chapter 87

OWEN

I stormed down the hallway, the anger pulsing in my veins with every step. The smug expression on Hunter's face earlier only fueled my rage. I spotted him coming my way, head down, fiddling with his phone, completely unaware of the storm barreling towards him.

Without hesitation, I grabbed him by the collar, slamming him against the wall. "You’re a real piece of work, you know that?” I growled, my face inches from his. "Using Jonea as a pawn in your pathetic little games?”

Hunter’s eyes widened in shock, but he quickly recovered, scowling as he yanked against my grip. "Are you insane? Let go of me!”

I didn’t budge, pressing him harder against the wall. "What? Can’t handle it when someone fights back? How dare you treat her like some prize to be won?"

Hunter pushed my hands away, his face contorted with irritation. "I don’t know what you’re talking about, Owen."

"Cut the crap." My fists clenched, and before I knew it, my knuckles met his jaw with a force that echoed down the hall. He stumbled back, eyes blazing. I stepped closer, refusing to back down.

"Who the hell do you think you are, putting a price on her head? Five hundred bucks, huh? That’s all she’s worth to you?"

Hunter’s hand moved to his bruised jaw, a flicker of something almost like regret crossing his face. "Look, I called it off, okay? I’m done with it. I regret the whole thing. Just… don’t tell Jonea about this. I’ll tell her myself. I’ll make it right."

I narrowed my eyes, my voice cold. "You’re not going near her. You lost that privilege the second you put a price on her head. If you regret it so much, then stay out of her life. Forever.”

Hunter glared at me, but I could see the moment my words sank in. For a second, I thought he’d actually back off. But then, his expression hardened, and he grabbed my arm as I turned to leave.

"Wait, hold on," he said, his voice shaking with frustration. "That’s not fair. Who the hell do you think you are? Acting like you’re her boyfriend or her protector or something. You’re nothing but a stranger to her. Don’t act like you own her."

The words hit me like a punch to the gut, but they only added fuel to the fire. I clenched my teeth, my anger bubbling over. "A stranger, huh? Well, at least I don’t treat her like a game piece."

Without another word, I lunged, tackling him to the floor. He fought back, snarling, and for a moment, we were a blur of fists and rage. Hunter was tough, I’d give him that, but the adrenaline rushing through me was something else. We rolled across the floor, clawing and striking, until someone’s voice cut through the chaos.

"Enough!" Marilyn’s shout stopped us both cold. She pulled at my arm, her eyes wide and frantic. "What’s wrong with you two? You’re in a hallway, not a boxing ring!"

Hunter struggled to his feet, wiping a trickle of blood from his lip. His gaze was fierce, but he looked more desperate than before. "This isn’t over," he hissed.

I stepped forward, but Marilyn held me back, glancing between us. "What are you two even fighting about?"

Hunter shot me a venomous glare, but I answered before he could say something stupid. "It’s about Jonea. I don’t want this lowlife anywhere near her. He crossed a line."

Hunter scoffed, trying to regain his composure. "Crossed a line? You’re making this sound like it’s more than it is."

Before we could argue further, I felt a chill go down my spine. Turning, I saw Jonea standing there, her eyes wide with confusion and hurt. Her gaze moved from me to Hunter, processing the scene, the blood, the bruises.

"What… what’s going on here?" she demanded, voice trembling.

I froze, my mind scrambling for an explanation, but Hunter beat me to it.

"We were just—" He paused, looking lost for words. "It’s nothing."

Jonea’s eyes narrowed, clearly not buying it. "Doesn’t look like nothing to me." Her gaze zeroed in on me. "Why were you telling him to stay away from me? And what’s this about five hundred dollars?"

Neither of us said a word. I couldn’t tell her, not like this. Not while she was already hurt by what she was seeing.

When the silence stretched too long, her expression shifted from confusion to anger. "So, you’re both just going to keep quiet? Great. I’m just a toy in whatever twisted game you guys are playing."

I reached out. "Jonea, it’s not like that."

She took a step back, shaking her head. "Save it. I don’t even know who to trust anymore."

With that, she turned on her heel and walked away, leaving a deafening silence in her wake. I watched her go, feeling helpless, while Hunter, bruised and battered, called after her, his voice desperate.

"Jonea, wait! Let me explain!"

***

JONEA

I was on my way to class, focused on getting away from everything when Hunter caught up to me. I barely glanced his way, already irritated, but he looked serious, almost… apologetic?

"Jonea," he said, stepping into my path. "Look, I just need a minute to talk. Please."

I sighed, already frustrated, and looked at my watch. "Hunter, I really don’t have time for this. Class is about to start."

"Just one minute." His voice was softer than usual, like he actually meant it. "I just need to… apologize."

Beside me, Marilyn stepped in, arms crossed. "It doesn’t matter if it’s a minute or two, Jonea doesn’t need to hear this."

She gave me a look that clearly said let’s go, but something held me there. I wanted to know. I wanted to hear what excuse he had this time. With a small nod, I stepped forward. Marilyn sighed but didn’t stop me.

Hunter took a deep breath, his face tense. "I want to apologize," he started, his eyes meeting mine. "For everything. I… I made a mistake. I made you part of a… a bet, a stupid game. I never should’ve done that."

His words hit harder than I expected. I tried to keep my face calm, but inside, I felt something shatter. I’d heard rumors about him and these ‘games,’ but I never wanted to believe he’d go that low. And now, here he was, just throwing out an apology as if it could magically fix everything.

"You made me a… bet?" I asked, my voice barely a whisper.

He nodded, his expression genuinely remorseful. "Yes. And I know I can’t take it back, but I regret it. I’m really, really sorry."

I took a steadying breath, trying to keep the anger—and the hurt—at bay. "You know, for a second, I actually thought about trying to have some kind of normal friendship with you again. After everything that happened back in high school, I thought maybe… maybe you’d changed. Maybe we could move past it."

Hunter looked down, his face tight. "I know, Jonea. I’m sorry."

"But you haven’t changed, Hunter. Not even a little," I said, my voice cold and even. "If anything, you’re worse now than you were back then."

Marilyn stepped forward, giving him a scornful look. "Guess those rumors were true, huh? That you’re just the Dragon King's lapdog, doing whatever it takes to stay in his favor."

Hunter flinched, and I saw something flash in his eyes—anger, maybe? But he didn’t deny it. He just stood there, looking… defeated.

"You know what, Hunter?" I said, meeting his gaze with all the strength I could muster. "I don’t want anything to do with you. Not now, not ever."

I saw the look of shock on his face, but I didn’t wait for a reply. Turning away, I started walking toward the building, not looking back. My heart felt heavy, betrayed, but I held my head high.

This was the last time Hunter Abraham would ever get the chance to hurt me.