Trapped (Bullied Book 4) (Bullied Series) Vera Hollins (best large ereader txt) 📖

Mom shook her head. “I don’t know what you want us to say. You should’ve talked to us about the music college first. This is huge, and I don’t know what to tell you. I want you to be happy. That is the most important for me, but I don’t want you to ruin your life. I need to think about this.”

“Yes, we need to think this through,” Dad agreed. “You can’t just drop this bomb and expect us to accept it. I’m disappointed, Jessica. I expected better of you.”

There it was. That word. Disappointment.

“I…” I wrung my hands together. “I understand.”

I returned to my waffles even though I didn’t have an appetite anymore. Dad left the kitchen, leaving Mom and me in an uncomfortable silence that neither of us broke. We had yet to discuss the finances, but I knew very well if they refused to support me, I was completely on my own. However, there was a silver lining—at least I’d stayed true to myself.

Maybe I would ruin my life and make them more disappointed in me, but it was my life, not theirs, and I was done staying in the shadows of my cowardice. My gut told me this was the right decision, and I wasn’t going to let my old doubts trample it down. They would have to understand and accept my feelings eventually, and even if they didn’t, it was all right.

Because I was finally starting to feel a bit better in my own skin.

I arrived at school feeling jitters, my heart beating faster at the thought that I could see Blake at any moment. I didn’t know where we stood. So many things were happening at once, speeding up this roller coaster he and I were riding on. We weren’t enemies, but I wasn’t sure if I could even call us friends.

I wanted us to be friends, at least. I was ready to move on and stop harboring negative feelings for him.

And I was finally ready to forgive him.

The night before had provided me with many answers and shed light on who Blake really was. Even though nothing would ever make any of the things he had put me through okay, he wasn’t that horribly cruel person anymore, and it hurt to know he was ready to throw his life away and become something awful—a murderer—in order to find justice for Emma. It hurt that he could lose his life any day.

A dangerous thought had begun to echo louder than others, putting me in limbo. I was starting to think about saving him, about doing anything to stop him from going through with his plan, which seemed impossible, because what could I do? I was powerless, just a blip on the horizon of hate and anguish he’d held himself in for years.

I busied myself with festival activities around the school as the day progressed, but he was always on my mind, and I kept looking for him in the crowds that filled the hallways.

The second day of the festival brought even more people to our school. The booths run by psychologists were a hit, and the sales of the students’ crafts went more than well, but the most anticipated event was a conference similar to TED Talks that was scheduled for noon in the gym, where students were going to share their bullying experiences and invite people to spread understanding and work on unity. Mel was one of the speakers.

Sar, Kev, Marcus, and I were headed to the gym when I bumped into a short redhead carrying a stack of books in her hands. The books fell on the floor upon the impact, scattering around my feet.

“I’m sorry,” the blue-eyed girl said with a small smile before bending to pick up her books.

“It’s nothing,” I said. “I’ll help you.”

I crouched and reached for the rest, reading their titles: Pained, Trapped, Scarred, and Damaged. I picked them up one by one and placed them on top of the one she held in her hands, which was titled Bullied.

“Thank you,” she said.

“You’re welcome.”

“If you want to buy these or any other books, you can do it over there.” She pointed at the bookstand nearby.

“Sure.”

“See you around,” she said then walked away.

We passed through a crowd of students, and I noticed a few of them casting curious glances at Kev and Marcus, who held hands. I smiled to myself because they didn’t let anyone or anything interfere with their relationship. People could talk and point fingers at them as much as they wanted, but love prevailed, and only that mattered.

I was glad Kevin was starting to accept himself for who he was. It was inspiring and beautiful seeing him get his happy ending because that cute cinnamon roll deserved it more than anyone.

I wondered where mine was.

The bleachers were already half-filled when we entered the gym. We took seats in the third row, and I waved at Mel, who stood on the stage next to Shreya Wilkins and the rest of the student council. She waved back with a grin.

Blake, Hayden, and Masen entered the gym moments later, and relief flooded through me because Blake had showed up. I’d been worried he wouldn’t seeing how shaken he’d been after his nightmare. I didn’t even realize I was holding my breath until they came over and my eyes locked with his. Instantly, the room narrowed to the two of us. His face was serious, but there was heat in his gaze, warming my body, and I was taken back to his room at sunset. I remembered vividly each caress, each kiss, each moment spent in his arms… I couldn’t look away from him, longing to touch him.

Hayden and Masen went over to sit next to Sarah, while Blake took the empty seat next to me, and my heart began pounding. I stared straight ahead, unable to look at him. I was hyperaware of his every move.

“Hi,” he said.

My cheeks flushed. “Hi,” I