Chapter 5

Jeff pulled up her skirt and didn’t hesitate,he shoved aside her G-string and ran his fingers along her pussy lips.

Iridessa’s body stiffened. She shut her eyes tightly and bit down on her lip, trying to block out the sensation.

“You smell like strawberry lube,” Jeff whispered hotly, his breath skimming the shell of her ear as he inhaled deeply at her neck, his voice laced with dark hunger.

"What the hell are you doing?" Iridessa hissed when his hand slide up her top. "We're in school!"

"To hell with that," he growled under his breath. "And keep your voice down. I’m not waiting any longer." His hand wrapped around hers and pressed it against his chest. "Can you feel that?" he smirked.

Iridessa scoffed. "Feel what?"

"My heart. It's beating, for you," he said, eyes gleaming. Then he slammed his lips against hers, kissing her with reckless hunger. One of his hands slipped beneath her top, fingers caressing her nipples, already hardened.

"Oh my fucking goddess," she gasped, caught in his grip. Her limbs were frozen—not accepting him, not resisting him. Then his fingers thrust inside her without warning.

"Jeff!" Iridessa cried out, the pain cutting through her. She shoved him off with all the strength she could muster.

“What now?”

"I heard footsteps," she said quickly, breath ragged.

"And?" he frowned, annoyed.

"It could be a teacher—or a student. Anyone could walk in."

"Don’t be such a prude," he mocked. "Teachers see shit like this every damn day."

"Not from me, they don’t," she snapped, glaring at him.

He scoffed. "You act like you're better than the rest of them!" His voice rose. "News flash, dollface—I’m sick of kissing and touching boobsYou’re gonna have to loosen up sooner or later."

He grabbed her waist roughly and crushed her body against his, his mouth greedy on hers.

"Let me go!" Iridessa screamed, slapping him hard across the face, splitting his lip open.

Jeff staggered, then slowly turned to face her, blood dripping from his mouth. But instead of anger, he grinned.

"You bastard!" she cried, pounding her fists into his chest. "I should’ve listened to Glow!" She turned to run, but Jeff lunged again, pulling her back and pinning her against the wall.

"Glow? That bitch?" he sneered. "Looks like your life’s been one big lie."

"What the fuck are you talking about?" Iridessa snapped.

"First, your parents lied to you for eighteen years. And now your best friend?" He leaned closer, eyes gleaming with venom. "She and I have been fucking for months."

Iridessa froze. "No... no, you’re lying."

"You heard me, bitch."

"You animal!" she screamed, slamming her fists into his chest again, but Jeff shoved her away with enough force to knock the wind out of her.

"Enough!" he roared.

"Go to hell!" she shouted and, kicked his balls. He groaned in agony, dropping to the floor. She turned and bolted to the door, only to find it locked from the outside.

"No..." Her hand rattled the doorknob.

"Get back here, bitch!" Jeff snarled, lunging again. He grabbed her hair and dragged her back, throwing her to the floor. "You think you’re getting away from me? I’ll fuck you till you can’t walk, and no one’s gonna hear you scream."

He pulled down pants, and his hard cock sprang free.

"Please, Jeff!" Iridessa cried, her voice trembling, eyes wild. "Somebody help me!"

"Shut the fuck up!" he growled, spreading her legs apart. He positioned himself between her thighs and reached for her.

Then.

“You are the key. The power lies within you.”

The voice echoed inside her mind, ancient, commanding, unlike anything she’d ever heard. Energy surged through her bloodstream like lightning. Her eyes flew open, red, glowing, no longer human.

With unnatural force, her hands shot up. She grabbed Jeff by the throat and slammed him across the room. He hit the wall with a dull thud and slumped to the ground, coughing, then everything went still.

He passed out.

Iridessa stared at her trembling hands. "Did... did I just do that?" she gasped, blinking at the energy still buzzing under her skin. Then her body gave in, and everything went dark.

***

SICK BAY ★ONE HOUR LATER

Her eyelids snapped open. Her head ached, her limbs felt like stone, but she managed to sit up. She looked around and froze when she saw Jeff across the room, still unconscious on the other hospital bed.

Then it hit her, everything.

The pain. The fear. The power.

She stood slowly, steadying herself.

Then voices.

"She should be expelled!"

"She’s a threat to our children! She nearly killed my son!"

"Please, calm down, ma’am..."

"What’s happening to me?!" Iridessa cried, clutching her ears as the voices intensified. She stumbled into the hallway, searching for the source, but the corridor was empty.

Still, the voices echoed louder in her mind. Heart racing, she followed them to the Vice Chancellor’s office, knocked shakily, and stepped inside.

"Miss Billy," the Vice Chancellor said from behind his desk.

Sarah turned, eyes red-rimmed, and pulled Iridessa into a tight embrace.

"Mum... what’s wrong with me?!" Iridessa sobbed against her chest.

"It’s okay, baby, it’s okay..." Sarah whispered, brushing her hair gently.

"Is that the monster who tried to kill my son?!" a woman snapped, standing from her seat.

"Watch your mouth, Mrs. Smith. My daughter is not a monster," Sarah growled through clenched teeth.

"Only a monster could do what she did," Mrs. Smith spat back.

"He tried to rape me!" Iridessa shouted, the words ripping out of her chest like knives.

The room fell deathly silent. The air was heavy.

"But you were dating him," the Vice Chancellor said cautiously.

"Yes. But I never said yes to this," Iridessa replied, voice low and trembling.

"I want her expelled, not pitied!" Mrs. Smith hissed.

"The board needs to conduct an investigation before taking such measures," the Vice Chancellor said firmly. "However, due to the severity of the situation and to aid in the ongoing police inquiry, a decision has been made."

He pulled a brown envelope from his drawer and placed it on the desk.

"Miss Iridessa Billy, you are hereby suspended from your duties as captain of the swimming team, relieved of your title as head cheerleader, and disqualified from running for prom queen this year."

"Finally," Mrs. Smith scoffed with a satisfied smile.

"And your son?" Sarah asked.

"What about him?! He’s in a hospital bed, clinging to life!"

"He tried to rape my daughter!" Sarah shot back.

Mrs. Smith scoffed. "They were dating. It’s called teenage hormones."

"That’s enough!" Iridessa shouted, turning to the Vice Chancellor. "Am I allowed to come to school at all?"

The man sighed and looked away. "For now, you are suspended from all school activities until further notice."

Iridessa bit her trembling lip as fresh tears blurred her vision. With shaking hands, she picked up the letter, nodded faintly, and walked out without saying another word,each step echoing the fracture lines forming in her heart.