Heartstrings on Fire (Agnes and Jared)

Chapter 16

Agnes felt like she was in a dream, being led out of the lab building by Ryder.

It wasn't until they were outside that she shapped back to reality, yanking her hand back from his and demanding, "Ryder, what the hell are you doing?"

Agnes was pissed. Not just because Ryder had kissed her, but because she hadn't pushed him away Immediately when he did. Because in that moment, looking at his face, she had mistaken him for Jared. What a mindfuck.

Ryder paused, his face still calm as he said, "Sorry."

Agnes got it instantly, "You used me as a human shield, why me?"

"Because you're Preston's daughter, Cecile wouldn't dare touch you, right?"

Agnes had suspected as much. In this school, she was the one person Cecile wouldn't dare to cross. Even when she exposed Cecile's dirty deeds, Cecile hadn't come after

her.

Agnes clenched her fists, and finally spat out, "You're such a jerk."

With that, she turned and bolted.

Kerri shot Ryder a glance and quickly followed.

Agnes' suitcase, carelessly left by the side of the road, was now missing. But it only contained some clothes, nothing important, so she didn't bother to look for it. Agnes and Kerri made their way back to their dorm.

Kerri was full of guilt, "Agnes, I'm so sorry. If I hadn't come to you for help, none of this would've happened. Elton will hate me if he finds out you got kissed because of this." They had reached the door of the dorm.

Agnes said, "This has nothing to do with you. Besides, Elton and I are over."

Kerri was shocked, "How come? He was so good to you!"

Elton really had been good to Agnes. On the first day of school, he escorted her and moved all her luggage to the fifth floor. He was constantly showering her with treats and gifts and the other dorm residents benefited too.

Word was they were childhood friends, a perfect match, and to everyone else, they were the ideal 'couple. Why would they just break up?

Agnes didn't answer, just took out her keys and opened the dorm door.

Their other two roommates were already there, one was Amelia who was a stellar student, and the other was Jenny.

Amelia, books in hand, was preparing to head to the library. She greeted them at the door.

Kerri said, "Amelia, it's only the first day of school, and you're already hitting the library. You're such a nerd."

Amelia responded, "Time's meant to be used effectively, not wasted Gotta go.

Amelia was juggling two majors, finance, and business management. She spent most of her time in the library outside of class.

Among the four roommates, only Agnes and Jenny were journalism majors and since they had also been classmates in high school, they were particularly close.

However, Kerri noticed that today, both were acting strange. After entering the dorm, no one initiated conversation and they was busy with their own thing, as if everyone else was invisible.

Kerri felt the weird vibe and hesitated before saying, "I'm treating everyone for dinner tonight. Let's go to Hot N Sizzlin'."

Hot N Sizzlin' was a special BBQ place where the dorm mates often gathered for meals.

Agnes replied, "I'm moving out tonight, so I can't."