Chapter 34

Once the bullies got Alanna trapped, they would throw mud and stones at her. Sometimes they would throw vermin at her as well.

At one point, she had had enough and beat up Melanie in retaliation.

In return, Tucker had gone to her house and whipped her with his belt.

At the time, she had cried and told him about what Melanie had done.

She could still remember what he said to her.

"You have to suck it up even if she threatens to kill you!"

The same thing was happening now—but it was so much more hurtful when Hades said it.

She pushed down her bitterness and asked, "Why should I?"

Why should she avoid Melanie? Why should she be the one to avoid her?

Hades wasn't cheating on Melanie with her. She hadn't done anything wrong. Why should she avoid her?

Hades just looked at her calmly. "Because she's Melanie Smith, and you're just Alanna Jacinto."

His words were like a sharp knife stabbed into her heart.

Alanna forced out a smile. "What if I don't?"

Hades gave her a deep look. "Th