Sight UnseenChapter 3

I barely made it to the break. The sticky milk feeling was unbearable.

I stood up to go to the bathroom to wash up, but as I moved, someone’s foot shot out and tripped me.

I lost my balance and pitched forward. I threw my hands out to catch myself, but my palms skidded across the rough floor.

"Ah," I hissed.

The skin on my wrist tore open, blood immediately oozing out and staining my sleeve. It looked worse than it was.

I was about to push myself up when someone shoved through the crowd. Without a word, strong arms wrapped around my waist and legs, scooping me up into the air.

I wasn't ready for it. In my panic, I grabbed the person’s shoulders.

"You okay?" Jace’s voice rumbled near my ear.

He saw the blood on my arm and frowned deeply.

"Don't move. I'm taking you to the nurse."

"It’s my hand that’s hurt, not my feet," I said calmly. "Put me down. I can walk."

Jace acted like he was deaf. He tightened his grip on my waist.

"I can carry you," he muttered. "Stop trying to be tough."

I almost laughed at the absurdity. I opened my mouth to argue.

But right then, Jace seemingly tripped over nothing.

Gravity took over. The sickening feeling of falling washed over me, triggering a flash of bad memories. My body went rigid.

"Jace!" I screamed, terrified.

He reacted fast, trying to cradle the back of my head with his hand.

But momentum won. We hit the ground hard.

Because he was holding me, Jace landed on top of me, crushing me with his full weight.

My head smacked against something hard. Thud.

My ears rang. The world went fuzzy.

Right before I blacked out, I heard Jace yelling frantically at the crowd.

"Chloe! Get over here! Your cousin fainted!"

My heart sank.

So, Jace knew I was Chloe’s cousin.

No wonder he hated me.