Chapter 3
It was like I was on the run.
Honestly, that wasn't too far from the truth. I was a fugitive running away from the storyline.
I hopped off the subway and caught a bus.
Finally, I made it to the train station.
It was a sea of people, packed shoulder to shoulder.
The air was heavy and stale. A jumble of smells hit me all at once.
I clutched the flimsy ticket in my hand.
When I found the right departure lounge, every plastic seat in the waiting area was taken.
I squeezed myself into a corner and hunched over, trying to make myself as small as possible to disappear into the crowd.
Time crawled by, and each second felt longer than the last.
At last, the boarding call echoed through the loudspeakers.
Everyone rushed toward the ticket gates in a sudden wave.
My heart was pounding. I carried my bag and moved forward with the crowd.
I was so close. All I had to do was get through these gates. Once I get on that green train, I'll finally be free.
The line crawled forward.
At first, there were just three more people in front of me. Then, it went down to two.
Right when there was only one more person left, a familiar voice called out to me uncertainly, "Colette?"
It came from right behind me.
I froze. My blood ran cold.
There was no way I would be this unlucky, right?
I slowly turned my head.
My heart dropped. It was Lyra.
What the hell is she doing here? Shouldn't she be holed up in Austin's luxury mansion, nursing her wounds?
I could not believe that Lyra had recovered so quickly from being stabbed by that letter opener.
Lyra was not in her trademark floaty, fairy-like dress today. Instead, she was dressed in jeans and a plain white tee, paired with a light knit cardigan.
Her arm was still wrapped in gauze. It stood out like a sore thumb.
She looked pale, but those eyes of hers were still as clear and lively as ever. There was a hint of surprise in her eyes. She even looked a little worried.
Lyra stared at me, then she glanced down at the cheap train ticket I was gripping in my hand.
"Wait, it really is you?" Lyra asked, her voice tinged with disbelief.
She took a step closer.
"How did you end up like this? What are you even doing at the train station? Austin's been losing his mind trying to find you," Lyra asked, her brows knitted tightly together.
Looking for me? Does Austin want me back just for me to keep playing the wicked side character?
"It's none of your business," I said, my voice icy.
I turned away from her. I didn't want to see that innocent face.
That face was the very thing that once drove the original Colette mad with envy. In the end, it was also what pushed me over the edge, straight into destruction.
"Move," I demanded, keeping my voice cold.
I tried to squeeze past her towards the ticket gates. But out of nowhere, Lyra reached out and yanked the strap of my backpack.
"Wait!" she exclaimed.
She was stronger than she looked. Her grip was like a vice.
"Colette, are you still mad at me?" Lyra's voice softened, sounding a little hurt.
"About that day, I know you didn't mean to. Austin just freaked out because he was worried," Lyra mumbled.
"Enough!" I cut her off and shoved her hand away.
Maybe I was rougher than I meant to be. She staggered back and nearly crashed into the person beside her.
The gauze on her arm shook a little.
People nearby shot us curious looks.
"Lyra." I fixed my gaze on her as I carefully enunciated my words, "Save that act for someone else. I'm not falling for that. What do you mean I didn't mean to? I did it on purpose!"
My voice wasn't loud, but it was cold and crystal clear.
"I hate you. Just seeing you pisses me off. Stay away from me. Don't bother me again!" I demanded firmly.
Lyra froze. Her eyes were wide with shock as she looked at me like I was a total stranger.
Her eyes instantly rimmed red.
She bit her lip, trying to hold back her emotions.
She looked like the very picture of misery. Seriously, she couldn't look more pathetic if she tried.
I hardened my heart, forcing myself not to care, as I turned and bolted straight for the ticket gates.
"Colette!" Another voice rang out.
It was crisp and clear, brimming with that unmistakable teenage energy. There was also a faint, breathless edge to it.
I shut my eyes for a second, feeling hopeless.
The stars must not be in my favor today. What an unlucky day.
It was Lucas Alden, the original Colette's half-brother, who shared the same father as Colette.
He was a little devil. The original Colette never missed a chance to mess with him. I was confused as to why he was running over here.
Lucas came barreling over like a little cannonball. He grabbed hold of my arm and hugged it so tight that I could barely move.
"Sis, I finally found you!" Lucas blurted out.
His hair was all over the place, and his forehead was slick with sweat. Yet, he was grinning from ear to ear.
"Where did you run off to? Your phone's been unreachable. Dad's freaking out! Austin was so pissed off that the devil would be afraid of him!" Lucas rattled off a nonstop barrage, talking so fast it was like rapid-fire.
"Come on, let's go home! This place is filthy!" He griped as he gave the noisy waiting room a look of utter disgust.
Then he grabbed my arm and yanked me toward the exit.
"Let go!" I yelled as I fought to wrench my arm free.
"Lucas, I'm not going back!" I cried out, desperation in my voice.
"It's not up to you!" Lucas shot back, his voice full of stubborn determination.
Lucas was surprisingly strong for his age. He yanked me so hard I nearly lost my balance.