Heartstrings on Fire novel 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 snapped 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.

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."