Dario spent the rest of the day in a haze of humiliation and anger. Every interaction with Jamie over the past three weeks replayed in his mind, viewed now through the lens of Tyler's revelation. The casual touches, the invitations to hang out, the way Jamie had swooped in when everyone else abandoned him—it all made horrible sense.
He was a bet. A joke. A prize to be won.
By the time the final bell rang, Dario had made a decision. He needed to know for sure.
He found Jamie at his locker, surrounded by the usual crowd of friends and admirers. Dario waited until the group dispersed before approaching.
"Hey," Jamie said, brightening when he saw him. "Want to grab coffee? I know this place downtown that—"
"I heard Tyler talking at lunch," Dario said quietly.
Jamie's expression didn't change, but something flickered behind his eyes. "Tyler talks a lot. What about?"
"The bet."
The silence stretched between them like a chasm. Around them, other students continued their end-of-day routines, oblivious to the small drama playing out by the lockers.
"Dario," Jamie said finally, his voice careful. "I can explain—"
"So it's true."
"It's not what you think—"
"Three hundred dollars." Dario's voice was steady, but Jamie could see his hands shaking slightly. "That's what I'm worth, apparently."
"Dario, please. Just let me—"
But Dario was already walking away, Jamie's protests fading behind him. He made it to the parking lot before the rage finally overwhelmed him, and he felt the familiar stirring in the depths of his mind.
No, he thought desperately. Not here. Not now.
But Cassius was already rising to the surface, drawn by the intensity of Dario's emotions.
Someone hurt you, came the voice from within, cold and ancient. Let me handle this.
"I can deal with it myself," Dario whispered.
Can you? Because from where I'm sitting, you're about to cry in a high school parking lot over some boy who was never worthy of your attention.
"Shut up."
I could make them pay. All of them. Tyler, Jamie, everyone who thinks they can use us for their entertainment.
"I said shut up!"
Several nearby students turned to stare. Dario realized he'd been talking to himself, probably looking like he was having a breakdown. Which, he supposed, he was.
He got in his car and drove home, Cassius's laughter echoing in his head.