When The Puppet Falls For The Puppeteer

The Only Rule

"Ignore her," Ash muttered beside me. "She's just—"

"Insecure," I finished, staring after Jess. God knows... maybe she is. Or maybe I am.

Ash nudged me, lightening the moment. "So... you made the Dark Lord do schoolwork?"

"I don't understand."

"Marcus," she clarified, grinning. "He took notes for all your classes the entire week you were out."

My eyebrows lifted. "He... wrote them himself?"

"Yep. In his own terrifying handwriting."

A laugh escaped before I could stop it. "But you did all his homework in middle school. Even when he showed up to class. So not that he actually returned the favor by doing it for one week" She sneered

I looked down, a small smile tugging at my lips. The thought of Marcus copying down notes — for me — made something twist and flutter inside me.

"Okay," Ash said, plopping down at our usual table, lunch trays in hand. "Now that we're alone, you better spill."

"No, don't spill," I teased. "I actually worked hard on that sandwich."

She shot me a glare. I sighed, knowing there was no dodging this.

"Fine," I said. "Ask."

"Why didn't you talk to me? The whole week?"

I hesitated, heart suddenly heavy. "Marcus punished me for the suspension. No phone. No internet. No going out. No Ash."

I took a bite, bracing myself.

Silence.

When I finally looked up, she was staring at me — her eyes wide, jaw clenched. She stuffed the rest of her sandwich into her mouth and took deep, heavy breaths.

"Ash..."

"No," she said, mouth full. "Nope."

"Ash, please. Calm down," I reached across the table, grabbing her hand. "It's complicated."

"Oh, you think?" she snapped once she swallowed, her voice tight with fury. I handed her a glass of water, and she ignored it.

"Ash, you know he's been around since we were kids," I said, softly. "You know how he is — a little controlling—"

"A little?" she barked a laugh. "Myra, he is possessive. Obsessive. Obnoxious. Arrogant. Manipulative. Why you're letting him treat you like this?"

"I don't know why," I admitted, voice barely above a whisper. "I tried to push him away. I did. But... he's always been there. When my mom left. When Lillie was sick. When I got arrested... It was Marcus who got me out. Who fixed everything. He's the reason I've made it this far."

"So what?" she shot back. "Because he's rich and powerful, you owe him your freedom now?"

"It's not like that—"

"Then what is it like, Myra?" Her voice cracked. "Because from where I'm sitting, it looks like you're trying to repay what he has paid for by your freedom."

I swallowed hard.

"You've always said he was intense," she went on, quieter now. "But this? Are you guys dating? Is he your boyfriend?"

"No" I said becuase there is no name for this relationship

"Can you... just be supportive?" I whispered. "Please?"

Her eyes searched mine. "Are you telling me you're falling in love with him?"

I shook my head. "No. I'm telling you... he is in my life. And he has power over me. And I need you to understand that, Ash. I need you to be my friend, even if you don't like him. Don't fight him. Don't push. Just... don't make it harder for me."