A distinct gong goes off in my head and I lean back in my seat, suddenly boneless. I focus on my breath, my heart thundering within my chest as if it wants to leap out. No matter what I do, Peppermint will still get my death handed to them, wrapped up in a pretty, headless package. I feel my bottom lip wobble and I bite it hard. A familiar burn fills my eyes and I look at the ground, not wanting this person I just met to witness my moment of weakness.
I am so screwed. It's not even funny at this point.
My past life wasn't perfect, but it wasn't worth throwing away. I had my mom and my future job lined up. I curse myself for the thousandth time for indulging in alcohol when I was in a poor state of mind. That cheater, Jonathan, is not worth dying over. Even if it's just to eat another plate of my mom's tacos and give a satisfying slap onto Jonathan's cheek, I have to find a way to survive and make it out of the Erudian Empire.
