Page 10 of Never His Girl
BLUE
It’s so cliché, but it got me here—the age-old adage about how important it is to ‘get right back on the horse after falling and busting your ass’.
Those very words came from Jules in a text at midnight. They were enough to make me drag myself out of bed this morning; enough that I’m currently walking the halls of Cypress Prep, pretending the whispers don’t affect me.
P.S. They affect me. I’ve just become a pro at pretending to be whole when I’m not.
Even those not talking behind my back say enough with their judgmental stares. The girls think I’m a lowlife, and the guys think I’m an easy lay. Why? Because I stupidly gave up the goods to the biggest douche on the continent.
Not my proudest moment.
They’re staring like I’m some kind of museum exhibit—the rare Slut-a-saurus Rex, alive and courageously facing the dicks and dickettes I ran from just two days ago.
Nope, guys. Your eyes aren’t deceiving you. I dared to venture outside my home and return to the lion’s den.
While Jules thinks I’m being super brave by coming back so soon, I’m leaning more toward‘incredibly stupid’.
The warning bell sounds, and now that I have to book it, I sort of regret sitting in my car until the last possible second. It means I have to hustle through the mass of bodies that stand between me and my locker, praying I don’t have to walk into class late on top of everything else.
But more than anything, I’m praying I don’t run into …him.
Knowing I’ll eventually be forced to face West at some point today, I nearly called in sick. I managed to push past that urge, but keep imagining the sick smile he’s probably had on his face since the leak that thoroughly ruined my life.
That’s been his goal all along, right?
To hurt me so badly that I break?
Well, mission accomplished.
Anger blooms in my gut, but it isn’t all for West. Mostly, it’s aimed right at myself, for being so,sostupid. I went to his room to talk, and instead of getting whatIwanted, I gave him exactly whathewanted.
Don’t go there, Blue. You have to keep it together today.
“Morning, slut-bucket!”
I’ve been so laser-focused on getting to my locker and keeping my eyes straight ahead that I missed the chance to dodge Parker. But as I’m locked on her bright stare—sparkling with satisfaction at my expense—I feel my heart sink to my stomach.
Flanking her, Heidi and Ariana glare with misdirected hatred. These bitches don’t know me, and they sure as shit don’t want to mess with me while my emotions are so raw. Last time someone crossed me on a bad day, she ended up with a broken nose and I had to nurse a fractured knuckle all summer.
“Well, aren’t we brave,” Parker beams. “I thought it’d be atleasta week before we saw your poor ass strutting around here again.”
My hands tighten around the straps of my backpack where it rests on my shoulders. “Back … the fuck … away, Parker.”
That small measure of restraint I exercised when first arriving here has worn so thin now. I’m barely able to contain myself, even with my thoughts on the many reasons I have to stay in line. These past few days, all I’ve wanted is to cause pain, to hurt anyone who’s ever hurt me.
“Oh! She’s got a bit of fight in her today, ladies!” Parker pushes, shooting a quick look toward Heidi and Ariana before meeting my gaze again.
A hush spreads around us as others become aware of the confrontation.
“And hey, just so you know, you’re not alone here,” she says, sounding sweet despite everyone knowing she’s a first-class bitch. “I’m sure there are plenty other guys on the football team looking for a cheap fuck. You know, since that seems to be your thing.”
That last syllable leaves her mouth and I swear it’s like I’m having an out-of-body experience. My fist flies toward that perfect nose of hers, but I only catch air when a hard tug from behind yanks me back.
“Nope. Not on my watch you don’t,” a familiar voice says close to my ear. It’s coming from the one currently bearhugging me from behind. The same one who just saved Parker a trip to the ER.
“Ms. Holiday, don’t you have a class you should be getting to?” Dr. Pryor asks, still gripping me tight.
There’s a look of disbelief on Parker’s face as she crosses both arms over her chest.