Total pages in book: 109
Estimated words: 101796 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 509(@200wpm)___ 407(@250wpm)___ 339(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 101796 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 509(@200wpm)___ 407(@250wpm)___ 339(@300wpm)
This is different. This is somebody I have no choice but to share space with. What a disgusting thought. Forced to be around him. Every time I see him, remembering how many times he took advantage of me, how many times he forced me.
How frantic he sounded when he came back the night the photos went out. Not like I was in the mood to feel sorry for him that night. I’m still not in the mood two days later, forcing myself out of bed. I want him to suffer. I want him to live in fear of the moment I decide to tell our parents what he did. I won’t, but he doesn’t know that.
The little spark that thought ignites in me is enough to push me through the motions of getting ready. Pulling on one of my sweaters feels like pulling on armor that will defend me from the assholes who I’m sure are waiting to pile on even more humiliation today. Wren is right. I can’t let them hold me back. Carter included.
There’s a bowl and spoon in the sink, telling me he got up earlier than usual and had breakfast. His truck isn’t in the driveway. Is he trying to avoid me? Thank God for small favors. It’s probably better that he does. For both our sakes.
I’m ready to go by the time somebody taps a horn in front of the house. At least, I’m dressed and everything. Whether I’m mentally prepared is another story. I’m barely even ready to step outside, where the glare of the sun is the first thing that greets me. I wish I could shrink to nothing and fade away, even when I know there are two friends waiting for me in the car.
Though they’re not waiting for long. Before I’m halfway down the steps, they’re both opening their doors so they can come out and give me a hug. It’s nice, it really is, even if it still feels a little awkward because they must’ve seen those pictures, too.
“Come on. Let’s face the world.” Maya takes me by the shoulders and gives me a firm nod while Wren opens the back door for me. “If anybody fucks with you, we fuck with them right back. Got it? We are not leaving you alone.”
“You really don’t have to do that. I don’t want to cause trouble for either of you.”
“You think we care?” Wren waves a hand like it doesn’t matter. “We’ve got your back.”
I can’t act like I’m not grateful, because I am.
“Thank you,” I whisper, then practically throw myself into the car because if this goes on much longer, I’ll start bawling my eyes out. I’ve done enough of that lately.
“So, listen.” Wren shoots Maya a look before turning in the passenger seat. “I’m only doing this because he came begging last night. You know how Tiana is. Carter didn’t have anything to do with sending those pictures, and he feels awful about it. He really does.”
“Is that what this is all about? Did he put you up to driving me?” Could I survive if I pitched myself out of the car right now?
“No, he didn’t put us up to anything. We were already going to offer to drive you in today.” Maya glances at me in the rearview mirror, and it’s obvious she’s angry. “Honestly, I’m not trying to defend him at all. He’s a pig for taking those pictures and keeping them on his phone in the first place.”
Then she sighs. “But he did seem really upset and very sorry. For what it’s worth.”
“We’re on your side, a hundred percent.” Wren narrows her eyes before adding, “And if anybody messes with you today, we want to know about it. I’m serious.”
“Okay.” I’m too overwhelmed to argue, and it’s not like I can’t use the help.
So he went to them. That’s where he disappeared to last night while I switched rooms. I don’t know if it’s annoying as hell or maybe slightly sweet. It couldn’t have been easy for him to swallow his pride.
Not that he’s any kind of hero. I wish he would stop trying to be decent so I could flat-out hate him. Besides, he’s not really being decent. He’s trying to cover his ass so I won’t rat him out. He needs my forgiveness to save himself, that’s all. It’s almost a mantra I have to repeat to myself the whole way to school.
“Oh, you’re fucking kidding me.” Maya’s disgusted grunt pulls me away from the tangled web of my thoughts and into the present, where a familiar and extremely unwelcome person stands chatting with friends on the path leading from the parking lot. Almost like she’s waiting for me.
“I swear to God, Tiana will not be satisfied until somebody kicks her ass—again,” Maya growls. “She is evil incarnate.”