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)
Still, is it too much to ask for them to just leave me the hell alone? I’ve never hurt any of them. I don’t know their names. I don’t care to meet them. I just want to exist. Why is that unacceptable?
I’m still asking myself that question as I open the stall door with my backpack over one shoulder. The row of sinks is straight ahead. I push up the sleeves of my gray sweater and wash my hands quickly, avoiding my reflection in the mirror that runs the length of the wall. The less I have to look at myself, the happier I am. Not that I’m ever very happy.
The door from the hallway swings open, and a bunch of high-pitched voices fill the room before any of the girls walk in. “So I told him if he wants me to swallow, he needs to stop eating asparagus.”
The girls laugh louder than ever while I die a little bit inside, wishing I could’ve peed faster so I could be out of here before they came in. Instead of drying my hands, I wipe them on the front of my sweater before pushing my glasses further up the bridge of my nose. Nothing matters more than escaping.
Too late. “Oh. Look who it is. Carter’s new sister,” the ringleader announces. It’s pretty obvious—nobody has to tell me. I barely glance at her reflection in the mirror, staring down at the basin instead. The weight of their stares is crushing, and the sound of their soft laughter makes my skin prickle and flush. Why? Why can’t they just leave me alone?
“I guess living with Carter isn’t enough to give you a clue about how to dress or act.” The girls draw closer, surrounding me, pinning me in place with my thighs against the counter. One by one, they shove me, making me lurch in different directions. One of them yanks the backpack off my shoulder and drops it on the floor, while another kicks it, making it slide until it comes to a stop against the wall.
“I heard she didn’t have any manners,” one of them mutters before shoving me hard enough to make me bounce off one of her friends. “Maybe we should teach her some.”
“Rude little freak with the huge glasses.” That girl shoves me even harder, making me stumble sideways until all I can do is hold onto the counter to keep myself from falling.
“She dresses like it’s winter every day.”
“I didn’t know the thrift store had such a huge selection.” The girls’ laughter bounces off the walls until I could go deaf from the sound. Do not cry. Don’t you dare.
“Oh, for God’s sake.”
I look up at the mirror in time to see Wren stepping through the swinging door, with Maya behind her. “Are you seriously doing this, Tiana? Will you ever get a life?”
The ringleader tosses her thick ponytail over one shoulder, narrowing her eyes. “What a surprise,” Tiana mutters. “Talk about needing to get a life. Do you just, like, slink around school looking for people to defend?”
“Occasionally, some of us like to dole out an ass-whipping every once in a while.” Maya’s smile is sickeningly sweet and completely insincere. She falls in place beside me, folding her arms and cocking her head to the side. “But then, you would know that, wouldn’t you?”
On the one hand, it’s almost comforting to know I’m not the only person this vicious, nasty creature has tormented. They say misery loves company, and I am definitely miserable.
On the other hand, I hate to think of such nice people going through what I do. I would never have guessed it, looking at them. I guess not everybody wears their trauma on their sleeve like me.
“Whatever,” Tiana scoffs. When I find the courage to glance her way, she’s scowling at me. “Loser.”
“Just go away,” Wren mutters, rolling her eyes.
“Gladly. Fucking stinks in here, doesn’t it, girls?” Tiana wrinkles her nose before shoving her way past us, her friends trailing behind. They’re not laughing anymore.
“I would tell you not to worry about her,” Wren offers with a shake of her head, “but she’s a real pain in the ass. And she never knows when to leave it alone.”
“She’s all talk.” Maya picks up my backpack and offers it to me. With my head ducked, I accept it, slinging it over my shoulder. Now I’m even more embarrassed than ever, having them see me being bullied. Knowing I can’t defend myself. It’s beyond pathetic.
“Thank you,” I whisper, cringing, wishing I could disappear, and this would all be over with.
“Hey. You have friends here, whether you know it or not.” Wren’s smile seems sincere, and I do appreciate it, but I hate that she has to defend me at the same time.
“We’ve both been through it,” Maya explains before disappearing into a stall.