Guess not.
“That’s weird,” Bethany muses, crossing her arms across her chest while watching Leo slam his car door shut behind him.
Feeling confident, I say what’s really on my mind. “Surprised one guy doesn’t want you?”
I know I’ve for sure hit a spot with that one; however, I can’t find it in me to care. She never has for years, so why should I?
Bethany stares past my shoulder at his car. “He’s just playing hard to get.” Her eyes roll.
I snort and nod my head at her. “If that makes you sleep better. I’m actually in the middle of—”
She interrupts tightly with a glare, “What’s he to you anyway? I haven’t seen him before.”
Every guy in town has basically been with Bethany. Knowing there’s a new guy in town that hasn’t thrown her a second look is getting to her head.
How sad.
“He’s a friend.”
A laugh booms from her chest, making me cringe on the inside. “You have a friend other than Harper?” Her hand slaps her knee like she just heard the funniest thing in her life. “Girl, do you need help? Blink twice quickly if he’s kidnapped you.”
Anything is better than being stuck, talking to you.
“He hasn’t kidnapped me.” I scrunch my nose and chuckle dryly.
It’s only been two minutes, and I’m done with her BS. Her goal every time we talk is to push my buttons and to make me feel below her. I won’t give her the satisfaction of seeing how pissed off I am at the moment. That’s what she strives for.
People like her push you down onto the ground. Sometimes, it feels like their hands are around your throat, squeezing all the life out of you until you feel hollow and weaker than ever before. That’s if you let them beat you around with their sweet words that resemble venom more than anything. Rising above people who hurt others because they feel low is the greatest victory.
I reply strongly, “I’m too busy for this.” Turning around, I walk toward my car, ready to forget about this conversation.
“You know, you used to be fun,” she calls out loudly.
I continue my steps, showing her that she’s not affecting me. My hands sweat, but I keep my head up, looking straight to where I want to go.
“We used to get along so well.”
No, we didn’t.
“You used to be the life of the party. You had every fucking guy wrapped around your finger,” she continues, her voice sharp and cold. “And now, you’re a freak. No one ever sees you around anymore. You’re fragile. I thought you were strong … but you know what you really are?” she yells, halting my footsteps.
“You’re a freak,” she spits out, tearing my heart in two.
I shouldn’t turn around and face her, but I do. I look her right in the eyes and push her to say more to my face. I’m aware people think I’m a freak. She doesn’t have to tell me. That doesn’t mean I’ll let her treat me like a piece of trash. I know my worth. I also know she’s so insecure about herself that she makes herself feel better by bullying people around. I’m not about to be one of those people today. I’m tired of being Bethany’s doormat.
As my deadly gaze meets hers, I sense she’s nervous. Not expecting me to stand up to her, she shuffles on her feet.
Taking a tense step closer to where she stands, I snap, “What did you just say?” Even though I heard her clearly. I think the whole damn town heard her.
A car door opens and shuts behind me. Dragging my attention to the noise briefly, I meet Leo’s deep, velvety eyes, and I feel the confidence he normally carries seep through my bones as we gaze at one another. Leaning back on his car, he casts me a worried look.
“How does it feel to be a freak for four years?” She laughs. “What kind of person can’t listen to music? It just shows that you’re fragile, weak, breakable.”
I know what I shouldn’t do—what I always hold myself back from doing because of the consequences—but I can’t help it today. She’s gone too far this time. Rage takes over my body as I glare at the girl in front of me.
The next words that leave her mouth feel like a sucker punch to my gut.
“Your dad would be so ashamed of you,” she sneers with a scowl on her face.
