“Jillie, you look so excited about the game,” Ellen begins.
“I am. It’s good to see them winning.” Truth.
“It is. Our guys are fab. I have to say, I was surprised to hear about Elan sitting with Gianna.”
There she is.
I shrug. “He likes her. Why wouldn’t he sit with her?”
“What about you?” she asks, all sweetness and innocence. Lies.
“What about me?”
“Well, last week he was your tonsil hockey partner and this week he’s Gianna’s date. What happened?”
“That would be filed under the category of none of your business,” I tell her with a smile as fake as hers.
“Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to hurt your feelings.”
I roll my eyes. “You tried to, but you failed.”
“First, it’s Leo, then Elan…”
“Leo? What are you talking about? Leo and I aren’t friends. We barely even talk.”
She nods. “But you still have the hots for him. Don’t bother denying it. It’s obvious. Just as it was obvious you were using Elan. That’s just tacky.”
“Listen, Ella. I’m not sure where you got your facts, but they’re all askew. I don’t have to explain myself to you or anyone else, so, once again, this goes under the category of none of your fucking business,” I reply, standing up, hating that I’m so much shorter than she is. But I don’t back up.
“Oh, Jillie. You don’t belong here. You know it and I know it. You belong back on that farm, wherever you’re from.”
“It’s funny, Ella, that you mention the farm—that I never told you about. There’s something on the farm that I think you’re full of, and that’s bullshit. Now, step back and go cheer. Cheer your little heart out before I knock you on your fake-friendly ten-pound-overweight ass. Okay? Buh-bye,” I tell her, then take a seat.
“Are you deaf?” Audrey asks when Ella just stands there.
“You better move your fat ass out of my line of vision or I’ll move it for you,” I tell her when our team is back on offense.
“This isn’t over,” she hisses.
“It never began.”
She makes her way down to the other cheerleaders, two of which look up at me with evil eyes. I roll mine. Ah, so that’s Tawny, the fourth in the group of four. Another platinum blonde.
“Ella’s minions are upset.”
“Who gives a shit?” Audrey asks.
“Not me,” I reply.
“Me neither,” Isla adds.
“It’s going to explode one day. All that venom in her veins, and the anger she stirs inside me,” I admit.
“I so want to be there for that,” Isla cheers.
“Me too. Don’t let me miss it,” Audrey pleads.
I laugh. “You two are bad influences.”
