“Ah,” he says in understanding. “Why don’t you come eat with me and my friends?” he asks, pointing over to the long rectangulartable where all the cheerleaders and jocks sit. Dimitri used to sit there, but he’s since moved on with a group of guys who sit by themselves on the other side of the cafeteria now.
“Uh, no t-t-thanks,” I tell him.
“What? You’re too good for them?” he asks with a grin.
“More like they’re t-t-too g-good for me,” I retort.
“I call bullshit,” he says before pulling out a chair and sitting down. “You’re the hottest girl in school,” he says, completely flooring me.
“What?” I ask even though I heard him. Or at least I thought I did. No, I couldn’t have heard him right.
“You’re the hottest girl in school, Savina. I mean it.”
I stare at him, waiting for him to crack a smile and tell me he’s joking…or something, but he stays seated, his expression remaining the same. “Oh…you’re s-s-serious,” I say with a shake of my head.
“Very,” he responds. “You know, I think I know why everyone tries to stay away from you. It’s because of Dimitri,” he says.
I cock my head to the side, not understanding. What would Dimitri have to do with anything?
“Did you know he told everyone that you have chlamydia?” he asks in a hushed whisper.
“What?!” I exclaim in horror.
“Yeah, he told all the guys in the locker room that you have a bunch of STDs from sleeping around so much, and that they should stay far, far away from you.”
Anger builds up in my veins as I try to remain calm on the outside. Dimitri has been spreading rumors about me? How could he? Howdarehe! It’s not bad enough that I’m bullied because of my speech impediment, but he also wants me to be bullied over false claims that I’m promiscuous and dirty as well? Dimitri’s betrayal cuts me like a thousand little knives, and I don’t know if I’ll ever heal from the wounds. I might carry the scars with me forever. There are some things you just can’t come back from, and I think what he’s saying behind my back is completely unforgiveable.
“I’m assuming none of what he said is true,” Corbin starts.
“How can a v-virgin have c-c-chlamydia?” I blurt out before slapping my hand over my mouth. “Oh god, I d-d-didn’t mean t-t-to say that,” I whisper, my eyes wide with regret.
“It’s okay, Savina,” he says before his brows knit together. “Wait, so you really are a virgin?” he whispers, and I can see the wonderment in his expression.
“Yes,” I squeak out, my cheeks heating with embarrassment.
“Don’t worry. I won’t tell anyone, Savina. I’m not like the other guys. And I’m certainly not like Dimitri,” he points out.
“No, you’re d-d-definitely not,” I mutter. And maybe that’s why I like Corbin so much. He’s the exact opposite of Dimitri. Corbin wouldn’t talk behind my back, or at least I would hope not. Until he proves otherwise, Corbin has been loyal. I never heard any rumors about me being in the nurse’s office with him a few weeks ago.
“I’d like to be your friend, Savina. I think we really click.”
I give him a nod. “I’d l-like that.”
He smiles. “Great. I won’t try to convince you to move tables today, but can I sit with you?”
“Uh, s-s-sure,” I answer.
“Cool. I’ll just go grab my stuff.”
I wring my hands nervously in my lap. None of the other boys in school have ever showed interest in me before. And I can’t help but think that none of them ever will with Dimitri around. Maybe Corbin is the only boy who will ever like me because he knows the truth. He actually took time to get to know me, unlike most people. Unlike my future husband.
My anger is threatening to seep out of every pore in my body as I sit and stew with this new information swirling around in my brain. And when I glance around the cafeteria, I see him. Dimitri. Tucked in the back corner, looking smug. His eyes meet mine briefly, and he gets an unreadable expression on his face.
Without thinking, I slowly raise my hand andgive him the middle finger. He cocks a dark brow at me, and then he looks amused as the corner of his lips tilt up.
Corbin approaches the table once more, and I quickly put my hand down. “The food is so crap here. I usually pack something decent,” he says before taking a seat beside me.
Risking a glance back over at Dimitri, I’m happy to see that the half smile that was on his face has turned into a scowl. He’s currently staring at the back of Corbin’s head. And if looks could kill, Corbin would be dropping dead right on the spot.
