I bite my tongue as bitterness erupts in my gut. Mr. Marcus’s words circle my head.
You can either let this life grab you by the fucking throat, or you can make it your bitch.
Resentment and anger fuel me, adding to the steadily fanning flames that began with a small ember and have only been nurtured with every passing day. I’m tired of being pushed to the brink, and I refuse to continue being the small, scared girl of my past.
I refuse to be prey.
For the first time in my whole life, I do something I’ve never done before.
I stand up for myself.
“And you would look morefittingat the bottom of a well.” I sneer with venom.
Roman’s face falls into ire as Kairo gives a startled laugh. Maddox scowls at me, his lips twitching.
“She’s gettingbrave,” Kairo croons as he leans closer.
I don’t back down as I stare him dead in the eyes. I have nothing else to say to these boys, and remaining in their presence is moot.
“I have class—” I try to turn away from them, but Roman snatches my wrist in a punishing grip. It makes me bite down on the inside of my cheek as I whirl on him. He’s so close that I can feel his breath fan over my lips.
“And I think you would look better at the bottom of the stairs.” He whispers harshly before shoving me back.
There’s a beat where I’m airborne, my body gliding as my last view is of the three boys who have tormented me for years as they grow distant. Maddox’s eyes are wide, his concern displaced and unnatural. Kairo’s mouth hangs open, and hisstupefied expression would almost be laughable if I weren’t falling.
I see regret flicker across Roman’s eyes before it’s buried under a cold, hard stare. There is no remorse for me as my back collides with the first set of steps. The air is knocked from my lungs, and I feel like I can’t suck in a breath as pain lances through my back. My momentum causes me to tumble further, my legs catapulting over my head as I roll. The concrete slams into every inch of me, scraping my sides and hips as I near the bottom.
When I roll onto solid ground, I groan. I lift my arms, tucking them close to my chest as I finally take a ragged breath. Everything hurts, and I can only curl onto my side as I wait for it to subside.
My vision blurs as I hear slow, cautious steps nearing me. With every tap of the shoes, the darkness edges further into my field of sight until I can make out Roman’s sneakers in front of my face.
“Is she alive?” Kairo asks.
“She’s fine,” Roman barks.
Maddox crouches down, and I wince as his face nears mine. “Yup. Still breathing.”
“A shame,” Roman clucks his tongue.
They trudge along, leaving me at the base of the stairs with my arms cradled close to me. I don’t know how long I stay lying on my side, but all I know is that it’ll be the last time.
The last time I let them or anyone hurt me ever again. I’m done being the punching bag.
I’m done.
I stagger up, dragging my body after me as I stumble down the hallway. People pass me with raised brows, and Jordan whispers something to the cheerleading team before they erupt in giggles. It’s clear her jab is aimed at me, but I don’t care.
Not anymore.
I hobble into the front office, cradling my sore elbow asfresh bruises scatter my limbs. Mrs. Taylor sees me first, her mouth falling open in shock at my state. She rises from behind her desk, her white hair cascading over her shoulders as she calls for Mrs. Hurst.
When the principal walks out of her office, she scowls. “Rosalie, what happened?”
“What hasn’t happened?” I laugh bitterly, sounding on the brink of delusion.
“Who did this?” The principal asks.
“No one this school doesn’t already know about.” I bite. “I’m here for my diploma.”
