I feel his energy shift.
“You know what your problem is?” he says, stepping closer, lowering his voice like he’s trying to sound wise instead of bitter. “You think you’re too good for people. Always acting like you’re some kind of celebrity.”
Za sits forward. “Okay, you can leave now.”
“No.” He lifts a hand. “I’m not done.”
He turns back to me and I honestly feel scared, even with Za next to me. “You walk around like you’re this big prize.”
“I didn’t say that?—”
“But you act like it!” He snaps. “And you’re picky for no reason. Frankie… a girl your size would be lucky to have a man like me.”
For a moment, I don’t feel anything until something cold slides down my spine. Za is up before I can process it.
“You bald-headed prick!” she snaps, stepping right into Benny’s space. “How dare you speak to her like that?”
My head swirls as I try to find words to defend myself as Za hurls Shakespearean insults at Benny. All while he stares at me with eyes so full of hate I wonder if he even cared about me at all.
“Frankie!” Za pushes. “Tell this pompous oaf what you think of him.”
What I think of him?
I open my mouth and nothing comes out.
I’m… hurt?
Why am I hurt? Why do my eyes sting so much right now?
Why does my throat feel dry?
Why is there this chill down my spine and a pit in my stomach?
I don’t give a fuck what Benny thinks. He’s fucking bald. His opinions on what I look like are null and void.
Still. I just pin my mouth shut.
Benny just scoffs and pushes past us. “Fucking pathetic little bitches.”
“Get a toupee you bald cunt,” Za says after him. “Frankie was doing community service!”
She grabs my hand and pulls me out of the booth.
“We’re leaving now!” I can feel Jabari’s gaze burning into me as Za pulls me toward the exit. “Let’s get out of here, Jabari has to be around here?—”
“Woah, woah, woah, where you lot going?” he calls from behind like he could hear us discussing him.
Za doesn’t even look at him.
“We’re leaving,” she snaps.
“Huh? I just bought this bottle,” he protests, waving it like a peace offering or some kind of trophy. “I thought we were celebrating.”
Za whirls on him, eyes flashing. “Forget the fucking bottle, Bari! Benny just disrespected Frankie.”
I stop in my tracks. My chest tightens. I don’t want to relive the whole awful interaction, but hearing Za say my name like that makes me feel like I’m in a spotlight.
“…what?” Jabari questions. “What did he say to you?”
