He leans in and kisses me, as his hand slides into my hair. It’s different from the desperate ones this morning. This one is grounding. Steady. A promise that I’m not alone in this.
When he pulls back, his eyes search mine. “You sure you’re okay?”
“Yeah.” And this time, I mean it. Or at least I’m closer to meaning it.
“Good.” He presses one more quick kiss to my forehead. “I’ll see you later?”
He heads toward the gym and I watch him go. That confident swagger is back in his step, and I try to hold onto the warmth he left behind.
I turn toward my own class, my mind still replaying the confrontation with my friends—the hurt in Aubrey’s eyes, the anger in Sam’s voice. I’m so lost in my own head that I almost don’t see them: Nicole and her crew.
There are only three of them now. Madison and Brittany flank her sides, their numbers smaller than they used to be, but their venom is just as potent. They’re gathered near the lockers halfway down the hall, and when Nicole sees me, her face lights up with something predatory.
“Oh my God,” she says loudly, her voice carrying down the hallway.
I should keep walking to class, but my feet slow down despite my better judgment.
“I’m actually impressed,” Nicole continues, pushing off the lockers and stepping into my path. “I didn’t think Jace’s standards could get that low. But I guess when you’ve had filet mignon, sometimes you want to slum it with gas station sushi.”
“Move,” I say, my voice tight.
“Aw, she speaks.” Brittany giggles. “I wasn’t sure you knew how to do anything other than sit in the corner and do homework.”
“Seriously, though, Lola,” Nicole says, her voice dropping to something almost conversational. Almost friendly. Which makes it worse. “What’s your secret? Because I’m genuinely curious how someone that forgettable managed to get Jace Cooper’s attention. Did you blackmail him? Threaten to tank his grades? Or did you just spread your legs and hope for the best?”
Heat floods my face.
“Oh, that’s it, isn’t it?” Nicole’s eyes gleam with malicious delight. “You put out. God, that’s so sad. You really thought giving it up would make him stay?”
“You have no idea what is—.”
“I know enough.” Nicole crosses her arms, looking me up and down with open disdain. “That you’re a nobody who got lucky because Jace was bored. You’re so desperate for attention that you convinced yourself his pity is that he actually wants you. That’s when he wakes up and realizes he’s wasting his time on someone as plain and boring as you; you’re going to be completely destroyed over it. Look at yourself, Lola.” Nicole steps closer, her voice dropping to a vicious whisper. “You’re not pretty enough to be a trophy. You’re not cool enough to raise his status. You’re not even fun enough to keep him interested. You’re just... there. A placeholder until someone better comes along. And trust me, someone better always comes along.”
Madison laughs. “I give it two weeks before he’s back to normal. One week if someone hot transfers in.”
“Your own friends don’t even support this,” Brittany adds. “We all saw that little showdown earlier. Doesn’t that tell you something?”
I notice Nicole’s expression shift. She’s looking over my shoulder, and for just a second, something flickers across her face. Not quite fear, but close.
I don’t understand why until I hear Aubrey’s voice behind me.
“Walk away, Nicole,” Aubrey says from behind me. Her tone is flat and dangerous. “Right now.”
I turn slightly and see Aubrey and Sam standing there, their expressions hard as they stare down Nicole and her crew.
Nicole recovers quickly, her smile sliding back into place. “We were just having a conversation. Girl talk, that’s all.”
“I know exactly how it is,” Aubrey says, her voice cold. “That you’re a vindictive bitch who gets off on making other people small. So do yourself a favor and get the hell out of here before I make you.”
Madison shifts uncomfortably, and Brittany takes a small step back.
Nicole’s eyes narrow. “You can’t talk to me that way.”
“She just did,” Sam says. “Now move.”
For a moment, Nicole looks ready to argue, but something in Aubrey’s expression seems to persuade her otherwise. She tosses her hair over her shoulder and turns on her heel.
“Whatever. She’s not worth my time anyway.” She walks away with Madison and Brittany scrambling to follow her.
