“Did you have a date last weekend?”
Shit, maybe shecantell.
I laugh it off. “Yeah. With my dad. We mowed lawns all weekend.”
“You didn’t answer my texts Friday night. Or Saturday night.”
“I was doing homework. I turned my phone off so I could concentrate.”
“Or because you were on a date.”
“I wasn’t on a date, and I really need to get to class.”
As I go around her, she grabs my arm. “Wait, weren’t you meeting with Briggs on Friday?”
“Yeah, but we didn’t meet long. He was being an ass, as usual, so I told him I’d do the assignment myself and left.”
“Did he say anything about me?” She looks around the hall, making sure Briggs and his friends aren’t anywhere within earshot.
“Charlotte, I told you, Briggs inviting you to that party was just a prank. He wanted to see if you’d show up, and if you did, he and his friends would’ve done something to embarrass you. That’s all he was doing. He wasn’t asking you out.”
Her eyes dart behind me, and she’s squeezing my arm so tight she’s going to leave a mark.
“What are you doing?” I ask, trying to pry her hand off me.
“Scarlett,” she whispers.
“Hey, Trailer Girl,” Scarlett says, bumping my backpack so hard she pushes me forward. I trip on my feet, but Charlotte’s death grip on my arm keeps me from falling forward. “Aww, did I do that?”
I whip around to Scarlett. “Did you need something?”
She flips her long hair behind her shoulder. “I need more of that stuff you dropped in the bathroom.” Her lips turn up. “I might even pay you this time.”
“It wasn’t mine. Try your boyfriend. I’m sure he has a stash of it since he’s the one who probably put it in my locker.” I smile. “I mean, yourex-boyfriend. I heard he dumped you.”
“Like that would ever happen,” she huffs. “He worships me.”
Just then, Parker comes up behind her, wrapping his arms around her. “Hey, babe. Why are you talking to Trailer Girl?”
My jaw drops, but I snap it shut. Why is he calling me that? And why is he giving me that disgusted look he used to give me before the accident? All last week, Parker didn’t bother me. I assumed that meant he was done treating me like shit.
“I’m not talking to her,” Scarlett says with disgust. “I’m trying to get around her fat ass.”
“I don’t have a fat ass!” I lunge at her, but strong arms pull me back.
“What’s going on here?” I hear Briggs say as he keeps hold of my arms.
“You’re touching her?” Parker shakes his head. “Better hope you don’t get a disease.”
I turn and see a disgusted look on Briggs’ face as he drops my arms and rears back. “Shit, you’re right. Who knows what the fuck she’s contaminated with?”
What the hell is going on here? Am I in a parallel universe? What happened to us all being in this together? Why am I suddenly the enemy again?
Aubrey comes up beside Briggs, wrapping her arm around him. “Ooh, am I missing something?” Her glossy, pink lips curl up. “Are we telling Ella how hideous she looks today?” She points to my denim skirt. “Seriously, did you find that in the trash?”
“Don’t touch him!” Scarlett squeals, pointing at Briggs. “He touched Ella!”
Aubrey drops her hold on Briggs and steps away. “You touched her?”
