Does that mean I have to bow my head, walk with my shoulders drooped like salty teardrops just because of what happened on Saturday? Nope.
I hold my head up high, bad posture is a major turn off for me, and to be honest, faking confidence has always been my thing.
But when I cross the quad, my high heels and stocking combo and the rest of my appearance currently undergoing an intense scrutiny—judge away you miserable bitches, I made sure to take extra time to get ready this morning for all of you—a round of applause and cheers starts ringing from behind me.
Confused, I look around and notice some juniors clapping and hollering at me, and then seniors join in, whistling and cheering like I finally won a medal for being the biggest fraud for the past few years or like I had set up our principle for a date with a man who can finally handle her and give her an overdue orgasm.
“There she is!” Dante and Brantley walk up to me, huge smiles on their faces.
“Here I am,” I murmur, the hairs at the back of my neck standing up on end like I’ve just been struck by lightning.
“Shit, Mia!” Brantley starts, his voice scratchy with a high note of excitement. “You’re a fucking rock star! That shit Saturday night…fuck, you’re hardcore.”
“Hardcore,” I repeat like a parrot, completely lost.
“You totally told that shithead, Liam Fitzgerald and his fucking brother. Read them both for filth.” Dante smiles, his cheeks tinged red with a blush. Again.
“Shit, that’s not even my favorite part,” Brantley steps in. “When you slapped that asshole across the face…”
He starts clapping, eyes so wide, they look like saucers. “Shit, he tried to play it off but hot damn, girl, you embarrassed the hell out of him.”
Okay. I blink several times. Of all the things I was prepared to face today…
“Fuck, did you see the way St. Jude crew just froze, like they couldn’t fucking believe that their little golden boys were reduced to nothing by one of ours?” Brantley goes on.
“You heard?” I question. Hell, I didn’t even see these two there.
“Well, we didn’t hear everything, just when you were circling him, getting in his face like the fucking badass you are,” Dante replies softly, watching me. The guy just cursed. I’m impressed.
“Wait, there were people recording?” I question. It’s then that Brantley looks royally pissed.
“I don’t know how they did it, but everyone’s phone was taken by those thugs. I assume to delete all the footage but then shit went down with Fitz’s car. It wasn’t until Sunday night that everyone who was there got their phones back. It was total chaos.”
“You got your phones back on Sunday?”
Well damn. I don’t know whether to be impressed or to be pissed off with Julian and his friends for hiding all the evidence that they came for me. If it ever comes down to it, it would be my word against theirs and I’m not so sure I’d get a word in, even with all this support I think I have.
Something tells me the Fitz brothers have more fire power than I could ever imagine.
“Yeah, can you imagine that shit? Not having a phone for that many hours, especially when I wanted to see if the world of social media was buzzing about a Fitzgerald death.” Brantley seethes. “The fucking asshole isn’t dead, though. You heard about that?”
“Yeah, I did.” My throat grows dry like I swallowed sand.
“Mia!” Someone shouts ahead of me. Pushing her way through the crowd that’s looking at me, nodding, clapping and whistling, I see Kristine rushing towards me.
“Here come the clout chasers,” Dante says so low under his breath, if I wasn’t walking beside him, I would have missed it.
“What?” I look at him, but he shakes his head, surprised that I heard him over the ruckus in the main hallway.
“Nothing,” he says, not meeting my eyes.
Hmm, clout chasers?
“Mia! Oh my gosh, girl!” she shrieks, and I wince. “You are all everyone’s talking about.”
“I see that,” I mumble, looking around. I walk down the hallway, with jocks calling my name as I pass and the added headache-inducing noise of these idiots banging on lockers.
“All hail, Mia the fucking savage queen!”
“Hey, Mia. I’m fucking proud of you!”
Proud of me?
“Y’all bitches better bow down. No one has ever made the Fitz brothers shiver with a savage read like that!”
“Mia, can you be my girlfriend?”
“Marry me, Mia! The Fitz brothers won’t stand a chance.”
“Way to go in telling them off!”
It doesn’t come as a surprise that all these hollers and hoots are coming from guys.
The girls are silently applauding, with menacing frowns on their faces as they stare at me with even more hate than before. I promise you, if looks could kill… But, it’s just high school.
“You know, after Lit class last week, I really thought you were hashtag TeamFitz, but now, I think I owe you a Brantley apology, girl.” Brantley swings his arm over my shoulders, squeezing me to his sweaty body. “I’m sorry, Mia. I will never suspect you or question your loyalty to Clintwood ever.”
That makes my stomach drop.
Brantley moves away from me then starts doing lame handshakes with his teammates, leaving me to walk toward my locker.
How can people be this excited and high over what happened to me Friday night? They didn’t hear the shit that Liam said, let alone Julian’s gruesome, toe-curling promises of retribution in my ear. They don’t know just how personal the war between us is and here they are, thinking I did it for the damn school?
The jocks are all ridiculously happy, they think Saturday was a victory, so why then aren’t they appalled about the accident?
Why aren’t they concerned that Liam could be dead right now?
And even more so, where the fuck is Shane Matthews?
“You know, I heard the boys are throwing a party in your honor,” Kristine gushes. “And I told them we could do it at your house.”
And the music screeches right then.
“At my house?” I turn around and grab her arm.
“Ouch,” she winces.
“Sorry.” I quickly let go, then step back. “You said there’ll be a party at my house?”
“Yeah,” she exclaims, excitedly. “I mean you should be sainted for Saturday night but honestly, the rest of us girls just want to know how it was being so close to the Fitz brothers like you were that night.”
“Seriously?” I deadpan. “That’s all you care about?”
“Uh, what?” She frowns.
“That brute had a hand around my neck, and no one did anything to stop him.” I’m still bitter about that shit. “Not even you.”
“I’m sorry, Mia, but in my defense, there was no way anyone could get to you since Liam and Cole were standing guard.”
They were standing guard? Of an assault. It just goes to show how much people don’t really care in this town.
Someone calls Kristine’s name and she turns to go. “So, your house, Friday night?”
“Actually no,” I rush to say, my voice coming out like a shrill and high pitched. What the fuck?
“Is everything okay with you?” she questions, eyeing me carefully.
“Uh, I mean, my Mom has this thing going on the entire week at the house, so no visitors allowed, let alone a raving teen party.”
Kristine stops, then frowns at me.
“You know, how is your mom?” she questions. “I haven’t seen her in what feels like years.”
“Oh, you know, she’s fine.” I swallow the agony that threatens to overwhelm me. “She’s just been traveling and teaching and stuff.”
“Oh, that’s cool. I guess we can do it somewhere else,” she says, a smile on her face that doesn’t quite reach her eyes. “I’m sure one of the boys wouldn’t mind. Will you come though?”
Oh shit. I knew this was coming.
“To the party, Mia. You’ve been bailing out on me for a while, so I need to know, will you be there at the party or not?” Kristine questions and then flips her hair over her shoulder. She’s trying to make a statement.
There’s that little bitch. Not today.
“Didn’t you say it’s a party in my honor?” I question, standing up straight in my heels, that cold, smug smile on my face.
“Uh, yes, it is.” Kristine’s smile melts in the face of my bitchy one.
“Then I’ll be there, sweetie. It’s my party after all.”
I’m so not going to that party.
And with that, I turn away, open my locker and grab my books just as the first bell rings.
I can feel the impending doom in the air, heading toward me, but for today, I need to survive.
After fourth period, I’ve been unable to locate Shane Matthews anywhere, not even his brother. By the time AP Biology is over, I can’t take it anymore.
“Dante,” I grab his arm before he can leave for the cafeteria. He stops, his eyes growing wide with surprise. I’ve never touched the guy. Like, never. I just made his year.
I quickly let go but I know I have his full and undivided attention.
“Yeah?” he stutters a bit, still shocked.
“Can I ask you something?” I start, keeping my voice in a low flirt. I can get much farther and faster if I act like I actually like the guy. It’s shitty, but I can’t help but feel like there’s something happening around me.
“Yeah, shoot,” he says, straightening up.
“What happened to Shane?”
It’s like watching the lights go out on Christmas eve as I look at his face. His shoulders slump and his eyes flash with a little hurt mixed with irritation.
“Oh, your boyfriend won the race since Fitz junior couldn’t complete it. I thought you’d be together,” he murmurs, looking uncomfortable.
“He’s not my boyfriend, Dante. Why would you say that?” I question. No one has ever thought Shane and I were couple. Even when I wanted them to. Dante perks up then.
“He’s been telling everyone since Friday that you’re his girl and that you hate the Fitz brothers.”
“What?” I almost shriek, but instead I step closer to him, curiosity and dread heating up my insides like I swallowed a Bunsen burner at breakfast.
Dante pauses, then really looks at me, like he’s seeing me for the first time.
“So, you’re not dating him?”
“No, I’m not dating that self-centered imbecile.” I almost gag at the way he leaned into my personal space Saturday night. I can’t believe I liked him before. What in the world was I thinking?
“But Saturday night at the Devil’s Track, I saw you with him—”
“Nothing happened there, Dante.”
Except for the damn remote he gave me that I think is the key to what happened to Liam.
“Oh, good,” Dante breathes, his eyes lighting up all over again. The guy really wears his emotions on his sleeve, or his pimple-ridden face. Why the hell am I explaining myself to him about this and why does he look relieved like he’s got a shot with me?
“But you said he’s telling everyone that we’re dating?” I press, redirecting the conversation.
“Yup, he’s an asshole.” He looks away. “He’s been telling us how you two did it before the race, that’s why he won and that he had your back with the whole Fitz brothers thing.”
What the fuck?
“He said that?” This time I can’t stop the fury in my voice.
“Uh, yeah…” Dante mutters, looking uncomfortable.
“I did not and will never ‘do it’ with that jerk,” I seethe, feeling so damn furious and disgusted. “He’s also saying that I hate the Fitz brothers?”
“Yeah, he said you’ve been raving on and on about how you hate the Fitzgerald brothers for weeks now. And you even said that something should be done about them and that the prank shit for Saturday was your idea, but they found out and pranked us first.”
Holy shit. This isn’t happening.
“But I didn’t even know…” I start, my jaw dropping as I connect the dots. Not only did Shane give me that remote thingy, he’s been setting the stage for me to take the fall for something I never did. “When did these rumors start?”
Dante frowns. “After you left on Friday with your egged car, he was telling everyone that Saturday night was going to be epic.”
“Because I was planning something?”
“Yes, that and the fact that you were sick and tired of the Fitz brothers, so after Saturday night and the way you slapped Liam, everyone thinks—”
“That I attempted to kill him.”
“—that you truly hate them,” he says with a frown. “What did you say?”
My heart is pounding so hard in my chest, I think my ribs are cracking with each beat as intense pain threatens to overwhelm me.
“I have to go,” I pant, turning on my heel to run for the door.
“Hey, Mia, are you alright?” Dante calls after me but I don’t respond. I need to get out of here, the bitter taste of a set-up heavy on my tongue.
My mind is buzzing with all sorts of information that barely makes sense but is setting off alarms in my head.
Shane knew that Liam’s, well, Julian’s car was going to explode. But then, Liam wasn’t scheduled to race until the last minute, that means they were after Julian.
Julian saw me talk to Shane before the race. Did he see what Shane gave me too? Fuck my life, this is a mess and I now live with the guy!
As I round the corner, I hear heated voices.
Slowing down, I peep around the corner and notice Shane talking to a girl whose back is to me. They’re whisper-yelling at each other and I lean in closer.
“She’s not a hero!” The girl is whining, crying, no doubt trying to be sexy, but she sounds like a dying pig. “Now everyone wants to kiss her ass.”
Shane rolls his eyes, looking annoyed.
“It doesn’t matter what they think of her now. By the end of the day, they won’t think that.”
Without a doubt in my mind, I know they’re talking about me.
“She’s a fucking bitch. She doesn’t deserve all the attention she’s getting. You said she’d be in jail by Monday, but she’s being celebrated and praised like she’s a fucking queen.”
The girl’s voice sounds so damn familiar, but I can’t place it and I can’t tell who she is.
“Don’t worry about that. We had a deal.”
A deal? What deal?
I lean in closer, but right then, someone clears their throat behind me, and I jump. Turning around, I come face to face with Charlotte, her delicate eyebrow raised.
“Jumpy little thing, aren’t you?”
“Shh,” I shush her then peep back around the corner but there’s no one there anymore and I didn’t see who Shane was talking to.
“Fuck,” I whisper.
“Did I mess your spy shit up?” Char’s voice is sarcastic and flat.
“Well, yeah Char, you did.” There’s no need to sugarcoat it.
“Well,” she starts, pulling my arm as we power walk down the hall toward the arts department. “After Saturday night and the attention you got, I think you’re starting to realize that not everyone is as they seem.”
I glance at her, shocked. “What do mean?”
“Oh, don’t give me that, Mia. Roxy is hella mad at you for some unknown reason.”
“She’s angry at me, huh?” Well, after my Saturday night revelation of her, Kendra and Liam, I would be surprised if she weren’t mad.
“Yeah. It’s probably because you’re getting all this attention and love from everyone.”
I frown, staring at her. Doesn’t she know about her best friend and Liam Fitz? The R.A.C.K., for all their supposed beauty and witty sass, really lacked brains and common sense.
“But anyway, watch your back.”
“Why would I do that?” I question, a lump in my throat. “My back’s covered.”
“A guy was almost blown to bits and that comes after you’re at each other’s throat,” she starts. “Is your back really covered, Ice Queen?”
I tense up, but don’t let the fear show. I’m not going to let it wreak havoc in my head.
“I’m fine.” I grit out, but we both know I’m trying to convince myself here. Char eyes me, then she smiles.
“For your sake, sweetheart, I hope you are.”
“I am,” I grit out.
“Hmm, no need to get snippy with me, Mia. I don’t believe that lie, but I do know that Roxy wants to talk to you.”
“About what?” She shrugs, then turns to walk away. “Oh, and by the way, if I were you, I’d be careful of that Keisha girl.”
“Who the hell is that?”
“That Roxy wannabe, blotched-up face, built like a mannequin clone, friend of yours.”
I almost burst out laughing but I hold myself together.
“You mean Kristine?”
“Yeah, whatever her name is.” She rolls her eyes. “Be careful.”
It’s not the first time someone’s said that to me about her. At this point, I’m just holding on to faith that maybe she isn’t what everyone thinks.
“No, she’s good.” I wave my hand dismissively with enthusiasm and conviction that I don’t feel in my body but continue on with the lie. “She’s my best friend.”
“Don’t be stupid, Mia. You don’t have a best friend.”
Char shoots me a wicked smile and a wink, then she leaves, strutting her stuff down the hall toward her first class.
I suddenly feel sick to my stomach as pain blooms in my chest. She’s right. I don’t have a best friend. Not really.
So, I turn and run the way I came. Straight to my car. Then I drive straight to the hospital to see someone who I want answers from, even if he hates me, he’ll give them to me.
20
When I get to the hospital, it’s not that hard for me to get in to see Liam because one, I was already on the approved list. What’s with that?
Devious Kisses: A Bully Enemies -To-Lovers Romance (It's Just High School Book 1) Page 25
