"At least I have one." She flushes, but I'm not done yet. "And he's the hottest guy in the school."
"Enjoy my sloppy seconds," she blurts.
"Sure," I laugh out loud. "Is it really sloppy seconds if he just used you to get off? I don't think so, sweetie. You're nothing to him, and you never meant anything. How does that feel?"
Her eyes flash with anger, and I know she's about to retaliate just as the lesson ends. She smirks in my face, saying, "Saved by the bell... for now. Keep your eyes peeled, Oakes, because I'm fucking coming for you."
"We'll see," I purr, sauntering out of the room and toward the parking lot where I'm meeting Dex for the ride home. As I'm walking, I hear whispers and snickering again. I keep my head held high proudly and keep going, ignoring everyone's silence when I pass them.
I don't see the attack coming, and when the object hits me, I cry out loud and feel the back of my head. It's sticky, something's dripping down my back. I feel the burn of tears in my eyes but do my best to ignore it. I turn around, coming face to fact with Audra. She smiles innocently, twirling a strand of perfectly highlighted blonde hair around her finger.
"Oh, Pandora," she says in a sing-song voice. "You got some egg in your hair. Is that a new look? Because it doesn't look good on you."
I smile in response. "Your face doesn't look good on you either, and yet you continue wearing it."
She smirks. "Go wash up, little girl. You stink."
I roll my eyes and clutch my books tightly to my chest. I keep walking without looking back again, pretending she doesn't matter, pretending I'm not hurt. But the moment I set foot outside, tears begin to blur my vision, threatening to fall. I passed the bathroom earlier and there was a group of girls in front of it. I was too embarrassed, but when I see Dex waiting for me, I regret not fixing my appearance.
"What happened?" he demands
before I've even reached the car.
"What do you think," I mutter. "Audra."
His mouth sets in a thin line. He's pissed. Just then, Audra and her group of friends walk into the courtyard, and Dex calls her name. She beams when she notices him, sauntering over with a smug smile.
"You called?"
"Yeah," Dex hisses. "Have you fucking lost your mind? You can't treat her that way."
"Oh, and who's going to stop me?" Audra purrs. "You?"
"Yeah, me," Dex hisses. "I'm still a Firstborn, Audra. Don't you fucking forget it."
"That's true," she smirks. "But what exactly do you have, Dex? Nothing. You're a Firstborn to fucking nothing."
It finally strikes me that Dex gave it all up - for me. His inheritance, his money, his position in the family company - it's all gone. All for me.
Guilt threatens to eat me up from the inside and I do my best to hide it, hating the effect Audra's words have on me. Dex's hands form fists and I'm afraid he's going to murder Audra with words, but he doesn't say anything, just opens the car door and motions for me to get inside. I hesitate, not wanting to get his car dirty, but his death stare convinces me to do it.
He closes the door firmly and gets in too, not saying another word to the blonde who looks too smug for her own good.
Dex pulls out of the parking lot. We sit there in uncomfortable silence, and once again, I feel myself getting upset. But then, his palm finds its way to my knee. He rests it there, touching me gently. Reassuring me.
"I want to leave this place," I whisper halfway through the drive.
"Where do you want to go?"
"Anywhere..."
"Can I come with you?"
My head snaps to face him. I'm surprised, but I try not to let it show. "You don't want to stay in Eden Falls? This is your home."
"It's hell," Dex mutters, pulling up in front of the house. "Once I take care of... a few loose ends... I'll be free to leave."
"With me?"