Pretty When She Cries - Black Mountain Academy
They deserve this. That’s what I keep telling myself throughout the entire performance, which lasts roughly five minutes. After Audrey worships at his feet, he bends her over and fucks her against the table, giving all the viewers a clear shot of both their faces. It’s the final blow. And when Jacob comes, I end the video, ducking down as they pull away from each other and begin to adjust their clothing.
“Let me see the photos,” Audrey says.
There are a few seconds of silence, and then she speaks again.
“Send him that one. I want him to see your face.”
“You really are a cold-hearted bitch,” Jacob replies gruffly.
“As cold as they come,” she boasts proudly. “Now, be a good boy and run along. I don’t need anyone to see us together.”
Too late for that.
Their footsteps retreat, and then a shadowy figure rounds the corner of the gazebo. I nearly squeak as I slap a hand over my mouth. But as it turns out, it’s Courtney.
“Why are you so jumpy?” She examines me as though I belong in a straitjacket. I probably do.
“No reason.” I shove my phone into my pocket as if that will somehow erase what I just did. Courtney notices.
“You’re a horrible liar.”
“Can we please just go?” I blurt. “I’m tired, and I’m over this party.”
She shrugs, letting me off the hook for now. “I thought you’d never ask.”9LandonMonday morning at school is a shitshow. Rumors are flying, and everyone’s staring at me, wondering if I know. A few random dudes in the hall offer me their condolences on my relationship with Audrey. I’m not surprised she didn’t show her face at school today. She’s probably at home mapping out a battle plan to destroy us all.
The only person who has my attention is the girl walking around with her head down, hoping to slip by unnoticed. She doodles quietly throughout first period and remains stoic at practice after school. The fake confidence she flaunted like a badge is nowhere to be found, and for a moment, I get a glimpse of the same girl who knocked on my door during the summer of Kail. She was awkward, innocent, and nerdy then. I didn’t even know what to do with her. I hadn’t ever met someone so unsure of themselves, but goddamn, it was charming. I didn’t want to trust her, but after a while, it just felt natural. Things were uncomplicated with her. She never judged me. She didn’t even know who the fuck I was, and it felt good.
But was it real? Or was she really playing me?
Looking at her now, I can’t tell. She wanted to win, no matter the cost. That’s why she did what she did this weekend. So why does she regret it? Why does she feel bad at all? Or is this just another act? Fuck if I know. But her coach is on her case at practice, and the whole dance team looks frazzled and uncertain. Nobody has ever dared to cross Audrey before. Hell hath no fury when she finds out it was sweet little Kail.
At football practice, Coach pulls us aside to inform us that Jared’s parents yanked him out of school. Apparently, the news of this weekend got back to them somehow, and they weren’t pleased. Now the word is he’ll be attending the remainder of his senior year at a Christian wilderness program far, far away. I won’t lose sleep over the loss, but admittedly, I do feel a little sorry for the dude now that I know he wasn’t actually banging Kail. Although, there’s still that question. He could have.
Like clockwork, Alana shows up on my doorstep when I get home, asking me if I want to come to dinner. If I tell her no, she’ll just bring a plate by, and honestly, I’m in the mood to piss Kail off. I want to see how long this contrition of hers will last.“What is he doing here?” Kail blinks up at me as she enters the dining room, freezing when she sees me at the table.
“Kail.” Alana stares at her daughter with wide eyes. “Be nice.”
“Aw, come on, Kail.” I smirk. “Am I really that bad?”
She lets out an audible groan and forces herself into the seat next to me.
“Theo’s working late tonight,” Alana calls out as she heads back to the kitchen. “So, it’ll just be us three for now.”
As soon as her mother is out of earshot, Kail leans forward on her elbows and hisses. “Shouldn’t you be out tormenting some unsuspecting victim right now?”
“You’re one to talk.” I arch an eyebrow at her. “How does it feel to destroy other people’s lives?”
Her face blanches, and suddenly, she appears fascinated by the plate in front of her. Shiny tears cling to the edges of her eyelids, proof that no matter what she’d like anyone to believe, there’s still a conscience in there somewhere.