That hurt. And for a second, she almost makes me wish I didn’t exist. But then I realize who she is, and I snort.
“Or maybe she deserves all of me …” I say, glancing at Ariane over my shoulder. “And you just wish you did.”
Her lips twitch as she struggles to hide a sneer, and I can’t help but smile at the thought.
Fuck her. And fuck everyone trying to contain me.
She doesn’t want me fucking with the new girl? Too bad because I’ve already decided…
I’m going to fuck with both of them.
Chapter 2
Monica
When the other students start pouring in, I stay behind and wait until the teacher arrives. “Ah … Monica, right? Welcome to your new school.”
“Thanks,” I reply as he walks inside.
“C’mon.” He beckons me to step right in front of the class. “Everyone, quiet please. We’ve got a new student, and she wants to introduce herself.”
Oh, God.
Everyone sits down and stares at me, and it feels awkward as hell. Am I the only one who never prepares for these things?
“I, uh …” My eyes suddenly land on a pair of eyes I recognize, and they twist my stomach into knots. That boy with the guitar and his icy cold stare.
“Gonna say something or what?” another student hollers from the back, and some begin to laugh.
“Dexter, stop it,” the teacher grumbles. “Give her a chance.”
My cheeks turn pink, but I quickly compose myself.
“I was just thinking about how I’m going to introduce myself, that’s all,” I say. “I’m Monica Romero. Nice to meet y’all.” When there’s silence all around, I shrug and add, “That’s about it, really.”
I don’t want to tell them anything about me.
I don’t want to tell them what I liked to do … because it’s not who I am anymore.
And I certainly don’t want anyone to know the real me.
I’m trying my best not to look at the boy with the guitar right now, but he’s straight out staring at me like he’s trying to peer into my soul, and I can’t fucking take it.
A girl with big bushy hair in the front waves, and says, “Hi, Monica.”
“What … that’s it?” another boy replies, leaning back in his chair.
“If that’s all she wants to say, then that’s fine too,” the teacher interjects. “C’mon, give her a warm welcome. You’ll be spending all semester together, so there’s plenty of time to get to know her.” He gives me a gentle nudge toward the class. “Go on and find an empty seat.”
One swift glance across the empty spots and I realize I have two options … sit down beside the girl in the front nodding at the chair to her left … which is unfortunately situated right behind the boy with the ash-black hair who is giving me a deadly stare … or sit down right next to him.
I gulp.
Neither is good, but if I have to choose, I’d rather sit behind him than next to him.
Because let’s face it … even though he looked sexy as hell, I’m nowhere near ready to get that close to someone like him. Someone who clearly knows how to seduce girls with a single smile. Not me. I won’t fall for the trap.
That’s what I tell myself as I quietly sit down behind him and grab my books without drawing too much attention to myself. I used to like it but not anymore. I just want to be the silent girl, the one no one notices, the one no one really knows. Because it sure as hell beats being the girl everybody is talking about.
“Hey,” the girl beside me whispers, “I’m Melanie, but call me Mel.”
“Hi, Mel.” I smile at her, hoping to make a good impression even though I’m terrible at them. “Nice to meet you.”
“Your intro was so short,” she says. “But don’t mind the boys, they’re just messing with you.”
“I won’t,” I reply. “Got those at my old school too. I’ve learned that lesson long ago.”
She smiles. “Why’d you leave? If you don’t mind me asking?”
My heart skips a beat and images of Bobby and me in his room flash through my mind, but I quickly push them away. “My dad had a new job somewhere else.”
“Figured it was something like that,” she says. “What does he do?”
Shit. Now I gotta make up even more lies.
“He’s a CEO.” Well, it’s the truth. He just never switched jobs, but she doesn’t need to know exactly where he works. “Got a better offer elsewhere, so here we are.” I smile it off like it’s the most unimportant shit ever.
“Well, I’m glad you made the switch. I think you’ll fit right in here,” she says, whatever that means. “If you want, I can help you get on track with the assignments. We’re currently reading Shakespeare.”
“Sure,” I reply. Even though I’ve read almost all of his work, I don’t mind her thinking she can help because she might just be my next friend at this school. And I definitely need more friends at this school than just my cousin.