“You scared?”
“You know it.” He laughed and locked his arm around my neck to lead me out of the room.
VICTORIA
‘Two strikes, you really shouldn’t make it three.’ I read the message Gabe had sent me right before I left school over and over again. It’s so confusing and can mean a lot of things. At first, it sounded like a threat, and I’d been too scared to even say or do anything to Gia though up until that point, I’d had plenty to say to her once we got into the car. But hopefully, she’s right, and he’s only interested in me.
If that’s the case, does his message mean that he’d lose interest if I went after her again? What else can it mean? It’s fine; I can ease up on her at school; he doesn’t need to know what goes on at the house. Though I’d hate giving up one of my only pleasures, having Gabe Russo as mine would more than make up for it. Besides, there’s no danger of anyone at school siding with her or becoming her friend. I’d spent years making sure that didn’t happen. Maybe it was time I relaxed and enjoyed the fruits of my labor.
VICTORIA
I settled into bed with my phone feeling more secure about the message and with a new tingling sensation, something more than excitement. Gabe Russo is like every girl’s dream. I’ve known about him for years, but of course, I never thought I stood a chance. His family is like mega-rich, while ours isn’t too shabby, but we’re nowhere near their level.
Not to mention almost every female on campus has been trying to catch his attention since middle school. He’s that guy everyone talks about—the sophisticated, standoffish type who somehow always seems light years ahead of everyone else. Not only is he rich, but he’s also one of the smartest, if not the smartest, boy at school.
Going by his sisters, their family only mingles with those on their level, families of similar wealth, or at least that’s how it seems. Then again, Gabe only hangs out with that idiot Lance, who doesn’t even belong if you ask me. His family isn’t wealthy, and as far as I know, he’s only going to our very elite school because his dad is the chaplain or something like that. Plus, there are rumors that he has a benefactor, whatever.
The point is, he’s not one of us, but still, the Russos treat him well and seem to accept him. Maybe that’s a good thing since it would mean they’d accept me as well since my family is way better than his. I ignored the nagging thought that this wasn’t really my family like I always do whenever it crops up.
My bio dad’s face flashed before my eyes, but I killed that too. Mom was right; being here was way better than where we were when I was younger. I don’t remember much about that time; I was only about five when we moved. But I know our old house was nothing like this one, and if we’d stayed with dad, our lives would never have been like this.
I’d never have the friends I do now, would probably not even be able to go to the school I’m in since it’s almost as expensive as some colleges. And most importantly, I wouldn’t have been rubbing elbows with the sons and daughters of some of the wealthiest people in the country, which mom always says is the most important thing.
She’s always drilled it into my head that meeting a wealthy man to settle down with is the way to go. Not like Gia, who thinks that being smart matters. I mean, sure, it’s cool to know the stuff they teach us in school but in the long run, having a man with money to pay the bills and keep you in a life of luxury beats that, hands down.
It’s for that reason that I no longer let it bother me that she’s better in school than I am. It’s the only thing I’ve never been able to beat her at, learning. I’ve more than made up for it, though, by taking over all the stuff she liked, like ballet and gymnastics, but I only stuck with them long enough for her to quit before giving them up myself since I wasn’t really interested in doing either of those things in the first place.
But mom is constantly pushing me to be better than Gia at everything, and honestly, I get a kick out of making her life miserable. The stupid therapist claims that I have an unhealthy obsession with her, but that’s not true. I just don’t think it’s fair that she got to have such a good cushy life while mom and I had to suffer. According to mom, her mother wasn’t much better and always made her feel like she was less than. Now look where she is and where we are.