“Damn,” his friend mutters, impressed. They laugh, bump fists, and keep walking like nothing just shattered inside me.
I don’t budge. Shocked. Mortified.
Others nearby snicker, staring like I am pathetic.
I blink.
I never forgot that moment. One of too many I’d rather not relive.
And now that bully is here.
Moving into my house.
“Earth to Piggy!” says Brax.
I flinch.
Grayson smirks. “Damn, your sister is still fucking weird, huh?”
Brax nods, then glances my way. “By the way, Piglet, Grayson’s taking my old room. Extra six hundred a month. So put your tampons in faster so other people can use the bathroom.”
“I wasn’t—” I start, then shut my mouth, cheeks burning.
I think fast. “It’s eight hundred. Rent’s twenty-four hundred. Three people.”
Well, four people, but our little brother can’t pay rent.
Brax just rolls his eyes at my correction. “Okay, fine, whatever, nerd.” He turns to Grayson. “Eight hundred good?”
“Sure.” Grayson replies.
Those paralyzing eyes fix on me. “So we’re roommates now?”
I nod. Too quick. Too awkward.
Grayson tilts his head, and his eyes flick down to my lipstick smeared mouth.
“Goddamn, your face is... a mess.”
My chin trembles, ashamed. But I do a double take, because for a moment, his gaze lingers.
Not just lingers.Stares.
There’s something dangerous behind those eyes. Or distant, like he’s lost.
But I can’t tell.
The door shuts.
I exhale, relieved but tired. Because I live in a house full of people, yet I’m so alone.
Chapter 2
Charlotte
Morning.
Time to start my daily ritual of cleaning up after people who don’t even say thank you.
