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I don’t actually see Willow until right before lunch. Tiffany showed up outside my classroom telling me it was go-time. I have the weight of the cheerleading team behind me, but as I get closer to Willow standing at her locker, I feel them fall back.
This is on me. All on my shoulders. I need to do this alone.
Fuck, I don’t want to. I don’t want to do any of this.
Nate stands at Willow’s side, ever the protector. It warms my heart, but I can’t fall into those feelings now. I need to do this right. I’m so close to being in. Once there, maybe I can actually figure all this shit out.
Willow’s eyes widen slightly as I make my way to her. I give her a soft smile before hiding it again. The girls behind me can’t see it, but Willow’s eyes did. I can tell by the way they soften.
“Hey, Hails. What’s up?” she asks, acting as if she doesn’t know what’s going on.
I swallow hard, trying to convey my apologies before I start in on her. Full mean girl, bitchy cheerleader.
I’ve never been this way, but my old best friend Chastity was. She could spit venom, tearing someone down with a few well-placed words.
“Don’twhat’s upme. I’m only over here because I had to see for myself that you actually dared show your face at this school again,” I say, channeling my inner mean bitch.
She looks taken aback by my words, but then she glances behind me. I watch as she steels herself, a barely imperceptible nod to me before she responds.
“Why wouldn’t I? I’m here like anyone else. To get a high school diploma. I see you’ve found a new posse of bitches to fall in with. How’s it feel to sell out?”
My heart hurts at her words. I really hope she’s playing the part too.
“Oh, you mean my real friends? They don’t disappear when they find a dick to ride. How is it having two dicks at your disposal daily?”
Nate goes to step forward, but Willow places her arm out to stop him.
She scoffs. “Jealousy doesn’t look good on you, Hailee. We both know you’re only with them because Nate turned your ass down. He didn’t want some two-bit used-up pussy. Get your shit together, Hails. You’re looking rough.”
A brief look of concern passes over her eyes, but it’s gone in a blink.
“Don’t you worry your pretty little head about me. I’m thriving in this new environment. The squad has my back, showing me a level of trust you never showed me. They don’t keep secrets like you.”
She reaches up, brushing a strand of hair from her face to hide her small smile. She’s catching my drift and reading between the lines. I’ve earned their trust.
“Well, I’m glad you have the trust of a bunch of piranhas waiting to feast on your corpse. I mean, look at poor Shannon. She was as vapid as the rest of them. She died and within a week, they had her replaced with you. That says more about you than anything else.”
I take a couple of steps closer so we are chest to chest. “I can see why you would think that. Shannon was weak. She couldn’t handle it, but I can. I have a strength she could never dream of having. Watch your back, Willow.”
I reach up, pushing her shoulder lightly, careful of her injuries. She falls back a step.
Before she can step back up to me, a new hand grabs my arms, pushing me back against the lockers roughly.
“What did I tell you, whore? Keep away from Willow unless you want a war with me. You’re the vapid, disloyal one. Go take your toxicity elsewhere. It won’t be tolerated here.”
I glance over his arm at Willow, seeing her pity. She didn’t want this either, but here we are. Keeping secrets from him.
Looking back to Nate, I smile before sinking my knee into his groin, taking him to the ground. Then I lean over his body. “Don’t you ever lay a hand on me again. Next time I won’t be so kind.”
“You bitch. You’re going to regret this.” His voice is rough as he breathes through the pain.
I didn’t want to hurt him, but you do what’s necessary.
One day, he will see that what I’m doing is for him. For Willow.
Straightening up, I nod at Willow once before repeating my final words to her. “Watch your back.”
