“No.” I groan. “I don’t know.”
Kim makes an affirmative sound as if she knows what that means. “But you liked the kiss?”
“I… don’t know. Maybe? I was kissed in my previous school but it wasn’t all that consuming, you know?” I pause, peeking at her through my lashes. “You’re not going to judge me?”
“Hell to the no.” She faces me and leans over to half-hug me. “I’m always on your side, Ellie. You need some adventure in your life and consuming kisses sound like one hell of a start.”
I didn’t know I needed her approval until she voiced it. I squeeze her arm, silently telling her how grateful I am.
“Just…” Kim’s features sober up. “Be careful, okay?”
“What do you mean?”
“I just don’t want you to see you hurt.”
Her words douse her earlier enthusiasm. I nod because she just told me the truth I needed to hear. That’s why Kim is my best friend. She can be both happy for me and see the negative side of things, too.
When we arrive at the school’s car park, we’re stopped by the bitch queen and her minions.
Seriously. Silver is the last person I need today.
“Isn’t it Frozen and her fat friend?” One of Silver’s minions says. Her name is Veronica if I remember correctly. Her uniform is so tight, she almost combusts in it.
I attempt to sidestep them, but the other minion, Summer, clutches my arm. “We’re talking to you, Teacher Slut.”
“And I’m not.” I wiggle free. Kim remains on my other side, and I’m proud of the way she lifts her chin.
Silver finally steps in front of me. She’s a few inches taller and she uses every inch to look down on me with that condescending air.
“Stay away from King, you little bitch.”
I plaster a smile on my face. “Why don’t you ask him to stay away from me? He’s the one who’s been chasing me.”
I had expected that to shut her off and wipe that smug look from her face, but it only deepens.
“You’re nothing but a fling, Frozen. Do you know why?” She pauses after asking her rhetorical question. “King has always been mine. There’s nothing you can do that’ll change it.”
My blood boils despite the calm façade I keep. My hand fists by my side, and Kim clutches my arm.
Silver throws me one last glance. “A king needs a queen, peasant.”
Her minions snicker before they push past me and Kim to the entrance. It takes everything in me not to pull them back by their hair and drag them to the floor.
But I’m not that person, am I?
I don’t fantasise about hurting others.
So why do I feel like demons are swirling all around me?
“Never mind her.” Kim strokes my arm. “She’s just being a usual bitch.”
My lips curl in what I hope looks like a reassuring smile as we walk into the school.
“They’re staring,” Kim whispers.
That’s when I notice that everyone is ogling me. Some even take a sneaky picture here and another one there. When I make eye contact, they pretend to be occupied with their phones.
I don’t have to wonder for long. The more Kim and I walk down the hall, the louder the whispers become.