I still haven’t processed what actually happened when Pierce pulls me into the closest restroom and leads me to the sink. I’m too confused and upset to point out that he’s a guy in the girl’s restroom. I think it’s kind of irrelevant at this point in time.
When I catch sight of my reflection in the mirror as Pierce flips on the water, tears instantly fill my eyes. There’s milkshake everywhere. In my hair, on my shirt, dripping down my forehead.
“What the hell happened out there?” Pierce asks, guiding me forward to try to rinse some of the sugary liquid from my hair.
“I don’t know,” I answer honestly. “Tiffany and her friends came over to invite me to go shopping with them. Next thing I know, some girl is dumping a milkshake on my head.”
“Fucking Tiffany.” He scrubs his hand over my scalp, water splashing me in the face as he does. “I should have known Oliver and Zayden would recruit the mean girl squad.”
“You think they did this?” I ask, standing up abruptly, causing water to drain down my back and over my shoulders.
“I don’t think. I know. Why else would Devens purposely stop me right before I got to the cafeteria to talk about some bullshit class I took two years ago? Because he knew I would know something was up the second those girls sat down at the table.”
“Oh my God.” The words are lost to the pounding in my ears.
“Come here.” He guides me back down, continuing to rinse my hair out.
It takes nearly twenty minutes to get the milkshake out of my hair, and even then, there’s still parts that are clumped together and knotted—the pitfall of having extremely thick hair. My shirt is disgusting, covered in water and melted ice cream. And my face isn’t much better. My eyes are puffy and red, and even though I told myself I wouldn’t cry, within five minutes of being in the bathroom with Pierce tears started to pour. I couldn’t help it. I was humiliated in front of nearly the entire senior class. But once the embarrassment had passed, all I was left with was anger.
“I’m going to murder him,” I tell Pierce as he follows me out of the bathroom. “I mean, straight suffocate him with a pillow in his sleep—dead.”
“Slow down there, killer. Don’t go offing anyone just yet.” Pierce laughs, wrapping his fingers around my hand.
Oliver and Zayden pick that exact moment to come around the corner, and while every single instinct I have is screaming attack, I freeze, rooted to the spot like someone super glued my feet to the floor.
“Nice hair.” Oliver smiles. “You know, you’re supposed to drink the milkshake, right?”
Zayden chokes on a laugh, giving me a quick once over. I’ve never wanted to punch someone in the face as badly as I do at this very moment.
“Let’s go,” Pierce says, tightening his grip on my hand.
“You’re right.” I let out a heavy breath. “They aren’t worth it.”
“They aren’t worth it,” Oliver mocks as we step around them. “See you at home, sis,” he calls as we make our way toward the rear entrance of the school where my car is parked.
“You want me to come with you?” Pierce offers, walking me to my car.
“No, there’s no reason for you to get in trouble for missing class. I’m just going to go home and take a very long shower. Maybe I’ll put some tacks in Oliver’s bed while I’m at it.”
“Maybe you shouldn’t poke the bear.”
“Maybe they shouldn’t have poked me.” I unlock my car and tear the door open, tossing my book bag onto the passenger seat, before turning back to my friend. “Thank you for today. Had you not shown up when you did….” I trail off, knowing it would likely have ended up a lot worse.
“Don’t mention it.” He pulls me to his chest and gives me a hug. “And don’t worry about the party tonight. Maybe we can just get together later this weekend and hang out. Grab some dinner and go see a movie. What do you say?”
“Are Oliver and Zayden going to be at the party?” I ask, stepping out of his embrace.
“That’s very likely.”
“Then we’re going.”
“You sure?” He gives me a questioning look.
“If I run away and hide, they win. I’m not going to let them win.”
“You have the biggest balls I’ve ever seen. Figuratively speaking of course.” He smiles. “Either that, or you have a death wish.”
“Let’s go with the big balls theory.” I laugh, not sure how I’m so calm after the ordeal in the cafeteria. “You mind picking me up?”