To top it all off, it seems like we’re back to our regularly scheduled programming in Gym class. Rather than taking us out to the track to run laps and practice sprints, East has us working circuits. Thirty minutes of the intense routine isn’t even enough to burn away my rage.
At the end of class, he sends us to run suicide drills. I throw myself into them wholeheartedly, running until my heart feels like it’s going to burst out of my chest.
The bell rings, and East blows his whistle, calling the drill to an end. Everyone leaves the gym while I stand, bent over, trying to catch my breath. I’m seriously considering continuing to run until I’m too numb to do anything else.
“V, what’s going on with you?” East calls once the gym is clear. His footsteps echo in my direction when I don’t answer right away, but I keep my mouth firmly closed so I don’t flay him with all of the vitriol bubbling up inside of me. “Hey, V.”
I stand to face him, and his eyes go wide. I guess my fury is written all over my face. I’m usually pretty good at hiding my emotions, but I’m beyond all that today. This whole fucking town is toxic.
“What’s wrong?”
I take a deep breath, trying my damnedest to tamp down some of the boiling rage, because I know I’m going to have to answer him. I just don’t want to piss him off.
“Your fucking brother and his crazy-ass friends,” I say, my jaw still clenched.
“What did those little dicked, sons of bitches do now?” His question actually makes me laugh for the first time since Maverick’s little declaration earlier. Fuck, I needed that.
“I assume you saw the crap on ReachMe?”
He rubs the back of his neck, his discomfort obvious. “Yeah, I did, but don’t worry. No one will believe that it’s true.”
His words that echo Lincoln's from the diner yesterday, sting. I’m sure he didn’t mean it that way but that doesn’t stop the hurt.
“If you say so.” I shrug, trying not to let the burn of his words show. I refuse to believe that he shares the same views about me that his brother does. “But between that and the three of them casting me out publicly—I’m untouchable, and being my friend will make you an outcast. Being anything more than that is, well… social suicide. You know as well as I do that that’ll extend beyond school.”
“Those boys are fucking idiots,” he grumbles, rubbing a hand down his face. “Let me see if I can’t talk some sense into those assholes.”
“No, don’t bother. We both know that’ll just make it worse. I’ve got this. You know me, I never start a fight, but I will sure as hell finish it.” He barks out a throaty laugh before pulling me in for a hug, and I just hope I find the strength to see my words through.
“Damn, I missed you, V. You show those assholes what you’ve got. Maybe they’ll pull their heads out of their asses.” He squeezes me tight again before releasing me and looking back down at me with a soft smile on his way too pretty face. “How are you settling back into the Cove?”
“It’s been pretty shit, honestly. Though, I did find out yesterday that I don’t have to stay with Vivienne and Nate, so I’m heading back home this weekend.”
His eyes go wide as I tell him my plans, and then he grins. “I guess it’ll be just like old times, well, kind of. I’m still at the house with Linc. Since Mom fucked off not long after you guys left and Dad is always gone with work, it’s like we have the place to ourselves.”
“Your mom left?” I ask, shocked as hell. I had no fucking idea, I know I haven’t been here, but that seems like the sort of thing I’d have heard before now.
“Yeah, I figured Linc told you after you left.” He scratches the back of his neck and shifts from one foot to the other. He offers an off-kilter smile before shrugging. “I guess not, though. That’s all in the past now anyway. But it’ll be good to have you back around. Smithy still makes me a birthday cake every year, so now I’ll have an excuse to come back around more often.”
“You’re welcome whenever.” I smile, then notice the time. “Shit, I better go get changed. Indi is going to kill me if I keep her here too late.”
“Sure, go. I’ll talk to you later.” He hugs me again quickly before I run to the locker rooms and jump in the shower. When I head back into the main part of the locker room, the place is empty. I open my locker, pull out my phone, and see a message from Indi.
Indi: Got to grab a book from the library. I’ll meet you by the car.
Me: Sorry! I didn’t mean to take so long. I’ll be out in a minute.
Indi: No rush, the parking lot is still practically full so we can’t get out yet anyway.
Weird. Most people would usually be gone by now.
I throw my phone back into my bag, slipping out of my gym clothes and pull out my uniform. It takes me all of a second to notice the giant holes cut into my shirt.
Fucking bitchy asshole girls.
I check out my skirt to find it in tatters too.
I fucking hate this school.