My heart froze at the accusation. I clenched my jaw and squeezed my hands into fists. "It's not like I was in a hot tub with him. Or laying naked with him in a bed looking thoroughly fucked."
"Hey, I didn't touch her. I’m telling you that picture was staged."
"Really? Because she seemed to have firsthand knowledge of your dick. She told me all about it right before I slammed her face into a locker."
"Fuck, that's hot," West said, hunger washing over his features.
I rolled my eyes and tried to step around him, but he moved to block me against the brick wall.
"It makes sense, you and Reynolds. The pictures of him driving you home. You were friendly with him at the bar last night," West smiled as if he caught me in some big lie.
"How did you know he was there?"
"Kendra sent me a picture. She must've been at Aces and saw you."
"Of course, she did," I said quietly, the gears turning in my head. The whole thing stunk of skank. "She fakes a picture that gets posted on the stalker's account, then she just happens to be at Aces last night and gets a picture of Reynolds at the bar."
"Wouldn't surprise me if he's sticking it to her too," said West. "Maybe that's why she hates you, you're fucking her man. Is he giving you extra special attention, princess?"
I narrowed my eyes, blood rushing through me, as West touched my cheek with his fingertip. He trailed it down my face, down my neck, stopping at my collarbone.
"A little after-school tutoring?" He asked quietly, making circles on my shoulder with his finger. "Showing you how he likes it? From the look of your face and neck, I'd say he likes it rough."
I slapped West's face as hard as I could. "Don't fucking talk to me again. Ever! Fuck you, West Moretti," I said before leaving.
This time he let me go, and I did my best to hold my tears until I got around the corner.
Artclass.
I was doing this.
I stood outside the classroom, preparing myself, taking deep breaths, trying to keep myself centered. I would go into that classroom and pretend like everything was fine. Reynolds wouldn't know how badly he hurt me. How he scarred my insides.
The final bell rang so I made my feet move, harnessing every bit of confidence, ready to face the man who assaulted me. With my head held high, I walked to my seat–which was in my assigned location,notat Cade and West’s table–and sat down, getting out my sketchpad and pencils. Reynolds wasn't in the room yet, but Cade and West were already seated, talking about a stupid football party on Friday.
"It's the savage!" Cade said to me with a smile. "I heard what you did to that crazy bitch today. That's awesome."
I smiled at him and winked before turning back to the blank paper in front of me. I wasn't sure what would come out of my mouth, so I decided not to say anything. I was still rattled by West's accusation in the hallway.
"About this party…" Cade turned his attention back to West. They continued to talk about the details–it was going to be after the football game Friday and held at some dump in the south side. An old warehouse or factory–I couldn’t hear all of their mumblings.
"There's gonna be some grade A pussy there, bro. College girls. I can't wait to sink my dick into a tight pussy for once," West said loudly.
I laughed under my breath and spun around on my stool as Cade punched his arm. "C'mon man," he said, glancing at me.
"Aww, is that supposed to hurt my feelings, Moretti?" I mocked. "We both know how my pussy made you come in seconds like an immature middle schooler seeing a pair of tits for the first time. But whatever you have to tell yourself to feel better."
West spun around in his chair so we were knee-to-knee. "I just can't compare to guys like Everett or ourteacher. You're not going to blow him under his desk during class, are you?"
"No, I'm meeting with Everett later. We're having an orgy with the football team and I need to save my strength," I smiled, holding every bit of anger and fear deep inside.
The door slammed behind me and I knew it washim. My spine stiffened as his expensive leather loafers shuffled across the tile floor.
"Sorry I'm late. Ashtyn, eyes to the front, please."
I scowled and turned around, never looking up from my table.
Reynolds droned on about the assignment, but I wasn't listening. I couldn't hear his words through the blood rushing in my ears.