Kendra

RAINEY

“What’s happening?” Alex’s voice is laced with worry as he glances at me through the rearview mirror. “Why were those guys after you, Rain? And why are they the same ones who hurt Riley?”

Ansel turns to him. “It’s a long story, Al. I’ll fill you in when we get home.”

My mind is spinning with everything that just happened. Discovering new aspects of these brothers, especially Ansel, always leaves me reeling.

I’m so lost in my thoughts that I don’t even realize Alex is talking to me until he quickly looks my way.

“Rainey, are you okay?”

I swallow hard, nodding as I bite my lip. Ansel turns to me, his eyes soft. “Are you sure? I didn’t mean to scare you back there.”

I shake my head. “It’s okay.”

And it really is. I’m not perfect either, and I’m not about to judge them. This is my fight, but they chose to stand with me. If anything, I should be thankful.

Ansel looks back to the road, and Alex runs a hand through his hair, frustrated. “Should we go back to the hospital? Check if Riley’s awake?”

“Um, I need to make a stop first. Is that okay?” I ask.

Alex nods. “Sure. Where to?”

I swallow again. “Freetown High. I need to see Kendra.”

***

Alex finds a parking spot, and a wave of nostalgia hits me as I look at the school I fought so hard to leave. Everything is just as I remember.

I let out a breath and open the door to get out. Ansel turns to me. “Rain, are you sure you don’t want me to come with you? I don’t like the idea of you going in alone.”

“I’ll be okay. Kendra doesn’t scare me,” I assure him. “Besides, you’ve got blood on your clothes. I don’t want to draw attention to you.”

He looks down at his blood-stained shirt and nods. “Yeah, you’re right. But if you’re not back in thirty minutes, I’m coming in after you, okay?”

“Yeah.” I manage a small smile. “I’ll be right back.”

I start to walk away, but he calls out. “Rain…wait.”

I turn back to him, and he sighs, his eyes filled with worry.

“Will you tell me later?”

I look at him. “Tell you what?”

“What happened here,” he explains. “Will you tell me why you had to leave?”

I bite my lip, nodding. I’d have to tell him sooner or later.

He looks relieved. “Promise me.”

The concern in his eyes makes my heart feel full, and I find myself agreeing.

“I promise.”

He nods, and a smile spreads across his face, the one that always takes my breath away. I return the smile before hurrying off toward the school building.

Kendra and her friends usually hang out in an old classroom at the back of the school, so I know exactly where to find her.

I rush down the hall, ignoring the stares from the students hanging out in the hallway.

I’m not sure if they’re staring because they know my past or because I’m dressed differently than they are.

I push the door open with a force that almost breaks it, storming into the classroom. Kendra is sitting on a chair, one of her friends curling her dyed hair with a hot iron.

Anger surges through me as she smirks.

“You evil little—!”

Monica, Kendra’s best friend, shoves me back. “Watch your mouth, bitch!”

Kendra laughs as she cleans her nails with a small pocketknife. “It’s okay, Monica. Let her come.”

I push Monica aside and march over to Kendra, my hand clenched into a fist as she grins at me.

“What the hell is wrong with you? Are you fucking crazy? Why did you hurt Riley?!” I shout.

She crosses her legs, tilting her head as if she doesn’t know what I’m talking about. “Mm. I have no idea what you’re talking about, Rainey Slate.”

“You sent those men to hurt Riley. I know it was you.”

She chuckles. “And why would you think that?”

“Don’t play dumb.”

“I’m not.” She snickers. “Okay, okay. Let’s say the men who kidnapped and beat Riley, and maybe even raped her, were sent by my uncle. Does that still make it my fault?”

I narrow my eyes. “I will kill you.” I lunge at her, but two girls grab my arms, pulling me back. I struggle against their grip while Kendra waves a hand dismissively.

“Let her go,” she says, sighing. The girls let go of me, and I glare at them.

“You really know how to ruin a day, Rainey,” she says. “I haven’t even had lunch yet, and you storming in here with your tantrum is really pissing me off.”

“Then leave my best friend alone! I won’t ask again!”

I watch her as she pulls a cigarette from her pocket. The movement causes the curling iron to touch her ear, and she hisses, pushing her friend away.

“You almost burned my fucking ear, idiot! Move!”

The girl, Jessica, steps back, looking sorry. “I’m sorry, Madam Kendra.”

I scoff. ~Madam Kendra.~

She looks at me, smirking, and holds out a hand to Monica. “Something funny?”

“Yeah.” I give a nonchalant shrug. “You.”

Monica toys with a lighter in her hand, her gaze narrowing.

“You haven’t changed a bit. Still treating everyone like they’re beneath you. Still insecure and unhappy with yourself,” I retort.

She shrugs in return. “And you’re the same. Still a spoiled rich girl who gets everything handed to her.”

She lights up the joint, placing it between her lips. She inhales deeply, a thick cloud of smoke escaping her mouth as she exhales.

“You still think you’re superior to me, don’t you, Rainey Slate?”

“I’ve never considered myself better than anyone. Just leave Riley alone. I’m the one who messed up your face. So, if you want revenge, it should be against me, not her.”

“Oh, I’m not the one you should be worried about, sweetheart.” She laughs, taking another drag from the joint. She exhales smoke, a wry smile on her face. “But you’ll wish it was me when he’s through with you.”

“You mean your ‘gang leader’ uncle?” I raise an eyebrow.

She giggles. “He won’t go easy on you, regardless of your gender. Do you remember what you did to my face? No? Let me refresh your memory.”

She passes the joint to Monica, then leans forward, pushing back the red hair that’s hiding her bruised forehead.

She points to the large scar that runs from her head down to her eyebrow, her eyes filled with resentment as she stares at me.

“Remember when you split my head open on the floor? Well, he’s going to return the favor tenfold. You’ll be unrecognizable when he’s done with you.”

She laughs then, pulling her red hair back over the scar as she leans back in her chair.

I meet her gaze without fear, and Jessica looks at her skeptically, clearly not liking her threats.

Jess is different. I don’t know why she’s still hanging around Kendra. She’s probably scared of her, like most of the school was, and probably still is.

After what Kendra did to me, most of the girls that used to be part of our group stopped hanging around her, except Jessica and Monica.

Kendra notices the disapproval on Jessica’s face, and her brow furrows in annoyance. “Fix your fucking face, or I’ll burn your eyeballs with my cigarette, you fat pig.”

Jessica blinks back tears as she turns away.

“Just so you know, Rainey, you won’t be the only one to face him. He’ll give Riley her fair share too, for lying and hiding you. This was just a preview.

“And you know what’s the most amazing thing? He’s probably already in your neighborhood.” She chuckles.

I clench my teeth and lunge forward as Kendra jumps up, stepping up to me. Monica grabs my arm, trying to pull me back, but I push her down hard, my brows furrowing.

“Don’t make a habit of touching me, Monica, or I’ll hurt you!” I snap at her. She looks at me in shock as she tries to get up.

Kendra grins, shoving her hands in her leather pants, showing no concern for her friend, who’s now clutching her hip in pain.

“Have you forgotten, Rainey Slate?” she starts, a mischievous smirk on her face. “You can’t lay a finger on me.

“What did those cops say again? Oh yeah. If you touch me, or even come within six feet of me, you’ll be sent to a youth rehabilitation center.

“So you can’t touch me. I’m untouchable, bitch. Now get out.”

She turns away as I nod. “Don’t worry. You’ll pay for this.

“You know what I regret? Not splitting your head wide open and killing you that day. I will reopen your wound if you don’t stay away from Riley.”

“Okay, tell that to my uncle when you see him, yeah?” she laughs, sinking back into her chair.

“Oh, I will,” I assure her, stepping back before exiting the room.