CHAPTER 7

The next day at school, I was stuffing books into my locker when someone tugged lightly on my hair.

"Hey, bitch," Fay greeted, grinning.

"Hey," I replied, turning to see Blair leaning against the locker beside mine, looking amused.

"So..." Fay wiggled her brows. "How was last night with Zayn?"

I nearly slammed my locker shut. "Can you not make it sound like something happened?"

Blair smirked. "But something did happen, didn't it?"

I rolled my eyes. "If you count grocery shopping as something, sure."

"Exactly." Fay gave me a knowing look. "An excuse to spend time with him, right?"

I scoffed. "Please, it wasn't even my idea. Aunt Nicole practically threw him at me."

"Sounds like fate to me," Blair said, smirking.

I shot them both a glare, but before I could argue, Fay changed the subject.

"Okay, whatever, but let's talk about something more important—prom," she said, looping her arm through mine.

I sighed. "Already?"

"Yes, already. It's in a few weeks, and I need everything to be perfect," Fay said dramatically.

"Meaning, she needs Cole to ask her out," Blair added with a grin.

Fay shoved her playfully. "Shut up. He will. I mean, I think he will. Right?" She turned to me.

"Considering he's been staring at you like you're the last piece of cake in the cafeteria? Yeah, he will," I said.

Fay squealed. "Oh my God, I hope so."

Blair shook her head, amused. "Meanwhile, I don't have to worry about any of this. Perks of having a boyfriend."

Fay groaned. "Ugh, I swear, Blair. You're already set, and Ari is pretending she doesn't want Zayn to notice her—"

"I do not want—"

Fay ignored me. "—which leaves me as the only one suffering."

I sighed. "Then just ask Cole first."

"What? No. That's his job," she argued.

Blair laughed. "Fay, you're literally the most impatient person I know, and you're waiting for him to make a move?"

Before Fay could argue, the bell rang.

"Okay, we're talking about this later," Fay warned before we split up for class.

I was heading to chemistry, still thinking about their teasing, when I turned a corner—and ran straight into Cleo.

"Watch where you're going, freak," she sneered, flipping her blonde hair like she was in some cheap teen movie.

I stepped back, keeping my face blank. "You bumped into me."

Her eyes flickered with amusement. "God, you're annoying."

I didn't respond. People like her thrived on reactions, and I refused to give her the satisfaction.

She tilted her head, fake pity dripping from her tone. "Trying a new look? Still not working for you."

I exhaled slowly. Not today. Not worth it.

"Maybe if you focused less on playing tough and more on, I don't know, being normal, people would actually like you," she added, her voice full of condescension.

I clenched my fists, heat rising in my chest. I could take her down in seconds if I wanted to. One move, and she'd never talk shit again. But I didn't. I wouldn't.

"Move," she snapped, shoving my shoulder hard enough that I stumbled back.

I caught myself against the wall, jaw tight, but didn't say a word. Instead, I just walked away, pretending like she didn't exist.

But as I made my way to class, my blood boiled. One day, Cleo would get exactly what she deserved.

And maybe, just maybe, I wouldn't hold back