Page 78 of Lines

“Well, well, well...” Her red lips curl in a smug smile. “If it isn’t high and mighty Derek King.”

“I don’t have the patience to play your games, Diamond,” I warn her in a low voice.

There is no sense in taking her someplace else to talk.

Half of the school is following my every move on a good day, so there is no chance in hell they would miss a spectacle like this one. Even if I did it, there is no stopping the rumors from spreading.

Word about me cheating on Amelia with Sophie spread around the school like a wildfire. Everybody has been talking about it. Some are giving me nasty looks, but some were cheering me on, asking who is next on my list.

What the ever loving fuck?

I just want peace and quiet.

I just want to move around without feeling everybody stare at me.

I just want Amelia back.

“How the hell did you do it?”

Her smug smile widens even more. “Wouldn’t you like to know?”

“I’m not interested in playing games, Diamond.” My grip around her wrist tightens and her smile falls a little. “How did you do it?”

“Coincidence, mostly.” She shrugs. “Sometimes you just gotta have luck.”

“Why don’t I believe you?”

“Because you are being paranoid. Yes, I did say I’ll get back at you, but Dotty coming and catching you in the act, well that wasn’t how I imagined it.”

“Don’t call her that.”

“Why not?” She laughs, but there is no amusement in the sound. “Just because you started noticing her after all this time doesn’t change a thing. She’ll always be Dotty to everybody else. She’ll always be what you made her to be.”

“I didn’t give her the nickname. I’ve never used it.”

“But you never tried to put a stop to it. Not until recently.”

Her words sting.

They are not true, but they are not a lie either. That’s why it’s even worse. I know I did Amelia wrong, but I’m also doing my hardest, will keep on doing my hardest—if she gives me a chance that is—to make it up to her.

“Anyway, I wanted to take your picture and put it on Facebook, but then I got stuck in the traffic and by the time I came to your place, she was speeding away from your house.”

“You are such a jealous bitch, Morgan.”

“And you are an idiot that’s missing on the greatest thing of your life.”

I want to laugh out loud at her words, but I contain myself. Instead, I take her in—her blond locks and a body that’s every guy’s wet dream covered in revealing clothes, her full of makeup face. There is nothing real, or remotely pretty about her.

“For once in your life you are right,” I agree with her, nodding my head. A light of hope shines in her blue eyes, but my next words kill it instantly. “But you sure ain’t it. So excuse me while I go and get the greatest thing of my life back.”

* * *

Amelia

“That’s enough, Lia!” Max’s angry voice breaks through my haze, but only barely. It’s strange to hear that angry tone coming out of his usuallycarefree, teasing mouth. “It’s time for you to get out of the bed. Now!”

“I can’t believe I’m saying this.” From the corner of my eye, I can see Brook’s face frown in disgust at her own words. Lola, who hurried out of the room when she heard them come, is curled in her lap and Brook is slowly patting her head. “But, he’s right. You’ve skipped school the last three days, and you didn’t get out of bed all this time.”

---