Page 7 of Girl Like Me

Mac has sent me a few more snaps since the other day. I haven’t opened them though, I don’t know if my heart can take it.

Clarissa and I are the first ones to the dining hall. We grab our lunch, a simple ham and cheese sandwich, chips and a water and make our way to what I have now figured out isourtable out on the balcony. After taking a seat, I turn towards her, hundreds of questions buzzing through my mind. I need the answers and with our so-called friends absent, now is as good a time as any to ask.

“Were we tight before my memory loss?” I ask her.

“You’re my bitch.” She says back, not looking up at me while checking her phone.

“So, we partied together and what not?” Phone forgotten now, she looks up at me and smiles.

“I was wondering when you would ask. Let’s just say Eastside has the best house parties. They may be poor as dirt but damn, they can drink, and the guys are fine. Did you want to hit one this weekend?”

“I don’t know how; my parents and brother are watching me like hawks and Sebastian is extra needy.”

“Sebastian is a dick and you always thought so.” She says followed by a laugh.

“Thank god because I get a headache from all the products he uses in his hair. What about me and Carter? Were we close?”

“I think so, as much as siblings can be, I think he enjoys all of this more than you did. I can get you out this weekend.”

“You can?” She nods and runs me through the plan, telling me her father and mine are close, if her family asks for me to stay over there is no way he would say no.

“Are you being dragged to this silent auction event tonight?” Oliver asks, taking a seat at our table. I study him, his sandy blonde hair and ocean green eyes against an angled jawline would classify him as handsome and I can see it, but the preppy look just isn’t for me.

“Yes, My parents plan to try to marry me off and they can’t figure out why no one wants their beautiful daughter.” Clarissa laughs and so does Oliver.

“Because why buy the cow when the milk is free.” Quinn jokes, as a scowl takes over my face. She’s tall and lean, with the body of a supermodel, but comments like that make her ugly.

“They don’t know that.” Clarissa says, laughing at herself.

“I wonder if I’m going.” I say more to myself. Looking up from my lunch. I find them all looking at me.

“You’re going. Any chance for your parents and Sebastian’s to show you two off they will, you know he will propose as soon as you are both finished with school.”

My head snaps to Clarissa. “Propose? I’m seventeen.” Especially when I don’t even like the guy, something about him rubs me the wrong way. Our relationship seems like it’s all for show. I need to add that to the notepad I've started carrying. I’ve been using it to write down things I learn about myself so I can keep track.

“You have it so tough.” Ambrosia snarks as she rolls her eyes, followed by a hollow laugh. She sits on the edge of the table and leans back taking a selfie with us all in it. “I mean, Sebastian’s family has loads of cash, so does yours and it makes sense. We all know we will settle for guys who will screw cheap whores.”

Her proclamation makes my head spin. Is this really what it’s like to be rich?

“Hey babe. Sorry, I had some things to take care of.” He places a kiss on my cheek. Not even a minute later, I notice Lydia slip outside, her hair slightly out of place and fixing her skirt.

“Is that something I knew about and turned a blind eye to?” I ask, pointing at Lydia. She looks at me with wide eyes, slightly paling at the accusation.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” He snaps.

“Don’t worry babe, I dated a few guys while I was away and if we want to be technical, I still am, so do what you please. I really don’t care but do not play me for a fool.” I stand starting to grab my tray, but he grabs my arm and starts to forcibly drag me away.

“Call me tonight!” I shout to Clarissa, she gives me a thumbs up and turns back to the table. Oliver is laughing, Ambrosia and Quinn are typing away on their phones and Lydia watches us walk away.

Sebastian pushes me hard against a wall, almost hard enough to knock the wind out of me. “What is your problem? Accusing me of such things and then telling me you were with other guys.” I laugh in his face and he grabs my cheeks between his fingers.

“I don’t have a problem,” I say, putting my hands on his chest ready to push him away. “I sure as shit don’t buy into your innocent act and I am just biding my time here, so you do your thing and I will do mine.”

“Like hell.” He spits. “You’re mine and it’s best you remember that.”

“Yeah, okay. So where were you when I was missing, did you even look for me?” His face tells me all I need to know, he didn’t. “No, I bet you had a great time without me.” I know I’m making him mad, but I can’t seem to help wanting to poke the beast a bit.

He leans in close, his breath a breeze blowing over my skin. “Well if my girlfriend put out, I wouldn’t need to go elsewhere.” He licks the side of my face, a barely audible groan reverberating from his throat. My chest starts to get tight, my vision blurring a dark haze at the edges.

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