Page 14 of Unhinged Love

“Do you wanna know what will happen?” I ask, unbuckling my seatbelt, and turning my body in the seat so I’m facing her. “That’s just fine. Let me tell you how it will be, and I’ll speak slowly to make sure you understand. You won’t say a word about this party to either of our parents unless you want me to make your loser life even more miserable in every possible way. I will make it my personal mission to make every day of your life worse than the one before it.”

“Do you doubt I could do it?” I ask, watching her closely, studying her.

The only thing that moves is her jaw, clenched so tight it trembles a little.

“Do you?” I snap, making her jump. It’s almost too satisfying, seeing her do that.

“No,” she whispers, staring at the house. “Can I go now?”

“Remember what I said.” Because really, it’s not like I’m dying to spend any more time with her. She’s out the door the second the locks are disengaged, almost running for the house.

If she knows what’s good for her, she’ll stay in her room all night. Let her think a little about what I said.

Let her imagine all the different ways I could make it a reality.

SIX

Elliana

At least theday is almost over.

That’s pretty much the only thing I have to comfort myself with by the time I finish up in the bathroom after my last class on Thursday. The day is almost over, and I don’t have to be around so many people anymore; hearing them laugh at me, all because I committed the unforgivable sin of being different. Because isn’t that all that matters? Fitting in?

Forget trying to understand why I feel so broken and different. I mean, my own mother can’t be bothered to try to understand. Why would perfect strangers put in the effort?

Still, is it too much to ask for them to just leave me the hell alone? I’ve never hurt any of them. I don’t know their names. I don’t care to meet them. I just want to exist. Why is that unacceptable?

I’m still asking myself that question as I open the stall door with my backpack over one shoulder. The row of sinks is straight ahead. I push up the sleeves of my gray sweater and wash my hands quickly, avoiding my reflection in the mirror that runs thelength of the wall. The less I have to look at myself, the happier I am. Not that I’m ever very happy.

The door from the hallway swings open, and a bunch of high-pitched voices fill the room before any of the girls walk in. “So I told him if he wants me to swallow, he needs to stop eating asparagus.”

The girls laugh louder than ever while I die a little bit inside, wishing I could’ve peed faster so I could be out of here before they came in. Instead of drying my hands, I wipe them on the front of my sweater before pushing my glasses further up the bridge of my nose. Nothing matters more than escaping.

Too late. “Oh. Look who it is. Carter’s new sister,” the ringleader announces. It’s pretty obvious—nobody has to tell me. I barely glance at her reflection in the mirror, staring down at the basin instead. The weight of their stares is crushing, and the sound of their soft laughter makes my skin prickle and flush. Why? Why can’t they just leave me alone?

“I guess living with Carter isn’t enough to give you a clue about how to dress or act.” The girls draw closer, surrounding me, pinning me in place with my thighs against the counter. One by one, they shove me, making me lurch in different directions. One of them yanks the backpack off my shoulder and drops it on the floor, while another kicks it, making it slide until it comes to a stop against the wall.

“I heard she didn’t have any manners,” one of them mutters before shoving me hard enough to make me bounce off one of her friends. “Maybe we should teach her some.”

“Rude little freak with the huge glasses.” That girl shoves me even harder, making me stumble sideways until all I can do is hold onto the counter to keep myself from falling.

“She dresses like it’s winter every day.”

“I didn’t know the thrift store had such a huge selection.” The girls’ laughter bounces off the walls until I could go deaf from the sound.Do not cry. Don’t you dare.

“Oh, for God’s sake.”

I look up at the mirror in time to see Wren stepping through the swinging door, with Maya behind her. “Are you seriously doing this, Tiana? Will you ever get a life?”

The ringleader tosses her thick ponytail over one shoulder, narrowing her eyes. “What a surprise,” Tiana mutters. “Talk about needing to get a life. Do you just, like, slink around school looking for people to defend?”

“Occasionally, some of us like to dole out an ass-whipping every once in a while.” Maya’s smile is sickeningly sweet and completely insincere. She falls in place beside me, folding her arms and cocking her head to the side. “But then, you would know that, wouldn’t you?”

On the one hand, it’s almost comforting to know I’m not the only person this vicious, nasty creature has tormented. They say misery loves company, and I am definitely miserable.

On the other hand, I hate to think of such nice people going through what I do. I would never have guessed it, looking at them. I guess not everybody wears their trauma on their sleeve like me.

“Whatever,” Tiana scoffs. When I find the courage to glance her way, she’s scowling at me. “Loser.”

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