Page 54 of Swallow Your Sorries

She’s staring down her nose at me, her glittering headband making her look exactly like the Queen Bitch she is. She smiles smugly, feigning sympathy as she unwraps a manicured finger from the handle of an insulated cup, another signature of hers, and points at the rubbish bins beside me. Her other hand’s holding her now empty tray, but remnants of buttery, garlic mashed potatoes still cling to the porcelain plate. “I guess I just missed it. I didn’t realise anyone was hiding back here. ”

A blonde girl beside her shoulder giggles, but I only have eyes for Rin because the word ‘hiding’ triggers something deep inside me that cuts off my snippy reply.

I wasn’t hiding. I was being smart.

I wasn’t cowering. I was biding my time.

Or was I?

Before I can react, two things happen at once.

Now that I’m standing, I have everyone’s attention, including the royal table just behind Rin’s back. Stassi’s nestled between Hale and Zedd, who are giving me their full attention with crooked smirks. She’s gone pale, but Aria, who’s midway through French braiding Bae’s hair, is staring at me like I’ve just officially been crowned and won my title all over again, Miss Dumb Bitch Universe.

I can already hear the question forming on her lips.Why the hell did you come to the dining hall to be slaughtered like a little piggie?

Because I was a piggie. I was hungry. What am I supposed to do? Never eat?

Aria’s look told me yes.

But it’s Gant’s eyes I find next. He’s staring at me over the rim of his red juice with a twinkle in his eye. He’s probably envisioning that it’s my blood.

But he’s quickly blocked out as a quarter of the students stand in perfect unison. All girls. All seniors. All carrying trays.

The blonde to my left, in knee-high boots, clicks closer, the sound of her heels filling the deathly quiet hall. Then more heels join her. Some hollow, some rubber, some squeaky as they edge towards me in a synchronised formation, filling the hall with a chilling harmony.

I gaze over my shoulder, but I already know my mistake before I see it. A corner.

I’d backed myself into a corner.

Dread climbs my spine like an eight-legged creature made of ice as I turn back to face Boots. No, Gant, who’s just visible again over her shoulder.

I straighten, locking my eyes with his and setting my jaw.

Don’t cower.

Don’t run.

Come what may.

I squeeze my eyes shut just as Boots mutters, “Oops.” and flips her plate over my head. Immediately the hall’s filled with hysterical laughter and banging on the tabletops that rattle the window panes this time.

I don’t get a chance to wipe the gnocchi from my eyes before puttanesca, boeuf bourguignon, and clam chowder rain down on me in quick succession, soaking the only uniform blazer I own.

“Whoopsies!”

Ballet flats.

“Didn’t see you there,”

Round toe pumps.

“You were in the way.”

Ankle boots.

“My bad.”

Pointy slingbacks.

---