Page 23 of Wicked Nasty

My heart pounds in my chest as I take a deep breath and finally reveal the truth. “Yes. I’m technically homeless. But you have to fucking promise not to tell a goddamn soul. If the school finds out, child services are called and I’m kicked out.”

Danny’s hands rest on either side of my thighs as he leans in even closer. “What happened?”

My jaw tightens as I shake my head stubbornly. “Nothing.”

He sighs and steps back, frustration etched on his features. “Stop lying to me, Becca.”

I look away, not wanting to see the disappointment in his eyes. “That’s all you’re getting out of me. We’re not friends. You don’t need to know shit. All you have to do is keep your mouth shut.”

“And if I don’t?” he challenges, a hint of arrogance in his tone.

I lean back, crossing my ankles defensively. “You want to take that risk?”

Danny turns and glares at me, but there’s something else behind his intense gaze... something that makes my stomach churn with uncertainty.

He walks closer to me until he’s just inches away, his breath hot against my skin as he speaks. “Maybe I do.”

My heart races as I resist the urge to lean closer to him. This is wrong, I remind myself firmly.

“Danny...” My voice trails off weakly as I try to come up with some logical argument for why we shouldn’t pursue this dangerous game.

But he cuts me off with a smirk. “Fine.”

“Fine? That’s it?” I demand, feeling a surge of anger rise within me.

Danny grins wickedly as he gets even closer, daring me to push him away. “Yup. But now, you’re allmine. One slip up, and I may spill your precious little secret.”

I shove him away roughly, my frustration and confusion bubbling over into rage. “Fuck you, Danny.”

He chuckles darkly and meets my gaze with a challenging stare. “Maybe if you get lucky.”

The shrill sound of the bell echoes through the empty hallway and I break into a sprint, desperate to escape spending another minute in Danny's presence. There's an unexplainable tension between us, like two opposing magnets constantly repelling each other, yet trying to cling to each other.

I enter my next class, going through the motions as I try to push away my worries.

AP American Lit, AP Calc, Women's studies, Botany, Latin.

The words blend together as my mind races with fear. This secret is too massive to keep hidden. Not only will I face punishment from the school's disciplinary board for lying, but also from my dad and my mom.

My mother...the thought sends shivers down my spine as I remember all the pain she has inflicted upon me. The mere thought of facing her wrath again makes me want to crawl into the safety of my own mind.

Finally, the bell rings to signal the end of the school day and I practically sprint out of the building, avoiding any chance encounter with Danny. I can’t be that close to him again...

Climbing into my car, I head towards the nearby truck stop. It's become a refuge for me - a place where I feel accepted and welcomed without judgment. The staff doesn't care about my past or where I come from - they just see me as another customer in need of a warm meal and some human connection. And for that, I am grateful.

Liz flashes a knowing smile as I enter the diner and take a seat at the counter. Her warm, comforting voice greets me as she asks what I want to eat.

“BLT?” I suggest, feeling a bit uneasy under her probing gaze.

She winks. “You got it. So, how was school today?”

I shrug nonchalantly. “It was okay.”

“Just okay?” Liz raises an eyebrow.

“Yeah... my partner in community class found out about my situation,” I explain, feeling a weight settle on my shoulders.

Liz doesn’t seem too concerned. “And?”

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