Page 37 of Tainted Romance

Mr. Sparks calmed the class down. “Enough. Jake, start us off please.”

Jake started reading the chapter, but it didn’t really make a difference. I knew what their real feelings were. Sure, I knew lying with Taylor was a risky business, but I didn’t expect everyone to care as much as they did.

The classroom door slid open, and Taylor entered; he was late and, by the look on his face, not in a good mood.

“Sorry I’m late, Mr. Sparks,” he excused himself and rushed to the back of the classroom. Not even flickering a glance down at me as he walked past.

“Don’t worry, Taylor, we all understand. I wouldn’t want to show up either if I was in the same class as the liar who tried to ruin my life,” a girl’s whiny voice piped up.

I heard Taylor dump his books on his desk.

It wasn’t even my fucking idea!

“Class, settle down!” Mr. Sparks raised his voice.

I didn’t really know what I was doing until I did it. I stood up, collected my books, and ignored every word Mr. Spark’s yelled at me as I walked out of his classroom, not even closing the door behind me.

I wouldn’t sit there one moment longer and let them think they could speak to me like that.

Chapter Seventeen

I thought today couldn’t get any worse. I had left school, which I knew would come back and bite me in the butt tomorrow. Zane’s relationship with Ebony went from friends to kissing friends. Taylor was treating me like an invisible post. Mom had already yelled at me before school and then when I came home early.

So, as I was laying on my bed, wishing I could fast forward the next few weeks, I really didn’t think the day could get any worse and then in walked my mother.

“Allie, why aren’t you ready.” Her arms were crossed with that usual pissed off look on her face. “I told you the pack meeting was at seven, and it is now a quarter till, and you aren’t even dressed ready to leave.”

“Pack meeting?” I bolted straight up. “You are kidding, right?”

“Just because you embarrassed yourself and brought shame to this family does not mean you get to skip pack meetings from now on. If you ask me, I think the shame you are going to feel tonight is a just punishment.”

I began to grind my teeth. Wasn’t she meant to be all supporting and forgiving? Why did I get the harsh mother?

“I don’t want to go.”

“I don’t care what you want, you have five minutes.” Her short black hair flung over her shoulders as she stormed out of my room.

I really didn’t think today could get any worse, but heck, wasn’t I wrong. At school, the snide remarks, the looks, and the judgmental attitudes were enough to cause me to leave. Now I had to face a whole room full of not just teenagers but their stupid parents as well?

I pulled my phone out and messaged Blake. I was not facing this alone, and he better be dragging his butt to this.

Mom may have dragged me to this meeting, but even she didn’t want to be seen with me. In fact, she took off so quickly out of sight, I was stunned.

So, I had to walk into the hall by myself, and I hated it.

I was behind a group walking in, and I thought maybe I would make it in without being noticed, and that went out the window when a flyer was shoved in my face.

I looked up at Sandy Lee, Zane’s cousin. “Here is a flyer on tonight’s meeting.” Her lips formed a tight line. “I included an extra self-help flyer in yours; it’s called lies and the trouble they cause.”

I snatched it from her grasp. “Thanks.” I forced a smile. “Really, Sandy, I don’t know how I would manage without your helpful flyer.”

She rolled her eyes then started shoving flyers into other people’s faces.

Rude, snobby bitch - she should go back to college.

I scanned the room looking for Blake or Chase. They both said they were coming, but I had yet to spot their faces in the crowd. The foyer was filled with people, and they were slowly moving into the hall. I took this as an opportunity to escape possible conversations, so I went straight to the hall.

Blake would show, he promised me, but Blake never ran on time, and I guess if he rocked up before it ended I should be grateful.

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