Page 47 of The Tenth Circle
Lifting Theory’s chin, I catch sight of the scar under her jaw, then tighten mine as I drag my gaze to her eyes, which are heavy with the endless questions of why things have to be this way.
On the outside I may seem cool, but on the inside I’m choking on suppressed remorse. Because even though she has every right, my sister will never have the heart to ask me this question out loud.
Too afraid it’ll undo all the years she spent trying to convince me I’m not an evil person. That I’m more than the sum of my fucked up parts.
Theory Lavell is the only girl I will ever love unconditionally—her ability to forgive the unforgivable being the top reason.
6
HENDRIX
“Yeah, got it,” I grumble over my shoulder, feeling two sets of piercing eyes on my back from the doorway of my bedroom.
It’s been another two hours of Mom and Auntie Pop’s fruitless attempts to pry information from me about what happened to Stevenson three nights ago.
You’d think after days of trying these two would realize they won’t be opening this vault.
Or at least that they’d have a better shot with Archer.
“I don’t know, Hen…” Auntie Pop trails off. “If your friend is getting into fights, maybe it’s best to keep your distance for now.”
Mom purses her lips. “I agree. Especially since you’ve kept such a tight lip about him.”
Oh, she’s one to talk about tight lipping “friends”.
She still thinks I’m oblivious to her secret one.
“There’s nothing to know, okay? We’ve just been…hanging out.”
“For months?”
“Yes for months,” I snap, pulling black leggings out of the drawer.
“Are you sure nothing else is going on? You won’t even tell me who the other boy is.”
It’s been a very long three days, and I fully intend to blame what I do next on each of them.
“Would you both fucking stop?!” I shout, whirling around to face my mom and auntie, who to my surprise, don’t look surprised at my outburst. “I already told you everything you need to know. One high schooler got into an argument with another high schooler and it turned physical. Fucking shocker.”
Literally.
Mom’s mean muggin’ me but remains calm for the sake of getting reassurance. “So, it wasn’t a fight over you?”
An incredulous laugh escapes me as I pull on my pants. “You must be having my high school experience mistaken with your high school experience.”
Auntie Pop’s eyes drift down my body, then she pins me with a look. “Insecurity is not something we’ll tolerate…so knock it off.”
A little word of advice, nothing pisses a fat girl off more than when people assume every self-dig is in regard to her weight.
I love my body, it’s a fucking temple.
But I can also be a brat.
Auntie senses her mistake by the way my teeth clench before I speak. “I was referring to my cheery disposition.”
“I didn’t mean?—”
“It’s fine,” I cut her off...not because I’m mad, but because I’m tired and need to save my energy for tonight.
