Page 11 of Savage Hate
“I’m a forty-five-minute drive away,” I chide, and she giggles. “It’s not like I’m moving across the country.”
“I know, but it’s still weird that we won’t be neighbors anymore.”
I look around Mindy’s room. She’s right, and for a moment, I panic. I have a full scholarship to Harvard, and that includes a meal plan, but I can’t discount the fact that Mindy and her parents are the only reason I’ve survived since they moved to Greythorn while we were in elementary school. If Mindy’s parents suspect the neglect I encounter at home, they’ve never outright said anything. They invite me over for dinner most nights, and Mindy’s mom, who doesn’t work, volunteers to drive me around quite a bit.
My cheeks heat.They must know.
I walk back to the bed, glancing at my phone. It’s a little past eight, and Noah is throwing an epic graduation party for the seniors. I change into my sparkly dress and matching heels, and Mindy helps me curl the back of my long blonde hair. I tell myself I look good even though I don’t believe it. There are so many things I would change about my body. So many things I would change about mylife.
One step at a time…
One day, I will have the perfect life. I won’t be living in Greythorn under my parent’s roof, and I can take charge of whatIwant–and not what’s expected of me.
One day, I won’t have to deflect and redirect by being rude, just so that people won’t see the person hurting on the inside.
By the time we get into Mindy’s Lexus, I’m shaking with anticipation.
“Who do you think will be there?” Mindy squeaks, and I can tell she’s excited because her knees are bouncing energetically.
I shrug. “Probably everyone.”
“Yeah, but, like…everyoneeveryone?”
I groan. “Noah would not have invited the dork storks, Mind.”
She smirks and takes a sip of her soda. “Even if they dare to make an appearance, at least we never have to see them again after tonight.”
I squirm in my seat, the hurt from today—from my parents not even showing up to my graduation ceremony—begins to balloon in my chest.
“If they show up, they will pay,” I respond automatically.
The words feel good—great, even. I can never let him have the upper hand. Never let him win, or think he knows therealme.
So, I keep him and his little dork friends in their place.
It’s the only way to survive without losing control completely.
“I still don’t know why you’re such a bitch to them.” Mindy laughs. “Have you ever considered being nice?”
I look down. She’s never tried to stop me, and that tells me all I need to know about her approval of my behavior, so I don’t answer her. I never do. It hurts too much to admit the truth to myself, so I do everything in my power to keep the upper hand. It would be mortifying if people knew I lived on ramen and whatever free food I could get, and there are weeks when I don’t even have shampoo for my hair. I can’t even imagine the humiliation on top of everything else going on in my life. I’ve seen the looks Silas and his friends throw my way.Pity.I can never let them dwell on it for too long—can never let them see what my life is really like.
Two months until I leave for Harvard…
Pulling up to Noah’s gigantic house, I sigh as I get out of the car. People face me and watch as I walk up the driveway. I keep my eyes forward, not daring to meet anyone’s gaze. Most of the time, I just want to be left alone. Why can’t anyone see that?
The music is already loud enough to make the front door vibrate as I push it open. The large house is overflowing with people, and I do my best to ignore the cacophony of voices yelling over the music. Sliding past sweaty bodies, I slowly make my way through the crowd with Mindy. A couple of guys hoot and holler at us, but we ignore them as we search for Noah. We finally find him in the kitchen, drinking out of a red cup and talking to some sophomore. I roll my eyes. Noah is a senior at Greythorn University, so I know for a fact that this bitch is way too young for him.
The instant she sees me making a beeline for Noah, she squeaks and walks away, and I smile victoriously.
“Hi,” I croon, throwing my arms around Noah’s neck. “Great party.”
Noah smiles. “Thanks, Len. Wanna go somewhere a little quieter?”
I feel Mindy nudge my ribs, and I nod, following him up the stairs. Noah plays football, and we met through mutual friends at one of his parties last spring. He’s older and forbidden, and even though I’m only seventeen, I know I’m ready to be his girlfriend. He’s hot, but I can’t really have any sort of serious conversation with him–he’s not the brightest bulb. Still, a girl like me can’t be choosy.
Nobody else wants to date me.
They’re all busy hating me.
