Page 9 of Fractured Loyalties
“Oh, shit, sorry,” she says, so loud her voice carries over the other students’ chatter. “Look on the bright side, though, maybe it’ll help to hide those thick thighs.”
Her friends howl with laughter as if she just told the best joke ever. She makes a show of dabbing the spill with her own napkin, then leans in close enough that I can smell her perfume. “Maybe that’ll help with the stink,” she whispers. “Just trying to help, babe. I’m Blair, by the way.”
I stare at her. Not even tempted to give my own name. I have a feeling she knows it already, anyway.
“You really should get a new skirt, though,” Blair sighs as she straightens up. “That one is a little tight. I’m not sure how those legs breathe. You know, they have a tape in the drama room. I could help you measure for a proper outfit.” She gives me a wicked smile.
My teeth clench, but all I can do is shake my head. I grab my bag and bolt as her friends all laugh again.
Fuck you, Blair.
The bathroom is on the second floor, and I sprint the whole way, ignoring the stabbing in my side and the wet milky patch growing cold between my legs. I burst into the first stall, lock the door, and slide down until I can hug my knees.
Then the tears come, hot and endless, burning my cheeks and dripping onto my hands. I try to keep quiet, but the sobs leak out before I can stop them.
What the fuck am I doing here?Why did you have to go, Dad? I need you.
My sobs rack my chest so hard that it hurts, but after a few minutes of self-pity, it fades.
Crying will get me no where in this place.
I take a deep breath, and slowly stand to my feet, eyes dropping to weigh the damage.
The skirt is ruined with significant stains splashed across the blue and green tartan, and it clings to my thighs like Saran Wrap. I dig through some paper towels and start blotting, but all I end up doing is shredding them into wet pulp.
“There’s no winning,” I tell myself, shaking my head. “I’ll just have to deal with this.” I toss the sodden towels into the trash, smooth out my hair, and sling my backpack over my shoulder. If there’s one thing I’m certain of, it’s that this day absolutely cannot get any fucking worse.
And hat’s the attitude I finish the day with.
Surprisingly, it actually works. Somehow, I’m able to make it to the final bell mindlessly and, as soon as the sound fills the school, I’m up and out of this prison.
I only have to make it through one semester. Then it’s done. And I’m out of here.
I keep the mantra going as I exit the school, looking out to try to spot the black Range Rover that Edward used to deposit me here this morning.
But Idon’tsee it.
Idosee Blair and her friends, across the courtyard, showing off for some guy in varsity rowing gear. They’re doing a great job pretending they don’t see me, but I catch Blair’s eye once. She makes a show of turning to her friend and laughing.
I have to see these assholes five days a week.I shudder at the thought, hoping like hell there’s some plan to fix this uniform issue today. I don’t care if I don’t make a single friend, honestly. I just want to graduate and get the fuck out—and speaking of…
Where is my ride?
I linger on the sidewalk, rocking back on my heels, watching the other kids leave. I pull out my phone to check for any kind of update.
Nothing.
I don’t have anyone’s phone number other than my mother’s. And as much as I hate it, I’m desperate. I navigate down to her name and type out a text.
Me: Is someone going to pick me up from school?
Ten more minutes pass, and the last freaking car leaves. My phone is still devoid of any messages. The Woods Private courtyard is suddenly a graveyard. I hug my bag and pace the edge of the steps, wondering if I should just start walking home.
The estate is around four miles away. Icould do it.It’d take, like what? About an hour?
The security guard on the front drive is eyeing me, probably trying to decide whether I’m a threat or just a liability. I recheck my phone—still nothing.
“Fuck it, I’m walking,” I mutter under my breath, and then start down the steps. However, as I make a right to head down the sidewalk toward the main road, a black SUV pulls up.
