Page 24 of Faux Real
“Because” she says, leaning toward me, “no one wouldeverwant to date someone likeyou. I’m surprised poor Sawyer managed to last a year with a psycho for a girlfriend. ThankGodhe came to his senses.”
I ball my fist up. She will not bait me. She will not affect me. I am the bigger person. I am the better person.
“Put your cigarette out, Corrine,” I say dryly. “Final warning.”
A devious smile clips Corrine’s lips as she lifts her wrist and flicks ash all over my white dress shirt. “Fuck off, Kennedy.”
Classic Corrine.
“Okay, have it your way,” I say, casually dusting my blouse off before reaching into my purse and grabbing three blue slips. I hope it doesn’t stain.Bless you, spare block.I pull out a pen and scribble down their names quickly before holding out the paper. “Here you go. Enjoy detention.”
“Oh gee, thanks.” Maya hands her smoothie to Larisa then snatches the blue slips out of my hands and tears them up before sprinkling them over my head. “How’d you know I needed some confetti?”
I go to school with children. Bad-tempered and spoiled children. “You know that there are cameras here, right?” I ask, nodding toward the corners of the building. “I don’t want to resort to having to tell the headmaster about this little snafu, but if you’re going to—”
Larisa takes a step toward me, her blue eyes scanning my face. “You know, Kenny, for a smart girl you sure as fuck don’t know anything,” she jeers. “Those cameras asdisabled. We paid the security guarda lotof money to do us that teensy favor.” Her hand reaches out and strokes my hair. I pull away.Ugh. “Maya, look at this. I didn’t notice earlier but Kennedyfinallydid something to her hair. Highlights. Wow.”
“Oh my God,” Maya sings. “I think you’re right. Maybe she got tired of havingvirginhair.”
I roll my eyes. This again? Really? “Are you seriously trying to insult me by calling me a virgin? Is that supposed to hurt me? How is that a bad thing? Seriously,how?”
“It hurts you,” Corrine chirps. “You know it does. You’re just too proud to cry.”
“No, Corrine,” I say, picking pieces of blue paper out of my hair. This is getting exhausting. “It’s not because I’m too proud. It’s because I actuallyvaluemy body and don’t treat my vagina like a cum dumpster.”
Do I actually care that she sleeps with everyone? No, I don’t. Her body, her choice. But if she’s going to use my virginity against me, I’ll use her sluttiness against her.
Tit for tat, bitch.
Corrine’s jaw drops, her eyes dark and fuming as she snatches the smoothie from Larisa’s hand and yanks off the lid, pouring the contents all over my head.
Oh my God. Seriously?
“You are a fucking bitch, Kennedy!” she shouts as the thick liquid reaches my neck and flows down my chest. “You are a lying,frigid, fucking bitch! You will be alone for the rest of your miserable life. No one will ever want you. You’ll be a virginforever.”
No, I won’t. I won’t. She’s just trying to hurt me. There’s no merit to her words. None. Well... Except for the fact that Sawyer—
Shit.
My heart rate accelerates as my eyes begin to well up with tears. No. Don’t fucking cry. Don’t let them win. Don’t be weak. You’re a soldier. Just like your father. Do not surrender. Do not fucking cry. My father’s voice rings in my head:never cower, Kennedy. You are a Carmichael, and we are warriors. We are strong, we are successful, we are powerful.
“Oh,” Maya pouts. “Is—is she crying? Oh my God. You guys look.”
“Wow,” Larisa adds, tilting her head. “It’s like she’s capable of human emotions.”
I clench my jaw, my eyes stinging from the citrus notes of the smoothie. They’ll go away soon. They’ll stop soon. Just don’t say anything.
“If only she wascapableof pleasing Sawyer,” Corrine sings. Fuck. I can’t hold it. I can’t do it. The dam is about to break. I am about to fucking break.I’m sorry, daddy.“Lucky for him, I’m willing to give himeverythinghe wants. Do you know what I do for him? I—”
Before Corrine can finish her disgusting sentence, a voice calls out in the distance.
“Oi!”
nine
A Deal with the Devil
OLIVER
