Elsa
“You like literally kicked her arse!” Kim jumps up and down, punching the air. “Damn. I wish I was there to see the bitch queen having her arse kicked!”
I groan. She wouldn’t let me live it down since I told her what happened yesterday — without the sex part or the part about how sore I am this morning.
“It’s not something I’m proud of.” I hold the math book close to my chest. “I mean, I don’t want to apologise to her, but I feel like I owe her something.”
“You owe her fuck.” Kim jumps in front of me, stopping me in my tracks. “Did she apologise to you for all the bullying? Or for having her minions make your life hell? No, and hell to the no. Besides, she had it coming. Gosh. I wish I saw the look on her face when you went berserk on her.”
“Kim!”
“She’s a bitch, okay? You don’t feel sorry for bitches.”
She’s right. Silver has always made our lives hell.
But Kim has no idea what went on in my head at that moment. Hitting Silver wasn’t some vigilante shit.
I legit wanted to kill her.
The thought sends a tendril of fear down my spine.
Why the hell do I keep having these murderous thoughts? I’m not the type who’s capable of hurting a fly.
Images of injuring Aunt, scratching Aiden, and punching Silver hit my memory like razor-sharp knives.
Maybe I am capable of hurting more than a fly.
Maybe I wasn’t aware of it yet.
“Come on. Class is about to start.” Kim drags me by the arm.
I walk with her, but my mind is elsewhere.
When and where did I pick up those murderous thoughts?
I’m almost sure it comes from my childhood, but I still can’t figure out how and why.
If only I could remember.
But then again, I did everything in my might to block those memories for ten years, I can’t just remember on demand.
Kim’s hand in mine stiffens, bringing me back to the present. She stops in front of our class just as Xander goes inside laughing with a bombshell from the gymnasium team.
My brows furrow as I focus back on Kim. “Are you okay?”
She laughs, but it’s high-pitched and unreal. Kim can’t fake a laugh to save her life. “Why wouldn’t I be?”
“You and Xander are enemies, right?”
She crosses her chest, nodding. “Total enemies.”
I don’t think so.
She’s been stealing peeks at him with a strange gleam when she thinks no one is looking. I don’t know if she wants to punch him or kiss him or both.
“He’s a player, Kim.” And he bullied you for years.
But I can’t tell her the last part. Not when I’m all tangled up with my own bully.
“Screw him and everyone he screws.” She scrunches her nose. “I just want him out of mine and Kir’s life.”
“One year and he’ll piss off to Harvard or something, right?” I ask.
“Yeah.” A sheen of sadness covers her features before she smiles. “I’ll be free.”
I interlace my arm with hers when movement catches my attention.
Silver walks down the hall with a scarf wrapped tightly around her face and hiding her hair. I recognise her from the hint of her piercing aqua blue eyes.
Her attention is zoned in on her phone with a glittery case. There’s also her signature dainty ring with more glitter on it.
I wouldn’t have known it’s her if it weren’t for those obvious tells.
Her gaze collides with mine. Her pace slows down for a second before she lowers her head and hurries into class.
“Did you just see that?” Kim whisper-yells. “Silver Queens just lowered her head! Man, I really should’ve seen the beating that turned her into this.”
My stomach twists. The more enthusiastic Kim is, the deeper and the more nauseous I feel.
This isn’t me.
I don’t take pleasure in hurting others.
Yes, Silver can be a bitch, but she did nothing yesterday. She just stood there and I attacked her out of nowhere.
When we step into class, my gaze immediately searches Silver.
She sits at the last table and scrolls through her phone, still wearing the scarf.
Two sets of eyes aside from mine bore into her.
The first is Adam, the rugby team’s captain. His thick brows draw over troubled eyes as he glimpses back at her. His bulging arms tighten against the uniform’s jacket with tension.
It’s like he can feel her pain.
The second is Cole. He stares back at her with a harsh gaze that makes me flinch — even though it’s not directed at me.
Ronan hops on his desk like a monkey, breaking his attention.
Kim leans in like she’s about to announce a conspiracy and nods in Silver’s direction. “Who is she and what have you done to our own bitch queen?”
I nudge her away. She giggles and flops down in her seat.
Ronan leaves Cole and hops on her desk. “Kimmy! I missed you last night. It’s no fun without you.”
“Sorry. I was babysitting my little brother.”
Ronan snatches a mint-coloured strand of her hair and plays with it. “Bring him over next time.”
“Fuck no,” Xander snaps at him.
I didn’t even realise he was in hearing distance. Wasn’t he chatting with that gymnasium girl just now?
“That’s none of your business,” Kim huffs at him and faces Ronan with a smile.
He goes on an endless monologue about last night’s game.
I’m about to take a seat beside Kim when the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end.
A strong hand strokes my stomach and a hard chest glues to my back.
My heart flutters as his clean intoxicating scent fills my senses.