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I’m the Cheer Captain, popular, rich and beautiful. Unapproachable. I didn’t date and most definitely didn’t have time to goof around with boys — even though, God knows how many have tried. I was what they described as desirable but unattainable.
So I became a bet.
Who could seduce and win me over. Who could take my virginity.
Jasper was confident he’d win. And I guess he did.
Fool me once, shame on me.
Fool me twice — oh, no, no.
So, am I hurt? Not really.
Am I angry, though? Yes. I’m more than furious.
They took my dignity and made it into a game of cat and mouse. They made me into a joke. Yeah, I’m enraged.
“I’m not hurt,” I respond to Blythe’s confusion. “Angry, yeah. But hurt? Not at all. You need to care and love someone to be heartbroken over their betrayal. I could care less about Jasper and his bets.”
Elaine cocks her head to the side, in silent suspicion. “Are you just saying that to save face?”
Rolling my eyes, I place the slice of pizza back on the tray. “I really don’t care. Drop it. Let them stare and talk. It’ll pass eventually and they’ll find something else to gossip about.”
Berkshire Academy is a shark tank. But I know how this works. They will jump onto a scandal when it’s hot and then move on to the next, just as quickly. It’s all for the sake of entertainment.
There’s a hushed silence around the cafeteria and the hair on the back of my neck prickles. “He’s here,” Blythe mutters. I don’t turn around, I barely even twitch. From the corner of my eyes, I see Jasper and his friends strolling through the cafeteria’s doors.
Jenny, and two other girls with them.
“Traitor,” Elaine spats, “I can’t believe Jenny would do that.”
“Leave it.” I take a deep breath, watching as my ex-best friend sit at the table with Jasper, my now ex-boyfriend. His arm goes around the back of her chair, and he leans in close to whisper something to her. They look very cozy, side by side. I wonder how long they have been together, going behind my back before making it so public at my birthday party.
Jasper’s gaze moves to me and I fight the urge to claw his arrogant face. But I’m not going to ruin my recently done nails on that asshole. He’s not worth it, I remind myself.
Calm, cool and collected. Don’t snap, Riley.
I’m taking a sip of water when Sasha walks into the cafeteria. She pauses when she sees me, Blythe and Elaine at one table, while Jenny is sitting with Jasper at another one. Elaine blows out a breath, and I wait.
Sasha takes a step forward, and when she moves into Jenny’s direction, I can’t help the bitter smile that appears on my lips. I guess she made her choice.
“Wow,” Blythe mutters under her breath, “what the actual fuck?”
“It’s okay.” I smile through the embarrassment. Jasper cheating on me doesn’t hurt as much as my two best friends choosing to betray me. That hurts — their betrayal and their lies.
I go back to nibbling on my pizza when my phone pings with a notification. But it’s not only mine. Several phones ping simultaneously around the cafeteria, including Elaine’s and Blythe’s.
Elaine is already checking her phone before I can grab mine. She sucks in a sharp breath and a swear slips out.
“Jesus Christ,” Blythe squeaks, her eyes round in shock.
Elaine’s gaze snaps to mine, and I can see the pity there. I’m not sure I like the look she’s giving me right now. Anxiety slides through me and my hands shake with nerves as I grab my phone and open the message.
My breathing stutters; the world spins and tilts on its axis and I am left feeling disoriented. Time slows, before coming to a complete halt for a whole minute. I hear the whispers in the background. I hear Elaine calling out my name. Someone touches my arm.
But I can’t focus.
I can’t…breathe.
