She got her just deserts.
Before Dean Lombardi says another word, I leave his office and then the building. I dial Grayson’s number, praying he’ll respond, but it goes straight to voicemail.
“What the fuck?” I say to my phone screen. I’m headed to my folks’ place for winter break in one week, and he decides not to answer the phonenow? After he already quit?
Stepping out of the building, I see the gang waiting for me outside.
“How’d it go?” Levi shivers. I don’t blame him, it’s cold as all hell out here.
“I’m not getting expelled, and Grayson didn’t sign the agreement saying we can’t see each other anymore. He quit instead.”
Kami smiles. “That’s good, right?”
“Hell yeah, it’s good,” Jake says enthusiastically.
Shaking my head, I tell them about my failed attempt at calling Grayson.
“Maybe he’s busy,” Kami says nonchalantly. “The note he left might’ve been cryptic, but he seemed sincere when we saw him, Em. There has to be some explanation.”
Rolling my eyes, I let out an annoyed whine. “You’re probably right.”
A girl walks past us, and I don’t think much of it until I spot her shoes: light brown Ugg boots with a small heel. I cringed at the shoes the first time I saw them. They’re a little tacky for my taste, but I never said it to the person. Now, all I feel is heat in my veins when I notice the pink puffy jacket that the same person is wearing, with light brown hair sticking out from her sequined hat.
“Samantha!” I yell.
She halts and slowly turns around, her eyes widening at the sight of me.
“Uh-oh.” Levi’s voice is low and genuinely concerned.
“Hey, Emma. How’s it going?” Samantha’s voice is airy and cheerful.
Hell fucking no.
I see red, and I’m about two steps away from lunging at her when someone’s arms lock around me.
“This is all your fault!” She stares at me, partly scared andpartly amused. “You did this because I was better than you! Because I was getting the articles, and you weren’t. You’ve had it out for me since the day we met!” I keep kicking and struggling to get free from whoever’s holding me. I’m not a violent person, but the past two weeks have had me on edge. I’m not one to spew venom without thinking, either, so I’m not completely sure what I’ll say next. “Admit it! Admit you were jealous!” I shout.
She stares at me with a blank expression when I hear Jake say, almost into my ear, “She deserves an explanation, Samantha.”
The bitch continues to stare at me, and now Jake, who’s still holding me back.
“Let me at her,” I tell him. When Jake still doesn’t let me go, I look at Samantha again, who’s smirking. The expression makes my face heat, and now, my mouth has a mind of its own. “You’re a coward. A lazy, insignificant, jealous coward, and a terrible fucking writer.”
Whatever I said in that last statement finally makes her snap. She practically growls at me. “That interview was mine. That could’ve been me with him, but no, you just had to have everything.” I stop moving, and so does Jake. I didn’t expect Samantha to say any of this. The thing that pushed her over the edge was seeing me with Grayson. As far as I’m aware, nobody knew until that night.
“What the fuck?” Levi whispers from behind me.
What the fuck is right.
“You stole the big profile that should’ve been mine and then took all of the front-page pieces. You even got the editor position I deserved. This isn’t my fault!” she shrieks, making me flinch and raise a brow at the psycho. “It’s your fault for not keeping your knees shut.”
Her words hit me like a bullet, making it sound as if all Grayson and I ever were was just a cheap fuck.
Instead of crying, I let out a low, taunting laugh. “Call us even then, because you might’ve gotten me in trouble with a couple of pictures, but at least I still have a chance at a future inthe paper and in my career. And what do you have?” I tilt my head and smile. “Nothing.”
Samantha’s eyes burn with hatred as she throws herself at me, but Kamila is quicker than Levi to cover me and pushes her off, grabbing her arm and twisting it back just enough to make her squeal.
She whispers something into Samantha’s ear that causes her to shake and slowly nod. As soon as Kamila releases her, she runs, almost slipping on a patch of ice.
