Football cheerleaders have sat with the football team recently. Nico’s doing. Unless we’re having a meeting.
To the right, I spot a few of the girls walking in.
“Karry,” I call. “Grab Bekka. It’s time for our cheer meeting.”
Lorna plops down on the bench beside me like she’s on the team. I shoot her a disgusted look, knowing it was only a matterof time before she and the others approached me about my boyfriend.
“I noticed your car in Nico’s driveway Saturday for hours,” she says, flicking her long, shiny brown hair over her shoulder. The confidence that usually sparkles in her baby-blue eyes seems to be waning.
I smirk wickedly. “Yes, I was there. He’s my boyfriend.”
More squad members settle at the table, and whispers ripple around us. My best friend Noré places a reassuring hand on my arm, signaling her support. I don’t need to look to know it’s her; we’ve been doing this since ninth grade.
Lorna laughs sarcastically. “He’s been your so-called boyfriend for nearly two months.”
“Oh, did I strike a nerve? You seem to be keeping close tabs on our relationship, which I didn’t ask for,” I retort.
She laughs again. “You’ve been gazing at him like a lost puppy since you arrived here.”
I can feel cognac eyes on me from across the lunchroom. I know it’s Nico.
Lorna sneers. “I guess you’re fucking him now.”
“What happens between Nico and me is none of your business.”
She leans in close, her breath hot on my ear. “He won’t keep you now that he’s gotten what he wants. Fat. Girl.” She stretches out the words like she’s delivering a final blow. “I still don’t get how your fat ass made the cheer squad.”
Rage coils in my chest.
Noré shoots up beside me. “Leave, bitch.”
My wicked smile widens as I raise a hand, telling Noré to chill.
“Lorna, you think fat-shaming me is going to hurt my feelings?” I ask, voice calm and cutting. “Think again, stickfigure. My man loves my curves. Loves my soft stomach. And you know what else he loves?”
I lean in. “Eating my pussy. He worships it. After school, he’ll be on his knees again.”
I pull back slowly, locking eyes with her.
Her expression falters.
“Lorna,” Nico’s voice cuts through the noise. He stands at the edge of the table, close enough for me to smell him. Feel him.
“You’ve overstayed your welcome,” he says.
“Nico, your ex…girlfriend was just leaving,” I add, voice sweet but laced with venom.
“She was never my girlfriend,” Nico says. “Before you, Serenity, I didn’t do girlfriends.”
The grin spreading across my face is pure victory.
Lorna rises, eyes darting to him. “You can say all the mean shit you want right now. We both know when you’re done with this fat bitch, you’ll be back in my bed.”
The fire in my chest explodes. I stand, stepping over the bench. Before anyone can stop me, I grab her by the hair and yank her down to my level.
Gasps erupt around us.
I tune them out.
