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"I'll help," I grit out. "I'll help you get away from all of it."
"I don't have time to talk about this now." The school bell rings and she snatches her hand away when I try to take it.
"Please, Pandora."
"Why do you want to get away, anyway?"
"Because this town is fucking poison," I mutter. "I need a fresh start. What's keeping me here? Fucking nothing and no one."
Especially if you leave, I add in my mind. Especially if I find a way to deal with Lily Anna.
"I'll think about it." She gives me another long look. "I have to go now, this already looks suspicious. You still got my number?"
"Yeah."
"Why haven't you called?" Her tone is accusatory, and it dawns on me what I've done - or rather, not done - has somehow upset her.
"Why do you care if I call? I thought you hated me."
Her lips purse and she stares me down. "I don't have anyone else."
It's so fucking sad. She's as alone as I am. And we can't even be there for each other.
"Look, I'll call you tonight, we'll figure something out." I search for warning signs in her face, but come up empty. "Your dad treating you okay?"
"He just ignores me most of the time," she mumbles. "Maybe he hopes if I get ignored enough, I'll just cease to exist."
"No such luck," I chuckle.
"Shut up." The smallest of smiles passes her lips and I grin in relief.
"Look, I know I've fucked up too many times to count," I tell her. "But I want to help you. Make up for everything."
"Why?"
"Why?" I ponder her question. "I'll... feel better."
"Good old selfish Dexter Booth. Do you ever think of anyone other than yourself?" I don't answer her, and she shakes her head before finally pulling away. "I have to go before you get me into more trouble. Let's talk tonight."
"I'll call you."
I watch her leave, my heart pounding in my chest like I'm some lovestruck teenager. Pandora fucking Oakes. Who would've thought she'd be the one to uncover the soft side I never knew I had.
6
Pandora
I feel fucking exhausted as I sit in front of the vanity table in my bedroom. The black choker is still around my neck, marking me forever, and Minnie's brushing my hair with long, gentle strokes. She must've gone through it a hundred times now. All the tangles are gone, but I dread the moment she stops. It's a welcome reprieve from my reality, the pleasant feeling of the brush going through my hair, the rhythmic rise and fall of my own chest as I try to catch my breath.
But I know it's going to end soon, and sure enough, Minnie puts the brush down and leans down next to me so we're staring at each other's faces in the mirror.
"You're so beautiful," she whispers.
"I'm not." I close my eyes tightly, unable to bear the weight of the pain in my eyes. "Everyone says I'm plain."
"That's a lie if I ever heard one." Minnie puts a hand on my shoulder, and I snap my eyes back to hers in the mirror. She's never affectionate like this. Nobody is. I must be really obviously fucked up if even Minnie's trying to comfort me. "Miss Pandora, I..."
"Yes?"
