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It’s actually great talking to her, and soon I don’t see those others casting me bad looks or whispering about me.
I won’t hold my breath, though. People can show you whatever face they want you to see for different reasons, different instances, different days.
Back in L.A., I learned the hard way with my so-called friends.
At lunchtime we sit on the bleachers, deciding to eat out there because the weather is great.
That’s when I see my nemesis again.
I’m about to take a bite out of my club sandwich when he emerges with his minions like a dark storm cloud.
They walk across the quad with the type of confidence most would kill for. Like they’re gods. Like they own the place.
I can tell from the way everyone else acts around them that they’re treated as such—which is not good for me.
My monster zeros in on me, his glare so potent I feel like I’m being skewered by a spear.
Quickly, I look away and meet Isabelle’s concerned expression. Noticing my unease, she straightens and narrows her eyes.
“Who is that?” I ask.
“That’s Chad Volchkov and his crew of assholes we call the Titans. Don’t mind them, or him,” she says in a determined voice. “Hopefully, he’ll leave you alone if you don’t run into him.”
“Too late. I already got the rude welcome before I made it through the door.”
Her brows disappear into her hairline. “God, what happened?”
“He roughed me up a bit and told me to be gone by tomorrow, so I’m not sure I could manage any more surprises.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“I wanted to know who he was first. I don’t want any trouble here, and I don’t want anyone causing it for me.”
“I understand that. I think you might get the most trouble from him, though.”
That piques my interest. “Why?”
“Most people here are probably just going to gossip about you because of the scandal, but he’s the only one in the school whose family was impacted by what your father did.”
Oh God, no. I knew it had to be something like that.
“In what way?”
“It was his mother. She had cancer. Part of the money your father stole belonged to her research foundation. She was shut down after it happened and tried to campaign to get funding but failed. A month later, she died.”
Fuck. As if I didn’t feel bad enough already.
I never wanted to believe my father was the bad person the media portrayed him to be.
But he is. People make mistakes. I believe that, and I believe he did, but it will never change what he did.
Now I’m here on the other side of the country, with a bully who hates me because of my father’s sins.
“You don’t want trouble with him, Billie. Trust me. Chad Volchkov is despicable.”
“I wanted to report what happened this morning.”
“You can.” She sighs. “My father will listen, and I’m sure he’ll do all he can to make sure something like that doesn’t happen again. I also imagine he’ll try his best to issue some punishment and maybe speak to Chad’s father. But I’m sorry to say, it won’t do a damn thing to stop dear old Chad from most likely coming back for you with a vengeance.”
