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“Good.” Peyton winked. “Make sure you sit in the back.”
“Do I even want to know?”
“Just trust us.”
Easier said than done. I’d have butterflies for the whole of first period now, worrying about what they were up to.
When we entered the school building, Aaron and Sofia made a beeline for us. “Happy birthday,” they both showered me with hugs.
“Thank you.”
“It’s your birthday?” Lindsey asked in passing. “How cute. Little Lily Ford all grown up.”
I held my breath, hoping she would keep walking. Of course, she didn’t. Turning on her heel, she stopped dead in front of me. “You think you’ve got everyone fooled, don’t you?”
“Excuse me?”
“With this shy, damaged girl routine.”
“Watch it,” Peyton warned, stepping up beside me.
“Oh look, it’s Miss Trailer Trash coming to your defense.”
“What the fuck is your problem, bit—”
Someone dragged Peyton back and I glanced over my shoulder to find Bryan pulling her away. “She isn’t worth it,” he spat.
“Come on, Lily.” Ashleigh laced her arm through mine and started pulling me away. But Lindsey wasn’t done. She never was.
“One day, Lily… one day people will see past this little act of yours.”
“Ignore her,” Ashleigh whispered. “She’s just jealous that people actually like you.”
“She’s getting worse,” I admitted.
“Yeah, but she’s all bark and no bite. You don’t need to worry about Lindsey, Lil. She can only hurt you if you give her the power to.”
I gave my best friend a thin smile as we headed for class. I wanted to believe Lindsey was going to let this thing go. But so long as Kaiden refused to give in to her advances, I feared that I’d always be her punching bag.
Because preying on the weak made her feel strong.
And in her eyes, I was as weak as they came.
* * *
I’d been sittingin free period for almost fifteen minutes, waiting for Peyton and Ashleigh to turn up with their surprise, but there was no sign of them.
I tried to focus on the college information packs scattered across my desk, but I was too distracted. Lindsey’s cruel words had stayed with me long after I walked away. She was such a bitch, acting as if I was the one who had wronged her. But I guess that’s what made mean girls mean, their ability to convince themselves that their actions were justified.
My cell phone vibrated, and I snatched it up before Mrs. Creedy heard it.
Kaiden:Last stack, next to the town history reference books.
My heart did a little somersault.
Lily:You’re my surprise?
Kaiden:Come and find out.
