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“She paid her dues, Pey,” I said.
After the events of Homecoming, Lindsey had been suspended indefinitely, while the school board figured out what to do with her. They decided to grant her permission to return, much to my parents’ disbelief, but I was determined not to let it worry me.
Which was exactly what I’d told Dad when I overheard him planning to pay the Filmers a visit. I loved that he wanted to protect me, but he couldn’t always be the one to fight my battles, sometimes I had to face them head-on.
“A suspension and some lame educational program for sexting is not paying her dues.”
“They kicked her off the squad, Peyton, and she’ll have to attend weekly sessions with Mrs. B.” I’d heard Dad tell my mom. “And it’s on her permanent record. It could affect her college applications.”
For a girl who cared more about reputation and social status than a moral conscience, it seemed like justice had been served.
Besides, I got the one thing she wanted and could never have.
She slowly approached us, hesitating. “Lily,” she said, and I settled my gaze on her.
“Yes?”
“I… I just wanted to say—”
Kaiden caught my eye over her shoulder, and my smile lifted. Lindsey saw it, glancing down the hall, gasping as he walked right up to me and kissed me. I slid my hands up his chest, kissing him back with everything that I had.
I wasn’t weak little Lily Ford anymore.
I was brave and courageous and happy.
I was so freaking happy.
“Good morning, girlfriend,” Kaiden said, loud enough for Lindsey to hear. Maybe it was petty, to stoop to her level, but I didn’t care.
She had spent so long belittling me with her cruel words and callous actions. Making me feel unworthy and different.
The truth was, I was different.
And it was a gift.
I still had my bad days, the days when my mind was the enemy, making me question and doubt things. But I owned them. And with the help of Kaiden, and my family, and therapist, I could finally recognize my mental health disorders for what they were.
A part of me but not the whole of me.
“Hi, boyfriend.” I grinned up at him, Lindsey long forgotten.
Until Peyton blurted, “Holy crap, that was so fucking good. You should have seen her face.”
But it didn’t matter.
Shedidn’t matter.
“Anyway, I’ll leave you two love birds to it. I have an appointment with Mrs. B. Yay me.” She took off down the hall, and I frowned.
“You’re worried?” Kaiden asked.
“Yeah.” I let out a thin breath. “She’s hurting and I don’t know how to help her.”
“Is her mom still clean?”
“As far as I know. Peyton hasn’t said anything. And the social worker visits them. My dad made sure of it.”
“It’s probably hard for her.” He hugged me tighter. “Staying with your family and then having to go back there and realize everything she’s missing out on.”
