Page 27 of You Said I Was Your Favorite

“Gross. JJ is disgusting. She would never stoop so low,” Edie says.

“You don’t know her that well,” Arch says, never taking his gaze off me. “JJ might be more her style. And he’s always enjoyed slumming.”

Edie makes a disgusted noise while I leap to my feet like I have no control over myself, thrusting my face in his. Which is difficult because he’s so much taller than me.

“You’re an asshole,” I murmur between clenched teeth, hating how my heart is in freefall at his nearness. At the unmistakable anger blazing in his beautiful blue eyes.

Why does he provoke me all the time? And why do I enjoy arguing with him?

“So you keep telling me,” he returns, sounding pleased. “I know just how to get under your skin, don’t I, Daze? Guess it doesn’t take much to trip up the school’s golden girl.”

My breaths come heavier and my mouth grows dry, making it difficult to speak.

“What, no fighting words? I figured after the slap you’d learn how to defend yourself better, at least verbally.” He steps even closer, his body nudging into mine and a rush of tingles sweeps over my skin at the contact.

I back away, unsettled. Shaky. “I hate you.”

His grin could belong on Satan’s face. “Good. I don’t like you either. Stay away from me. And my family.”

I glance over at Edie, who’s mouthing the words,I’m sorry, her eyes full of sadness. She bends her arm and jabs her elbow into her brother’s side, but he doesn’t even flinch.

He’s heartless. Cold. Unstoppable. And when he’s got his sights set on me?

I’m meaningless.

Nothing.

Holding back the sob that wants to escape, I turn around.

And run out of the dining hall. Never once looking back.

Too afraid to see the devil laughing as I run away from him.

NINE

ARCH

I’m such an asshole,I disgust myself.

Yesterday in the dining hall, I became infuriated seeing my sister with Daisy. Why the hell is she invading every part of my life? My thoughts, my dreams, practically every fucking class, she’s right there. Blonde and quiet and always watching me with those big golden eyes. I tell myself I can’t stand her.

Yet I can’t stop thinking about her.

And I don’t understand why.

It felt good, being mean to her. Pushing her away. The moment she ran, Edie turned on me, giving me endless shit about what a classless human being I am.

I said nothing. Didn’t protest, didn’t argue with her description. Every word she said was true. I’m a mean piece of shit who deserves every bit of grief Cadence gives me—a direct quote from my little sister.

Fucking Cadence. She’s another problem, one I can’t shake. Constantly following me around and inserting herself where she’s not wanted, just like Daisy but worse.

So much worse.

Couldn’t sleep for shit last night, the confrontation with Daisy running on repeat in my head. How I crushed her spirit all over again with a few choice words. How good it felt for a brief moment, watching the pain flit across her face. She tortures me so it’s only fair I give her some torture back, is what I tell myself.

Petty. Shitty. Immature. That’s me.

I gave up on trying to sleep and decided to go for an early morning run instead. It’s something I find myself doing more and more lately. Helps clear my mind, leaving it blessedly blank and not thinking about anything but the pounding of my feet on the ground. The steady pace of my breaths. The amped up speed of my heart.

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