Chapter 32 Chapter: 32
Chapter 32 Chapter: 32
ADDISON
She knew I didn’t bump into her; everyone saw it. She’s here to pick a fight. Jess was right. Angela won’t let this slide; she’ll keep this up until I either break completely or I can’t take it anymore and leave Brighton Academy.
The bitch stood, looking gorgeous as always, her blonde hair perfectly brushed, her uniform pressed to perfection, her makeup perfectly in place; everything about her was perfect.
Her little blonde minions flanked her like obedient shadows, looking like perfect paintings come to life, all of them wearing high heels and designer handbags dangling from one arm, glossy lips curved with cruel anticipation.
“Addie, you look….,” Angela said loudly, drawing attention without even trying. Her eyes narrowed as she took in my new haircut, her lips twisted with displeasure. “I see you’ve got a new haircut.”
I bite my lip as I wipe my wet shirt, trying hard not to jump the bitch. “What do you want, Angela?”
Jess and Emma shifted closer to my sides, and something about their silent support made something inside me loosen.
Angela tilted her head, blue eyes glaring at me. “Shouldn’t you apologize first for spilling my juice?”
“I didn’t spill anything, in case it escaped your notice, I’m the one drowning in your juice,” I retorted calmly.
Her eyes turned icy. “I guess I expect too much from you. But then I’m not surprised you have no shame. I thought after yesterday you’d be too embarrassed to show your face, you little slut.”
Angela's minions and a few students nearby laughed nervously. I felt anger crawl up my neck so thick it threatened to choke me, but I swallowed it down.
“I'm not a slut, and I’m here to finish my high school,” I replied calmly. “And I'm not leaving because some unreasonable people decided to bully me.”
Angela’s smile turns sweet. “Bully you?” she chuckled, then leaned closer. “If you think that was bullying, then you haven't seen anything yet,” she sneered.
“Don't think because Shepherd protected you that you meant anything to him.” She stroked my hair with her manicured nails.
“You're nothing but dirty trash, who would do anything to climb up the ranks, and I'll be here when he's done with you, just like the other slut,” she spat, “just know that I’m going to make sure you never have a moment's rest in this school bitch.”
“I don't know where you get your information from, and right now I don't give a fuck. It's a pity you're so obsessed with a man who keeps cheating on you and yet you can't move on, so you choose to vent your frustration on me.”
Silence swept through the crowds so thick you could hear a pin drop. Oops! Guess I said too much, but that’s what happens when you’re pushed too much.
“You dumb bitch!” Angela’s hand whips out towards my face, but I catch it quickly; my face hardens.
Students suddenly snap into action. I could hear whispers and gasps all around us. Some even moved closer, their phones flashing.
Angela yanked her hand free and stepped forward. “How dare you hold my hand?” she gritted, “Apologize to me now, or I'll make this school hell for you regardless of who you think can protect you.”
I blinked, my jaw dropped. “Apologize? For what?” I scoffed, incredulously.
“For disrespecting me, for going after my boyfriend, and for looking me straight in the eyes and lying to me,” she said smoothly. “And I'll consider not ruining your life.”
Jess nearly choked. “You ruined her…”
Emma grabbed Jess’s arm before she could finish. Angela didn’t even spare them a glance. Her eyes stayed on me.
“You embarrassed me,” Angela said quietly now. Soft. Dangerous. “I understand you don't know what happens to people who embarrass me, so I'm giving you a chance to apologize.”
The memory of their laughter and cruelty flashed through my mind. My chest tightened, not because of fear but because I'm doing everything to stay out of trouble, but Angela and her friends just won't let me be.
And I refused to cower or back down, I'm already trying so damn hard not to lose control, but I'm not so sure I won't snap one of these days.
“I didn’t embarrass you,” I said. “If anyone was humiliated and embarrassed, it was me, and yet I didn't go looking to mess with you.”
“I already told you, there's nothing between Shepherd and me. If you don't believe me, that's your problem.”
Angela’s expression hardened. “Are you saying you won't apologize?”
I met her gaze head-on. “I’m saying I'm not apologizing for something I didn’t do; in fact, you should apologize to me.”
“What,” she said, laughing as though I said something. “Wow, I don't know whether you're brave or plain stupid.” Her eyes hardened with pure hate. “Do you think Shepherd will save you?”
She stepped back, grabbed something, and then, just as fast, threw it towards me. It happened so fast I didn’t have time to avoid it.
Hot pasta and sauce splattered across my uniform, sliding down my blazer, staining the white shirt beneath.
Gasps erupted, and the plate clattered to the floor. For a few heartbeats, no one moved.
First, it was water; now, tomato sauce is soaking through my uniform. My ears rang with a dull kind of sound that drowned every voice and left me with the sound of my own pounding heart.
Angela placed a manicured hand over her chest. “Oh my God,” she said mockingly. “I’m so clumsy.”
Laughter burst from her friends. Jess and Emma grab tissues and try to clean as much of the pasta and sauce off my shirt as they can.
My throat burned with rage. Angela leaned closer.
“You are such a charity case,” she whispered, low enough that only the first circle of people around us could hear. “You should be grateful we even let you walk the same halls as us.”
Jess stepped forward. “Back off, Angela. Why are you such a bully?”
Christy, Angela's blonde friend, shoved her back. “Stay the fuck out of it, unless you want me to rough you up right now.”
Angela's eyes gleamed smugly. “Beg me,” she demanded, louder now. “Kneel and beg for my forgiveness. And maybe I’ll let you stay in this school.”
Every eye in the cafeteria was on us, watching and waiting for me to kneel and apologize, to beg.
Humiliation washed over me. I could end it right now, just say the words she wanted to hear, walk away, and clean up in the bathroom.
Survive like I told myself I would, like my family wanted me to, it would be easier.
But kneeling and begging is something I will never do. I fisted my hands so hard at my sides, as I thought of yesterday.
Of all the gossip, the sneers and laughter, of how I was forced into cutting my hair shorter because the batter had messed up my hair.
Of how they held me down while they drowned me in batter and had laughed about it like it was nothing.
Of how small I had felt, how humiliated I was when Shepherd carried me out of the bathroom. And something inside me just snapped.
“Get fuck Angela,” I said.
“Excuse me?”
“You heard me.” My voice was cold even to me. “I won’t apologize. Not to you.”
Angela’s jaw tightened, and she leaned closer, her hand outstretched about to touch me. “You think you can survive here without my mercy?”
My hand whipped out and I hit her face hard. “Fuck you,” I hissed. “And fuck your mercy.”
For a long few seconds that felt like hours, Angela just stared at me in shock, her hand on her cheek. It seems she's not the only one in shock because the entire cafeteria has gone dead silent.
And then she and her minions suddenly snapped into action, she grab my hair, I grab hers, while Jess, Emma and the others try to keep her friends from me.
It was utter chaos, and it was right at that moment that Shepherd's voice cut through the chaos.
“Is there a reason,” he said coolly, “you’re throwing food in a hallway like a toddler?”
The entire cafeteria froze because everyone recognized that voice. Shepherd stood at the end of the entrance of the dining hall, hands in his pockets, his stormy grey eyes were dark and his face expressionless.