Fawn: Are you sure you have to ask? You can always check it on the school’s CCTV, can’t you?
Priscilla: I’m not a stalker.
Fawn bit back a smile. I didn’t say that, prince, she thought. You did. And crazy fool that she was, she actually felt just a little pleased that the prince cared enough to check on her.
Fawn: I didn’t say that. You did.
Priscilla: You were thinking it.
Fawn: I wasn’t.
Priscilla: Liar.
Fawn: Text you later. I’m starving.
Priscilla: Come join me. I’m out with my friends.
Fawn almost dropped her phone. Was he kidding? She knew all about his friends, and they were all like him. Too rich, too good-looking, too perfect. Did he really think she’d be able to manage a single bite while surrounded by his friends?
Fawn: Maybe next time.
She was about to take her seat when she heard a feminine voice call out her name.
“Fawn Cornwall?”
Turning around, she saw a brunette hurrying towards her—-
Oh.
Idiot, Fawn thought. I should have told the prince I was joining him.
Yes, her other self said darkly. You should have.
Well, too late now. She struggled to hang on to her smile as the girl that Grant had sex with came nearer. It was the same girl, and even though she had only caught a glimpse of the girl’s face, she would bet her life on it.
She would recognize that long brown hair anywhere, would never forget the way Grant had gripped it so tightly while his body pounded into hers.
And those long, slender legs –
She would never forget the way those legs had wrapped around Grant’s waist, banging against bare buttocks in rhythm with every thrust and groan.
Oh yes, it was her.
And the fact made Fawn want to throw up.
She found herself clutching her phone tightly as the girl reached her, elegant and poised in a Burberry dress and high heels.
Was this why Grant chose this girl over her? Fawn’s jaw began to ache at how hard she was smiling. Because this was the kind of girl he liked now, the kind that dressed for school like it was an A-list party where everyone had to shine or die?
And there was nothing wrong with that, really, Fawn thought numbly. What was wrong was for Grant not to let her know that he no longer liked the kind of girl Fawn was.
“You’re Fawn Cornwall, right?” The other girl was blatantly self-assured, her perfect smile with her perfect white teeth meant to dazzle. “I’m Lou Merrill, the vice president of the student council.”
“I know,” she managed to say. “I voted for you, actually.” And the sick thing about it was that she wasn’t lying. She had voted for this girl because Grant had told her to.
The irony wasn’t lost on her, and she had a hysterical urge to laugh. Oh God. Was this really happening?
Her fingers tightened around her phone.
Are you stalking me now, prince?
I hope you are.
Because right now—-
I need you to be my prince.
The girl offered her hand, murmuring sweetly, “Grant’s told me all about you.”
Fawn managed not to flinch as their fingers came into contact. “Hi.” She tried, but she just couldn’t make herself say the other girl’s name. Around them, she could feel curious gazes turning towards them, and the questions running through everyone’s minds were so obvious she could practically hear them.
What’s someone like the vice president doing with someone like her?
Was it just because she was Grant Bennett’s girlfriend from childhood?
She better not turn into a stuck-up bitch just because of this.
Letting go of Fawn’s hand, Lou smiled again, saying, “Can I join you?” She gestured to Fawn’s table.
“Sure.” There wasn’t anything else to say, and as they took their seats, Lou across her, the urge to indulge in hysterics returned with a vengeance.
This is so surreal, Fawn thought wildly, it was almost like her life had turned into a movie.
Lou’s phone rang then, and the other girl opened her bag, asking, “Do you mind if I take this call?”
Fawn shook her head.
“Great, because—-” The girl glanced at her phone, and her lips curved in a smile that could only be described as smug. “It’s actually Grant.”
Ah.
The girl lifted the phone to her ear. “Hello, naughty boy. Sorry, I forgot to tell you I had to drop by the cafeteria.”
Fawn slowly placed her phone on the table, not wanting to be tempted to send the prince a message. You’re strong, Fawn. You can handle this on your own.
“Head over here, honey,” Lou was saying in a cajoling tone, and Fawn’s body jerked. “I’m actually with your girlfriend right now, so it’s going to be a fun threesome.” Lou’s eyes snared hers as she spoke, her dark eyes malevolent, and Fawn drew her breath sharply.
Ah.
Everything was clear all of a sudden.
“See you, hon,” Lou murmured huskily even as her taunting eyes remained on Fawn. When the call ended, she said lightly, “I hope you don’t mind what I call him. I’m just really affectionate.”
You mean loose, Fawn couldn’t help thinking but was immediately ashamed afterwards.
Lou suddenly laughed. “You hate me, don’t you?”
“Of course not,” she lied stiffly.
“Where were you yesterday?”
“Working.”
Lou’s lips twisted. “For the Prince of Darkness, right?”
She didn’t answer.
The other girl’s gaze turned pitying. “Are we really going to waste time playing this game?”
“I don’t know what you mean.” But she found herself reaching for her phone as she spoke, found herself typing just one word.
Hi.
She put the phone back on the table after sending the message to Priscilla. She just needed...to talk to him. She didn’t need the prince to come. She could still handle this on her own, but...she just needed to hear from him.
That was all, she told herself.
One message from him, and she would be reminded that she wasn’t alone, and it would be okay again.
Lou suddenly leaned forward, hissing, “You’re pathetic.”
Her eyes started to sting, a part of her believing the words, but she fought to keep her face expressionless. “I’m sorry,” she answered tonelessly, “that you think that.”
“You’re
