"You don't know what you're talking about!" Kim glares down at me. She can probably kick my ass but I'll gladly take it. "You wouldn't have even had Patrick if it hadn't been for me. I'm the one who talked him into dating you. He thought you were ugly."
I smile because I know she's grasping at straws now. "Not as ugly as you, Kim. You may be a beauty queen on the outside, but inside? You're a disgusting, slimy, hideous piece of extreme shit." I shove her hard out of my way and she nearly falls into Kendall.
"You fucking bitch!"
I feel her hand in my hair and she's yanking me back but then Mrs. Hoyt appears and Kim releases me.
"What is going on in here?!" Hoyt is pretty pissed and orders us to disperse.
My head is throbbing and I think I lost quite a few strands of hair, but I smile as I head for my next class.
◆◆◆
It seems kind of weird after school at first, not joining the others in the gym for cheer practice. But then, as I head to my car, I realize how cool it is to have some free time. I can do whatever I want. And what I want to do right now is surprise Michael at his condo.
He'll be at work for a bit longer and I'm thinking how cool it will be for him to walk in and see me naked on his bed. I love his condo, it's so trendy looking and I like to pretend I'm a grownup when I'm there. That Michael and I are really lovers who live together. Or married even.
I cruise over to his place, my radio blaring, my body buzzing with anticipation. Michael has unleashed a tiger inside of me. I just can't seem to get enough of him.
I pull into the driveway and take a quick peek around to make sure no one sees me. Michael is still incredibly paranoid about someone finding out about us. But there's no one in sight, the other condos and the streets surrounding are empty and quiet.
Smiling, I hop out of my car and run up to the door by the garage. I know Michael keeps the key in a hanging plant next to the door. I'm fishing the key out when I hear a voice.
"What do you think you're doing?"
I jump back and turn to see a woman on the front porch, her arms folded over her chest. She's gorgeous, with long blonde hair and dark brows, one of which is arched at me right now.
"Um.." I stutter, flushing. "I um, I was just..."
"You were just what?" she snaps. "Trying to break into my house?!"
My heart plunges to my shoes. Fuck. This must be Ava.
"Well? Do I need to the cops, or what?" It sucks, how pretty she is. She's tanned, with perfect boobs and long legs. She's wearing a wraparound dress which hugs her figure tightly. And oh, my crap. She has a huge diamond on the fourth finger of her left hand.
"No." I shake my head, backing away. "I'm sorry, I was just going to drop something off for Mic-I mean, Mr. Hayes. I didn't know anyone would be home."
Ava's gaze is like stone. She smiles icily. "He's still at work. You're a student of his? Well, I'm his fiancé. Who shall I say stopped by?"
"It doesn't matter." I can't look at her bitchy face anymore and avert my eyes, staring at the perfectly groomed lawn.
"You're right, it doesn't." Her eyes follow me as I walk back to my car. "I wish all you silly school girls would realize that already."
I need to get out of here before Michael arrives. I can't face him right now. I'm not sure I want to face him ever again.
I slide behind the steering wheel and peel out, my tires spinning as I race away.
Chapter Thirteen
I decide to dress cute the next day, hoping that maybe it will catch Michael's attention. Last night I sent him ten texts in all and he ignored every single one of them. I even called him once but it went straight to voice mail and I was afraid to leave him a message.
I know he's probably mad as hell about me coming to his house yesterday with Ava being there, but I'm pretty pissed too! He could have told me she was still in the picture. And there's no excuse for him ignoring my texts.
I dig around in my closet and finally find just the right thing. A 3/4 inch sleeved grey and white striped tee shirt dress with a powder pink skirt and my grey flat sandals. I slip on some gold and pink jewelry, earrings, necklace and a bangle and do the full makeup and hair today. I look pretty good, even Kim would approve. Michael has to notice me in this.
When I get to school Ryan is waiting for me and he kisses my cheek and grabs my hand. Oh boy. I guess he thinks we're a "thing" now. Which is probably my fault since before I slept with Michael, I was all over Ryan like a bad rash.
"Hey, you look really cute!" He's grinning and I find myself grinning back because you can't help that with Ryan. He really is adorable.
"Thank you. You look nice too!" I laugh because he has on his usual jeans and sweatshirt.
I let him walk with me and even put his arm around my shoulders because at least then I'm not alone to face the whispers and laughter that follows us through
