“Of course, honey. How’s the head after the knock you took last week?”
“Oh.” I touch the back of my head. “I’m fine. It just gave me a doozy of a headache.”
“Okay, honey. Well, I’m going to run down to the bookkeeper for a minute. You just rest.”
The minute she walks away, my phone is out.
Me:Aria cornered me in the bathroom just now.
Daphne:What? Why?
Max:There’s only one answer to that—Xander.
Daphne:She’s next-level crazy when it comes to him.
Me:You can say that again.
Me:She claims he talks to her about me.
Daphne:Ugh. I don’t know what to tell you.
Max:What’s she saying?
Me:That he’s going to leave me as soon as …
Max:?
Me:As soon as I let him fuck me.
Daphne:Whoa.
Max:Baby girl, where are you?
Me:Nurse’s office. I felt sick after I saw her climbing all over him in class. I couldn’t go to study hall.
I let out a big sigh and switch over to the text messages I’d been exchanging with Xander. I’m not that girl. I may have decided not to go to class, but I’m not hiding fromhim. I’m not going to sit back and just let her manipulate me.
Me:Hey. Was whatever Aria was whispering in your ear a few minutes ago anything about me?
A few seconds go by before the little dots start jumping. I stare at them for what seems like an eternity before a message comes through.
Xander:No. She was asking what the plan is for this weekend.
Me:Meaning?
Xander:Where the party will be, if I’m planning on bringing you.
I’m not waiting to address what she’s done. That bitch has it in for me, and I think he has some pretty heavy blinders on when it comes to anything concerning her.
Me:She cornered me in the bathroom with her girls before class.
Me:Said some not-so-nice stuff. You should ask her about it.
Xander:Red … I’ll take care of it.
I can practically hear his heavy sigh, stuck between the Rose everyone says he belongs with and the Thorn he’sactuallywith. Supposedly. Doubt creeps in, dark and insidious. I blow out a harsh breath, trying not to let Aria’s antics bother me.
Me:I’d appreciate it.