Once again, I kept walking.
From the corner of my eye, I saw him staring- still in shock.
I didn't care.
But a tiny part of me was puzzled.
What was Cade doing on the field when the match of the season was about to start…?
"Oh my—What THE FU—"
Hot liquid slammed into me.
Coffee soaked through my oversized black shirt and splashed across my face.
I licked my lips.
Sweet.
...Expensive.
I wiped my face slowly.
Kayla and her clique stood in front of me.
The Starbucks cup trembled in her hand, her face twisted with rage.
"I told you to stay the hell away from him!" she shrieked.
I closed my eyes, inhaled. Then, forced a smile onto my face.
And walked past her.
The three of them froze.
Did I care?
No.
"Get back here, you ugly bitch!" Kayla snapped. "How dare you walk away from me?!"
I kept walking.
"DO YOU EVEN KNOW WHO I AM?!" she screamed. "I will destroy you! YOU FUCKING BITCH! Come BACK here. RIGHT NOW!"
Her voice grated—like a spoiled child used to getting her way.
I didn't stop.
...
I went straight to my locker, grabbed a new shirt, and then headed to the bathroom.
I pulled my top off, about to change, hesitated… then turned on the shower instead.
The coffee had seeped everywhere.
That's what I get for wearing big clothes.
I locked the door. Warm water ran over my skin. For a moment... I let myself dream.
A life far away from Iowa. A penthouse that belongs to me. Two cats. Really fat cats with attitude. A big swimming pool. A heated shower... A full table of food...
Then—
FLASH.
CLICK.
I opened my eyes and turned.
Kayla's holding her phone up. Laughing with her two sidekicks...taking my picture.
My vision blurred
Something in my head… snapped.
I tilted my head to the right. Then walked toward her.
Slowly.
Water dripping down my naked body.
"Delete it."
My voice came out low. Flat.
Kayla's smile flickered.
Fear.
It disappeared just as fast.
"Or… or what?" Angie asked, her voice uncertain.
I glanced at her.
She stepped back immediately.
"I'll say this once," I said. "Delete the pictures or else—"
"—Or what?" Kayla stepped forward, chin raised. "What are you going to do?"
I smiled.
"I'll kill you."
Silence.
She swallowed and took a step back.
"Bi… bi… bitch!"
A slow smile crept onto my face.
"You took my picture... and I'm the bitch?"
Tina tugged Kayla's arm.
"She's crazy. Let's delete it." Her voice was barely a whisper.
"You should listen to her."
"Get away from Cade," Kayla snapped, "and I'll delete it."
I stepped closer.
They backed into the stall. My fist slammed into the wall beside Kayla's head.
Tina screamed.
Angie dropped to the floor in fear.
Kayla didn't move. But I could see her hands shaking.
"I don't care about Cade," I said quietly. "I don't like him. I don't hate him. I don't care about your golden boy."
I leaned in.
"I just want you to delete my picture… and go back to treating me like I don't exist."
She blinked. "Like a star?"
"No."
I snatched the phone.
"Like I'm nothing."
It's locked.
I held it to her face.
"Unlock it."
She hesitated… then huffed.
"Fine, bitch. I'll delete the fucking picture."
She snatched the phone back.
"Thank you." I gave an exaggerated bow.
She started typing the password—
—and ran.
I stared at the door slamming shut
Then sighed.
"I'm going to kill that bitch."
.....
By the time I got outside, the place was packed. Students, influencers, parents, and security.
Noise. camera. Chaos. Cheer chants...
Kayla stood with a popular streamer— Coined Caleb —trying to smile as he interviewed her.
She looked ready to bolt.
Cade stepped in front of me.
"Hey, Loreen, right? I wanna talk—"
I barely glanced at him. He didn't matter.
Without a word, I shoved him aside and kept moving towards Kayla.
I raised the hammer I had picked up by the bathroom door.
My grip tightened. I raised it. Push past the influencer. Kayla saw me too late.
Her face drained of colour instantly.
The hammer came down.
BA!!
Her phone flew from her hand. She screamed as it smashed against the ground.
I glanced at her. Cold eyes.
She stumbled back, clutching her skirt with trembling hands.
I dropped to my knees. Raised the hammer again—
CRACK!
And again.
CRACK!
Silence fell between each hit.
When I was done…
The phone was completely shattered.
Satisfied, I stood up. Smiled at her.
"The picture's gone."
A hand grabbed my shoulder.
"What the hell are you doing?!"
I reacted. Slapped it away
-and shoved hard.
I turned-
just as Cade hit the ground
His eyes locked onto mine. Wide. Shocked.
For a second... I froze.
"What is wrong with you?" he snapped.
"Cade! Your hand!" Kayla screamed.
He clutched his pain, groaning in pain.
Blood seeped through his fingers.
Something sharp had pierced his palm when he fell.
"Oh, my God! You saw it live!" Coined Caleb screamed into his camera.
He raised his selfie stick to my face.
"Oh my God—you saw that LIVE!" Coined Caleb shouted into his camera. "This girl just cost Iowa High the season! She broke the golden boy's hand! GOLDEN BOY IS OUT! Rock Valley just won this—WOOOOP! WOOOOP!"
My face stared back at me from the livestream. I looked back at Cade, writhing in pain.
At Kayla, shielding him and glaring at me like I was the devil incarnate.
Then I looked at the crowd closing in on me.
The murmurs from the surrounding crowd. Soon turned into angry shouts, directed at me. A few people started stepping forward…towards me. Their eyes are dark. Pissed out of their mind and ready to pounce on her in anger.
I staggered back. My eyes flickered to Coined Caleb's live stream. Comments flooded the screen, cursing at me.
One stood out.
"Kill that ugly bitch!!! NOW!!!
I suddenly felt cold. My breath hitched.
I took one shaky step back…
Another…
Then—
I turned around—
I ran.