My head snaps up and Blair is standing in front of me staring.
“I need to get into my locker, Ethan. Can you please move?” She still sounds pissed and I want to kick my own ass for putting her in that mood.
I step aside slightly as she opens the locker and tosses her bag inside before closing it again.
“I’m sorry.”
“So you’ve said,” she replies, rolling her eyes at me.
“Yeah well, I meant it, Princess. I shouldn’t have reacted the way I did. I saw another guy kissing my girlfriend and I didn’t like it.” I reach out to take her hand but she moves out of my reach.
“You know your reaction was beyond ridiculous, right? And FYI, there are now rumors going around that I’m cheating on you with Corey. I’ve already heard one girl in the bathroom telling her friend that I’m a whore. Apparently I’m trying to make my way through Kickstart and the volleyball team all before graduation. So you know what? Sorry doesn’t really cut it, Ethan.”
Okay, so pissed was an understatement. She looks ready to rip my balls off and feed them to me. It takes me a second to register that’s she’s storming away and all I can do is stand and watch, not knowing what to do. I’m a stupid jealous prick and now she’s suffering for it. Dad was right—I’m a total waste of space.
I’M STORMING TOWARDS the cafeteria, my fists balled and adrenaline coursing through my system, my heart beating painfully against my chest. I’m so freaking mad at Ethan I could scream. I’m willing myself not to look behind to see if he’s following me. The angry part of me is praying that he’s not and yet the lovesick moron part is kind of hoping that he is. I’m an idiot.
I round the corner to the cafeteria and see Della Fields walking towards me, so I detour and quickly rush into the girls’ bathroom. I really hope she didn’t notice me; I’m in no mood to take any of her shit today. I quickly walk to one of the stalls and close myself in. I lower the lid on the toilet seat and sit down with my head in my hands when I hear the bathroom door open and a group of girls talking animatedly and giggling. I can easily pick out Della’s sugar sweet voice and I sigh. I’m so over this day already.
They’re in the middle of some conversation about how ‘totally off the charts hot Sarah Smith’s brother is’ when I hear my name mentioned and my interest in their airhead rambling is piqued.
“So, she’s totally sleeping with Corey behind Ethan’s back. She’s such a little tramp,” one of the girls chimes. I feel my hackles rise and force myself to listen as whoever it is continues. “What the hell does he even see in her, anyway? She’s such a freak. Who wears a t-shirt that says ‘read books not shirts’? I mean, what the hell does that even mean? That’s not funny.”
I suppress my laugh and carry on listening to this bitch hate on me for another thirty seconds before a voice that I do recognize joins in. It’s Dannii.
“He’ll drop her ass soon enough; there’s no way he’ll let her cheat on him and just sit back and take it. She’s strung him along with the good girl act long enough. Ethan’s a player—he’s ruled by the head in his trousers, not the one on his shoulders. He’s probably lining up the revenge fuck as we speak. In fact, I may have to give him a push in the right direction.”
“Yeah, my direction,” Della replies.
I’m stunned into silence. I thought Dannii was my friend. Yeah, I know we’re not close, but she’s always acted cool around me. I swallow the bile that’s rising in my throat and listen as the voices fade and the bathroom door opens and shuts.
I make my way out of the cubicle and over to the basin to splash some water on my face. I’m more confused than upset by what I’ve just heard. I look at myself in the mirror for a second. I take in my appearance, my glasses, my shirt and then I think FUCK THEM! I like how I look; I’m not another hooker Barbie clone like they are. I’m a good person. They can hate all they want. I straighten my shoulders and dry off my face with a paper towel, trying to process what to do with what I just heard.
The hall is bustling with students, and as I step out into the flow heading for lunch, my hand is grabbed and I’m pulled through the doorway of an empty classroom.
“Jesus, you scared the shit outta me!” I splutter trying to regain my composure.
“Princess, please forgive me. I acted like a dick this morning but it's only because I’m crazy about you,” Ethan says, pulling me close and resting his forehead against mine. “I know Corey was only kissing your cheek as a thank you for the notes. I don’t know who started the rumors, but trust me I’ll finish them. Blair, please don’t be mad at me anymore.”
He’s pouting and it’s too gorgeous to ignore, I want to be mad at him but I can’t see it lasting when he’s pulling the puppy dog eyes at me; they melt me.
I kiss him briefly and pull back looking at his victorious smile.