Chapter 4 Four

Blaise enters the frame, trying to snatch the diary away from Lilith as she laughs manically. “All right, you’ve had your fun. Give it back to me.” Lilith puts up a fight, but Blaise wins.

Blaise did this. He stole my diary, and I bet Lilith put him up to it. But, he did it, nonetheless.

A part of me died of humiliation in that moment.

Later that night, as the tears fell, the rest of me wished I could just disappear.

S I X T E E N Y E A RS O L D

It’s never going to stop. He is never going to stop. I swing my backpack over my shoulder, ready to face another day in hell at Skull Creek High. It’s my birthday today, which is sure to get me some unwanted, “special” treatment.

With my head hanging low, I step o the bus. My eyes skim the school grounds, looking for Emery. She always meets me at the bus.

The only thing worse than walking through this school, is walking through it alone.

When I reach the doors, Mr. Grady holds it open for me. “Thanks,” I say to him.

Holding tight to the straps of my backpack, I head straight for my locker, but I’m caught o guard by the whispers and giggles amongst my classmates. I look around, taking notice of them all watching me.

My shoes match, my clothes are all on, and I don’t have toilet paper dragging behind me. W hat the hell is g oi n g on?

As I approach my locker, my stomach unsettles. There’s a crowd gathered and as soon as they see me, the whispers grow louder. “She’s here.” “Move.” “This is gonna be fucking epic.”

There’s a big part of me that thinks I should turn around and walk out of this school right now. Save myself from the pain I’m about to feel. I have no idea what it is, and I don’t want to know. All I want is to be left alone.

Holding my breath, I squeeze my straps and slide through the crowd. A lump rises up my esophagus, tears pooling in the corners of my eyes. Written in red marker down the length of my locker are the words, “You should have never been born.” A few kids stand by with their phones raised, recording me—waiting for me to break down, but I won’t. I refuse to give them the satisfaction.

“Move,” I tell Lilith, who’s blocking my path now. My entire body itches at the unwanted stares coming from my classmates.

“Make me, bitch.” She goes to shove me. I glower, trying to go around her, but she steps back in front of me. "What's the matter, birthday girl? Mad that your own family doesn't even acknowledge the day you were born?"

With a scowl, I snap back. "You don't even know what you're talking about, Lilith. Just get out of my way so I can go to class."

Lilith's words don't hurt me. The words on my locker don't even hurt. It's the laughs and the jokes made at my expense from people who just want to be accepted by this moronic clique that is formed out of pure evil.

Half the people in it don't even like each other.

Lilith and Blaise haven't got along since they had sex freshman year and he spread it around town that Lilith practically raped him.

Then there's Wade, who tries to be good, but still follows them. He doesn’t take part in their antics but he’s always in their shadows.

Chase is just a perv and looks at girls like they are objects.

But, Lilith and her group of mean girls, they are out for blood. They ridicule anyone they think is beneath them— which is everyone—but, I’m at the top of that list. If I had to guess, it’s because she has a thing for Blaise and she’s jealous of our close living quarters.

Blaise is a bully but most of his cruelty is saved just for me. This entire school bows to these people and I have no idea why.

I spot Emery walking up, and a sweep of relief passes over me. At least I've got one person on my side.

"I said move!" I shove Lilith back, suddenly feeling fearless and powerful with backup nearby. Not that I'd expect Emery to fight my battles, but of course she'd defend me.

Forget my locker. I start toward Emery, but she tucks herself into the crowd. "Emery," I holler. "Wait up." I go to walk through the maze of students to find her, but she's gone.

"I'm not done with you, birthday girl." Lilith fists a chunk of my hair from behind me and jerks so hard that my follicles feel like they're on fire.

"Let go of me!" I screech.

She doesn't. She just pulls harder.

My backpack slides down my arm, hanging between us as my head is whipped back and forth. Everyone just stands there. Some laughing, some recording. No one even tries to get this crazy girl o me.

"Enough!" I hear Blaise shout.

Lilith loses her grip but doesn't let up.