Page 10 of Mayhem

We all have gotten bored of the same old chicks here. New meat is just what we need. Plus, the bet makes it better. None of us like to lose, so this should be fun. I know I will win. No girl has ever said no to me, and I do not plan on breaking that streak. When we meet her tomorrow, I will get a feel of her before I formulate a plan to win. I bet she likes a man to sweep her off her feet and woo her. A prince charming. That is not me. I am the villain who will steal the princess, lock her in a tower, and have my way with her.

“All right, then we agree. The first to fuck her gets to keep her. May the best man win!” I smugly say.

Already a plan was forming in my head, and I knew I would win. Soon, the new girl would be on her knees for me.

Serena

Fallingbrook is so different, but I like it. I drove around before I picked up dinner for my mom and me. It is a beautiful small town surrounded by many lakes and forested areas. From what I saw, it is a small community where everyone knows each other. They are also super friendly. I had a pleasant conversation with the lady at the pizzeria. She suggested plenty of places I needed to visit and things to see in town, including one of the biggest lakes.

I pull the car back into the laneway. The smell of the pizza filled my car, making my mouth water. I do not remember the last time I had pizza. I almost feel guilty for wanting to eat, but I deserve it. I eat like a rabbit; I think I should be allowed to indulge now and again.

I grab the pizza box and get out of the car. The night air is still warm, even for September. I miss the ocean breeze and the smell of the salt, but the pine scent is quickly becoming familiar. This place has a weird sense of home.

I look at the cute little bungalow we now live in. The white siding is still bright even at night. The small porch would be perfect to sit on and watch the world go by. There is not much to see with just the four houses here, but I can picture an older couple sitting, watching the world go by. I smile and walk up to the front door.

I can feel eyes on me. I look around and see nothing. The other three houses were dark, but I could have sworn someone was watching me.I must be imagining things.

Mom is unpacking the kitchen, singing I Knew You Were Trouble by Taylor Swift. I can’t help but laugh as she sings into a spatula. She belts out the lyrics like she is performing for thousands of people.

Watching her reminds me of growing up. Mom always had music playing, especially when she was cooking. I place the pizza down on the island and join in on the singing. I don’t remember the last time I saw my mom so happy like this. It is amazing.

Growing up, Mom was pretty relaxed with me, but I was such a goody-goody. I never acted out and always followed the rules. That never stopped her from being overly stressed and sometimes unhappy. I remember trying to do anything and everything to make my mom smile. It worked, but I could always see darkness in her eyes. There was always one day a year when my mom would be the saddest. I still don’t know why that day was the hardest for her, but it was. I used to ask, but she would brush it off and pretend nothing was happening.

To this day, I try to go out of my way for her. She deserves it. She always put me first growing up. She never went on dates. She just focused on school, then her career, and me. When she got the job offer here at the beginning of summer, I practically had to beg her to take it. It was such a massive opportunity, and I did not want her to give it up for me. One year in a new town was nothing compared to her happiness.

The music continues to play while we sat down and ate in the nearly empty kitchen. The house was charming, very modern, and bright. It is an ideal home to grow up in. I try to imagine what it would have been like living in a house like this when I was younger. It brings a small smile to my face.

The rest of the evening goes by quickly. Mom and I tried to unpack as many of the boxes as we could tonight. We got the vital things like our bedroom stuff, clothes, and most of the kitchen unpacked. By midnight, I kiss my mom's cheek and walk down the hall to bed.

My new room was a little bigger than my old room, with an attached bathroom. The walls were an off-white color that isn’t bad, but not my style.I will have to change that.

Evan has been texting me since I left, telling me everything we have to do to prepare for the wedding. He seems to have most of it already planned out, so I don’t have to do much. The more he texts, the more I can feel my anxiety rising, needing an outlet.

Fuck.I run straight to the toilet and heave. Over and over, but nothing is coming out. I can't stop, not until my body is shaking and tears are running down my cheeks. I have not felt like this in so long. I need to get everything out. Without thinking, I jam my fingers down my throat. My gag reflex has gotten better after doing this for so long, but eventually, I find the spot and dive my head back into the toilet.

A feeling of relief washes through my body before hatred. I have not felt the need or want to do that in so long. I was finally starting to get better. Panic swells in me.

I lean against the wall and try to slow my breathing. After a couple of minutes, I feel my heartrate decrease and my breathing evening out. Shakily, I get up and walk to the sink. I stare at myself in the mirror, hating the girl looking back at me. I am not her, but at the same time, I am. I do not want to be her anymore. I want to be strong.

I rinsed my mouth with water a few times before brushing my teeth.

I pull out a pair of flannel pajamas and start to take off the clothes that I was wearing today. The feeling of eyes on me again sends a shiver down my spine. I look out the window, seeing no one around. The house next door has a window across from mine, but the curtains are closed, and no lights are on. I quickly close my curtains and change before crawling into bed.

BEEP! BEEP! BEEP!

Is it seriously already time to get up? I feel like I have barely slept. I roll over and shut the alarm off before rolling back over. Five more minutes is all I need.

“Serena! Time to get up!” Mom yells through my door. I grab my pillow and throw it at the door. I hear a thunk as it hits my door, and my mom laughing in the hall. “Hurry up, it is the first day of school. Get showered and dressed.”

I groan and reluctantly get out of bed, knowing she is right. I need to get ready before the first day of school. I shower quickly before dressing in jeans, a white blouse, and a pink cardigan. I look at myself in the mirror before putting on a little makeup to cover the small bruise that still mars my cheek. It’s not as dark anymore, but it’s still visible.

Mom is in the kitchen, making a huge breakfast. She made enough food to feed a small army. Why she is cooking this much food is baffling to me. I stare at all the delicious food, wanting to eat it all, but I hear Evan’s voice in my mind.You are going to get fat if you eat any of that.I grab an apple instead and sit down at the table.

Mom looks at me and frowns, but she doesn't say anything about the lack of food I am eating. My mouth waters, and all I want to do is stab a piece of bacon and devour it. I do not remember the last time I had waffles, pancakes, or bacon. None of this is on the list of approved foods.

When I finish my apple, I toss the core out before grabbing my phone and keys and heading to school. Mom stands by the door and watches as I pull out of the driveway in her car. She isn’t working this week, so I have the car for now. I could probably walk to school, but I would prefer to use the car while I can.

A quick five-minute drive and I am pulling into the back of the parking lot. Fallingbrook High looks like every other high school. A giant red brick rectangle building with a few trees lining the outside. There is absolutely nothing special about it. I can see groups of people greeting and hugging each other, catching up after summer, smiling and laughing.

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