Page 59 of Drifting

“I have help, now, so I’m not doing this all by myself.” Warmth spread through me. For the first time in a long while, I don’t feel alone. “Plus, you don’t need my help. You’re stronger than you think.”

She puts down the pen and lifts her sandwich. “Oh, yeah? Who’s helping you?”

I blush as I peek over at their table. “Mav, Dom, Luke, Cam, and Nick. We’re… I guess dating? We haven’t figured it all out yet.”

When I turn back to Paige, her mouth hangs wide open. “Really? All of them?”

“Yep,” I say, popping the P. “Not Nick, of course.”

Her eyes widen before she glances at the guys’ table. “Oh, the girls in school are going to go nuts.”

“Don’t care.” I take another bite of salad. “Now, gather all that bitch’s work. We’ll walk it over.”

Paige’s face pales. “You want me to go over there?”

“What are you afraid of?”

She shivers. “Of what they can do?”

“The stuff they’ve done embarrassed you, but you survived, didn’t you? You being embarrassed is what gives them power. If you take that away from them, they won’t have anything to hold over you.”

I pick up my fork and take another bite of salad while I let her think about what I said. As I chew, I watch her face go through different emotions before it settles on anger.

“You’re right, you’re so right, but I’m still scared.” Her eyes are frozen on the other table.

I lean closer. “To tell you the truth, most of the time, I’m scared, too. But I’ll never let anyone have control over me.” Again. But, I don’t say that out loud.

“What’s the worst they can do to me? Call me names and take my clothes? I’m tired of making Carrie’s grade better than mine. I’m the one who needs the scholarship to go to college. Let’s go. I’m done with this.” She stands, seizes the books, and storms toward their table.

For now, they’re still sitting with the guys at lunch. I don’t care if they remain friends, just as long as the girls know the score.

I scramble to follow.

Carrie’s in the middle of a conversation when Paige slams the books down. “From now on, you can do your own damn homework.” She straightens and raises her chin high.

Carrie glances up at Paige with disdain, her lips thin as her eyes narrow on me.

“Wait, Paige has been doing your homework?” Luke’s finger moves between Carrie and Paige. “For how long?”

“Since eighth grade,” Paige states, crossing her arms.

“That’s when you two stopped being friends,” Cam states, scratching his chin.

Dom shakes his head.

Carrie stands, her eyes shooting daggers at me. “This has your smell all over it.”

“So, what if she gives her friend the boost of confidence she needs? You shouldn’t have her doing your homework,” Dom says, leaning back.

“Not just hers,” Paige adds.

My eyes jump to Paige. She only told me about Carrie. No wonder she never has time. “Wait, who else’s have you been doing?”

“Hannah’s.”

“You bitch,” Hannah seethes.

“Hannah, how could you?” Luke scolds.

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