Page 18 of Vengeful Sins

And she is still searching my face for understanding, waiting for the punchline. “Why are you being like this? You said you hate her. I hate her, too.”

“Because of me? I didn’t ask for that.”

Pouting, she murmurs, “You didn’t have to.”

“Let’s get this straight.” Leaning in, my eyes crawl over her face, registering the fear that is starting to leak through her disbelief. “Maya is my problem. That means she is mine to torment. You don’t get the satisfaction. Understood?”

“You can’t mean that.”

“Don’t tell me what I do and don’t mean.” I can barely get the words out through my clenched teeth. “Got it?”

Even now, she still doesn’t want to believe me. “Got it?” I demand, sharp enough to make her eyes fly open wide.

“Okay,” she whispers. Her chin trembles, but she takes a deep breath and lifts it. “Whatever you say.” Something tells me it’s not going to be that simple, especially since she sounds so hateful. For now, I need to let it go. I wouldn’t want her to start throwing accusations and insults around. Loudly.

“Good. Let’s keep it that way.” Pushing away from the tree, I give her one last disgusted look before walking away. I’ve got to get out of here. I can’t stand hearing the snide, stupid laughter of so many people who don’t know the first thing about what’s really going on. It is so easy to lead them around, to tell them how to think and how to act. There’s no way any of them could understand how pathetic they look to me right now. I have a reason to hate her. Not them.

Because I know what it’s like to trust her. To feel vulnerable around her. To have that vulnerability thrown back in my face.

The worst part is, I liked her. I really did. I thought she was special. At that time, I was naïve enough to believe there was such a thing as a special girl, somebody I could trust and relateto, somebody I could let my guard down in front of. I’ve been cursing myself for my stupidity ever since.

I had to park pretty far back in the lot when I got here, since I was late and so many people had already come in for class by then. I walk down a row of cars, then another, not seeing any of them. Instead, all I see is the past, and all the regrettable choices I’ve made.

Until a familiar cloud of strawberry blonde hair catches my eye over the roof of the car next to my truck. Even now, my stupid heart clenches in recognition. I figured she would’ve fled campus by now, with that picture going around. She has to know Tiana sent it to everybody.

Slowing my pace, I approach with caution, noticing the way she stands with her back to my driver’s side door, her arms folded, her chin tucked in. She scuffs the pavement with the toe of her shoe, teeth grazing her lip. She hasn’t seen me.

There goes my heart again, this time softening at how miserable she looks. How alone. Damn Tiana. I have all the reason in the world to hate Maya, but even I would not have gone that far. I wouldn’t have dreamed of it.

My foot crunches a piece of broken glass, and her head snaps up all at once. Color floods her cheeks. “I hope you’re satisfied.”

“What?”

“You heard me, and you know what I mean,” she snaps. “You would’ve gotten the picture by now. I’m sure you’re the first person she sent it to.”

“What do I have to do with it?” I counter, folding my arms the way she’s folded hers. Does anybody see us together back here? I don’t think so. Still, I don’t feel like standing here all day, inviting attention.

“Oh, I don’t know. Maybe the fact that she told me to stay the hell away from you before she finally left me alone? I think that’s a pretty good start.”

Could she be any more obvious? It would be funny if it wasn’t so damn sad. “I don’t know what you want me to say. I didn’t tell her to do that.”

“Well, it’s been done.” She lifts her lip in a snarl full of hatred. “That’s not even the worst of my problems, thanks to you.”

“I already told you?—”

“Yeah, I know what he told me, but you’re still the reason why it happened. She slashed my tires,” she concludes with a tremble in her voice. “I don’t know what I’m going to do. Get the car towed, I guess.”

“You came over here to tell me that? You waited for me?”

“Forgive me, but I just came out and found them that way. I figured I would hide out back here for a little bit while I try to get myself together.”

From the look of it she has not gotten herself together. She looks pitiful and something in me stirs. I look around at the now emptying parking lot. She is going to be stuck here for a while if she has to wait for a tow truck.

“Come on,” I announce, using the key fob to unlock the door. “I’ll drive you home.”

“I don’t want you to.”

“I don’t remember asking whether you want me to or not. I’m leaving right now, so make up your mind. Come with me or hang around so everybody can congratulate you on your photo shoot.”

---