Page 10 of Visions & Shadows

“Ahh…yeah…so…” I keep stammering, making an even bigger ass of myself. My shoulders slump and giving up on trying to explain, I stay quiet and simply look up at him.

“Would you like to grab something to eat with me?” he asks. “Or we can just sit somewhere.”

Slowly, a frown forms on my forehead, then a realization knocks the wind from me.

Fuck my life.

This is probably some sort of initiation thing for him. Robert and his friends like to make guys carry out dares in order to become one of the group. They’ve done this to me before and Robert mentioned Ryan’s his new friend.

Anger ignites in my chest, and the longer I stare at Ryan, the more it makes sense why he’s been sitting next to me in every class.

It upsets me more than it should.

I let out a harsh breath and shake my head at him. “No, thanks. I have things to do and places to be. I’m sure your friends are waiting for you outside.” Giving him a glare, I shove past him. “Enjoy lunch.”

I don’t stick around to hear his response. I rush for the door as fast as I can and head toward the cafeteria.

“Jane,” I hear Ryan call. “Wait up.”

“Not going to fall for the trick,” I shout, not even glancing over my shoulder. “Leave me alone.”

“Dammit,” I hear him snap.

He candammitall he likes. I don’t care. Not when I’m sure this is some sort of prank the guys are playing on me.

Jesus, you’d think they’d stop with the stupid pranks our senior year, but no.

Immature assholes.

Walking straight through the cafeteria and outside, where there’s an outdoor seating area, I make a beeline for the corner where I always spend my breaks.

When I reach my spot, I sit down and refuse to think of Ryan and Robert again.

Taking out my sketchbook, I work on my drawing until the lunch hour is almost over. I lift my head and glance through the windows into the cafeteria, where groups of students are talking and laughing.

Letting out a sigh, I pack up and hoist the strap of my bag over my shoulder. I don’t glance around me as I walk to the restroom, and my day takes a turn for the worse when I find Megan and her friends in front of the mirrors where they’re touching up their makeup.

“Well, well, well,” Megan sneers, “if it isn’tJane Doe.”

I decide it’s better not to say anything and squeeze by the future silicone squad to get to a stall.

“The freak can’t speak,” I hear Megan’s best friend, Kate, laugh while I relieve my bladder.

After flushing, I ignore the group of girls while I wash my hands, but before I can leave, Megan steps in front of me.

“What’s the deal with you and Ryan?”

Rolling my eyes, I push past her and leave the restroom.

“Don’t ignore me,” she snaps as she follows after me.

“Get a life, Megan,” I mutter, heading toward the next class.

I slip into Art Theory, and when I walk toward my table in the corner, Ryan’s already there looking directly at me.

Ugh. Ryan and his friends can all go screw themselves.

I take my seat next to him and slam my bag down on the desk.

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