Page 33 of Twisted Legacy

There’s a rumor circulating around campus- that I have ties to one of these pretentious ass legacy families- which automatically makes me funny, smart, and desirable. As if I wasn’talreadyall of those things.

She broke down what being a legacy means and gushed about parties and connections and status. All I heard wereexpectations. I had to calm her down and remind her that my life imploding doesn’t make me want to go to anything planned, endorsed, or attended by the tiara wielding Barbies that live in this building.

At least Eloise isn’t faking it. Her dislike for me shines brightly, like a beacon of reality, grounding me in my truth. Money doesn’t mean shit. She’s been my best teacher, showing me just how much I can get away with when I retaliate for what she did to my room.

It won’t be a simple slap either, but I’m nowhere near ready to go after her. I’m still processing. Trying to find my footing. Whatever I come up with, I have to be physically ready to do it, and it’ll be a solo mission.

A knock on my door interrupts my current hobby of staring at the wall. I snatch my steak knife off the table, gripping it tightly in my hand. I don’t trust this place or the boys next door. I’ve been ambushed too many times already out in public spaces. They can do much worse by coming up to my door.

“Thea?”

Maybe I should put the wine down. I’m hearing things. Or maybe I’m so desperate for a connection to my old life that I’m conjuring Sasha’s voice.

“Thea, if you’re in there, open up. Don’t make me pick this lock. I just got my nails done, and my knees are already aching from my date last night. If I’ve gotta stoop down and disconnect this electronic contraption, I’ll be pissed.”

I chuckle because I’m manifesting good. That’s such a Sasha thing to say.

I hear some mumbling and then my illusion says, “Who the fuck are you? Oh, yeah… You’re probably one of them, huh? Well I’ve got time today mother fucker. You can call security or whoever you want. They won’t get here before I pump you with 50,000 volts.”

Okay. I’m notthatdrunk. I run to the door and pull it open in time to see some kid I don’t know on the floor floundering like a hooked fish. How did he even got up to this floor?

You know what… that shit doesn’t even matter, because my best friend is standing over him feet shoulder width apart, her taser in front of her. Looking like one of Charlie’s Angels. I look back down and spot the prongs connected to his dick.

Smiling over her shoulder, she gives me a cheeky, “Hey babe.”

I stand blinking like an idiot as she unwraps the silk scarf from around her neck and leans over to pluck an envelope from the guy’s clenched hand. “I’ll take that, thank you.”

He’s coming down from his zap and wheezes out, “Crazy bitch.”

“That’s right. I’m crazier than Thea, and I’m in town. This is just one of the toys I brought with me. So tell your buddies from here on out, they can leave all deliveries at the front desk. Preferably in the trash.”

She turns and, with a sassy swish of her hips, walks into my room. “That flight was the worst, babe. What are we drinking?”

I’m still at a loss for words, watching my best friend scope out my place before going to the kitchen and finding something to mix drinks with. She doesn’t have to ask where anything is, because she knows how I arrange my kitchen.

“I’m assuming you’re being more quiet than usual, because you’re surprised to see me?” She glares at me. “If it’s because I’m no longer the number one bitch in your life, I’m gonna use my taser on you to zap some sense back into your mother fucking brain.”

I don’t know what’s wrong with me. Like, I really don’t. I start sobbing. She finishes mixing the drinks, then walks back into the living room and sets them down on the table, before getting right up in my face.

“Who do I need to inflict a lifetime of pain on?”

That makes me cry even harder, because until she was outside my door, in the hallway screaming obscenities and threatening bodily injury to that guy, I didn’t know just how much I needed her here doing that.

“I don’t know. I-” I shake my head. “I don’t know who did it.”

“Okay, then. Let’s sit down and drink and you tell me what you do know.”

She drags me to the couch, shoves a drink in my hand and pushes it towards my mouth. “Go on, start drinking. I ordered pizza and wings while I was in the elevator. It’ll be here soon.”

The tears are still coming. I sniffle and ask, “How did you even get up on this floor?”

“Really, Thea? It’s like you don’t even know me anymore.”

I just nod. She’s right. It’s a stupid question. There’s not a mechanical or electrical contraption that Sasha can’t infiltrate. I take a decent size gulp of my drink, concentrating on the burn instead of my feelings. Then another one, letting the alcohol and Sasha’s presence calm me. “I can’t believe you’re here.”

“Of course I’m here. These rich bitches fucked with you. That means they fucked with me.”

She’s always been my ride or die. “But don’t you have to work? How long can you stay?”

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