Page 26 of Ramsay

“Don’t worry about it.” But I know he will, for all of Diem’s violent tendencies, beneath his skin, he’s a lamb at heart.

Just don’t hurt the people he cares about because then you’ll get the lion.

Chapter Six

Willow

I make it through the first few classes without incident beyond the occasional leer and catcall which is amusing because a threesome with hot guys is nowhere near the worst of what I’ve gotten up to in my life.

When I don’t respond, many back off, except for the lemmings who know where their allegiances lay if they don’t want to be a pariah like me, anyway.

Sabrina steps into my path on the way to lunch, and with an exaggerated eye roll, I cross my arms and say, “What now? It’s been a day. Doesn’t your vicious little brain need more time to think up something evil?”

When she merely laughs, I eye her with caution because whenever Sabrina is truly happy, she’s about to bring someone down. It’s a sad testament to her world when being the harbinger of hate is what fulfills her emotionally, but we all have our crutch, and hers is insecurity.

“Bitch, I don’t need time. I heard from an old friend that you’ve got a little problem, Willow,” she says with a nasty smirk.

Okay, this could be any number of things and taking an internal breath for calm, I wait her out, feigning boredom. What I don’t expect is what comes out of her mouth next, and I guess it would be evident to anyone who does an internet search of my family, but the pain is so deep it feels almost too sacred to be out there for the world to see.

“I heard your sister is a junkie whore. Is she really missing, Willow? Or maybe she’s too busy sucking dick for blow?”

Her form wavers before me and I blink to clear the tunnel of red fucking rage but it’s no use and I rasp through gritted teeth, “What did you just say?”

Yes, I’ve had the same ugly thoughts about Carmen. I’ve hated her and blamed her for much that’s gone wrong since she embraced the devil, but those are my thoughts, and that is my right. Carmen was my sister and best friend and knowing she’s probably lying dead in a ditch somewhere is horrifying.

Sabrina smiles and it’s the last thing I see before I pop her in the face. Staggering back, she covers her mouth, before looking at me with wide eyes. A chorus of gasps follow courtesy of the lemmings behind her, no doubt, affronted that I have the nerve.

Well, I have a lot more than nerve—bitches.

“You skank,” she shrieks.

Smiling with all my teeth, I watch with satisfaction when she shrinks away from my stare, gearing up to show her just how fucking stupid she is.

Unfortunately, Mr. Goodlow breaks us up when he steps between us and says, “Alright, ladies, enough.”

Immediately Sabrina starts to bawl, and I roll my eyes skyward, beyond annoyed this bitch thinks she can put on the waterworks. I guess I shouldn’t be surprised, though. She’s a fucking psychopath.

Mr. Goodlow, to my surprise says, “I think you both have reason to be sorry. Just get to class.”

Her mouth drops into a sour line, and she gives me one last good glare before spinning on her heel and stalking away. I watch her go with a frown before I’m waylaid by Mr. Goodlow, who ushers me into his classroom and shuts the door behind us.

“Now, Willow, is it?” he asks, cocking his head.

Mr. Goodlow is tall, with broad shoulders and splashes of gray in his thick blonde hair. His eyes are the same pale green hue as Oliver’s but where Oliver is dead inside, Mr. Goodlow stares at me with concern.

“Yes. Willow.”

“Okay, Willow. Are you okay? I’m sorry to hear about your sister. She’s missing?”

“Um, yes,” I say, shrugging.

I don’t talk about this—ever. The shit rolling around in my head is bad enough and I don’t need sympathy. Besides, with the fair dose of rage riding through me like a fucking high, it’s hard to come back down to his genuine concern.

“That’s terrible. She, um, she was into drugs?” He clears his throat, and I turn away.

Why is he so interested? Why can’t teachers, counselors, adults just leave well enough alone?

“Yes, she was…is a drug addict,” I murmur, my chest burning. Even my subconscious knows she’s gone for good.

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