Page 5 of Wolf

“I thought it was me,” she says, raising a brow.

His eyes go dark, and he scowls before grabbing her arm and pulling her flush to his chest.

I don’t wait around for what I’m sure will be another embarrassing exchange and step toward the fire, holding my hands out to the flames.

All around me, I feel the curious stares of my peers, many of whom I’m currently attending school with or who graduated in the last few years. It’s no secret I’m an Abernathy because I’ve stuck out like a sore thumb the entire time and now, I’m wondering if this was a bad idea.

How has Miriam hidden this for so long?

A bitter scent fills the air, and I glance around, spying a group across the way smoking what I assume to be marijuana.

I smile feebly at Janette Magan when she mumbles an apology before backing off my foot. Her eyes go wide when she gets a good look at me, and surveying me from head to toe with a crinkle in her brow, she says, “Lilli?”

What does she see? An interloper in a tight skirt? Or the real me fighting the rules beaten into me since I can remember?

“Hey,” I say, turning away from my ridiculous thoughts.

Maybe I want to be free but I’m not sure that includes a tight skirt and red lips. Heck, I don’t even knowwhatit includes.

A woman with long dark hair turns my way and I cringe when I confirm it’s Darcy amongst the masses. She’s a student at my school and I step back, sure she’d be more than happy to out me if given the opportunity.

After all, whenever she has the chance, she reminds me of her hate which started in the first grade. I guess I don't blame her. I don’t know why Daddy chose Mrs. McCray or that day, but he spent the entirety of his sermon, reviling women who used their bodies for sin and specifically pointed out Darcy’s mama, who earns a living showing her goods to the working-class men of this town.

Her mama never came back to our church and Darcy has tortured me ever since.

Since I can’t resist, I glance around for Wolf, deflating when I don’t see him. I’ve never had the opportunity to be so close before and now I wish the moment could have lasted a little longer.

Unfortunately, Darcy steps between me and Miriam, her blue eyes shining, as she says, “Never thought I’d seeyouhere.”

I stiffen at her vicious smile, appropriately wary when I say, “Hello to you, too.”

She dips her head, licking her red lips, and absently I confirm that I’m not a red lip kind of girl.

“You think you can put on a short skirt and fit in?”

Is she reading my mind?

When I don’t bother to answer, she waves in my face. “What are you doing here? Does Daddy know his precious daughter is slumming it?”

I know she has good reason to hate but it wasn’t me who stood before those people and humiliated her mama. I can’t control Daddy. If I could, my life would be much easier.

With a silent sigh, I back up a step and say, “Just leave me alone, Darcy.”

Tilting her head, she laughs, the bitter sound tainting the air. “I don’t think so.”

“Why? Why do you care?”

“Because my mom’s a whore, remember?” she says, grabbing my arm.

I pull away but I’m no match for her anger and this only heightens her sense of victory. Looming in my face, I smell the alcohol on her breath when she says, “I think it’s time for a little lesson, hm?”

“Wha—“ I sputter as she pulls me around and pushes me.

Falling to my knees, I throw out my hands to brace myself too late as she puts her foot on my back and shoves.

I see stars when my head hits a rock. Now I’m sprawled on my stomach, and I bite back tears, waiting for her to just move on.

“Well,” she says, raising her voice. Out of the corner of my eyes, I spy the crowd pause and turn.

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