Page 30 of Brutal Days

When the whistle blew again, signaling class was over, I helped Gia up, and we went into the locker room together.

“Are you okay?” I asked.

“Yeah.” She grimaced. “More embarrassed than anything. A slight headache, but that’s it.”

“You know that was intentional, right?”

Gia grinned. “Probably. But it also means she knows I’m with Damon now and is pissed about it.”

“And that’s a good thing?” We changed out of our gym clothes then stuffed the uniforms into our lockers. The sound of metal clanging filled the large room as well as laughter and muted conversation.

Gia shrugged. “I don’t know. But it tells me that she recognizes Damon is into me, that we’re dating, and she’s mad about it.”

“Are you going to tell him? Maybe he’ll do something to stop her from being such a bitch.” Or he would if I talked to him. I might do that if I didn’t get a chance to set Jessica straight myself. I glanced around the locker room for a glimpse of her.

“No, I don’t think so. I’m okay. I see no reason to get him involved.”

She pressed her lips together then grabbed her book for her next class, hugging it to her chest. I slung my bag over my shoulder, stopping short when I caught sight of Jess.

“That was a bitch move.” My voice rang clear, stopping her and her two minions in their tracks.

Jess slowly turned, and I sensed rather than saw Gia shift slightly back and behind me.

Twisted laughter spilled from Jessica’s red lips. “Like it? You both can expect a repeat of that for the rest of the tournament.”

“You don’t scare me.” My words were quiet but filled with menace.

“I should. I’m just one of many who will make your life miserable—if I want to.” She winked. “I’m still debating over it. See, the thing is that I know Damon very well. We’ve been hooking up for a few years now.”

“You and how many other girls?” I tilted my head.

Red infused her cheeks, and hatred flashed in her eyes. “He’s not exclusive. I’m aware of that, but I’m the only constant. And your girl Gia? She’s a joke. I can’t even take her seriously. No one else will either.”

“Watch your back, Jess. We’ve already had this discussion. I can make your life just as miserable as you’re threatening to with us. But a dethroned mean girl is just a target. Might want to rethink what you’re gonna do.” I notched my head toward her cohorts. “Your up-and-coming social climbers there should think hard over their next step and reconsider. They’re fair game by association.”

My grin was slow and wide. I’d delivered my kill shot, and it had hit home by the widening of her eyes and how she whirled on her heels and left. I had plenty I could work with to humiliate her through the blog if I needed to.

I turned to Gia, a buzz singing through my blood from the confrontation, then I paused. “What?”

She was shaking, her olive-toned skin a sickly, pale shade. She sucked in a breath and patted her chest, her eyelids lowering for a few seconds before she calmed enough to answer. “I don’t know how you go up against people like her. I can’t. She’s terrifying.”

I’d never understood that about Gia. “She’s just a person. She doesn’t have any more power than you. Stop putting her on another level.”

Gia shook her head. “I don’t know, Sky. We’re different that way, you know?”

Sadly, I did. I was the one who had defended her when Sarah had pushed her on the playground, and I’d gotten detention for punching her in the face.

“What will you do to her?” Gia’s voice was quiet.

“Nothing right now. But if she pushes either one of us, I’ll publish something unflattering about her. I’ll highlight her bullying and how she tripped Melanie at the game when they were going onto the field.”

“You have a picture of that?” Her brows raised.

I laughed because, yeah, I did. Moments like those—I made sure to document them. I didn’t normally use them because I didn’t see the point. No one wanted their worst moments displayed for everyone to see. But that ball was in Jessica’s court. If she pushed me and did something to Gia, I would retaliate. I was sick of her viperous attitude.

“Maybe don’t do it? Things could get so much worse if you do,” Gia said.

“You want me to go along with whatever Jess does? Just roll over? What if it’s only to you? Are you just going to smile and deal with it, not say one word, never push back?”

---