Page 85 of Changing Rules

“Okay,” I mutter, picking up my soda. “So what?”

“I can’t help but think about the conversation we had when you saw mine.” She narrows her eyes. “You were so impressed…Oh, you’re doing Scandinavian,” she says in a high-pitched, mocking imitation of me. “That’s my favorite.”

Anger boils inside me, and I screw the cap onto my soda bottle with more force than necessary. Who the fuck does she think she is?

“And? Scandinavian styleismy favorite.” I set my bottle down with a thunk. “All my sketches are in Scandinavian style. Always have been.”

“Don’t give me that bullshit!” she snaps, crossing her arms. “You saw my design and worried Mrs. Hopkins would choose me over you, so you figured you’d rip me off.”

“Seriously?” I cock one brow. “From the moment we were given the assignment, I knew what style I’d use. And once I saw yours, I made sure my project was totally different. Pictures. Sketches. Everything.”

Ididsee her designs. Ididlike them, and I told her so. I even told Kaden about it. Does she really think I’d stoop so low as to copy her designs when Mrs. Hopkins expected original work?

“JoJo,” Kaden says, his tone almost bored, “the two of you may have chosen the same style, but I’ve seen your work and Izzy’s, and they’re nothing alike. Mrs. H always says we need to address our inner artist and not mimic things we’ve seen. Izzy did her thing, you did yours. That’s all.”

“Figures you’d take her side.” She raises her voice, drawing the attention of the students sitting around us. “You’re so desperate to get into her pants, it’s pathetic.”

I reel back, my breath catching. What the hell is her problem? Kaden has recently started hanging out with Olivia, another student in class.Shit. The last thing I want is for JoJo to spread lies and make Liv second-guess spending time with him.

“That’s enough.” I stand and step close to her.

“No, I don’t think it is.” JoJo puts her hands on her hips and glares.

I take a deep breath, channeling all the calm I can find within myself. “If you have something to say to me, be my guest. I’m sick and tired of you and your pretenses.”

“You came here thinking so highly of yourself, as if you’re better than the rest of us because you’ve fucked two NFL hotshots. In reality, you’re just a whore. No one believes that bullshit story about you getting involved with Alexander Walkerafteryour breakup with Jake Miller.”

If she thinks her words will hurt me, she’s wrong. Dr. Khan has helped so much in the few months I’ve been in therapy. For the first time in my life, I’m strong and confident. I finally know how to stand up for myself. It’s liberating. I’ll never go back to how I used to be.

“Do you know what I think about your breakup with Alexander Walker?” she snips.

“You look like you can’t contain yourself, so please, tell me.” I smirk. “I don’t want you to explode.”

“When he reunited with his college girlfriend, he couldn’t stop himself from falling in love with her all over again.”

I raise another eyebrow, silently encouraging her to continue. This just gets more and more entertaining.

“And he realized he doesn’t need someone like you in his life. Once a cheater, always a cheater.”

Xander isn’t with Stacey, and he hasn’t been. Though when I saw pictures of the two of them after our breakup, I knew I made the right decision. I was devastated—not only because of the rumors that he’d moved on, but because I was the one who made it happen. I pushed the love of my life right into the arms of another woman. So, I blocked him everywhere, cutting all ties once and for all.

I shake my head, my smile growing. “Your imagination is…wild.” Though initially my body went into fight mode, now I can breathe easily, and my heart rate has evened out. “Also, you read too many gossip blogs. You have no idea what you’re talking about.”

JoJo’s eyes widen like she’s surprised, though the way her face reddens makes it clear she’s also pissed. “Right,” she scoffs. “I’m pretty sure I’m right about your breakup. Your face was all over social media. The happy couple, ready to take the big step. Then,bam!—your boyfriend was photographed with his college fling.”

With a shrug, I snag my purse off the table. “See you in class, JoJo.”

Rounding her, I head out of the dining hall. I need a few minutes to myself so I can catch my breath. Therapy has done miraculous things for me, but some wounds are deeper than others. Some are still tender. My breakup with Xander shattered my reality. It left me in ruins, but…it was my choice.

I read his statement. I believed him when he said he wasn’t with Stacey. But I don’t want to go back.

I’m determined to focus on my future, and he doesn’t belong in it.

Mrs. Hopkins is headedinto the classroom as I round the corner, moving as quickly as I can without running.

“I’m sorry,” I mumble as I step inside and dart to my table, keeping my head down. It’s my last class of the day, and I can’t wait to be home. Alone.

“It’s okay, Ms. Lawson.”

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