Page 25 of Faux Real
Inthelastthreeyears, I’ve attended six private schools scattered across the UK, yet this is the first time I’ve seenblended fruitused as a weapon during a catfight. I’ve got to give some credit to Corrine though, she’s excellent at improvisation.
Perhaps I should’ve intervened earlier but Kennedy seemed to have been holding her own; her face calm, her tone level during the two minutes I was semi-eavesdropping. She even managed to keep her cool when Maya and Larisa, whoclearlyhaveseveredaddy issues, were spewing verbal vomit all over her. The fact that Kennedy is a virgin doesn’t surprise me at all, the girl clearly hasn’t let loose since her inception. It was all very humorous to watch, I just wish Corrine didn’t take it too far because now my plan to talk to Kennedy alone is ruined.
“Oi, fuck are you doing?” I ask, striding toward the gaggle of girls, my eyes darting to Kennedy’s stained, green face.
Christ, Corrine got her good. Kennedy’s using her sleeve to wipe under her eyes, her gaze affixed on the ground, her shoulders slumped in defeat. She was doing so well before. A shame.
“Oh,” Larisa coos, biting her lip, her frighteningly blue eyes scanning me as I approach. “Speak of the devil. Hi, Oliver. We were just teaching little Kenny here a lesson in respect—”
“And honesty,” Maya adds, twirling her dark hair around her finger. Is she trying toflirtwith me?Oh, God. “Liarsdeserveto be punished. Really, if you think about it, we were doingyouahugefavor.”
“Me?” I ask, stealing glances at Kennedy who keeps taking deep breaths, her fists clenched. I’m not sure if she’s about to explode with anger or tears. “Yeah? How’s that?”
“We’re basically defending your honor,” Corrine explains, batting her lashes. Christ, she’s creepy. Why are her eyelashes so long? They’re like spiders. “You must have heard the news that Kennedy toldeveryonethat the two of you were dating which is obviously a big fat lie. So pathetic, Kenny—” Her menacing eyes dart to Kennedy. “Plus, we all know nobody wouldwillinglydate her—”
“Well, maybe for a million dollars,” Maya laughs.
“More like a billion,” Larisa adds. “Personally, there’s not enough money in the world to make me want to date Kenny. I’d ratherdie.”
Based on the daggers Kennedy is tossing her, that’s a possibility in the near future.
“We put her in her place soyoudidn’t have to.” Corrine chuckles. “So you’re welcome.”
Surprisingly, Kennedy doesn’t comment as she peers up at me through her soaked hair, her eyes dim,defeated. For fuck’s sake. Why does she need to look so bloody depressed? I suck in a sharp breath. I’m doing this for the band. For a little freedom.
She better fucking go along with it.
“There seems to be just one problem with your logic,” I say, meeting Kennedy’s confused hazel eyes. “Wearedating.”
Kennedy’s mouth drops briefly before she snaps it back up, straightening her shoulders, a grateful glimmer in her amber eyes.
That’s better.
“What?” Corrine snaps, crossing her arms. “Fuck off, you’re lying. I don’t believe you.” She faces Kennedy, disgust oozing through her pores. “What did you do? Pay him? God, you’re sad.”
“No, I—I didn’t pay him,” Kennedy stammers, nibbling on her bottom lip.
Seriously? What happened? She was kicking ass earlier. Why musteverythingalways fall onme?
“Frankly, I don’t care what you think,” I state dryly, reaching for Kennedy’s hand and linking my fingers through hers, hoping it’ll solidify my proclamation. As soon as her hand touches mine, I inwardly cringe. She’s fucking sticky! Good God, she’s covered in juice.Disgusting. This band better be worth it.
“Oh my God, ew,” Maya says, her eyes darting between me and an awfully tense Kennedy. “You’re serious? You’reactuallydating her?Why?”
“Maybe he enjoys charity work,” Larisa chirps. “Is she your little pet project?”
These girls are truly carnivorous. I almost feel bad. Kennedy’s grip tightens around my hand as she tosses me a side-eye indicating she’d like to leave.
Although this has been marginally entertaining, I find myself now getting quite irritated by their nasty voices.
“Stay away from my girlfriend, yeah?” I say, yanking on Kennedy’s arm and dragging her toward the auto shop, leaving a stunned Corrine gawking at us.
Kennedy owes big time.Big!
“Where are you taking me?” Kenny whines as I drag her behind me. “You can let go of my hand now. They can’t see us anymore.”
“Gladly,” I say, loosening my grip as we stop behind the auto shop, Kennedy staggers backward and rubs her hands together. I cross my arms and cock my head to the side. “Well?”
“Well, what?” she asks.
