Page 71 of Faux Real
“Kenny? Getting shit-faced? Dream on, Maxine. We all know she’ll have one cooler and pass out.”
We turn our heads toward Corrine’s shrill voice. Great.
“Oh my God, Corn!” Max grabs her chest, pretending to sniffle. “I’m so proud of you. I never thought this day would come! Kudos to you for never giving up!”
“What?” Corrine asks, narrowing her eyes.
Max waves around the library. “It’s just so rare to see you in a room that doesn’t have a bed in it! Look at you, expanding your horizons!”
“Wow, you’re so funny, Max,” Corrine scoffs. “You know you’re not allowed to slut-shame girls anymore, right? I could cancel you so fucking hard.”
“Oh, sweetie, I’m not shaming you for being a slut, I’m praising you!” Max retorts. “I can’t imagine the amount of time and effort it takes to reel in all these guys. It’s a talent if anything!”
“Max, sto—” I begin to say but it’s too late.
Unstoppable object. Immovable force.
“At least guyswantto sleep with me, you fucking charity case,” Corrine snaps. Oh, crap. “If it weren’t for dumb luck your mom would still be collecting cans to buy you instant noodles for dinner. Fucking peasant.”
“Whatdid you say?” Max jumps up, lunging at Corrine. “You fucking bitch!”
“Woah!” I stand up, getting between Corrine and Max. My heart hammers in my chest as they swat at each other like feral cats. “What are you guys doing? Stop it!”
“Oi!” Ollie whistles hopping off the table and pulling Maxine away, his expression completely aghast. “Simmer the fuck down!”
“Come at me again and I’ll fucking kill you,” Corrine spits, her breathing rapid. “I dare you!”
“Corrine, just go,” I say, taking a step to the side and readjusting my uniform. “Please?”
“Oh fuck off, Kennedy, why don’t you go call your mommy!” Corrine sneers, slamming her shoulder against mine as she walks past me. She turns around, her gaze cold. “Oh that’s right, you can’t! Boo-fucking-hoo!”
My jaw clenches. Ignore it. Ignore her. Don’t react. Don’t cry. Taking a deep breath, I lean against the table, shaking my head at Max.
“Why?” I ask as Oliver finally lets go of her. “Why do you antagonize her? You know how she gets.”
“‘Cause she’s a fucking bitch,” Max says, grabbing her phone off of the table. “I’m going to the common room, see you around.”
“Max!” I call out but she doesn’t turn around.
I close my eyes. “Fuck.”
“You good?” Ollie asks.
“Yeah, I’m fine,” I say, collecting my textbooks. “Just another day in the office.”
“Quite a hostile work environment if you ask me,” he says, tilting his head. “You sure you’re, okay?”
“Yup, just counting down the days,” I whisper, forcing a smile. “I’ll see you around. I gotta go pick up my costume.”
“Alright,” he says, walking me out of the library. “Catch you later then.”
“Bye,” I sigh, heading back to my dorm.
Just a few more months.
twenty-two
Truth Hurts
