Page 5 of The Prom King & The Ice Queen

Savannah

Unfortunately for me,I still have half a day of school left before I can go home and crash, and the rest of the day looms before me like some sort of medieval torture.

It’s hard enough to stay awake in history class, and that’s when I’ve had a decent night’s sleep. To make matters worse, I have PE with April and Brittany.

“So, Savannah, who are you going to be at this birthday party?” April asks me.

I ignore her as I finish changing into my gym shorts.

Let the girl get her digs in. I embarrassed her and now she’s trying to get back at me. The easiest way is to poke fun at my job.

I get it, but honestly, it’s so very juvenile. Worse, it’s not even clever. Just once I’d like to see this girl try something new.

“I don’t know yet,” I say, my whole expression screaming ‘yawn’ to let her know how little I’m fazed by yet another round of ‘haha, how funny that Savannah actually has to work.’

The thing is, if April had any idea what my home life is like, she’d have enough ammunition to take me down. But I’ve never invited them over, and I never will.

April and Brittany trail me out of the locker room and into the gym. I see Isla talking to some guys over on the other side of the room and we give each other a little nod of acknowledgement.

I like Isla. Of all my coworkers at the Princess Troupe, she and I are probably the most similar. We’re both what some might call divas, and we both understand how to play the game.

Plus, she’s good for my pal Finn. He’s out of town traveling now, visiting his family out East, but he’s one of my favorite people. Him, Callie, and Willow. They’re my family.

Not that I would ever say as much to them. But it’s true. We don’t hang out at school and we’re not in the same social circle, but they’re my family, whether they know it or not.

“...right, Savannah?”

I’d been doing such a good job of ignoring my friends that Brittany’s voice saying my name makes me blink at them blankly.

“What?”

“Heads up, Savannah,” the gym teacher shouts. Then he tosses a volleyball my way.

I grin. I like volleyball. I never had the time to be on a team, but I would have been a killer player if I had.

“I said,” Brittany drawls the word in exasperation. “It’s a shame you’re stuck playing with little kids at that stupid birthday party.”

My eyes narrow. Oh no.

Oh no, no, no.

I jut out one hip and tuck the ball under my arm as I turn to face Brittany.

April might try to challenge me, but Brittany?

Her smirk fades fast under my withering stare. “I-I just meant…”

“I know what you meant,” I say. “But seriously, you two just sound so pathetic right now.”

April starts to sputter in outrage, but I continue on.

“It’s obvious you’re pissed that Leo doesn’t want you at his house—”

“It wasn’t Leo’s decision, I bet Addie—” April starts.

“But it’s not my problem,” I continue, talking over her protests.

We’re getting a little audience now and April’s cheeks are starting to flush.

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