Page 67 of Counter Bet

Emily.

I’m grinning as I walk up the front steps to the school the following day.

April: I can’t walk, Matt. You’re in deep fucking trouble!

Matty: Don’t blame me, sugar. I simply followed Emily’s instructions. Beat her up! She’s the devil cast from hell to corrupt our innocent souls.

April: *eye roll* You’re still dead, Matt. Just you wait!

Steph: Thank me, I invited her ;) Where are you, princess?

Me: *devil emoji*

Josh: *drool emoji*

Ben: Fuck off, Josh!

Josh: *laughing emoji*

I think I made friends with them all last night. Even April seems to accept me now.

Last night, I discovered a new side to myself that I didn’t know existed, and it’s both scary and exciting to trust that part of myself with them. Something seems to shift and change inside of me every day, evolving into something more resilient.

I spent hours last night researching schools and art programs until the early morning hours, thinking about my future and what I want to do. I will see the career counselor later, but I know I don’t want to study law like my parents want me to do.

I’ve spent my entire childhood trying to be the perfect daughter, friend, and student. It’s time to do what I want for a change. Besides cheerleading, I genuinely enjoy art, so it makes sense to pursue it.

I open the front door with a pep in my step and make my way to my locker. Something flutters to the floor when I open it, so I bend down to pick it up. It’s a photograph.

“Did you see that?” I squeal. “I rolled down the funbox and didn’t fall!”

Dallas gives me the thumbs up as she skates by. “You’re getting better!”

Ben pulls me into his side and holds up the camera. “Smile.”

“Wait,” I laugh, removing my helmet and patting down my wild hair.

Ben rolls his eyes, but a smile is playing on his lips.

I wrap my hands around his waist and smile up at him. “Now I’m ready.”

“Are you sure?”

I bite my bottom lip to suppress my own smile. “I’m very sure.”

He ducks down so fast that I squeak in surprise. He steals a kiss and clicks the shutter. “Still sure?” he whispers, his lips lingering.

I nip his bottom lip. “Try me.”

He digs his fingers into my waist and begins tickling me, then clicks the shutter again.

I’m smiling from ear to ear. I scan the corridor, but I don’t spot Ben and Dallas amongst the students milling around.

When did they put it in my locker? I look back down at the photograph in my hand and turn it over to read the handwriting on the back.

For your stalker collage.

-Ben.

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