Page 23 of Ruthless Rose

Chapter 15

Ah shit, how am I exhausted already when I’ve just opened my eyes? Rolling over and stretching, I grab at my phone, only to realize it’s already nine thirty, and I have to be at school at ten.

I leap out of bed, stubbing my toe along the way. Fuck, fuck, fuck! I hop up and down, grabbing at my foot as I search through my dresser for something to throw on.

Yanking out a T-shirt, panties, bra, and a pair of joggers, I clutch them to my chest and race for my bathroom. Inside, I pile my long hair on my head, as I have no time to wash and condition it right now. Never mind blowing it dry; that’d take forever.

I brush my teeth then take the fastest shower ever, dry off, and yank my clothing into place. After a cursory glance in the mirror, I shove my feet into my Vans and thunder down the stairs.

My mother must sense my urgency because her eyes widen. “What can I do?”

I shake my head. “I need to get to school. Homecoming committee meeting at ten. I,”—I press the heel of my hand to my temple—“I should have set an alarm.”

She frowns. “You never sleep in like this. Are you feeling okay?”

“Yes.” No. I’d spent a whole lot of sleepless hours wondering if I should have just gone to the damn football game, gone to the party, and lived a little for once. It’s totally not a me thing to do, but I’m— Ugh. I’m frustrated. I’m at a crossroads of sorts. I can feel it. I want things I didn’t know I ever would. A week ago, I was an entirely different person. I blow out a breath and grab a banana from the bowl in the middle of the kitchen table. “I should be home a little after eleven, I think.”

“Okay, sweetie. Don’t drive too fast. I’m sure they’ll wait for you.”

I climb into my car, fire it up, and reverse out of the driveway. I am going to be late. I can feel it. When I’d stopped by Mrs. Jayson’s classroom yesterday morning, she’d told me Alora would be in touch with the details of the meeting. Then all I’d gotten from Alora was the cursory ten-in-the-morning comment that she’d thrown over her shoulder at me in the cafeteria at lunch.

Crap!If Mrs. Jayson thought Alora was going to be at all helpful, it makes me wonder if I’m the only one who sees Alora for who she really is—a conniving, entitled bitch of epic proportions.

I practically fly into the student parking lot, exit my car, and take off at a jog toward the building. I make my way down the long front hall, scanning each room as I go. Mrs. Jayson’s classroom is at the end of the hallway on the left. Three minutes late. Please don’t let this be a big deal.

The door opens just as I approach and voices float out to me. “Alora, you’re in charge of ticket sales this week. Coordinate with the other members of the committee so they know when to assist you. Everyone should help with sales at least one morning. Next weekend, we’ll work on decorations. We’ve got a lot back in the storage room that we can use.”

Alora’s annoying, sickenly sweet voice hits me square in the chest. “I’ll get going on ordering balloons and those stars we looked at. Farrah, Danica, you’re in charge of working together on the archway at the entry. Hanna, stars. Cindi, you can help her with that. When they come in, we need as many glittery stars as is humanly possible to be strung and hung from the ceiling. If we’re doing A Night Under the Stars, it’s got to feel like a starry night.”

I swallow. There’s more indistinct murmuring from different members of the committee—a committee I’m supposed to be a part of. But I know Alora told me ten.

Mrs. Jayson appears at the doorway as everyone begins to file out. “Oh, Daphne, there you are. We missed you this morning.”

“Um.” I glance at Alora who is wearing a smug grin, then back to Mrs. Jayson. My jaw tenses as I weigh my options. Call her out or take the high road? “I overslept. I’m so sorry.”

“Okay, well, we meet at nine. Every Saturday until homecoming, including the morning of, so be sure to set your alarm next time. Have Alora fill you in on what you missed.” She smiles kindly at me and walks back into her classroom.

Trying to keep calm, my eyes flick to Alora, who is whispering behind her hand to a few of the other girls on the committee—mostly her cheerleading cohorts. It would seem they are all having a good laugh at my expense. Keeping my voice low, I murmur, “That was a bitchy move.”

“What, Double D?” Alora wrinkles her nose at me. “I don’t know what you’re referring to.”

“You know you told me to show up at ten.” I fling my arm out toward her companions. “Half of these girls were right there when you said it.”

“Your word against all of ours.” She presses her lips together, daring me with a steely glint in her eyes to argue further.

“Whatever. I don’t know what flew up your ass, but I’d appreciate it if you and I could at least be civil toward each other. You’ve made your opinion of geeky me crystal clear. I have no clue why I ruffle your feathers.” I laugh uncomfortably, fairly certain I actually do know—Micah. I also hope she can’t tell that I’m actually really upset about missing the committee meeting, not to mention looking like an idiot slacker.

But I am. Unlike most of these girls, I have to be here and need this committee for my application. I don’t have parents who can just pay for college with the swipe of a platinum card. The pressure is intense to earn the full damn ride. And right there in the middle of the hallway, with Alora and her beasties looking on, I beat myself up for being who I am all over again. For letting something that happened when I was in middle school turn me into this awkward, shy person, incapable of leading a normal high schooler’s life of parties and committees and clubs and … now I’m stuck faking this I’m-a-joinerpersona and dealing with these hateful people just to have something to put on my application.

I shake my head and walk away, unable to let go of what just transpired but also beating myself up for having to depend on these bitches. Who knew good grades wouldn’t be enough?

I’m a little lost in my own thoughts when I whirl around to find Alora following me. “You couldn’t ruffle my feathers if you tried. He’s messing with you because he can.”

I stiffen, but decide I can’t do anything but retaliate or she’ll think I’m weak. I channel Scarlett, which I’m sure would make her proud. “I thought you’ve always been fine with him touching other girls. So adding me to the list shouldn’t bother you.”

Her eyes flare.

Ah. Gotcha.

“And lemme tell you something, Alora. If he were mine, he’d be only mine. You might want to think about that. Does he not respect you enough to be exclusive? Do you not want to be his girlfriend? Because right now, all I see—all anyone sees—is that you’re a convenient fuck buddy.”

Steam rolls from Alora’s ears. “You don’t know anything, nerd. Nothing at all. Watch your back, bitch. If you thought I had it in for you before, you were wrong. You ain’t seen nothing yet.”

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