Total pages in book: 125
Estimated words: 119152 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 596(@200wpm)___ 477(@250wpm)___ 397(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 119152 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 596(@200wpm)___ 477(@250wpm)___ 397(@300wpm)
“Wow, I’m surprised you remember my actual name. That nickname haunted me for years!”
I look up, trying to dig through my memories. There’s no way this deceiving bombshell is—
It clicks.
Her eyes.
That vivid green.
“Poor little ugly duckling. Wanna be pretty so bad, even your eyes are green with it.”
“That’s right. Remember how horrible you were to me. How much you picked on me. Then remember how it felt to want me. Not the ugly duckling now, am I?” Her eyes sear into me as her words spit their venom. “How does it feel now? To be humiliated? To know you were practically eating out of the palm of my hand, hard as a rock, in anticipation of what I could have done to you. Me—the ugly duckling! God, it felt so good bringing a jerk like you to your knees. And my favorite part? Hearing you had to have a cleaning lady uncuff you and how underwhelming it was when she found you. Poor woman.” She pauses to rake her eyes down my chest to my crotch. “Guess some women aren’t into average guys.”
The door to the classroom opens, and the sweetest smile wipes her snarl away. “My goodness, are you okay?” I look up at her with an honest to God what the fuck expression as Mrs. Caldwell walks in.
“Oh heavens, what happened?”
“He fell. Said he had a dizzy spell.” I swear. That little—
“Oh my, do you need an ambulance? Should I call the fire department? Well, you are the fire depart—”
“I’m fine.” I swat her hand away and get to my feet. “If you’ll excuse me, I should check on the guys.” With a final glare her way, I storm out of the classroom.
Chapter 5
Makayla
"What a great start to the seventh grade, huh?” Hannah says as we walk down the sidewalk. Great isn’t the first word that comes to mind. Strange is more like it. Not sure how someone as pretty and full of life as Hannah Matthews decided to befriend someone like me.
“Yeah. And thanks for inviting me over. Your parents won’t think it’s weird having a stranger over, will they?”
She grabs my hand. “You’re not a stranger, silly. You’re my friend! Plus, you can help me pick out stuff for my birthday party. I turn twelve next week. One more year until we’re officially teenagers!”
She squeezes my hand and lets go. “When’s your birthday? If it’s close, we can plan together.”
I adjust my backpack, biting at my lower lip. “It was a while ago. I’m actually thirteen. My—I was held back a year. Out sick too much.”
Hannah slows down and places her hand on my shoulder. “I’m sorry to hear that. But how cool! Is it just like they say—being a teenager?”
I’m not really sure how to answer that. So far, being any age hasn’t fared well for me. “Um. . . I don’t know. I guess.”
“Well, I think that’s super cool. I’m friends with a teenager.” She smiles. “My house is right up here. My mom can make us some snacks, and we can swim. You can tell me all about yourself! I bet we’re gonna be together a lot.” I follow Hannah up the sidewalk until we stop at a beautiful two-story. “Shocker, all my brother’s friends are here.”
Laughter echoes through the air. I adjust my bulky, black-rimmed glasses as we near a group of sweaty boys. My eyes skim over the group, trying to pick out Hannah’s brother.
“What do we have here, Hannah Banana? First day of school, and you’ve already found yourself a new pet project?” The guys laugh, and my shoulders curve inward as I dip my head.
“Eat dirt, Chase. This is my friend, Makayla. She’s thirteen!” Hannah puts the spotlight on me. My cheeks suddenly heat with embarrassment. “Makayla don’t mind them. Some of them are nice. Hi, Levi!”
“S’up, Hannah.”
“I’m serious. She’s not like the rest of your flock.” The boy with the dirty blond hair goes on. “Running out of Barbies to dress up?”
“Maybe she’s the ugly duckling, and Hannah wants to turn her into a swan—”
“Shut up, Ben! Kip, I’m telling Mom!”
“Calm down. I was just kidding. Hey, no need to hide. It was a joke.” The boy walks up to me, forcing me to lift my chin. “Those are some big glasses.”
“Yeah, it helps me see what a big loser you are, turd breath.”
His friends gasp then burst into laughter. His smile falls the moment I find mine. “If you’ll excuse me, I need to follow my flock inside, away from the foul odor.” I lift my head high and walk next to Hannah, who’s smiling from ear to ear.
“We’re not done here, duckling.”
“Not by a longshot, turd breath.”
I rush into my father’s house, closing the door behind me. Leaning against it, I release a heavy sigh. That was not the way I wanted my first day to go. Why in the world did he have to show up? Of all people! And he’s a firefighter?