Total pages in book: 139
Estimated words: 134133 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 671(@200wpm)___ 537(@250wpm)___ 447(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 134133 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 671(@200wpm)___ 537(@250wpm)___ 447(@300wpm)
Tipping my chin up and hoisting my bag over my shoulder, I pull the front door shut behind me and make my way down the porch steps.
Dylan is on the passenger side about to get in and Elle is driving him, of course. Such a dutiful chauffeur.
Anger surges up inside me. Since he’s on the other side and Elle is closest to me, as I walk by her, I say, “Your boyfriend’s an attempted rapist, just so you know.”
Her jaw drops open, and Dylan decides to speak up. “Wow, I see you’re still smarting from that rejection, huh, Bradwell?”
Rejection? I almost laugh. “Is that the story you’re telling? Coward.”
“At least I’m not a bitter cunt who makes up lies about guys who didn’t like her.”
His words cut straight to my bone. That this is the narrative he’s selling… I can’t even stomach it.
“That’s a really serious accusation, Sophie,” Elle calls after me. “Regretting hooking up with someone is not the same as being raped, and it’s really messed up that you would lie about something like that when there are real victims out there.”
The muscles in my legs turn to jelly. I’ve never enjoyed confrontation to begin with, but this is so fucking unjust, I feel like hurling. “You deserve each other,” I tell her.
“And you deserve to be lonely and friendless for telling such hateful lies,” she yells back.
Angry tears threaten to fall, but I don’t let them. I would die before giving either one of them the satisfaction.
I throw my bag in the passenger seat and slam the door closed. My hands are shaking so badly, I can hardly get my seatbelt fastened.
It can't be safe driving back to school in this headspace. When I get there, I find I can't even remember half the drive.
Just like last night.
I'm going to get in a car crash and die if I keep letting all these people fuck with me.
It's a dreary day to match my mood. The sky is gray and cloudy. Looks like it might storm.
I hope it does. A thunderstorm would be nice. I only wish I had my own quiet bedroom to enjoy it in.
I was right about the storm. By the time I get my car parked and I'm heading into my building, a few raindrops hit my exposed arm.
By the time I get the apartment unlocked and myself inside, rain pelts the windows.
One of my roommates is on the couch eating a bowl of cereal. Another is in the kitchen fixing herself a snack.
"Hey," Sabrina says cheerfully. "Boy, you just made it in time. Rumi just went out to get an iced coffee. Her ass is going to get soaked."
I'm starving. Now that the nausea has subsided and I see Sabrina munching on cinnamon toast, I'm realizing I was supposed to have dinner with Mom, but then I stormed out.
Seeing me eyeing her snack, Sabrina holds up her toast. "Want some?"
I shake my head. "I'm okay, thanks. Just realizing I should have gone grocery shopping before I came back."
"Too late now," Kendra says, nodding at the window.
That's too bad. I like to cook when I'm upset. Provides a nice distraction, and I could sure go for some comfort food right now. Maybe a nice flaky chicken pot pie.
Dammit.
My tummy rumbles but I shake my head no. "I'm okay. I've got some homework to finish."
I head to the bedroom, but when I get there and unload my books at our shared desk, I can still hear them talking in the other room. The walls are thin, the room is shared. This is why I wanted to do my homework at Mom's house.
All my safe spaces seem to be disappearing.
Sighing, I take out my headphone case, but when I turn my noise-cancelling headphones on, the battery is dead. They're so old and "well-loved," the damn things don't hold a charge anymore.
Deflated, I plug them in to charge, but it will take a while, and I'll never be able to concentrate when I can hear Rumi talking about the barista she wants to bang like they're standing in the same room with me.
Since I know I won't be able to study and I feel icky after the day I've had, I abandon my things in the bedroom and go to take a scalding hot shower.
It doesn't take a lot to make me feel frazzled these days, but today is really taking the cake.
By the time I get out of the shower, the rain has stopped. I'm a little bummed, but I towel dry my hair and change into a baggy T-shirt and a pair of sweats.
I'm still emotionally exhausted but feeling a bit better as I step out into the hall.
"Um, Soph, there's some guy here for you."
You have got to be kidding me.
"No. No more guys today. I'm closed for business."