Page 35

I snorted.

Maybe I should have learned by now that people didn't always do what you would do for them, because I definitely wouldn't have left any of them behind.

“It's not like that, Veronica!” Emily tried to defend herself, but I didn't want to listen to her. So I just turned my back on the two of them and headed down a completely different path toour dorm with my feet pounding on the cemented path like I was marching, I was so frustrated.

I knew I needed to do better. I needed to get back to focusing on my sport, but it was difficult to do that when it still hurt so much to have a broken heart. After all, what no one talked about was that, even after being betrayed and humiliated, there was still the risk of holding on to the good memories you shared.

You would still feel a hint of longing for the moments and the comfort, especially after so long. It was painful to remember the party and everything that happened, but it was also painful to look at myself in some reflection and no longer recognize myself because my self-esteem and self-love were destroyed into millions of pieces inside a trash can.

I went into the campus cafeteria and ordered a cappuccino.

After taking my order and turning to the rest of the place, I ended up finding Kendra in line alone. She was distracted by her phone and I considered leaving it at that, but like a fucking magnet, her blue eyes captured me. There was coldness and indifference there, but there was also her evil bitch side. I knew how to read that bastard like no one else, but there was a “however”, because she did the same to me.

“Hey...” I waved to her, and she responded with a weak smile.

I turned away, placing my cup on the counter. I removed the lid, added some cinnamon, and then stirred.

“If you keep missing practice, you'll get a bad reputation.” Her voice came from behind me.

“I thought I already had a bad reputation.”

“No, just as a terrible roommate, but I think that only affects you and the other two creatures that live with you.”

My shoulders dropped.

“Did you hear us arguing?”

“I watched it. I was with Colleen next to the gym.” I nodded as she spoke. “You were too cruel.”

“That’s rich, coming from you!” I retorted, irritated.

“You're not putting your frustrations to good use.” Kendra turned to me and searched my eyes for the anger that only she could find. “You should stop looking like this, it's more pathetic than all your other versions. If he made a mistake, that's his problem, now go live your fucking life, Veronica.” I wanted to answer, to fight with her, but I couldn't, because she added: “You're a damn cheerleader, you're a Venenum, apretty poisonand, worse than all that, I know what an insufferable bitch you can be. Regina George? Hm, a saint near you and we both know it. So have some shame and get your confidence back, otherwise you will continue to train like shit.”

I laughed.

“Wow, what an incredible pep talk, Ken!” I mocked.

She shrugged.

“If it was up to me, I would bury your pom poms and retire you from this world. I'm not trying to encourage you, I'm just being realistic.”

“God, you're insufferable!”

I put the lid back on my cup and adjusted the backpack strap on my shoulder.

“You're indeed damaged. In other times you would have thrown that cappuccino in my face.” replied the blonde, making me smile, reminding us of a somewhat troubled memory. But at the time my weapon of choice was a strawberry Gatorade.

“You're giving me mixed signals, Kendra.” I teased.

“You need a party.”

Before I could think straight, she turned her back on me and started to walk out the cafe. I took a deep breath and counted to ten before taking the first step, maybe then I would have lost sight of her, but I was wrong. When I came out the blonde devil was waiting for me.

“Were you waiting for me or something?”

“It's rude to leave one talking by themselves.” She pointed out. “And yes, I was waiting for you because... well, a party to drink until you forget your own sadness might do you good.”

The hot Texan wind blew against both of us.