Page 23

Story: Shattered

She sneers, “If you call me that again, I’ll fucking tear you apart fatty.”
I hold my hands up in front of me. “Wow, how original, calling the fat girl, fatty. Run out of room in that pea brain of yours for an actual insult?” Turning away from them, I head toward the student center to meet Addy.
The walk is not a long one as I trek toward the Student Union Center. When I reach the brick building with the college logo on the side and SUC on it, I let out a low sigh. It is bad enough that I have Dekker in my class, but then Monica has to enter the picture and ruin my day.
Along with my stepbrother who did nothing. Just stood there letting his slut run her mouth.
I burst through the doors and look around the open space. Tables are scattered everywhere, some lounge areas are placed near the windows, and some counter-height tabletops are placed against walls for those who just want to sit and work by themselves.
As my eyes roam over the new space, I see a hand fly up in the air. Addy waves me over to the table she snagged for us. I walk over toward her and smile.
“Finally! What a morning so far. How were your classes?” I say as I drop my bag onto the table and plop myself into the chair.
She shrugs. “Not too bad. It was my elective this morning. So 3D Max for the win.” Addy throws her hands up in exaggerated celebration. “How was yours?”
“Well, minus the big oaf sitting next to me, it was fine.” I frown, remembering Dekker.
“Big oaf?” Addy raises an eyebrow in question.
“Yeah, one of my stepbrother’s friends is in my class. And he just happened to decide to sit next to me and annoy the fuck out of me,” I groan. “Can we go get food? I’m starving.”
“Yup, let’s go.” We grab our bags and walk over to the vendor area of the SUC. “Oh! I want a sandwich. How about you?” She turns to me.
I shrug. “I can do one, too.”
We both walk up to Sliced Meats and look over the menu. While Addy places her order, I decide on mine.
“What can I get you, miss?” a young man behind the counter says as he puts on new plastic gloves.
“Can I have the Italian sub, please? But no oil, no onion, and extra circle pickles. Oh, and mayonnaise, please.” I smile at him.
“Sure, can I get a name?”
I adjust my bag on my shoulder. “Rory.”
“It will be ready in a few.” He turns and starts cutting the bread as I look at Addy.
“So, your stepbrother, is he cute?” Addy waggles her eyebrows.
I purse my lips. “He’s an asshole.”
She nudges me. “I’m just kidding. So, tell me about this hairy asshole of a stepbrother.”
I laugh. “I didn’t say he was a hairy asshole.”
“Well, if he turns out to be cute, that’s what I need to picture so that I don’t throw myself at him. So in my mind, hairy asshole!”
“Oh my God, Addy.” I cackle. “Yeah, he is something else. My mom married his dad, and I guess he’s not happy about that because he’s been a dick about it since I got here. His friends are just as dickish as he is.”
“Who is he? Maybe I know him,” she asks as the man behind the counter hands her sandwich to her.
“Rory?” the young man who took my order says as he looks at me. “Here you go.” He offers me a brown paper bag with my order.
Addy and I head back to our table and sit down. “Xayden Brooks.”
She frowns. “Hm, haven’t heard of him. But even if he’s cute, he’s still the hairy asshole.” I laugh and shake my head.
We sit quietly, biting into our sandwiches and enjoying a moment of calm before we have to head to our design studio. As I bite into one of the pickles, I hear a gasp come from Addy.