Page 162 of Dear Love, I Hate You (Easton High)

And I don’t mean metaphorically.

The sound of Brie’s nose cracking under my fist is my first hint. The second is the loud gasps erupting around the room. The third is the blood gushing down Brie’s face and into her mouth.

I just punched her.

I. Punched. Brie.

“Call me a whore, a boyfriend thief, whatever the fuck you want, but don’t ever talk about my dad!” I scream in her face.

Brie’s hand flies to her n

ose, and she bleats at the state of her bloody dress. She takes in her surroundings, her face twisting in horror at the whole party staring at her, and runs off. Theo turns down the music as she elbows her way through the mass. People swing their attention from her to me, shocked by the previous events. Astounded by the fact that I just proved them right.

It’s not speculation anymore.

My punching Brie sealed the deal.

I’m Love.

Always have been.

Well… now that I have their attention. I have no idea how my drunk, clumsy self manages to climb on one of the kitchen chairs, but next thing I know, I’m standing above the crowd of seniors.

“That’s right, people, I’m Love,” I blurt shamelessly. “Congrats, you heartless bastards, you caught me. I wrote the confessions. You’re welcome for making your senior year interesting, by the way.”

There isn’t a single sound to be heard.

“I know you’re all eager to find out who Zac is, so let me put you out of your misery.”

My gaze shifts to Xavier, stiff as a board in the middle of the crowd, staring at me with familiar fear in his eyes.

I should expose you.

Let them tear you apart.

Show you how it feels.

“Joke’s on you, idiots. He doesn’t even go to Easton,” I lie.

Xavier’s shoulders sink with relief.

“He’s older. Works at the library on the weekends. That’s how we met. Although, I do appreciate you dumbasses racking your brains trying to figure it out. You’re wasting your time. You’ll never know who Zac is. Now, can we please move the fuck on with our lives?” I stare Xavier dead in the eyes, speaking to him and him only as I take back my heart, “I sure am going to.”

I’m off the kitchen chair in a heartbeat. I pick up my drink that’s filled to the brim and walk away with the little dignity I have left. By the time I reach Xavier’s side, he’s staring at his feet in shame. I scoff under my breath, making sure to ram my elbow into his arm as I tear through the crowd.

“Vee!” Dia calls, but I don’t stop until I’ve locked myself inside Theo’s bathroom. My lungs release all the air they’ve been stocking when my back hits the closed door with a thud.

I just did that.

I told everybody.

I took back my power.

So, why am I crying?

Maybe it’s the booze messing with my emotions. Maybe it’s the last of my broken heart reminding me of its existence, but I stay in there for thirty minutes, crying Xavier Emery out of my system. Running my fist that’s stained with Brie’s blood under freezing water to soothe my painful knuckles.

Turns out punching someone hurts like a motherf…