Page 42 of Ruin

fuck me!

FUCK. There’s no way this isn’t getting

back to my dad.

Thanks for the support. I appreciate it.

Why are you such an asshole?

The next time you want to blow up

my life, DON’T.

I close my eyes briefly and wipe my hand over my face. I should get my girl out of there and throw a bomb in the place. The world would be better off without those entitled assholes.

I stand and slide my phone in my pocket then button my jacket.

“You won’t be sorry, Dean. I will graduate in one year,essentially cutting the AILE program in half by getting my Bachelor’s and JD in three years instead of six. I plan to do big things in this city. I promise to make Columbia proud.”

When he doesn’t respond, I clap my hand on his shoulder while he stares blankly forward. “Enjoy your dinner with my compliments, Dean Staunton. It was a pleasure to meet you. I look forward to receiving my acceptance letter.”

16

Giovanna

The heaters blaze against the January chill, making the air heavy, almost suffocating. Bass from the oversized speakers rattles across the patio and glowing pool, the music so loud it shakes in my bones.

I’m perched on a cushioned lounge chair, wishing I was anywhere else, when Lexi drops down beside me with the grace of a drunk rhino, sloshing her drink. She shoves the cup into my hand with a smirk.

“Aww, Gigi, don’t be mad. All these bitches are just jealous you’ve got Tommy Demonio on his knees, tongue-deep in your pussy.”

I roll my eyes and take a sip. “It was an asshole move, Lexi. I feel bad.”

“Feel bad if you want, but if I were you, I’d be feeling Tommy. Why are you even messing with Antonio? He’s cute, but he can’t fuck. And Tommy, Jesus Christ, his dick is the second coming.”

“You would know,” I say drily.

She flicks her hair off her shoulder. “Yes, I would. Whichis why you should trust me.”

Seething, I swallow half of the drink as someone cannonballs into the pool, drenching us both. Lexi screams in my ear, and I wince.

She throws this pool party every year over Christmas, the opposite of Christmas in July. Usually, I love it. Tonight I feel ancient. College has ruined me, or maybe Tommy has, because suddenly this whole scene feels small and shallow.

“But you’re in love with Antonio, aren’t you?”

I choke on my drink and whip around. “Fuck no! Why would you even think that?”

Lexi’s grin falters. “Wait, seriously? You’ve wanted to fuck Tommy since forever. He finally wanted you back, and you… what? Picked Antonio instead? You gave him your virginity, right? If you’re not in love with him, what the hell are you doing?”

“Lexi, holy shit, so much of that is wrong that I don’t even know where to start.”

“Jesus, bitch, start somewhere,” she snaps, snatching the drink back from me and downing the rest like water.

“Never fucked Antonio. Never fucked Tommy. Not in love with Antonio. Not in love with Tommy. Basically just waiting for this fucking nightmare of a break to be over so I can go back to school and escape this high school bullshit.”

“Tommy’s fuck toy,” Antonio slurs, staggering toward us with three or four of his crew in tow.

All of them are drunk, but Antonio is obliterated, his abs shining under the string lights, trunks hanging low, hair plastered to his forehead. He reeks of liquor and chlorine.