Page 178 of The Surprise Play

Jade jumped in, pushing me hard while Viper Girl rummaged through the desk drawers and, much to my horror, found a pair of scissors.

“Yes!” Her triumphant gloating was as ugly as the expression on her face when I started crying and wrestling in vain.

They didn’t relent, using their pointy knees and scratchy nails to pin me to the door so Viper Girl could snip the neckline, and Jade could finally have her satisfaction.

The tearing fabric was no doubt music to her ears.

As was the wail I released when I gazed down and saw my mother’s hard work torn to shreds and my bra and pudgy waist exposed to the room.

“Ewww, gross.” Kelsey looked me over like I was a blob of pus while Viper Girl started snickering and shaking her head.

Reaching for the bottom of my skirt, she cut and slashed with those little scissors until my poor poodle was sliced in half. The ripping of that pink fabric as she tore it apart decimated a piece of my soul.

I’m not sure I’d ever felt more broken than in that moment.

“Now he’ll know the truth.” Jade stepped away from me. “Now they’ll all know.” Smirking at me, she raised her chin at Kelsey, who finally let me go, but not beforeyanking the jacket off my wrists and shoving me away from the door.

The lock unbolted with a loud click and I stared at the handle, knowing I had to make my escape. But the idea of walking out there in my tatters was beyond humiliating. Pulling up the torn fabric with trembling hands, I tried to cover myself as best as I could.

The girls started to laugh at my lame attempts, and I had to get out of there before they did any more damage.

But how?

I couldn’t even remember how I did it. I think my mind has already blanked out that harrowing escape through the house and into the shadows of the garage.

Zander and Sienna’s special sleepout.

Shit.

“I’m sorry I invaded your space,” I quickly murmur to Sienna, figuring I can at least get that out to the way.

“That’s okay.” Her voice is gentle. Kind. “I don’t mind. I’m glad you could go in there to gather yourself for a second.”

I can’t help a humorless laugh.

Gather myself?

I’ve never felt more untethered in my life.

“I’m so sorry this happened to you at your birthday party.”

A sigh rattles out of me. “This is why I never have them.”

“What do you mean?” She glances at me, her voice surprised but sharp, her gaze intelligent. Alert.

I’m not gonna be able to pull the wool over her eyes.

And I don’t even want to.

I honestly have nothing left right now. My humiliation is complete, so she may as well know the truth.

My face bunches, my voice starting to wobble all over again. “Ever since I was a kid, I’ve just… struggled with people my age.” I sniff. “I don’t know why Jade decided to make me her target, but?—”

“Wait, was she one of those girls tonight?” Sienna’s voice pitches in surprise.

I nod.

“You know them?”