Page 77 of The Truths We Burn

“I wanted to come to visit,” Liz starts, and Mary quickly bumps her with her hip as if I won’t notice. Lizzy lets out a frustrated breath before continuing. “We wanted to visit, but your dad said it was best if we let you get better first.”

Lizzy, I believe would’ve been a good friend to me had I given her the chance, but as she followed me blindly, she is now under new management.

I scoff a little. “I’m sure he did. I’d say it worked, huh? Don’t I look better?” I ask, not really wanting an answer. “Besides, I’m sure you two were busy with graduation.”

“Listen, Sage,” Mary starts, flipping her perfectly curled hair over her shoulder, making me want to snatch that band off her head and beat her with it, “I wanted to talk to you about East. It was really hard after everything that happened, and we just kind of found solace in each other. We missed you. It was—”

This was the part I’d been most excited for—not having to cover how I really feel about things.

I interrupt her apology that I don’t need.“I don’t give a shit about you fucking my ex. I’m really happy you have my sloppy seconds, Mary. That way he will leave me the hell alone.”

I couldn’t care less about Easton Sinclair. I don’t care who he’s fucking as long as it isn’t me.

“I mean, that’s what you always wanted, wasn’t it? Why you were friends with me? So that you could have what I had?” I add.

I knew Mary was hungry for the attention I so effortlessly acquired in high school. Waiting for the moment I crashed and burned so she could step up and take my place.

And I don’t blame her.

This place raises you to be a vulture. You do what you have to do to survive, and it’s easier to get by when you live life at the top of the food chain.

“Don’t get your panties all tangled up because you’ve fallen from grace. Nobody wants to be around a girl who needs a straitjacket.”

“Oh, what will I do without the approval of washed-up townies.” I exaggerate by placing the back of my hand to my forehead as if to check my temperature. “I’m afraid I just won’t make it!”

I’m not sure what aggravates her more, my sarcasm or the fact I just don’t give a shit about what she says.

“You know, I feel sorry for you.” She gives me a toothless smile. “Lost your mind, lost your mom, lost your sister. That’s why you feel you can act so nasty towards me, because what else do you have to lose? You have nothing left.”

I grind my teeth so hard I can hear it. “You’re right. I don’t.”

She looks proud of herself, knocking me down a notch and showing me who’s in charge here now.

“My dirty laundry is all aired out and hanging on the front porch. So that means you have nothing to use against me,” I continue, licking my bottom lip as I tilt my head. “But yours, on the other hand, it’s still hidden, and I know of it. I know every single scandal and secret both of you have. So, if you ever speak about my sister ever again, I’ll do more than tell people. I will end you. Got it, girlie?” I finish charmingly.

My threat hangs in the air between us, both of them running through the list of dirt I have hanging above their heads. They know I’m not bluffing either—there’s nothing stopping me from exposing them both.

Her eyes widen slightly just enough to let me know that what I’ve said has struck her.

They weren’t on my list of things to deal with—I have more important things to handle—but if they get in my way, if Mary starts running her mouth about shit she doesn’t understand, I will add them to the list.

Mary opens her mouth, ready to dig her grave even deeper, just continuing to shove her foot down her throat, but she is quickly interrupted.

“Everything okay over here?”

I look at the person the new voice has come from, and I realize that I don’t recognize her or the girl who stands close beside her.

Lizzy tries to pull Mary away by her arm. “Come on, let’s just go,” she mutters.

But Mary isn’t finished; she laughs sarcastically. “This is actually perfect. You’re replacing us with the bug freak and the Hollow Boys’ new whore. You should be careful, Briar—the last girl who was close to them ended up dead. Isn’t that right, Sage?”

I press my hands into the table, my chair screeching as I stand up. “Bitch, I’m not telling you again. Keep my sister out of your mouth.”

Never in my life had I been in a physical fight.

So I might get my ass handed to me.

I have no clue how to even punch someone without breaking my own hand in the process. But I know how to pull hair, how to bite, and how to play dirty.