Page 73 of Vicious Little Snakes

This is why we’re toxic. Because we take out our hurt on each other, slicing over and over, always giving back as good as we get. But in the end, all we do is destroy each other.

Caroline may have stopped cutting herself with razor blades, but she replaced it with me.

My voice roars over the music, “You want the truth? You’re a spoiled little fucking brat.”

Grey’s pushing me back now, telling me to shut the fuck up, that it’s gone too far. But I’m way past that.

“Oh poor Caroline, she has a hard life—nobody fucking cares about her.”

“Shut up!” she shouts, confetti beginning to rain down.

I’m shoved another foot. “Poor Caroline, she’s just mean because her mom’s a bitch.”

“Liam. Stop it,” Donovan yells, rushing toward Caroline.

But I don’t stop as the bass drops in the music.

“Poor Caroline, she never eats because she hates herself. Poor Caroline. Poor Caroline. Come on, gorgeous, show us the scars.”

“I hate you!” she screams.

Kai pushes in front, blocking me from seeing her, but I laugh, “What the fuck are you going to do? Nothing.”

He shakes his head. “Liam. Stop. Dude, this isn’t you.”

“But it is, and it’s her fault.”

Caroline shoves the concerned hands off of her, steeling her spine as she walks around Kai. I’m sucking in the hot air, enraged and irrational. I feel like a monster, uncomfortable in my own skin.

She stops in front of me, searching my eyes, then slaps me hard across the face.

I don’t move, remaining fixed on her as she does it again and then a third time. Her palm is red, probably as much as my cheek.

Bending down, I bring her face to mine. “Poor Caroline, she spreads her legs for everyone because I never loved her.”

Her spit hits my face as large hands toss me away. Kai and Grey are bellowing profanities at me, but I don’t care. I don’t care about anything anymore.

“I’m done. Get the fuck off,” I yell, shoving at the hands and arms on me.

If I can’t destroy her, I might as well destroy myself.

I point my finger at her. “You got what you wanted, right? I told the truth. No running.”

Caroline’s body is shaking, arms wrapped around herself as I look around at the faces of my friends. They’re all staring at me like they don’t know me.

They don’t.

She’s the only one. Always has been. I guess we hurt the ones we love most.

Caroline’s eyes lock to mine. “I wish I could blow out my candles and ask to have never met you.”

I shrug. “I wish the same. Happy birthday, Caroline.”

Caroline

The light bleeds out of my room as I shove the door open. It makes a lit path for me to walk, but as I enter, I hit the dimmer switch, wanting the darkness to swallow me whole.

“Hey.” Donovan’s voice is hushed as her hand touches my arm. “Let me help you.”