Barbie Btch (Rejects Paradise #3) - Sheridan Anne Page 0,79

and forget everything that’s been going on. I don’t know, maybe Colton will sweep me away to a deserted beach resort and show me the time of my life where I can pretend the rest of the world doesn’t exist.

Damn it. I can’t even suggest that to him because he will and then I’ll be stuck on a beach wishing I was back home so I can handle my shit and stop running away like a little bitch.

I make my way back over to the girls when my phone buzzes in my bra. I fish it out of its little hiding spot that it lives in during school hours and glance down at the screen to find a text from Milo.

Milo - You need a ride home today? I need to be somewhere but can swing by and get you first.

Ocean - Nah, don’t worry. I can find my own way home.

Milo - Cool, thanks. Call me tonight. I’ve got to spill some tea.

I roll my eyes at my phone while hashing out a response. Milo’s idea of spilling the tea is gushing over the boys at school and telling me all about what he saw in the locker room. Last time it was a full breakdown on how some kid got his dick pierced and was showing it off at every chance he got which then went into me convincing Milo that he really didn’t need to get one himself.

Ocean - Okay, but it better be worth it!

Milo - It is.

I look up at Drix and am just about to ask her to drive my ass home when I find the words crumbling and disappearing in my throat. “You good?” she asks, seeing the weird look on my face.

“Oh, umm, yeah. I’m fine. I have to go. I’ll see you guys tomorrow.”

“Yeah, no problem,” she says. “Do you need a ride?”

“Nah, I’m good. I think I’m going to walk.”

Her face scrunches up in distaste. “You’re fucking with me, right?”

“No,” I laugh. “I could really use the walk to clear my head. It’s been a shitty few days.”

“Yeah, I’ve noticed,” she says, leaning back against her locker. “What’s going on with you guys? Charlie’s been super quiet. I thought he was into me but he practically ghosted me.”

“Nah, he’s just going through some things. Maybe he could use the distraction. Why don’t you go and chill with him this afternoon? He could use a friend or two.”

Drix presses her lips into a tight line while thinking it over. “Maybe. I don’t know. I’ll think about it.”

“Okay,” I say, adjusting my things in my arms and getting comfortable for my walk home. “I’ll see you guys tomorrow.”

Jess gives me a small smile and focuses back down at her phone in her hands. She’s still hurting after finding out about Milo’s love of dick but at the same time, she understands it. It doesn’t change that she’s been really quiet though. She’ll move past it eventually and realize that having Milo around as one of the girls is a million times better than having him there as one of the guys.

“Kay,” Drix grumbles, giving me an odd look. “Call me if you change your mind and I’ll come and grab you.”

“Thanks,” I say before turning my back and walking out of the school. I step out into the afternoon sun and take a deep breath. I rarely get time to myself and even though I hate my reasons for needing this time, I can’t deny that the peace and quiet is one of the sweetest things I've ever experienced.

Realizing that it’s going to be a very long walk if I keep overthinking everything, I try my best to zone out and focus on the good times, focus on Colton, and the way I've been making some incredible new friends. I focus on Mom and her need to find happiness, hell I even spare a thought for Nic and try to forget the shitty things he’s done while remembering his apology and his need to always keep me protected.

It's been just over a week since I went into Breakers Flats and spent the morning with him. The time we had together was incredible before it all went to shit. I finally felt like I was finding something important to me, something that I'd lost along the way. I was going to have it all. Turns out I was fooled.

I get halfway home when my legs start giving out and I cut through the