at the center of the guy’s universe, then woke up as their enemy. If only I knew what I did to make them hate me so much, maybe then I could finally let them go.
Mama straightened, as if that was enough sentimental bullshit for her. “Anyway, you’re going. End of story.” She got up and smoothed her suit. “You’ll go to Switzerland, and you can finally leave this all behind. It’ll be better this way, you’ll see.”
My chest caved in. All of the holding back I’d done for months was for nothing. She’d been threatening me with boarding school, and now, it was happening, even though I’d let the bullies walk all over me. I’d let them disgrace me and humiliate me, and it hadn’t meant a damn thing.
When Mama left, I took a few steadying breaths before standing to look in the mirror hanging in our entryway. I stared at each bruise. I took in how empty my eyes were, and how my lips seemed permanently fixed into a frown. I was done. I was leaving, even though I’d tried so hard to stay. But you know what? I didn’t need anyone or anything. Mama, the guys, and Smith Academy might have all given up on me, but I wasn’t giving up on myself.
I was going to be shipped of? Fine. I’d give them all a goodbye to remember.
Chapter Six
The little black dress I’d stolen from my mama’s closet was tight. Too tight. Where she was shorter and willowy, I was taller with a round, firm butt, and strong arms and legs. I didn’t usually show off my body, because Mama hated it. She always had some comment to make about how I was too muscular for a girl, but really, she just wanted me to be soft like her. But I was proud of my figure—the way my thighs were toned and tan, and even though my breasts were on the smaller size, I still had an hourglass figure, so I filled out the thin material nicely, showing off just how strong and feminine I was.
After deciding that the dress was perfect, I studied the rest of me. My long, brown hair framed around my face that was mostly dominated by my large brown eyes and full lips. I stared at the cut on my lip. At first, I’d tried to cover it up with makeup, but after debating for three hours whether or not I actually wanted to attend this party, I decided to leave it bare. Let the world see that I was bullied, I didn’t care.
Rogue Kelly was having a party at his parent’s estate tonight. It was something he did most Saturdays since kicking me out of the group. Rogue and the guys had always been known for their lavish parties, but it seemed that since I was out, they'd started throwing them more consistently. It was an unspoken understanding that I wasn’t invited to anything they put on, but I didn’t care.
Since yesterday, I’d come to terms with my future. Knowing that I was going to Switzerland to an all-girls school freed me in a way. What was the worst that they could do now? I was leaving. I could handle the hate. I couldn’t handle leaving without closure. So, here I was. Dressed up in a tight dress and heels like a warrior going off to the front lines. At least I looked good.
I walked downstairs, clasping my clutch in my hand as my heels clicked along the marble tile. It had been a while since I’d gotten dressed up.
“Well, you’re overdressed for dinner with the Taylors,” Mama observed from her chair in the sitting room.
She was the picture of hypocrisy, wearing a bright flowered dress that showed off her cleavage and complimented her pale skin. She was impatiently clicking her red nails along the side table while assessing me.
I cursed inwardly. I’d forgotten that our monthly dinner was tonight. These dinners started when Godfrey and I were kids. It was our parents’ lame attempt at fixing us up together. I watched as she glanced at the clock, likely counting the seconds until Daddy showed up. That was the thing about a good image, you had to maintain it. Daddy might have been living in a hotel across town with his flavor of the month, but he still showed up here for family dinner. Even though everyone whispered about his affairs, my mama liked to keep the illusion of having a happy