my arm as we power walk down the hall toward the arts department. “After Saturday night and the attention you got, I think you’re starting to realize that not everyone is as they seem.”
I glance at her, shocked. “What do mean?”
“Oh, don’t give me that, Mia. Roxy is hella mad at you for some unknown reason.”
“She’s angry at me, huh?” Well, after my Saturday night revelation of her, Kendra and Liam, I would be surprised if she weren’t mad.
“Yeah. It’s probably because you’re getting all this attention and love from everyone.”
I frown, staring at her. Doesn’t she know about her best friend and Liam Fitz? The R.A.C.K., for all their supposed beauty and witty sass, really lacked brains and common sense.
“But anyway, watch your back.”
“Why would I do that?” I question, a lump in my throat. “My back’s covered.”
“A guy was almost blown to bits and that comes after you’re at each other’s throat,” she starts. “Is your back really covered, Ice Queen?”
I tense up, but don’t let the fear show. I’m not going to let it wreak havoc in my head.
“I’m fine.” I grit out, but we both know I’m trying to convince myself here. Char eyes me, then she smiles.
“For your sake, sweetheart, I hope you are.”
“I am,” I grit out.
“Hmm, no need to get snippy with me, Mia. I don’t believe that lie, but I do know that Roxy wants to talk to you.”
“About what?” She shrugs, then turns to walk away. “Oh, and by the way, if I were you, I’d be careful of that Keisha girl.”
“Who the hell is that?”
“That Roxy wannabe, blotched-up face, built like a mannequin clone, friend of yours.”
I almost burst out laughing but I hold myself together.
“You mean Kristine?”
“Yeah, whatever her name is.” She rolls her eyes. “Be careful.”
It’s not the first time someone’s said that to me about her. At this point, I’m just holding on to faith that maybe she isn’t what everyone thinks.
“No, she’s good.” I wave my hand dismissively with enthusiasm and conviction that I don’t feel in my body but continue on with the lie. “She’s my best friend.”
“Don’t be stupid, Mia. You don’t have a best friend.”
Char shoots me a wicked smile and a wink, then she leaves, strutting her stuff down the hall toward her first class.
I suddenly feel sick to my stomach as pain blooms in my chest. She’s right. I don’t have a best friend. Not really.
So, I turn and run the way I came. Straight to my car. Then I drive straight to the hospital to see someone who I want answers from, even if he hates me, he’ll give them to me.
20
MIA
When I get to the hospital, it’s not that hard for me to get in to see Liam because one, I was already on the approved list. What’s with that?
And two, I’m pretty much a regular here with all the times I’ve rushed in with Mom. Then there are the numerous times over the years when I needed to get my feet checked out for what they call excessive damage to my toes due to dancing ballet.
It really is a brutal dance but no sacrifice, no victory and I was running out of time to even say that sentence with the conviction it deserves like that dude in the last Transformers movie that flopped.
I walk down the hall to a private wing, almost a replica of the one where I met Julian. My palms are sweaty. I feel like I shouldn’t be here, but I need to get this shit off my chest. I clutch the necklace Mom gave me when I turned thirteen like a lifeline, hoping against hope like a coward that Liam’s asleep.
I hope he won’t recognize me. I mean, it’s possible that he suffered a concussion and maybe even brain damage. It’s possible.
But I can’t keep this up. With trembling hands, I knock on the slightly closed door. A grunt greets me in response. I suck in a breath, nervous for so many messed up reasons.
Calm the hell down, Mia. He’s just a guy you kissed and almost lost your V-card to. Nothing major about that.
With that boost of faux confidence that makes me even more ill, I push the door open, but keep standing there, unable to breathe.
“Are you going to come in or just stand out there like a freaking statue?” a disgruntled, hoarse voice says, and I open the door fully, stepping in. He’s awake, watching the door with clouds of pain