dismissed for today. Next time, be on time Mia, or find yourself another ballet studio.”
Gladly, Ms. Voldemort.
With that, she turns away to talk to another girl. For a moment, I stand there, unable to believe what I just heard from Casey Voldemort—I’m going to call her that from now on.
I look around, feeling the stares of the girls in my class on my back. I can hear them whispering among themselves, glancing up at me every few seconds. I notice them gathering around to look at someone’ phone, then they look at me again.
Something’s happening, but I don’t want to know.
23
MIA
Grabbing my bag in a blind fury, I don’t bother dashing to the changing room to change outfits, I just want to get the hell out of here.
But as soon as I make it out of the damn building and into the busy streets of L.A, someone grabs my arm with a vicious grip, her nails biting into my skin.
Spinning around, ready to slap the shit out her, I come face to face with a smirking Casey.
“Get your filthy hands off of me,” I seethe and she starts laughing.
“Oh, you’re a catty little thing, aren’t you?” Casey chuckles, an eyebrow raised. “Where are you rushing off to?”
“Where I go is none of your damn business, now go fetch a stick to shove up your ass or something.” I turn to leave, but she stops me again.
“No, you don’t get to dismiss me, oh mighty, Ice Queen Mia. I know who you are and I certainly know what you did.”
I’m sick of this shit now. So, let’s freaking play, bitch.
“Hmm, judging by the way you’re so desperate for my attention, watching every move I make like a depraved and lost crackhead. I’m sure you know everything I do.” I smile at her, fighting to remain calm. “Please tell me, when next am I supposed to go take a shit? Will you wipe my butt too? I prefer super soft Japanese premium toilet paper, thanks.”
She gasps, looking offended for a second. “You can’t even afford that.”
“And you don’t even know what that is, do you?”
She gasps again, looking offended. “Do you know who I am?”
“Err, a stalker with nothing better to do than to follow me?” I mock, watching her.
“I’m your worst nightmare, little girl,” she starts. “I know what you did to Liam Fitzgerald. I know it was you who planted that bomb.”
I freeze for a minute. It feels like my body just turned into one huge block of cement. Fighting to fix my damn face, I watch her right back, refusing to give her what she’s looking for.
“I have no idea what you’re chirping about,” I keep my voice calm and controlled.
“Come on, Mia Montague,” she says, her face morphing from confusion to fake triumph in less than a second. “I think you know exactly what I’m talking about.”
“Actually, I don’t.” I smile. “You have a crappy day now.”
Side-stepping her, I start walking to my car.
“I know that you messed with Julian’s car. I know you were setting them up and guess what, the police will be knocking at your trailer door pretty soon,” she calls after me, desperation in her voice. When I keep going, she shouts after me, “I know your family’s broke as fuck and your hotshot lawyer dad can’t even get any work anymore.”
I stop dead in my tracks, then spin around to look at her. Behind her from the ballet building, the girls are coming out and they stop short, noticing the scene from Mean Girls before them.
Can this day get any fucking worse?
Walking back to Casey, I get in her personal space and growl for her ears only.
“I said, I have no idea what you’re talking about,” I start. “You’re clearly delusional and you need help.”
“Julian’s mine!” she blurts out and I reel back. Frowning at her, she steps back, composing herself. “Julian is mine and I know for damn sure that he’s going to blow your life up, bitch, and I don’t think your daddy will be able to help you.”
So, this is what’s it’s about. Julian fucking Fitzgerald. I should’ve known. She laughs, watching me.
“I mean, how could he if he’s been out of work for the better part of three years?” Casey goes on. “My dad also told me your family lost that amazing house you used to show-off with.”
Mel and the other girls gasp, and they start laughing. Some of them are recording this and I’m standing there like a