plunder and destroy me with the world of teenage assholes witnessing my demise like I didn’t pave the way for most of these dollar store clothes wearing bitches to be here.
I can’t and I won’t let that happen. It would be a cold day in hell when I allow anyone to embarrass me like that.
“Tell me, princess,” Liam starts, his voice dropping a few octaves, making a shiver go down my spine. “Did you lash out because I showed everyone here that you’re not as invincible as you’d like them to believe? Showed them that you’re, in fact, as tight as a padlocked Bible?”
He circles me, leaning in to sniff my hair. I tremble, unable to believe what’s happening to me.
“Or maybe that anger stems from somewhere else, entirely? Whorish genes, maybe?”
If you listen carefully, you can hear my heart cracking as I gasp, taking a step back when he advances.
Images of my mother flash in my head.
I can see her smiling.
I can see her dancing with me in the studio.
And I can see her, on this day two years ago when she broke down in front of me, the doctors having delivered that she had ALS, and it was breaking down her system faster than they thought, which meant she’d never dance again.
“Stop,” I whisper, but Liam keeps going, the intent to not only ridicule and destroy me so publicly, but to hurt me on a deeper level, so clear in his blazing eyes.
“Or maybe, you’re one of those barely developed, stuttering fools who can only communicate through violence and anger, pissing off other people then acting like the victim when you’re called out on your shit.”
“Stop.”
“Yeah, I think that’s you. Standing over there in your Gucci boots, shaking like a leaf, looking so skinny like you’re about to blow away with a light breeze.”
Mia, you need to eat more, dear.
Mia, you’re wasting away.
Mia, I’m going to be alright, take care of yourself.
“I said stop!” I scream, bringing my hands up to cover my ears, my eyes shut tightly, trying to chase away my mom’s and aunt’s voices.
When the loud, shocked gasps reach my ears, I realize where I am, and who’s watching me. As well as who’s in front me, making a spectacle out of me.
Appearances, Mia. Maintain appearances.
Liam stands there, a big, mocking smirk on his face as everyone starts laughing… at me.
“Can’t handle your emotions?” Liam taunts, winking when he glances over his shoulder. I notice phones pointed at us, recording.
No! I won’t let him destroy me or make a fool out of me. I have a reputation to uphold.
“You should’ve just moved your shit car, but you chose not to. You made your bed the moment your blood decided to come for mine. Now you’ll lie in it.” Liam smiles, then turns around as if to leave. “Against me and my brother, cupcake, you’ll always lose.”
“Really?” I start. “That’s comical coming from you.”
Clearing my throat, I shake away the shock and the hurt, feeling my bitchy tendencies coming over me like an armor of steel. I step closer to him, shaking off the blows he just dealt, ignoring the watchful, intense eyes coming from the black car.
“You know, I’ve heard about you, Liam Fitzgerald. The golden boy that ruthlessly destroys people for getting in his way.” I tap my chin, pretending to mull it over. “I’ve always wondered to myself, what is it about a guy like you, so spoiled, lusted after by harems of bimbos, bad-mouthed behind your back by people you think are loyal to you, that makes you the way you—are?”
His jaw tightens, but he doesn’t move, his hair blowing in the breeze, frozen in place.
“Clearly you have a thing for making people feel small.” I chuckle, keeping the hurt I’m feeling out of it. “Could it be that you’ve always been a small, insignificant, scared little boy?”
I tsk, tapping my chin, knowing damn well that everyone is listening.
“And now, you drive a shitty neon green Lambo to make people notice you. Is it because nobody noticed you? At home, perhaps?”
“I think you should shut up now,” Liam grits out, turning around to stare me down, a menacing look on his face that I think he gets from his brother. Hmm, it doesn’t feel so good to have your guts spilled out so publicly, huh?
I stare right back at him, my eyes wide with an innocent smile on my face, knowing that every word I utter is being recorded and this shit