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When we got back to school Monday, my boyfriend went on a mission—sniffing around like a bloodhound, trying to figure out which guys had been to my house since I moved to town.
He was out for blood, convinced someone ate my pussy.
He assumed I meant some guy or guys got down on their knees and pleased me.
What really happened? I sucked a couple of guys’ dicks back in tenth grade. Nico’s not going to like hearing that, but at least no one has to die.
He had this image of me in his head. His sweet, untouched girl. It’s obvious he doesn’t want anyone else laying a finger on me. It’s like he wants to be the only one who ever has me.
And I’m not sure how I feel about that right now.
It’s nice we’re from the same world. But who says I want to marry a guy from my world? Maybe this distance I keep, this hesitation, it’s my way of protecting my heart. He does the most romantic gestures, but I can’t let him pull me all the way in. I still have my guard up.
I can’t stop the smile that plays at my lips. I had sex with the guy I used to fantasize about. Nico Pitucco. My crush. My first.
Scanning the packed lunchroom, I search for the rest of the cheer squad.
Football cheerleaders have sat with the football team recently. Nico’s doing. Unless we’re having a meeting.
To the right, I spot a few of the girls walking in.
“Karry,” I call. “Grab Bekka. It’s time for our cheer meeting.”
Lorna plops down on the bench beside me like she’s on the team. I shoot her a disgusted look, knowing it was only a matter of time before she and the others approached me about my boyfriend.
“I noticed your car in Nico’s driveway Saturday for hours,” she says, flicking her long, shiny brown hair over her shoulder. The confidence that usually sparkles in her baby-blue eyes seems to be waning.
I smirk wickedly. “Yes, I was there. He’s my boyfriend.”
More squad members settle at the table, and whispers ripple around us. My best friend Noré places a reassuring hand on my arm, signaling her support. I don’t need to look to know it’s her; we’ve been doing this since ninth grade.
Lorna laughs sarcastically. “He’s been your so-called boyfriend for nearly two months.”
“Oh, did I strike a nerve? You seem to be keeping close tabs on our relationship, which I didn’t ask for,” I retort.
She laughs again. “You’ve been gazing at him like a lost puppy since you arrived here.”
I can feel cognac eyes on me from across the lunchroom. I know it’s Nico.
Lorna sneers. “I guess you’re fucking him now.”
“What happens between Nico and me is none of your business.”
She leans in close, her breath hot on my ear. “He won’t keep you now that he’s gotten what he wants. Fat. Girl.” She stretches out the words like she’s delivering a final blow. “I still don’t get how your fat ass made the cheer squad.”
Rage coils in my chest.
Noré shoots up beside me. “Leave, bitch.”
My wicked smile widens as I raise a hand, telling Noré to chill.
“Lorna, you think fat-shaming me is going to hurt my feelings?” I ask, voice calm and cutting. “Think again, stick figure. My man loves my curves. Loves my soft stomach. And you know what else he loves?”
I lean in. “Eating my pussy. He worships it. After school, he’ll be on his knees again.”
I pull back slowly, locking eyes with her.
Her expression falters.
“Lorna,” Nico’s voice cuts through the noise. He stands at the edge of the table, close enough for me to smell him. Feel him.
“You’ve overstayed your welcome,” he says.
“Nico, your ex…girlfriend was just leaving,” I add, voice sweet but laced with venom.
“She was never my girlfriend,” Nico says. “Before you, Serenity, I didn’t do girlfriends.”
The grin spreading across my face is pure victory.
Lorna rises, eyes darting to him. “You can say all the mean shit you want right now. We both know when you’re done with this fat bitch, you’ll be back in my bed.”
The fire in my chest explodes. I stand, stepping over the bench. Before anyone can stop me, I grab her by the hair and yank her down to my level.
Gasps erupt around us.
I tune them out.
“You must’ve forgotten who this fat bitch is,” I whisper. “And the power I hold. We both know you could be gone tomorrow with the snap of my fingers.” I chuckle.
“Are you threatening to kill me?”
She squirms in my grip, panic flashing in her eyes. Bet her scalp is burning due to how tightly I’m gripping her hair. She slaps at my hands, attempting to free her hair.
I feel someone trying to pull me off her.
“My bad side is the last place you want to be.” I stare up into my boyfriend’s eyes.
His evil glare holds mine. “Serenity, let her go.”
I shove her toward him.
“Ms. Cichello.” Mrs. Lassiter’s voice rises above the chaos.
I inhale slowly, ignoring the stares from my squad.
“Noré, run the meeting and start practice this afternoon. Pretty sure I’ll be in detention.”
I walk out of the lunchroom in my starched school uniform, hands clasped behind my back like a queen leaving her court.
Javier stands at the door, holding it ajar. “Fighting over boys now?” he murmurs, his Spanish accent just noticeable.
“I’ve had enough of her mouth,” I snap.
I’m not fat. I’m thick. But in high school, any girl under five -six and over a hundred and thirty-five pounds with a soft stomach gets labeled fat.
Mrs. Lassiter chastises me about my behavior as we walk toward the office.
“Serenity,” Nico calls after me.
I don’t turn around. This is why I kept my distance. Why I never gave in to my feelings for the most popular boy in school. Kids are cruel. And most of them don’t understand what he sees in me.
Sometimes, I don’t either.
I feel Nico’s arm snake around my neck just as tears threaten to fall.
“I’ll grab lunch from your favorite spot,” he says gently.
If I look at him, the tears will fall. So I don’t.
He kisses my cheek. “I’ve got your back, Serenity.”
Then he lets me go.