Athena

37. The Name My Mom Gave Me

Once I arrive in class, I slide into my seat and force myself to pay attention during the whole hour. To actually learn something, for once, so I can take my mind off of everything else that's bothering me. Instead of daydreaming, I listen and concentrate on the lesson. I take notes from the slides. I participate when my teacher calls on me.

I keep up this go-getter attitude in second period as well. Then, in third. In fourth, too.

I check in with Cruz every now and then. We text back and forth during my passing periods. My guy tells me that he's bored out of his mind in the detention room. Cruz finished all of his homework around lunchtime, so, now, all he can do is twiddle his thumbs and stare at the wall. For the most part, though, he seems fine.

To my surprise, I manage to slug through the rest of the day without losing my focus or catching a single glimpse of Chrissa. I'm beyond relieved. I really lucked out today.

After the final dismissal bell chimes, I run out of the classroom and fight against the stampede of students in the hallway. I feel like a fish going upstream, hurrying toward the soccer field to find Cruz. I've never really been into sports, but I can't wait to see him in action. I bet he'll look fuckable as hell while kicking around a soccer ball. Maybe he'll even be shirtless. A big, stupid smile spreads across my face. My heart flutters with anticipation.

The moment I step out of the main building, however, three very blonde heads catch my eye. Alarm rams into me. My smile freezes and my heart drops right then and there.

Chrissa and two of her besties, Leilani and Whitney, are walking towards me.

Fuck!

As our gazes lock, they leer at my grungy jeans and tee outfit as critically as I eye their picture perfect poshness.

Today they're dressed like the villains in a bad teen movie. Preppy, rich, and entitled. Blonde, blonde, and blonder. It's very Scottsdale of them. I'm pretty sure Chrissa is the only natural blonde in their trio, though. Leilani's dark brown roots are showing, and Whitney's shade of silver-white blonde looks like it probably came from a dye bottle rather than genetics.

On their own, Leilani and Whitney aren't as nasty as Chrissa, but, together, the three of them seem to feed off one another's bitchiness, merging into some sort of three-headed bitchy blob that preys on poor and unsuspecting souls.

Poor and unsuspecting souls like me.

The will to stand up for myself dissipates. I'm outnumbered. I just want to get away and find Cruz. Unfortunately, before I can dip, Chrissa approaches me. Leilani and Whitney trail closely behind her, effectively blocking my escape routes on either side of their queen bee.

A smirk rests on Chrissa's glossy petal-pink lips as she greets me, "Hey, slut."

"What perfect timing," Whitney drawls. She's looking at me like I'm a bug that needs to be squashed.

Feeling nervous and tense, I inquire, "What do you mean by perfect timing?"

Leilani snickers unpleasantly. "We were just talking about your slutty ass. And then your slutty ass shows up. See? Perfect timing."

My heart lurches with unease.

"I gotta go," I mumble, struggling to keep my voice calm and steady as I try to maneuver around them.

Chrissa moves to block my way. She growls, "I heard Cruz Recker got into a fight yesterday."

My eyes widen at the mention of Cruz's name. I don't want to talk to Chrissa about Cruz. I don't want to talk to her about a single fucking thing, actually.