𝒸𝒶𝓁𝓁 𝒾𝓉 𝓌𝒽𝒶𝓉 𝓎𝑜𝓊 𝓌𝒶𝓃𝓉

[Chapter 8] Take My Advice

I adjust the claw clip at the back of my head, knowing it won't eradicate the pain drumming inside my skull but hoping it'll somehow ease it some. Only a few more classes to get through and then I am on my way to the hospital. All day I've been dizzy non-stop and severely off-balance

Not to mention I threw up right before second period, which only made me feel worse.

I continue to stride down the hallway beside Dakota, withholding a yawn from escaping.

"Kelly, you seriously should've just taken a sick day." Dakota voices her worry and I notice her sideways glance of disapproval.

"I'll take a sick day once I get a doctor's note." I brush off her concern and she sighs deeply. "You look like a mess but fine. Be stubborn."

While I know Dakota means well, her words sting a little just due to the fact that I did try my best to make myself look somewhat presentable despite feeling like I'm going to pass out all over again.

To make matters worse, Dakota's not the only one in this hallway who will share that opinion.

I see Amber strutting towards us, her posse on either side---forming an intimidating wall of model-level walking.

Mariah, Carmen and Vanessa. Well, Mariah's boyfriend, Ethan is there too but he doesn't really count. I'm pretty sure he isn't preying on my downfall like the rest of them.

"Oh great." Dakota mumbles, crossing her arms. "Here we go again."

"Callie!" Amber smiles pleasantly as she comes to a stop in front of us, crossing her arms. "It's so good to see you."

Seems innocent enough but I know she has no intention of stopping there.

"Good to see you too." I force myself to reply, not meaning it in the slightest as I ignore the hammering in my head.

"I wasn't sure you'd be in school today," Amber continues and I feel my stomach flip as I realize where she's going with this. "I heard you had a wild night last night."

My eyes widen slightly, seeing my reputation flash before my eyes.

Carmen laughs menacingly behind her French-manicured hand before offering me a mocking pout. "Yeah, are you missing a jacket, Kelly?"

What.

Amber smirks as I feel the blood drain from my face. No way.

My mind flashes back to the faces I recognized from Hemingway but I can't match a single one to someone that would snitch to Amber. How is this happening?

"What's your deal?" Dakota scowls. "Don't you guys have anything better to do?"

"I'm sorry--" Amber arches an eyebrow as she looks Dakota up and down. "Was someone speaking to you?"

Dakota's lips part, clearly caught off guard and Amber smiles pleasantly. "That's what I thought. Callie, can I talk to you for a second? Alone?" She sideways glances at Dakota.

While everything in me is saying, 'no'---I find myself mutely nodding.

"Awesome."

She rests a faux-friendly hand on my shoulder, guiding me away from the group.

Dakota protests from behind me but glancing back, I see Carmen and Mariah holding her back while Vanessa shifts uncomfortably.

"So, Callie...I couldn't help but notice you've taken a liking to my new man," Amber states casually and my eyebrows immediately furrow in confusion. "What?"

"Don't play dumb with me, bitch." She immediately drops the niceties, pulling me to a stop and snarling at me like an angry chihuahua. "You know exactly what I'm talking about."