Nico Vaughan, the junior class "Nice Girl" wants to be free from her abusive and obsessive ex-boyfriend.
Valen Henford, the school's resident "Rich Guy meets Bad Boy" wants to spend his senior year with the girl he's been in love with for years.
W...
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"When did a dragon ever die from the poison of a snake?" (Nietzsche).
|◁ II ▷|
I walk towards the school's football field feeling confident and proud. It's been a couple of weeks since the gala, but Valen and I are closer than ever. I'm still nervous about where we might go, but it's less of a "this is dangerous" nervous and more of an excited nervous.
I feel more prepared.
But how does he feel?
I genuinely have no idea.
I wave at the woman at the ticket stand, and she lets me through with a smile. I wonder if she'll continue smiling when she sees Valen's name and number on the back of my jersey. It doesn't matter, anyways. People are judgy, and I can't help that, as much as it bothers me.
I see Amber and Rachel chatting, standing up against the fence with the football-going seniors and juniors. Rachel is wisely wearing a long sleeve under her shirt, and Amber is rocking her mini shirt and cropped long-sleeve. She's much better suited for the colder weather, but it's probably because her and her family lived up in Connecticut for a while.
Still, it's starting to get into the low sixties.
I settle into conversation with my two friends, and we watch the game as we talk. At halftime, we're up by one touchdown. There's been a little bit of tension on the field, but nothing our players can't handle.
"Nico," A few voices call from behind me.
Amber, Rachel, and I turn to see a couple girls in the senior class. They wave us over, but Rachel ends up staying to keep our spots by the fence.
"How's Valen doing?" One of the girls ask, and they all stare at me for my answer.
Feeling uncomfortable, I respond simply. "He's good."
"Good?" Another girl pipes up. "He's a little... different than you, huh? How are the... differences—working out?"
"Good," Amber shuts them down. "They are very happy."
"Oh," The same girl responds. "Does that mean you're, um, getting a little swayed? You might want to be careful, because Valen is different than you. He isn't used to—"
Amber takes my hand and leaves, taking me with her.
"What?" I hiss.
"They aren't being nice," Amber spits out, taking us back over to the fence.
"They were just asking about Valen and how we're working out," I say, confused. "People are interested. We are different."
"Babe," Amber stresses, placing both hands on my shoulders and staring at me. "They were being mean. They were being passive aggressive."
