Senseless

revenge

School on Monday didn't run as smoothly as I'd wished. Let me put it like this: Lane spread rumors. According to those rumors—which, of course, became quite creative by the third or fourth clique—I only broke up with him because "I was caught cheating and felt too guilty" or "I'd always had a commitment problem." It really was quite out there. I'd heard one that said I'd actually been possessed by the spirit that roamed the halls at Maris Manor and it had forced me to dump him. Various people, mainly the stranger students, gave me looks that said they were either terrified, perplexed, or intrigued.

I also received quite a few looks that seemed a little more provocative now that there wasn't a tall, lean figure by my side giving them looks to go away. I couldn't decide if it was nice or uncomfortable. I mean, on one hand, it was nice to receive so much attention, but on the other, it was a little uncomfortable when I returned a smile and they waggled their eyebrows or winked.

Lane wouldn't stop looking at me in the hall, either. I was growing quite irritated at the looks I got, and I knew others also noticed. In second period, I found Amber grinning as she gave me a strange look.

"What?" I asked.

"There are rumors," she began.

"I know," I snapped, my face distorting into one of immense annoyance. "Don't even bring those up."

"So I started a few of my own to let him know who he was dealing with."

I met her smirking gaze with a grin of my own. "You didn't need to do that. I already had a plan." Oh, yes, I had been formulating a master plan for the majority of my first hour. It only meant I had to succumb to certain "inappropriate flirtations" from a certain surfer whose brother was still texting my sister.

Nash sat down forcefully next to me just seconds after the late bell rang. I frowned at his movements and noticed his fists were busted, similar to my own. He also had matching bruises on his arm and cheek.

"Why are you always bruised up? You get into that many fights?"

"One sided," he grunted.

"As in you punched some poor, unfortunate soul?"

"As in I was punched but did not reciprocate the hateful gesture."

"Your knuckles—"

"I went to the gym yesterday," he said curtly.

"Did the bag fight back?"

He glared at me. "Quit asking so many questions." I frowned at his tone, noting the annoyance in which he said the words.

Miss Wilder bounced into the room with her usual smile and said, "Great news! You'll be changing partners today!" I sighed in relief, trying to ignore the twinge of disappointment I felt. Nash and I had worked well together. I glanced over to see him staring ahead with an expressionless face. "Well, I suppose it's good news. I am giving you the option of staying with your current partner if you wish. If not, I'll be giving you assigned ones."

I refrained from looking over as I forced myself to remain emotionless as well. You'll work just as well with the next person. As she began naming people off, I leaned my head back. When I heard my name and Amber's, I smiled and looked at her. She had the same smile, only slightly more devious. She had a plan.

Nash heard his partner's name and an angry look appeared in his features. "I'd like to keep my partner," he said immediately. I knew it was only because he didn't like his next partner, but I didn't care.

"No," I snapped. "I'm with Amber. I'm not staying."

"Well, I don't want to be with Blair." He didn't bother lowering his voice, and I heard Blair's unhappy scoff a few seats down.