My Ex From Hell (The Blooming Goddess Trilogy, #1)

If you can't beat 'em, poison 'em (Part 1)

I was a big ball of crank the next morning, evident by the fact that I was wearing jeans. Considering them the pants of the devil and loaded with body issues, I only stooped to wear jeans when I was in what Hannah called my "little black rain cloud" mood and was unable to summon the energy to pour myself into something better.

Kai was messing with my head. Argh! Not just my head. I hadn't slept all night thinking about him. I couldn't decide if he wanted to screw me or screw me over. Or both. One minute he was kissing me, the next he's all over Bethany, then helping me out by giving me info I desperately need. Where exactly did he stand?

I flung myself into the cafeteria, determined to mow down whomever came between me and my espresso. (Foreign caffeine drinks being a rare perk of my progressive school.)

"That skank," Hannah proclaimed as I joined her, knocking back my espresso in one shot. Much better.

I took a sip of water to clear out my coffee mouth. As I buttered my stack of toast, I craned my neck to see where she was looking.

Bethany had her fingers twined in the belt loops of Kai's jeans as they stood in line together. His hand rested on the small of her back. She gave me a smug grin when she saw me staring.

I wanted to shove her Bindi back up into her brain. Instead, I turned to Hannah. "She's the poster child."

"Not her," Hannah replied. "Well, her too. But him. Kai. The mimbo. You know, I thought I disliked him when I met him but I'm realizing that my first impression was by far the best. Want me to sic something nasty on him?"

"I'm in a Kai-free zone today. I have bigger things to worry about." I explained to Hannah what I had tried to do last night.

"You're going to get yourself killed," she chided.

"This goddess gig is bound to have side effects." I glared at two sophomores who were attempting to give me "how ya doin'?" nods. "I am so not in the mood."

"Killed unnecessarily," Hannah clarified. "Don't take stupid risks like that. And be nice to the poor boys. They're overwhelmed by your new goddessy hotness."

As if. "Existing in this state is a stupid risk." I complained. "I'm a goddess with blinders on. I need to regain more of my memories." I spied Theo getting in line for breakfast. "I don't even know who to trust. Except you."

"Honestly? You doubt the Rock?" She took a bite of her granola and yogurt.

"I know Theo is my friend," I replied, "and I believe that he saved me. From something. I just don't think he's giving me the full story. He's got some kind of agenda that involves me. He and Kai both. I wish they'd pony up and give me the skinny. Actually," I continued, "Kai is refusing to, saying I have to remember it for myself or I won't believe him."

"Jeez, Sophie, don't say anything that might make me like him. I was getting comfortable with my disapproval." She thought it over a minute. "Maybe there is something we could do. A kind of meditation to try and unblock your mind."

"Like hypnosis? No way. I won't let you tinker around in my head and have me barking like a dog."

"You have insane trust issues. Not hypnosis. I'm not the Great and Powerful Oz."

"What are you chickens clucking about?" Theo asked as he joined us.

"Kai," I said with a covert warning glance at Hannah.

"He's an asshat," Theo concurred with no hesitation, stabbing a forkful of scrambled eggs.

"He's merely toying with Bethany. Kai is all about me." I tried to sound very confident about that fact.