I’m walking back to the dorm after class when someone bumps into me—hard. I look over, biting back a curse, and when I see it’s Alison, I wish I’d let it out.
“What’s your problem?” I bark.
“You. You’re my problem,” she sneers.
I roll my eyes. “Why is that? Because you want to screw Cam but he’s with me? Because Cam made me his girlfriend when all you were to him was a piece of ass? Both of you,” I correct when I see Brittany standing beside her.
“You little bitch. I’m going to ruin you,” Brittany shouts.
I’m so afraid right now. I know what Alison is capable of—but with Brittany by her side? I can’t even imagine. I swallow that fear and pretend. I’m good at that—pretending I’m okay.
“Could you be any more dramatic?”
Alison steps closer. “Watch yourself, Muppet. You’re overstepping.”
“No. I’m not. I’m minding my own business, living my life, and you nut jobs start with your threatening and bullying. What are you—twelve?” I mock.
Alison’s nostrils flare. It reminds me of a bull in a Bugs Bunny cartoon. You know the one? Where the steam comes out of the bull’s nostrils because Bugs keeps taunting it? That’s the one. I smirk at the thought and Alison’s hand comes flying at my face before I can even think.
She slaps me and she slaps me hard—not just once, but twice. The burn, the sting of the slaps hurts like a mofo. I won’t cry, but I can’t stop the tears that fill my eyes. Damn it. I hate showing her any signs of weakness.
“Feel better now?” I ask, lifting my chin.
She hides the shock well, but I still get a glimpse. I am not the same girl I once was. I’m not sure who I am, exactly, but I’m no longer weak.
She cocks out a hip. “A little. But Muppet? There’s a lot worse coming.”