The Burn E-Book

Cassie Alexandra

• Herausgeber: Kristen Middleton and Cassie Alexandra
• Kategorie: Gesellschafts- und Liebesromane
• Sprache: Englisch

Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2022

Beschreibung

Written by USA Today Bestselling Authors K.L. Middleton and Cassie Alexandra

I didn't think there could be anything worse than losing my parents... until I changed schools and became the target of the A-squad - the cruel and popular a-holes of Diamond Lake High.

The worst of the group? Chase Adams. An arrogant, rich, hell-raiser who gets his thrills by street racing, partying, and playing games.

This year he and his crowd have it out for me.

They think they can shake me. Ruin me. Break me.

What they don't realize is that I've already been to hell and back.If I have to return, it won't be alone

.A new adult bully romance featuring snobby, power-hungry, dangerous teens against the girl who refused to bend.
 

Leseprobe

Cassie Alexandra

K.L. Middleton

Also by K.L. Middleton

Billionaire at Sea

Billionaire at Sea (Book 2)

Billionaire at Sea Book 1

Carissa Jones Mysteries

Searching for Faith

Looking for Lainey

Daughters of Darkness

Deviant - Jezebel's Journey Book Two

Jezebel (Daughter's of Darkness): Jezebel's Journey Book 1

Diamond Lake Romance

The Burn

The Chase

The Prize

Summit Lake Mysteries

Forget Me Not

Tangled

Tangled Beauty

Tangled Mess

Tangled Fury

The Biker

Resisting The Biker

Surviving The Biker

Fearing the Biker

Taming The Biker

Christmas With The Biker

Destroying the Biker

Venom

Venom

Toxic

Witches of Bayport

Enchanted Secrets

Zombie Games

Dead Endz (Book Three)

Origins

Standalone

Zombie Games Boxed Set

Night Roamers (Boxed Set)

The Biker Series (Books 1 - 4)

One Night

Sharp Edges

Billionaire at Sea Books 1 & 2

Tangled (Boxed Set)

Watch for more at K.L. Middleton’s site.

Also by Cassie Alexandra

Billionaire at Sea

Billionaire at Sea Book 1

Daughters of Darkness

Jezebel (Daughter's of Darkness): Jezebel's Journey Book 1

Diamond Lake Romance

The Burn

The Chase

The Prize

Summit Lake Mysteries

Forget Me Not

Tangled

Tangled Mess

The Biker

Resisting The Biker

Resisting the Biker

Surviving The Biker

Fearing the Biker

Breaking The Biker

Taming The Biker

Luring the Biker (St. Paul Chapter)

Christmas With The Biker

Destroying the Biker

Taunting the Biker

Betraying the Biker

Standalone

The Biker Series (Books 1 - 4)

Phoenix Rising (Book 1)

Phoenix Rising (Book 2)

One Night

Sharp Edges

Billionaire at Sea Books 1 & 2

The Biker Mega Boxed Set

The Biker (Books 1 and 2)

Wreck Me

Resiste al motero

Watch for more at Cassie Alexandra’s site.

Table of Contents

Title Page

Also By K.L. Middleton

Also By Cassie Alexandra

The Burn (Diamond Lake Romance, #1)

Follow Kristen Middleton on Bookbub | Follow Cassie Alexandra on Bookbub

Mackenzie

Chase

Mackenzie

Chase

Mackenzie

Chase

Mattie

Mackenzie

Chase

Mackenzie

Chase

Mackenzie

Chase

Mackenzie

Chase

Mackenzie

Chase

Mackenzie

Chase

Mackenzie

Chase

Mackenzie

Chase

Mackenzie

Mattie

Chase

Mackenzie

Chase

Mattie

Mackenzie

Chase

Mackenzie

Chase

Mackenzie

Chase

Mackenzie

Chase

Mackenzie

Chase

Mackenzie

Chase

Mackenzie

Chase

Mackenzie

Chase

Mackenzie

Chase

Mackenzie

Now Available HERE | After crashing and burning with Mackenzie, Chase Adams is more than ever determined to win her back. This time all bets are off and he’s willing to do whatever it takes to get the girl before she’s someone else’s prize.

I hope you enjoyed the first book in my Diamond Lake High School Series and will consider leaving a review. It really helps me to determine if I should keep the series running. Not to mention that it’s such a wonderful motivator. | Thank you again for taking the time to read this book. Your time is very valuable and I am thrilled that you let me share this story with you. | All my best, | Kristen

Find it HERE

Further Reading: Resisting the Biker

Also By K.L. Middleton

Also By Cassie Alexandra

Copyright ©2019 by Kristen Middleton

All rights reserved.

This book is purely fiction and any resemblances to names, characters, and places are coincidental. The reproduction of this work is forbidden without written consent from the author. The author acknowledges the trademark owners of various products referenced in this work of fiction, which has been used without permission. The publication/use of these trademarks is not authorized, associated with, or sponsored by the trademark owners.

All rights reserved. Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in any form or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of this copyright owner and the above publisher of this book.

Warning: the unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. Criminal copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain, is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to 5 years in prison and a fine of $250,000.

Follow Kristen Middleton on Bookbub

Follow Cassie Alexandra on Bookbub

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Resisting the Biker

The Burn

Whisper

Enchanted Secrets

Venom - Book 1

Forget Me Not

Searching for Faith

Zombie Games – Origins

1

Mackenzie

Monday, September 12th

––––––––

GRANDMA RAE PULLED her rusty, white 1978 Beetle into the parking lot of Diamond Lake High School. As we drove toward the drop-off area, I already felt scrutiny from the kids walking into the building. I’d heard from my cousin Chloe, who’d graduated the year before, that the school was filled with snobs. I was already picking up on that vibe and I hadn’t even stepped out of the car.

“You sure you don’t want me to walk with you to the office?” Grandma Rae asked.

I noticed two girls standing outside of the school, snickering at her beat-up jalopy. If they saw me walking in with my eccentric grandma, who was currently wearing fishing waders, they’d have a field day with that.

“No, thanks. I’ll be fine.”

“Is it because I’m overdressed?” she asked with a twinkle in her eyes.

I chuckled.

“I suppose I could have waited until I got to the lake to wear my waders. But, my knee was acting up this morning. Easier to get them on when I’m sitting on the bed.”

“It’s fine. Collecting bait this morning?”

“Yep. We’re almost out of minnows.”

“That’s right.”

She parked the car next to the curb, reached back for the folder with my school records, and handed everything to me. “Here.”

“Thank you.”

A group of jocks walked past our car. One of them looked at us and then said something that made the other guys laugh.  

Assholes.

I already hated the school and everyone in it.

“You know, since it’s my last year, I could take online classes,” I said, giving them a dirty look.

“Your mother went here. I know she’d want you to attend, too. As far as online schooling, that’s the easy way out. You need this more than you know.”

Right, just like I needed a bullet to the head.

“I guess we can agree to disagree,” I mumbled.  

She smiled sadly. “I know this isn’t easy, but you’re going to be fine. You’re stronger than you know.”

She was trying to help, but the conversation only reminded me of everything I’d lost. My friends. My home. My parents. My entire life. As much as I loved her, I didn’t want to be in Diamond Lake. I just wanted my old life back.  

“Mackenzie?”

“Yeah, I know.”

Her eyes searching mine. “Seriously, you’ve got this.”

I nodded, although I didn’t feel like I had anything. But, I didn’t want to worry her. She’d lost a lot, too. My mother, Quinn, her only daughter. I sometimes heard her crying at night when she thought I was asleep. She was suffering. She was just better at hiding it.

Grandma Rae reached over and brushed the hair away from my eyes. “Just remember that fate has led you to this moment. What happened was a terrible, terrible thing. It was a slap in the face from that bitch, Destiny. Now, you can let her beat you or you can tell her to fuck off. But, my dear, you are blood of my blood. You’re strong. You’re not just a Dumas, but a Maverick. You can have anything that you desire if you put your mind to it. That includes happiness.”

My grandmother was as tough as nails and her glass was always half full. Her husband, Grandpa Donald, had died from a logging accident, back when my mom and her brothers were very young. Grandma Rae raised four kids on her own and had worked her ass off doing it.

“It’s not that easy.” The words left my mouth before I could stop them. I sounded like a whiny kid and hated it.

“No, but life wasn’t meant to be easy. At least that’s what I keep telling myself and it’s gotten me this far. I mean, how many women you know run a taxidermy and a bait store? Especially, in these parts with all the sexist pigs and gossipy old hens,” she mused.

They were another reason why my mother had moved away.  Still, Diamond Lake was a popular tourist place and Grandma made decent money, so she wasn’t leaving anytime soon. You’d never know, though. As well off as she was, Grams lived pretty conservatively. I’d heard my father talk about her hidden money all the time. He always said that she probably had a million dollars tucked away. Mom used to deny it, but I’d been helping Grandma with her bookkeeping and could see that she was indeed doing very well.  

Grandma patted my knee. “Now, keep your chin up and don’t let anyone get you down. I know how kids are, and sometimes they can be mean to the new one on the block.”

I looked again at the two girls still staring at our car and obviously talking trash. Although it infuriated me, and I was PMSing enough to do something about it, it was my first day. Tomorrow, however, might be a different story. “I’m not worried about it.”

“Oh, before I forget, Chloe said you should check out the Drama Club.”

“I’m not interested in theater anymore.”

She pursed her lips together. “Nonsense. You’ve always loved acting, ever since you were little. And you’re so good at it. I bet you’d land one of the leading roles.”

“I don’t know.” I had a feeling that the Drama Club at Diamond Lake was cliquey and I’d regret joining.

“Give it a chance. I think it will do you good to join some kind of after-school club. It will keep your mind off of everything.”

“Helping you at the bait store can do that, too.”

“That’s different. You shouldn’t give up the things you love because of this bump in the road. Just... think about it.”

I nodded, more to appease her.   

The bell rang.

“You’d better get going. Don’t forget to find out which bus you’ll be on.”

“I won’t. Bye.” I opened the door and got out.

“Bye, Kenzie.” She grinned. “Break a leg.”

“Thanks.”

I closed the door and began walking toward the front entrance, feeling all eyes on me. It would have been so much easier if I’d have started last week, like everyone else. I may have blended in by now. But, it was obvious that I stuck out like a sore thumb.  

As I was pulling the handle to open the front door, I felt someone touch my ass. I turned around and saw a tall, muscular red-haired guy. He reminded me a little of Ed Sheeran, but with short, spiky hair and a much more angular face.

“Sorry, my bad,” he said with a wicked grin. “I wasn’t paying attention.”

There were two guys standing next to him and I could tell by their expressions they knew he was full of shit.

I smiled briskly. “I guess you gotta take what you can get when you’re desperate.”

“Ooh, son, you just got flamed...” one of the guys said, cackling with laughter.

Before the toucher could reply, I walked into the school.

2

Chase

I WOKE UP IN BED WITH a hangover and a half-naked chick lying next to me. If I had to be honest, both were pretty ugly. If that shit wasn’t bad enough, I was obviously going to be late for school and I couldn’t afford to be. One more Tardy and I’d lose my parking pass.

I shook the woman’s arm. “Hey, Amy. Get up.”

She frowned and opened her eyes. “It’s April,” she said in a dry, gravelly voice.

“Okay, April. What the fuck are you doing here?” I knew I hadn’t invited her to my bed. No fucking way. Crooked teeth, some missing. Smeared, drawn-on eyebrows. Rail-thin body, except for the fake tits. Twitchy, like an addict. Either this was a prank the guys had set up, or I’d hit rock-bottom and needed some serious intervention.

“I didn’t have a ride home.”  

Things were starting to come back to me in my half-drunken haze. Sonny, Tyler, Mitch, and I had snuck into a strip club in Lancaster, which was the next town over. Since the place was such a shit-dive, it hadn’t been too hard to walk through the front door. She’d been one of the dancers. I remembered something about her giving Sonny head in the parking lot. Being the horny bastard he was, he wanted more, so we’d brought her back to party at my place because my old man was out of town. It had never been my intention to fuck her, though. Or, be alone with her. How she ended up in my bed was beyond me.

“Did we have sex?” I asked, afraid of the answer.

She looked amused. “What do you think?”

“No?”

“Bingo.”

I released the breath I’d been holding. 

She went on. “But, that’s because you were too drunk. You passed out on me.” She scratched the top of her shiny red panties. Not because she was horny. She had an itchy fucking crotch.

I felt the bile rise up in my throat. I needed to burn my fucking sheets. And I really liked these sheets, dammit.

“You need to go. I’m running really late,” I muttered.

“For work?”

“School.”

“Oh, are you a college student?”

“High school,” I replied, hoping that would finally get her ass moving.

She stared at me in shock. “What? How old are you?”

“Seventeen.”

I was actually eighteen, but whatever. She had to go.

“Oh, my God.” April scrambled out of bed and began pulling her shredded jean shorts on. “This is horrible. I can’t believe... look, don’t you dare tell anyone about this.”

“It’s our secret.” I would carry it to my grave. 

She reached down and picked up a yellow sequined tank top. “Seventeen. I guess it could be worse. So, what about the other guys?”

“Same age as me.”

She groaned. “How did you boys even get into the bar?”

I grabbed a shirt out of my closet and pulled it off of the hanger. “Does it matter?”

“I guess not. What’s your address? I need to call an Uber.”

“Not a good idea. My old man should be coming home any minute,” I lied. “He can’t see you.”

“Obviously. Can you drop me off somewhere then?”

“Nope. I’m already late. There’s a gas station up the road.”

She looked relieved. “Oh. Okay.”

FIFTEEN MINUTES LATER, I was flying down the road in my Mustang, watching the clock and swearing at every red light. As luck would have it, I made it to school just in time for my first class. Unfortunately, I realized pretty quickly that I’d forgotten to do my homework and it was still in my locker.

Ms. Haven, my Physics teacher, wasn’t happy when I told her where it was. “Did you finish the assignment?”  

“Most of it,” I replied, sitting on the corner of her desk. I smiled and nodded toward her blue blouse. “You know, that color really brings out your eyes. You should wear more of it.”

Ms. Haven blushed. “Go and get your homework, Mr. Adams. Make sure it’s completed and in my basket by the end of the day.”

“Absolutely.” I nodded toward the red apple on her desk. I’d forgotten to eat and was starting to feel lightheaded. Especially after last night’s drunk-fest. “What kind of apple is that?”

“I don’t know. A Gala. Why?”

“I missed breakfast this morning. It looks really good right now.”

The teacher looked amused. “Go ahead. Take it.”

I grabbed the apple, pulled the edge of my T-shirt up, and polished it with the fabric. When I glanced at Ms. Haven, she seemed to be fixated on the apple. Or, maybe it was my abs. Considering that she was pretty hot for a teacher, I didn’t exactly mind. I’d been with older women before. Some of them had mad skills.

I grinned. “Thanks. I owe you one.”

Looking a little flushed, Ms. Haven picked up her pen. “No problem. Just, get your homework and hurry back please.”

I stood up and walked away from her desk, winking at Sonny, who was smirking.

“Thanks, I owe you one,” he mimicked quietly. “The big one.”

Laughing, I flipped him off.

3

Mackenzie

AFTER CHECKING IN AT the office, I was told that I’d be given a tour of the school by another senior named Sara Jenkins. I learned that she was part of the student council and school newspaper.

“Also, you’ll need to read the Student Regulation book and pay close attention to the dress code,” the principal, Art Bowers, said with a disapproving look at my jeans. He was a skinny, balding man with a horrible comb-over and a moustache that curled up at the ends. Like a circus ringmaster. “We do not allow holes in our clothing at this school.”

I glanced down. The rip was small and barely showed any skin.

Give me a break.

He went on. “I’ll allow it this time, considering it’s your first day. However, in the future, you’ll be sent home to change.”

I smiled. “I can go home now and change.”

Anything to leave.

“No. That’ won’t be necessary. Just keep our dress code in mind when you return tomorrow.”

I sighed.

“Here’s your schedule and a padlock for your locker. Obviously, it’s not a good idea to share it with anyone.”

“Right.”

“Also, your lunch time will be at eleven-thirty. You’re not allowed to leave the school grounds for food or anything else, unless it’s approved through the office.”

“Okay.”

A tall girl with light brown hair and glasses walked into the office. When she saw us, she smiled.

“Sara. Good. This is Mackenzie Dumas. Mackenzie, this is Sara Jenkins,” Principal Bowers said.

“Hi,” we both said in unison.

The principal looked at his watch. “Okay, then. You’d better get going. Your first hour teacher knows that you’re going to be late, Mackenzie.” He looked at Sara. “Just give her a quick tour. No dilly-dallying.”

“Yes, sir.” She looked at me. “Ready?”

I nodded and picked up my backpack before following Sara out of the office.

“Nice guy,” I said dryly.

She chuckled. “Yeah. He’s pretty harmless. Unless you get on his bad side. I’ve heard him yell so loudly in his office that the glass shook.”

The guy looked like such a dweeb, it was hard to believe.

“Thanks. I’ll keep that in mind.”

“So, where are you from?” she asked.

“New York.”

“Oh, wow. I’ve always wanted to visit there. Where in New York?”

“Santa Clara.”

“Really? Why did you move to Diamond Lake?”

I’d expected the question and probably would have asked the same thing in her shoes. I just wasn’t ready to talk about it. I told her the truth without giving anything away. “My grandmother lives here. She wanted me to come and stay with her.” 

Her eyes widened. “And your parents didn’t mind?”

It took me a couple of seconds to reply. I hadn’t expected such a nosy follow-up question. “They didn’t have a lot to say about it.”

Fortunately, my answer was solid enough and the rest of the conversation centered on school.

After giving me a quick tour of the cafeteria, library, and gym, she showed me which hallways contained most of the senior classes. As she was talking, I noticed a muscular guy with broad shoulders digging in his locker. He turned, looked in our direction, and the world came to a standstill.

I swallowed.

“Hi, Chase,” Sara said in a breathy voice.

He ran a hand through his sandy brown hair, which was wavy on top and short on the sides.

Lord have mercy.

Handsome wasn’t even a strong enough word to describe the blue-eyed stranger staring back at us.

“Hey. What’s up?” he replied.

“Just showing the new girl around.”

Chase stared at me curiously.

I knew I should say something, but I couldn’t seem to move my lips.

Or breathe.

All I could do was drink him in. Bluish green eyes framed by thick lashes, a hawk-like nose, a scruffy square jawline, and a body that belonged on a Bowflex commercial.

Not as equally affected, he turned away, going back to whatever he was doing in his locker. “Have fun.”

She laughed nervously. “Thanks.”

We walked past him, and when we were out of earshot, Sara whispered, “That’s Chase Adams. By far the hottest guy in school.”

I glanced back over my shoulder and watched as he slammed his locker and walked away. I noticed a slight swagger in the way he moved, making him even sexier.

“He’s not bad,” I replied casually.

Sara smiled. “Really? Just not bad, huh?”

“Okay, he’s hot. And probably a cocky asshole,” I said, quickly regretting the words. They made me sound judgy. Still, it was usually the truth.

“He’s definitely cocky. An asshole? Probably. I’ve never had any issues with him, though. Now, his friends are a different story. They pretty much walk around the school acting like they’re hot shit. Their girlfriends are even worse.”

“I heard this school is really cliquey.” I sighed. “Just like my old one. I seriously can’t wait to graduate and just move on.”

“Yeah, me, too.”

“So, any other advice you have for me?”

“Not too much. Just stay away from the A-squad.”

I raised my eyebrow. “The what?”

She smirked. “Chase’s crowd. I guess you could say they’re the self-appointed popular group.”

Ah, the asshole squad.

She took her glasses off and cleaned them with the edge of her shirt. “Anyway, you’ll know who they are soon enough.”

“Oh, goody.”

Sara chuckled. “Exactly. Were you popular at your old school?”

“Me?” I snorted. “Nope.”

I’d made a point to stay away from the “elite” crowd in Santa Clara. They’d been all about drama, expensive clothing, and drunken bashes. Almost every one of the popular girls had been two-faced and the guys—conceited assholes. Just like everywhere else.

“I’m not popular either. I wouldn’t want to be. That would mean being friends with Mattie Robbins. Chase’s girlfriend.” She rolled her eyes. “She’s such a fucking bitch.”

So, he had a girlfriend. Although I’d expected it, I still felt the bubble of disappointment.

Sara went on. “And, if she doesn’t like you, she’ll make your life a living hell. I remember back in elementary school... I accidentally stepped on her new pink Nikes, scuffing them a little with my boots. She went ape-shit. I can still remember her yelling at me and getting in my face. I tried apologizing but she wouldn’t even listen. Instead, she started spreading rumors and picking on me whenever she got the chance.”

I could tell from the look on her face that it still bothered her to this day. “That’s too bad. What a bitch.”

“Yeah. I went home and cried that night because nobody would sit with me at lunch or talk to me anymore. It was like that for a long time. I was an outcast because of a simple accident...” Her voice trailed off. “Anyway, things got better. Eventually.” Sara laughed bitterly. “Only because someone else got under her radar.”

“Nobody stood up for you?”

She shook her head.

“Wow. That’s pretty pathetic.”

“Mattie was so popular, even back then. Nobody wanted to get on her bad side.”

“And she’s still like that?”

Sara nodded. “She’s basically the queen of the A-squad. The guys will do anything for her and her friends. They’re too afraid to piss her off.”

“She sounds lovely,” I replied sarcastically.

“The funny thing is that we were close friends throughout the second grade. We used to make headbands for each other from these kits our parents would buy.” She smiled grimly. “Of course when she went after me in fifth grade, she told everyone that she didn’t want to be my friend anymore. I was weird and made her uncomfortable. She even went as far to say that I was gay and had tried to kiss her.”

“The more you talk about her, the more I want to throat-punch her.”

Sara laughed and then was silent for a few seconds. “I’m not even angry about her calling me a lesbian. Just that she lied and said I’d tried to kiss her,” she murmured and looked at me. “But, I am Bi. I’m not ashamed of it. I just didn’t know it back then.”

“You were only what? Ten or eleven?”

“Exactly. Anyway, it didn’t matter to her. She just wanted to humiliate me. I’ll never forgive her for that.”

I couldn’t blame her.

“So, do you still collect headbands?”

She laughed. “Hell, no. I don’t really collect anything right now. What about you?”

“Fishing lures.”

She looked shocked. “Really?”

I nodded. “My grandmother got me into it. She owns a tackle and bait shop. Anyway, she used to send me lures when I was little.” I thought back to those early years and how my father used to take me fishing. We’d rent a pontoon boat and use the lures Grandma Rae had sent. It would be an all-day thing with ham sandwiches, Sour Cream and Onion Pringles, and my dad’s seventies music blasting out of his boom-box. I could still taste the mustard and pickles Mom would put on the sandwiches. I’d gotten sick of them over time. But now... I’d do anything to taste one again.

“That’s cool. Do you fish a lot?”

“I used to. Anyway, we should probably find my locker and get to class,” I said, wanting to change the subject. That last thing I needed was to start getting all emotional in front of her.

“Good idea.”

AFTER FINDING MY locker, we headed to Calculus.

“Just to warn you, Mrs. Peterson is the teacher and can be a real bitch,” she whispered as we stopped outside of the classroom.

“Wonderful,” I muttered.

I’d had problems with pre-calculus, although I’d ended up with a B-minus as a final grade, second semester. I’d stayed after a few times for extra tutoring, which had helped enormously. My previous teacher had been so patient and helpful, which had made the difference. If this Mrs. Peterson was as bad as Sara was making her out to be, I might be in trouble.

“My sister’s in college and knows this stuff. She’d probably help both of us, if I asked.”

I smiled. “That would be cool.”

She opened the door and it was so quiet, you could hear the teacher in the next room talking.

Everyone looked up.

The teacher, Mrs. Peterson, had short, curly brown hair, silver-framed eyeglasses, and bright red lipstick. She looked up from her desk. “Sara, take a seat and start reviewing chapter four. Mackenzie.” She smiled warmly. “Welcome. Why don’t you come and see me over here.”

So far, so good.

I relaxed. “Okay.”

I hiked my backpack over my shoulder and headed toward her. Before I reached her desk, however, someone stuck their foot out, tripping me. I stumbled forward and ended up falling flat on my face.

Mrs. Peterson gasped and stood up. “Are you okay?” 

“I’m fine,” I replied, grateful that at least nobody was laughing.

“Miss Robbins!” snapped the teacher, slamming her hand on her desk. “I saw what you did. What on earth were you thinking?”

I pulled myself up from the floor, trying to ignore the pain in my knee from hitting the unpadded carpeting, and looked to see who she was talking to. The girl had long, white-blonde hair, blue eyes, and glossy lips. Her eyebrows were perfect. Her eyelashes fake. Her makeup far too heavy for such an aggravatingly pretty face.

She kind of reminded me of some YouTube makeup celebrity.  

“It was an accident. I didn’t mean to trip her,” she replied with wide eyes.

Someone snorted.

“Seriously. I was just stretching my foot out because of a cramp. These new boots of mine are killing me. Anyway, I wasn’t paying attention.”  

Sara’s story came back to me.

Robbins.

Mattie Robbins. She really was a mean bitch.  

“You seem to have a bad history with footwear,” I said, stepping back to look at her boots. They were short, made of brown suede, with about a two-inch heel. Probably as expensive as the Louis Vuitton purse she had.

She looked puzzled. “Excuse me?”

I wanted to say something else, but noticed Sara in the corner of my eye. I knew she wouldn’t want me dredging up the past. “Nothing.”

“I believe you owe an apology to Ms. Dumas,” said the teacher.

Mattie, who was playing with her pencil, smiled. “Sorry for tripping you.”

The twinkle in her eyes gave her away. She was only sorry the teacher had caught her.

“It’s fine. Accidents happen,” I answered. Somehow, I knew if it were up to her, there’d be more.  

She didn’t reply.

“Okay, everyone. Get back to work. All of you,” the teacher said and then looked at my jeans. Her eyebrows drew together. “Was that rip there before or after you fell?”

“I’m not sure,” I lied. “Should I go home and change?”

Mrs. Peterson gave me a funny look. “You don’t know?”

I shrugged. “I may have hit my head falling down. Maybe I should go to the nurse’s office?”

The teacher sighed. “I don’t recall you hitting your head. You’re in pain?”

I glanced over at Mattie and suddenly didn’t want her thinking she’d hurt me in any way.

“No, I’m fine, actually.”

“Good. Maybe we can just move past your jeans and talk about what you’ve missed.” She nodded toward the chair across from her. “Please, have a seat.”

“Watch your step,” murmured someone in the class, causing some laughter.

I clenched my jaw and sat down. I glanced over at Mattie, who had a smug look on her face.

Bitch.

I knew she couldn’t wait to brag to everyone on how she’d tripped the new girl. I didn’t want any drama, but it was obvious that she’d decided to bring it on. Apparently Sara was right—Mattie Robbins was bad news. New school or not... there was no way in hell I’d let her make a fool of me again. This wasn’t fifth grade and I gave zero fucks about who sat with me at the lunch table.

4