to the womenâs washroom when Matt saunters out of the menâs.
My heart leaps into action, pounding double-quick.
Matt grins, lazy and wide. His blue eyes are knife sharp.
âHey, Tori.â His tone is mocking. âAre you looking to hook up in the guysâ washroom?â He raises one eyebrow like a question mark.
I recoil like Iâve been slapped. My head reels. For a horrible second, Iâm back in the washroom at Carmen Carterâs place. My limbs stiffen in fear.
âToo bad Melody is waiting for me.â He smirks before he strolls down the long hall, back toward the food court, which feels like a distant oasis now.
I dive into the washroom. Splash water on my face. Try to still my trembling hands.
When my phone vibrates, itâs a text from Matt. Maybe uâll get lucky next time.
Next time?
I huddle in a stall for what feels like ages, trying to calm down, cringing whenever I hear footsteps in the hall. When Iâm sure heâs long gone, I hurry back to Alena, upset that Matt can reduce me to a quivering lump.
âItâs about time,â Alena says. âDid you get lost in there?â
I clear my clogged throat. I can hardly think. âSorry. Letâs get out of here.â
I offer Alena a ride home, and we head to the Civic without talking. I hold open the mall doors, my hands still shaking, as she limps through.
The sun is intense, like itâs summer already. As we take a shortcut between the Dumpsters, we meet up with two girls: a large one in a cut-off jean jacket, and Neanderthalâs girlfriend in a tight T-shirt dress.
âShit,â I mutter.
Alena flashes me a worried look and picks up her pace.
The large girl belches loudly, sending the scent of booze toward us. Neanderthalâs girlfriend elbows her, leaning close to whisper.
I take Alenaâs arm and aim her toward the car. When weâre several paces past them, the large one calls in a gruff voice, âHey, you! With the shaved head.â
I ignore her.
Behind us, footsteps come closer.
âIâm calling you, Tori Wyatt.â The words are slightly slurred.
I know I shouldnât, but I glance back.
The large girl is standing like a bull ready to charge. Neanderthalâs girlfriend has her arms crossed. Iâm not sure that Alena can make it to the car before this goes sideways.
âDamn, youâre as ugly as he said you were,â the large girl says. âYour friend too.â
I stop. I turn. I inhale the rot from the Dumpsters, my nostrils flaring. Why does she have to be such a jerk?
Alena tugs my arm. âCome on.â
âWhyâd you shave your head?â the large one says. âAre you a dyke or something?â
Neanderthalâs girlfriend smirks.
âYeah, right. Because every girl who shaves her head must be a dyke.â I suck air through my teeth, sick of the idiots who keep harassing me. âWho the hell are you?â
âJordan Rayfield.â She pronounces each syllable like itâs a bullet aimed at me. âAnd you canât just break my cousinâs nose and forget about it! Seems fair that I should break your nose now.â
I glare at her. âJust try it,â I say.
Jordan steps closer, her meaty fists ready. Beads of sweat glisten on her forehead. Her eyes are glassy.
âLetâs just go to the car, Tori.â Alena yanks my arm harder.
I shake her off. âIn a minute.â Just one punch. Thatâs all itâll take.
Neanderthalâs girlfriend circles behind me, where I canât see her. Would she try to get in on the action? I try to keep both of them in sight.
âYou donât have to do this, Tori.â Alena has her phone out now. âJust walk away.â She backs toward the car.
Jordan snorts. âYou wonât walk away from this.â She sideswipes my ear when I glance at Neanderthalâs girlfriend.
Alena yelps. Pain shoots through my head and