THE MORNING AIR was brisk as I walked into the school, but I didn’t mind. The breeze reminded me of the night before, and for once, I felt beautiful, even without the words spilling off Beckett’s lips to remind me.
Since I still had a few minutes before class, I went to the bathroom to check my appearance and make sure I looked perfect for him.
The mirror reflected the new and improved Rory back at me. I was slowly getting better at applying my makeup, thanks to practice and some video tutorials. My eye makeup had seen the biggest improvement, accentuating my lashes and making them look full and long. I loved the way the eyeshadow made my eyes stand out against the larger features of my face.
The pink lipstick had to be my second favorite. I reapplied it on my lips and pressed them together. My lips felt different now that I had been kissed
—like they belonged to Beckett instead of me.
The door opened, and Merritt came in, followed by Tinsley and Poppy. She seemed surprised to see me at first, but that was quickly replaced with contempt.
“Hello, Pig,” Merritt said, staring pointedly at my lipstick.
“Could you be any more of a cliché?” I rolled my eyes and capped it. “Give it a rest, Merritt.”
Poppy’s mouth fell open. “You gonna let her talk to you like that, Mer?” Merritt put her hands on her hips. “It is pretty big talk, but then again,
she is a big girl.”
I put my lipstick back in my bag and turned to her. “Get out of my way, Merritt.” I ignored the other two, because we all knew Merritt was the
ringleader here.
“What, you think you’re hot stuff just because Beckett asked you to homecoming?”
“I think I won our bet,” I countered. “Have fun with Netflix.”
She shook her head, laughing. “Silly girl, don’t you know the bet’s only won if he actually takes you?”
“And?” She was either stupid or delusional at this point. “He’s taking me. That’s been pretty clearly established.”
She shrugged. “And have you told him about our little arrangement?”
My jaw clenched and my stomach sank, but I stayed still, not wanting to show any sign of weakness.
Her tinkling laugh filled the restroom. “Don’t worry. I’m sure he’ll be totally okay with the fact that you used him to get back at me.”
“I’m not worried. You made sure he won’t find out with your threats,” I bluffed.
“I don’t know.” She picked at her fingernail like she was bored with our conversation, then she lifted her shoulders in a little shrug. “I change my mind sometimes.” She turned and left, her skirt swishing with the overdone sway of her hips, but I couldn’t move now.
I put my hands on the sink, feeling sick, and looked in the mirror, seeing someone completely different this time. Someone terrified.
What would Beckett think?
Maybe our relationship started as a bet, but now it was more. I had to tell him about the arrangement with Merritt before she or someone else in health class did. He deserved to hear it from me.
