Page 23 of Sincerely, Butterfly

“You got him fired. Who did you cry to, your dad? Did he come and talk to the school? Of course, you told him. You couldn’t just let it go, could you?”

“What the hell are you talking about?” This time, I really am fucking confused about the bullshit spewing from her mouth.

“You told someone about what happened between you and Mr. Robinson, and he got fired.”

My body tenses, pulse kicking up.How the fuck did she know about anything between Mr. Robinson and me?

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” I narrow my eyes.

“You should have been grateful that he was showing you any kind of attention. Mr. Robinson was attractive, well off. He could have any woman in this school, and for some fucked up reason, he chose you. I’d say his tastes were awful, but I know for a fact he’s made good choices in the past.” She grins wickedly, and I have to suppress a shudder at the idea of her and Mr. Robinson sleeping together.

Still, that doesn’t answer my question on how she knows anything about what Mr. Robinson tried to do to me.

“How do you know anything when it comes to me and Mr. Robinson?”

“I saw it.” She rolls her eyes. “The door was wide open. Not smart on his part, but still. You rejected him and lost your shit on him like some freak. You had a hot older man wanting you, and you attacked him? Made him out to be a bad guy so people would feel sorry for you?”

“Wait… you saw? And you just, what? Walked away?” I stare at her in disbelief.

“Whatever the two of you were up to was none of my business. Although I was tempted to come to his defense when you stabbed him like some crazed bitch. Like who even does that?”

“So, you saw a teacher try to assault me, and you just did nothing? So what? If I were unable to defend myself, you would have just walked away as he raped me?” I knew the people in this school were twisted, but this is just fucking evil.

“Assault?” she scoffs. “Please. As if he’d have to force himself on you. Like I said, he could have any girl in this school. He didn’t need to stoop so low as to take what he wanted. You’re the one who freaked out at the attention and attacked him. And because of who your dad is, he couldn’t do anything about it. Now he’s magically fired? All this could have been avoided if you just did what others wish they could do and fuck him.”

“I cannot believe the words coming out of your mouth.” I shake my head, stunned but unable to stay here any longer to listen to her.

“No matter how much you want to play pretend, this isn’t your world. Know your place, Nola, before someone is forced to remind you of it.”

“Is that a threat?” I ask, resisting the urge to grab her by her stupid hair and smash her dumbass face into the desk over and over again until it was nothing but a mangled, bloody mess of skin and bones.

“It’s a promise.” She winks. “Now run along, little doggie.” She shoos me away, her gaggle of bitches snickering.

My hand inches toward my pocket. The need to grab my knife and stab her in her neck is nearly overwhelming. I want to watch as the panic and terror fill her face and red pours from her neck. The sound of her choking on her blood would be so damn satisfying.

I take a few deep breaths, grounding myself. I can’t be impulsive. That will lead to bad things.

I’ll get my chance at this bitch one day, just not today.

I force a smile on my face, loving how hers drops. “With pleasure. Any moment I don’t have to spend in your presence while you suck the life force out of me like you’ve sucked the cum out of half the male student body is one I’ll jump at. Have the day you deserve, Scarlett.”

Spinning on my heel, my smile grows as I walk out of the classroom to the sounds of her shouting profanities at me. It’s worth all the attention I get as I walk down the hallway.

I might not have been able to handle that how I would’ve liked, but I had the last word, and I know she hates it.

That’s good enough for me.

A week later, the football field at Crest Wood Academy is filledwith tons of students dressed exactly like me in black graduation gowns and caps.

With all my exams completed and passing each of them with good, if not great, scores, it’s time for me to officially be done with this school.

To say I’m glad is an understatement.

“Oooh, just one more photo!” Mom exclaims, snapping another photo on her phone.

“Mom.” I laugh. “I think you have about three hundred at this point.”

“I know. But it’s not every day that my only child graduates. I’m so proud of you, Nola,” Mom sniffs.