Page 65 of Only Ever You
Her smug smile grates on my nerves, just like her sugary sweet voice.
“What do you want?”
“Nothing. I want nothing from you,” she quips.
She glances at the doors to the courtyard, and I follow her line of sight.
Outside, Michael sits at a table, a lazy grin on his lips. His hair is a mess, as always. He’s surrounded by his usual crowd—the guys from the hockey team, a few cheerleaders. A pretty boy in his natural habitat.
“I’m surprised you recovered so quickly.” Sienna tilts her head, giving me a fake smile.
“I’m fine.”
I step to my left, but before I can pass her, she shifts with me, blocking the way again.
“That’s good. You scared people, you know? One second, you’re skating like you always do, and the next—bam.” She grimaces. “Flat on the ice. Just hearing about it made my heart stop. I mean…” She lowers her voice, leaning in. “For someone aiming for the Olympics, that was a pretty clumsy fall, don’t you think?”
A wave of nausea hits me. I press a hand to my stomach. “I slipped.”
“Of course. It happens…to some people.” She lifts a shoulder in a half shrug. “I thought you were steadier than that, especially with all the private training your dad pays for. But I guess stress can get to anyone.”
Heat crawls up the back of my neck, hot energy swimming inside my veins. The dig at my dad pisses me off. “I’m doing my best. Falls happen.”
“Of course.” She pats my hand patronizingly. “Don’t overthink it. I’m sure it’s the pressure. The expectations. Not everyone handles that well. Sometimes, stress makes us lose focus. Or balance.”
My heart thrashes inside my chest. Her words hit too close to home.
Rather than let her see how she’s affecting me, I pull my shoulders back. “Was there something you wanted?”
“Oh. Not really.” She taps her finger against her lip thoughtfully. “I wanted to check on you. I thought Michael would've at least asked if you were okay. But I guess…” She trails off, leaning closer. “You two don’t talk anymore, huh?”
I clench my jaw. “He’s busy.”
“Yeah, sure.” She smiles again. “Busy with school. Busy with his friends. Busy not defending you when that video was circulating.” She clicks her tongue. “I thought he would’ve said something to those guys, but he didn’t. He didn’t even look upset when he saw it.”
Icy sweat trickles down my spine. I haven’t talked to him since before that day, but the video was sent to the whole school, so there’s zero chance he didn’t see it. I fell later that day and ended up with a concussion, so I haven’t been to school since, but what she’s saying can’t be true. Right? He would’ve said something, wouldn’t he?
“Anyway, I’m glad you’re okay. Just be careful when you’re on the ice. People can be vile when it comes to revenge. Next time, it could be much worse.”
Frowning, I study her face, trying to make sense of her words. What is she talking about? I was too deep in my head, too distracted that day. That’s why I fell. Elena saw it too.
Doubts creep into my head, my mouth going dry. No. She’s bluffing. No one would hurt me on purpose like that.
Right?
Or would they? Lately, I find myself surrounded by people talking shit about me. Then, there are the assholes who cornered me and put a tiara on my head. And Michael, who’s been ignoring me for weeks, as if I mean nothing to him.
I sneak a peek at him. He’s relaxed. Composed. Like he doesn’t have a care in the world. My heart cracks even more, pain shooting through me.
Blinking, I center myself. This place, these people, it’s all just noise. I’m leaving this city. I’m leaving all of them behind. There’s a new life waiting for me in Boston. I’ll be happy there.
“You know what, Sienna?” I square my shoulders and step into her. “I will be back on the ice in a few weeks, and I will continue striving, breaking records, and hitting my goals while you will always be mediocre. Good luck with never being the best, with always being talentless.”
I push past her, leaving her gawking at me. I won’t check on Michael again. It’s time to move on from our friendship the way he has.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
she’s gone
