the hallway in the direction of the women’s bathroom. Once inside, I ignore their questions about my well-being and lock myself in a stall. I whip out my phone with tears streaking my cheeks, thanking the glamour gods I thought to wear waterproof mascara today.
Chapter 14
September 14, 2015
Emergency Blog Post
I saw him. I finally saw Gio, and he didn’t look torn up at all by seeing me. I don’t know what I was expecting. Did I really think Giovanni Abate would be pining over me? Fat chance. Still, it would have been nice to see some reaction besides the obvious amusement in his eyes. He’s been laughing at me. Everyone has. I’m an idiot for coming to this school.
Maybe it’s not too late to pull out. I haven’t exactly had much training in dealing with high school drama, crushes, and mean girls. I am in way over my head and I just stepped in the door. Bad things are about to happen to me. I just know it.
What am I saying? Have I completely forgotten who I am? Yeah, things might be hard here, but I am not a person who runs away from a challenge. I can do this. Millions of other high schoolers do it, so why can’t I? I came here to have the high school experience, and dammit, I’m going to, even if I hate every second of it. If I had what it takes to get into this school, I belong here. Quitting is not an option.
Uh-oh, someone must have called for Raven. She’s here in the bathroom.
Ttyl,
Mads
***
“Madison?”
I whip out my pocket mirror from my bag and dab my eyes before responding. Once I’m satisfied with my looks, I flush the toilet and come out of the stall.
“Oh, hi, Raven. I didn’t expect to run into you here.” I pass by her toward the granite and stainless steel sinks and Hollywood-style mirrors to wash my hands as if I just got done with completely normal bathroom functions.
Raven glides up beside me and looks into my eyes in the mirror reflection. “Mari thought she heard sniffling in the stall.”
“Oh, that was nothing. I must be allergic to something in here.” I rinse the suds off my hands and move to the Dyson hand dryer.
As air blasts my hands on both sides, Raven follows me and faces me head-on. “She said you just ran into Gio in the hallway.”
I sigh and drop my hands to my sides. Thanks a lot, Mari.
“Okay, I was a little bothered by seeing him.” I turn to face Raven and plaster a smile on my face. “But I’m fine now.”
“Madison…” Raven places a hand on my arm and levels her gaze with mine. I spy a flicker of compassion in her eyes. “I understand how hard it can be to see him around. We don’t need him, all right? We have each other. Let’s focus on keeping afloat in this school and not on stupid cheating boys.”
I search her gaze for sincerity. I can’t tell right now if those words were for show in front of the girls or if she really, truly wants to comfort me. Time will tell if Raven Redinger has a human side or if she has too many tricks up her sleeve to ever be real.
“I’m glad I found you in here. We need to go over some ground rules for school.” Raven motions me over to sit in one of two plush chairs against the wall. This room is more like an actress’ lounge than a school bathroom. Very luxurious and over the top. I sit opposite her and await my instructions.
“Rule number one: My girls are my girls . I’ve given you Mari, Chandler, and Kiki, but the rest of the assistants are loyal only to me. If I hear of you trying to capture some for yourself, our deal is done.”
I purse my lips to suppress a snicker. She really doesn’t know me and my independent spirit at all.
“Noted,” I reply. “What else?”
“Rule number two: No fraternizing with the enemy. Giovanni Abate is nothing but a cheating liar and must be avoided at all costs. Clear?”
“Clear.” I frown at the reminder. Didn’t we establish that at the beginning of all this?
“Final rule, for now: You must
Chapter 14
September 14, 2015
Emergency Blog Post
I saw him. I finally saw Gio, and he didn’t look torn up at all by seeing me. I don’t know what I was expecting. Did I really think Giovanni Abate would be pining over me? Fat chance. Still, it would have been nice to see some reaction besides the obvious amusement in his eyes. He’s been laughing at me. Everyone has. I’m an idiot for coming to this school.
Maybe it’s not too late to pull out. I haven’t exactly had much training in dealing with high school drama, crushes, and mean girls. I am in way over my head and I just stepped in the door. Bad things are about to happen to me. I just know it.
What am I saying? Have I completely forgotten who I am? Yeah, things might be hard here, but I am not a person who runs away from a challenge. I can do this. Millions of other high schoolers do it, so why can’t I? I came here to have the high school experience, and dammit, I’m going to, even if I hate every second of it. If I had what it takes to get into this school, I belong here. Quitting is not an option.
Uh-oh, someone must have called for Raven. She’s here in the bathroom.
Ttyl,
Mads
***
“Madison?”
I whip out my pocket mirror from my bag and dab my eyes before responding. Once I’m satisfied with my looks, I flush the toilet and come out of the stall.
“Oh, hi, Raven. I didn’t expect to run into you here.” I pass by her toward the granite and stainless steel sinks and Hollywood-style mirrors to wash my hands as if I just got done with completely normal bathroom functions.
Raven glides up beside me and looks into my eyes in the mirror reflection. “Mari thought she heard sniffling in the stall.”
“Oh, that was nothing. I must be allergic to something in here.” I rinse the suds off my hands and move to the Dyson hand dryer.
As air blasts my hands on both sides, Raven follows me and faces me head-on. “She said you just ran into Gio in the hallway.”
I sigh and drop my hands to my sides. Thanks a lot, Mari.
“Okay, I was a little bothered by seeing him.” I turn to face Raven and plaster a smile on my face. “But I’m fine now.”
“Madison…” Raven places a hand on my arm and levels her gaze with mine. I spy a flicker of compassion in her eyes. “I understand how hard it can be to see him around. We don’t need him, all right? We have each other. Let’s focus on keeping afloat in this school and not on stupid cheating boys.”
I search her gaze for sincerity. I can’t tell right now if those words were for show in front of the girls or if she really, truly wants to comfort me. Time will tell if Raven Redinger has a human side or if she has too many tricks up her sleeve to ever be real.
“I’m glad I found you in here. We need to go over some ground rules for school.” Raven motions me over to sit in one of two plush chairs against the wall. This room is more like an actress’ lounge than a school bathroom. Very luxurious and over the top. I sit opposite her and await my instructions.
“Rule number one: My girls are my girls . I’ve given you Mari, Chandler, and Kiki, but the rest of the assistants are loyal only to me. If I hear of you trying to capture some for yourself, our deal is done.”
I purse my lips to suppress a snicker. She really doesn’t know me and my independent spirit at all.
“Noted,” I reply. “What else?”
“Rule number two: No fraternizing with the enemy. Giovanni Abate is nothing but a cheating liar and must be avoided at all costs. Clear?”
“Clear.” I frown at the reminder. Didn’t we establish that at the beginning of all this?
“Final rule, for now: You must
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