Page 13 of Make You Beg

I’m too dazed by his attention that my foot catches on something as I walk, and in a moment, I’m slipping, tray in the air, and ass on the ground. There is food splattered over my clothes, my hair, everywhere.

Was there something on the floor? Water? A banana peel?

Why didn’t I see it?

I look around me to trace what made me fall. At my feet, I see it.

A pool of milk.

Kayden doesn’t even try to hide it.

His mouth goes into an O shape as he dangles the milk carton in his hand.

The jocks laugh.

I put myself together.

“I’m okay, thanks,” I say to the one random girl who helps get me up.

Kira and Jasmin show up.

“Oh my God, Maddy? What happened?” Kira helps brush off whatever food we can.

“Are you okay?” Jasmin lifts my empty tray off the floor.

I try to make myself presentable, though the spaghetti sauce on my hair will be a tough task to wash out.

“I’m fine.” I encourage my friends to walk away and head to the bathroom.

I make the mistake of looking over my shoulder as I leave, a smirk hanging on his face.

Of course, Kayden wouldn’t make it easy for me.

He may have been quiet, but that doesn’t mean he likes me.

He’s evil.

But I won’t let him bully me into submission.

***

I come home with visible marks on the back of my thighs and elbows, and my butt still hurting.

I lie and tell Mom that I tripped. Which, theoretically, isn’t a lie. I don’t volunteer the cause of it.

I let her put on some healing ointment on the visible wounds, and swear I’m fine, ignoring the pain bursting through my muscles.

I’ve been through worse in my life, and Kayden won’t be the reason I break.

The next day, I present myself in the locker room, giving him the benefit of the doubt one last time.

Trying to push some sense into that brain of his.

The smell of sweat and testosterone clouds my vision.

I press my hands to my mouth to prevent a scream when a half-naked guy crosses my path.

He smiles and nods my way before reaching his own locker.