Chapter 24

Aria

I take a shaky step back as Vanessa stalks toward me, her sharp heels clicking against the floor like a damn countdown to my doom. Her smile isn’t even a smile…it’s a fucking sneer, and her perfectly manicured nails, tap against her folded arms.

“What do I want?” she repeats, mocking my earlier question. “Let’s see… what the fuck do you think you’re doing, Aria? Have you forgotten your place in the pack, you little shit?”

I instinctively step back again, hitting the cold wall behind me. Great, nowhere to go. “What are you talking about, Vanessa?” I manage to say, though my voice sounds smaller than I want it to.

Vanessa rolls her eyes dramatically, flipping her glossy hair over her shoulder. “You’re such a joke,” she spits, stepping closer and jabbing her finger into my chest, hard. “Who gave you the right to join my cheerleading team?”

“Why can’t I?” My voice rises, shaky but defiant. “Why can’t I fucking join? Am I not a person like you?”<