Chapter 73

With Miranda, Andrew, Lizzie and Zack gone from my life, I’m left with this hollow, cold feeling inside my chest. Spending time with Tristan, Zayd, and Creed helps, but … they’re all vying for my romantic attention, and I want friends who are there just because, that want nothing from me.

Since that’s not exactly an option for me, I throw myself into my schoolwork, and then spend the rest of my time either practicing the harp, or hanging out with the boys. They let me sit with them in The Mess, at the high table in the front of the room.

It kills Harper and Becky to see me there, but even though their looks are seething, I’m almost always around at least one of the guys. Their presence acts as a shield, and keeps the bullying to a minimum.

“One day she’s going to stalk me in a dark alley and cut my throat,” I say as Harper makes eye contact with me from across the dining room. The way she’s handling her steak knife is disturbing, to say the least.

“She can ge