The final bell pulled me from my hectic thoughts. I pulled myself from the empty teachers desk and wobbled over to the door. My legs felt shaky, and the sensitive spot between my legs was slightly sore.

It was a short walk to Tori’s locker and much to my surprise she was already there.

Tori’s first words had me nearly falling over.

“Woah, what the h**l happened to your neck?” Tori gaped, her eyes locked on something I couldn’t see.

“W-What?” I gasped and Tori stepped aside, gesturing to the mirror hanging on her locker door.

I stood on my tiptoes and peered into the mirror, choking on my own breath at the dark bruise-like spots that ran down my neck.

The f*****g twins had left hickeys all over me. There was no way I’d be able to hide this from Melissa, or the people at work. I never had hickeys before, but I knew they didn’t go away in 24 hours.

Tori pursed her lips and eyed me knowingly, “The twins?”

I clenched my teeth together and fought against the furious blush that stained my face. Apparently my reaction was a suitable answer.

“If I give you this, I want a detailed explanation.” Tori cocked her g****r eyebrow and held up a bottle of concealer.

“Deal.” I huffed, grabbing the bottle from her hands.

“Now explain.” Tori placed a hand on her hip while I flipped my hair forward.

I shook my head, “Not here. In your car so I can put this on my neck.”

We hopped in Tori’s car and she helped me dab the creamy liquid on my neck. It wasn’t the perfect shade, but it hid the spots just fine.

“I’ll pick you up one in your shade.” Tori nodded to herself, and I was forever grateful.

While I wanted to decline, I valued self preservation more. Frank would be incorrigible if he saw my neck coated in hickeys. Being called ‘s**t’ and ‘w***e’ would be the least of my concerns.

By the time I was done explaining what happened in the empty classroom, we were parked in my driveway.

Tori had been speechless the entire time, a look of shock lingered on her face.

“I’m horrible aren’t I.” I groaned, “Can’t even control myself.”

Tori shook her head, “I don’t think most girls would resist them either, myself included.”

resist them.” I sighed,

that really what I

had to be. It had to be what I wanted. A year from now I won’t be in this town anymore. Alec and Kade were

needed to make a decision and try to stick to it. Kade and Alec weren’t good for me. I had always looked out for myself, and now I needed to

Tori grinned sheepishly,

lips and stared

offense, “You don’t even know what it is. Tsk tsk,

hate surprises.” I raised my eyebrow at her,

to

groaned, but was cut off by the flaming red

are going to accept my gift,

glance and peeled back the bright

isn’t even a holiday.”

friend a gift day, b***h.” Tori snickered, a grin playing on her lips as I

phone like the one Melissa got me. This phone was shiny and new, set

not a chance. I could never afford to pay

don’t have to pay anything back, Aurora.” Tori shook her head, turning the phone on

me something like this?” I frowned. It made no sense. Tori had only known me for a whopping

money.” Tori shrugged, “And besides, you’re my

was holding something back, but I decided not

my teeth together, “But the minute I have the money for

giving me one of those one-armed hugs.

a little teary eyed, tucking the new cellphone deep in my

forgotton

think about what I said this morning?”

pang, “Yeah, I did.” I lied through my teeth. I had tried

grinned at

Frank was listening in on the conversation from

over hastily. The money would definitely be useful for my college fund, even if I only

“I’ll call her, but

a single arm around my

Her

stay home until Saturday.” I pursed my lips. It was only two days of school, I could make the work up easily. Plus, it gave me plenty of time to

Melissa nodded, “Alright, deal.”

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