I hadn't moved a muscle, but I did now. I pushed back the chair, crossed to the fridge and refilled my glass. The hair on the back of my neck stood up. With stiff movements, I turned, ignored the scalding burn from his gaze, and headed upstairs. As I got to my room, I shut the door behind me and let loose a long breath of relief.

I was surprised to find my fingers were frozen around my glass. It took a few moments before I was able to loosen them back up.

CHAPTER FOUR

Friday night came and went. I stayed in, but Fallen Crest Public won against Fallen Crest Academy by a landslide, 32 to seven. I knew my dad would be heartbroken, but I still felt as if he had kicked me out of the house. My sympathy scale was in the negatives. The only high point was that Jessica and Lydia were both so hyped about the parties; they forgot to harass me into going. Jeff did the same, though I knew he was always sore after a lost. Even if he didn't play since he's second string, I knew he'd be grumpier than normal.

Apparently, my new roommates were the highlights of the game. Mason sacked Adam 70% of the time and Logan ran in for three of the touchdowns. I got all that from Lydia's text messages.

"Honey, are you going out tonight?" My mom found me the next afternoon. She came into my room and took a seat on one of the couches with a cup of tea in her hand.

I was in the bathroom and had just gotten out of the shower. When I saw her curl her legs underneath and tuck them away, as if she were sitting with the Queen of England, I snorted in disbelief. Then I let loose the towel I had wrapped around me and walked into the room.

"Samantha!" she gasped and glanced at the door. It'd been left open.

I stood and perused my closet. Ignoring the shiver that ran over my naked body, I pulled out a pair of black skinny jeans with a black tank top.

"Honey, I wish you'd put some clothes on."

I pulled out a black lacy bra and a pair of black thongs.

She sighed behind me. "I suppose this is you trying to get back at me, hmmm?" She took a sip. "I should expect this. Malaya said this is what teenagers do when they've been displaced from their homes, especially girls. I can only wonder what else you have in store for me."

I threw the thong to the side and pulled the jeans on. Then I glanced in the mirror. Analise's mouth twisted in a frown, but she took another sip.

"Are you sleeping with that Jeffrey? Is this why you're dressing like some…"

I turned around, slowly. "Like what, mother?"

Her lips shut for a moment and then she exhaled, "Like a whore."

One of my eyebrows shot up. "You think I'm a whore?"

She set the tea cup aside and smoothed out her skirt. "I think you're dressing like one because you want to get back at me. You never used to dress like that."

"Yeah, well, I used to have a family." I ducked my head and pulled the top on. When it fit like a glove, just above my jeans, I leaned forward to inspect my face in the mirror. I wasn't anything great, long black hair, thin with a runner's build, and eyes that were bleak.

"Samantha, honey, I worry about you. You're so beautiful and I know that other boys can tell."

I looked back at her. "What are you talking about?"

"Jeffrey." Her hand raised in a helpless motion. "I worry that you're wasting your high school years on him. He is clearly not good for you. Look at you; you're thin as a rail."

My mouth twisted.

"He obviously cheats on you. Even your friends have told me this."

"You've talked to Jessica and Lydia?"

"Of course, I have. They're your friends."

"When?"

"What?"

"When did you talk to them?"

"Oh, I don't know, maybe a month ago."

As a breath of relief left me, I turned back to the mirror and did up my hair in some braid. Jessica taught me how to do it so I tried. It didn't look the same, but it'd do. It was swept up and some strands fell free. I knew Lydia would croon in approval. Then I toed on my sandals.

"Where are you going, Samantha?"

I'd been prepared to walk out and ignore whatever else she was going to say, hell, I would've enjoyed it, but her soft voice made me stop. I cursed inside as I turned. "I'm going to some party with Lydia and Jessica."

"Oh."

I wanted to roll my eyes. I wanted so badly. "Why?" I didn't.

"I think Mason and Logan are going to a friend's get together. Maybe you could go with them? You can't keep ignoring them."

Her idea of a 'get together' was their idea of a 200+ house party. I wasn't sure if my mom chose to be dense or if this came from the new relationship.

"Sure, mom. I'll get right on that."

She sighed, "Honey, at least try for me, please. It's important to me if you get along with them."

I stopped what I was doing and watched her in the mirror. If I hadn't known her all my life, I would've wavered at the broken look on her face. It was like she'd lost her puppy. Then I cursed myself. I knew I was wavering anyway.

"I'll see if Jess and Lydia know about any Public parties. I'm sure Mason and Logan will be there."

She brightened and flashed me a smile before she picked up her tea again. "It means a lot to me, honey." Then she pressed a kiss to my forehead and sashayed out of my room with her skirt swinging around her hips.

I'd been sucker punched by my own mother. She'd gotten me to fold.

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