Chapter 11: Fighting Back

I got into a fight with Samantha.

For once, I didn’t hold back. We clawed and kicked, my hands tangling in her hair, years of frustration boiling over.

We pulled each other’s hair, and in the end, both of us were dragged to the dean’s office.

Security separated us, and we marched down the hall in silence, our clothes rumpled, faces flushed.

Samantha hadn’t expected me to fight back. At first, I even had the upper hand, venting all the hatred I’d bottled up over three years of high school on her.

My knuckles throbbed, but for once, I didn’t care. I saw fear in her eyes, and it felt good—just for a moment.

I knew she was the one who’d spread my story all over school. I knew she’d led the class to ostracize me.

Her voice had been the sharpest, the one that turned teachers and students alike against me.

I’d endured for so long, thinking I could endure for a lifetime. But the moment that iced coffee hit my face, I couldn’t hold back anymore.

All my patience cracked. I felt lighter, even as we sat across from the dean, waiting for judgment.

My hands shook as I wiped blood from my lip, adrenaline still buzzing in my veins.

Fighting on the first day of college made the counselor furious. After a private talk with Samantha, she looked at me differently.

Her eyes narrowed. I could tell she’d already picked a side.

"Samantha’s parents have been notified and will be coming to the school. What are you going to do about this, Megan?"

Her tone was cold, no sympathy. I realized my options were running out fast.

My face froze as I realized something.

Everything shifted—like the ground had dropped out from under me.

Samantha, clutching her torn scalp, glared at me viciously. "Megan Evans, just you wait."

Her threat hit harder than any punch. I suddenly felt very, very small.

All the bravado from the fight drained away. I was suddenly stunned, my mind struck blank as if by a hammer.

I sat there, numb, waiting for the next disaster to find me.

I’d forgotten—Samantha was part of the Evans family.

It was all connected. I’d never be free, no matter how far I ran.