The Bullies Who Loved Me

by Mia Belle

  Zoe twists her nose. “I gotta get home, huh?”

  “Yep.”

  She groans. “Guess I’ll spend the whole day cooped up in my house doing my homework. She won’t let me leave until I finish it.”

  I pat her arm. “Your mom means well.”

  Zoe rolls her eyes. “It’s like she’s living through me. She wanted to go to a fancy high school but my grandparents couldn’t afford it. Now she’s dumping me there.”

  “It’ll be fine.” I clear my throat, looking away. “It’s better for you to be there, anyway. Away from all the drama.”

  Her eyes narrow. “Drama?”

  I wave my hand. “You know, Leighton High is full of drama. Avery and her crew and everyone.”

  She nods slowly. “Right. She’s still all over Ryder?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Bitch. She doesn’t deserve him.”

  Uh, considering he’s an ass and she’s a bitch? Yeah, they kind of belong together. But I don’t say this to my best friend. I don’t need her growing suspicious.

  Zoe flings her arms around me. “Thanks for being such a good friend. I’d be completely lost without you.”

  I smile, returning the hug. If she knew I was hiding this huge secret from her, I don’t think she’d call me a good friend.

  She drags herself down the stairs, and I do my hair and plaster on some makeup. I guess I look okay, not that I’ve been thinking much of myself lately.

  I shut my eyes. Daphne, stop that. You’re beautiful.

  I snort. Sure.

  After heading to the kitchen for something to eat, I slip out the door and make my way to the diner. Right now is the breakfast rush. Lunch is crazy busy, but evenings are the worst. But I shouldn’t complain. A full diner means people like coming, and they might tell their friends. We can use all the publicity we can get.

  The bell jingles as I walk in. Mom’s standing before a table, hand poised on her notepad. As I pass, I get a good look at who she’s serving, and stop in place. The Leighton High Kings, Avery, and two of her friends, Amber and Keira, sit there like they own the place.

  Amber and Keira turn up their noses at Mom. Avery’s got a humorous gleam in her eyes and she asks my mother over and over to repeat the specials.

  “And how many calories does that have? I mean, I don’t want to get too fat.”

  Even from standing behind her, I know my mom is a little uncomfortable. She’s happy with herself and how she looks—it’s other people who bother her. She pretends they don’t, but I know better.

  I step toward the table and slam my hands on it, glaring at Avery. “You heard the specials, now order your damn food.”

  Avery’s eyes widen. “Excuse me? What kind of service is this? Do you know who I am? Do you know who he is?” She nods toward the Kensington heir, who hardly looks her way. “How dare you talk to me like that?” She reaches for her fancy bag with some designer name. “Come, guys. Let’s go somewhere else.”

  “No, please,” Mom says. “My daughter didn’t mean that. Did you, Daphne?”

  Avery smirks. She has me exactly where she wants. “I guess if Daphne apologizes nice and loud, we’ll reconsider staying.”

  Mom turns to me, eyes begging. I know Avery and Ryder are our richest customers. They order a lot, since they don’t care about wasted food, and tip well. Losing them would be losing a huge bulk of our business, because not only will they stop coming, but they’ll tell their friends to stop as well. I can’t do this to my parents.

  Avery still wears that smirk. Caden’s eyes go from me to the other diners. Ryder plays with the salt shaker, while Eric’s got his gaze pinned on me. There’s no hiding the animosity dripping off him. It’s like he wants to tear my throat out with his bare hands.

  “Please excuse Daphne,” Mom says, a desperate plea in her tone. “Clearly she didn’t sleep well.” She gives me a warning look.

  I just stand there, wishing I could open my mouth and apologize. But the words stick in my throat. I won’t give her or the Kings the satisfaction of seeing me grovel.

  Avery places both palms on the table, inching toward me. “No apology? Fine, this place won’t see a dime from me or my friends. Come, guys.”

  Mom waves her hands. “Please, I’m apologizing on her behalf. You kids have been loyal customers for years. Don’t let a little misunderstanding keep you away.”

  Avery narrows her eyes. “A misunderstanding? She yelled at me. I haven’t done anything wrong to you, Daphne. Why did you talk to me like that?” Fake, fat tears enter her eyes and rain down her cheeks.

  Alarm flashes on Mom’s face. “Daphne, what’s wrong with you?” she hisses. “First you get detention and now you’re hurting this poor girl?”

  Poor girl? As if.

  Avery snivels, but I know she’s masking a deep chuckle. Amber and Keira pretend to be just as hurt as their queen. Caden and Ryder seem bored. Eric keeps glancing at the time on his phone. Does he need to meet up with some girl or something?

  “Avery, let’s just order,” Ryder mumbles, like he’s too bored to utter the words properly.

  “No,” she whines like a two year old. “I can’t stay here and take this abuse. I want to go.”

  Ryder shrugs, getting to his feet. Mom’s shoulders droop, and I notice the loss eating her up.

  I blurt out, “Sorry.”

  Avery’s ears perk up. The others at the table look at me. Ryder drops in his seat. “What?” Avery says.

  “You heard me. Now order your food…” I bite my tongue before I’ll say something I’ll regret. “Please.”

  She shakes her head, crossing her arms over her chest.

  “Now what?” Ryder growls. “I’m hungry.”

  “I didn’t like that apology,” Avery whines again. “It wasn’t sincere enough.”

  “What?” I demand. Mom’s worried eyes dart from me to the queen. Avery tightens her arms on her chest, looking at me expectantly.

  There’s no way in hell I’m giving in to her demands and to this humiliation. By now half the diners have their attention on us. Avery knows this, wishing to milk as much as she can.

  “You’ve got to be kidding me,” Ryder says. He glares at me. “Just apologize to Avery so we can get some damn food.”

  “I’m not—” I stop talking when Mom gently squeezes my arm.

  “Sweetie, I don’t know what’s going on with you, but we don’t talk to our customers that way,” she whispers. “This is very unlike you. Please give Miss Pentecost a proper apology so we can forget this whole thing and they can enjoy their meal.” From the look in her eyes, she wants to add, “And they’ll return again.”

  Shutting my eyes, I heave a frustrated sigh. It’s just two words. Two damn words and it’ll be over.

  I open my eyes, pinning them on Avery. “I’m sorry,” I say, loud enough for them to hear on Mars. “I’m sorry I spoke to you in such a distasteful manner.”

  I don’t bother waiting for a response. I spin on my heels and march into the kitchen, where Dad and the chefs are buzzing around, trying to keep up with the orders.

  Resting my elbows on the table, I try to regulate my breathing. That bitch. Humiliating me in front of all the diners.

  “Daphne?” Dad stands before me in a chef’s coat and apron. “Is everything okay? I heard some commotion out there.”

  Commotion is putting it lightly. I shrug. “Was nothing. Just some stupid rich kid demanding things. Mom took care of it.”

  He smiles. “I’m sure she did. She’s great with customers. And you inherited that from her.”

  Sure. I usually do okay, but it’s gotten harder ever since I accused Blake Alexander of murder. No one in town looks at me the same. And less people have been coming to the diner, which is why it’s very important not to lose Avery and Ryder as regulars. Things are looking up as the days pass, but I know it can all go to hell in a second.

  Dad rests his hand on my arm, brown eyes shining. He always looks at me like that, alw
ays claims I’m the reason he wakes up in the morning. “Want to help here?”

  As tempting as that is, I can’t. “Mom needs me to serve.”

  “All right. Maybe we can do something later? I feel like all I do is work work work, and we hardly spend time together. You’re growing up so quickly and—”

  “Soon I’ll go to college and live my own life. I know, Dad. You always say that.”

  He chuckles. “Well, I’d better get back to cooking.” He gives my arm a loving squeeze before grabbing some raw meat.

  I watch him for a little bit. Both my parents cook, but Dad loves it more. When he was younger, he wasn’t sure if he wanted to be a chef or a social worker. In the end he chose social work because he wants to help families.

  When Avery shouts another order at my mom, I space in and leave the kitchen. The place is crazy, with more teenagers strolling inside. Did Avery tell them to come? It wouldn’t surprise me that she wants to see me and my mother scrambling to serve everyone.

  I push a smile on my face and direct the three kids from my school to an empty table. It wasn’t cleaned properly, and I catch one girl flaring her nostrils. I give her an apologetic smile before quickly cleaning it off. “Sorry about that.”

  She leans to one of the guys. “Wasn’t Louisa’s Diner cleaner than this place?”

  He shrugs. “I just want food.”

  I hand each customer a menu. “I’ll be back shortly to take your orders.”

  “Waitress!” Avery calls, waving her hands like she’s trying to flag down a helicopter. “Waitress!”

  I scan around and find my mother tending to other customers.

  “Waitress!”

  Damn it. I force myself over to their table. Avery’s got a wide smile on her face as she holds out her blue coffee mug. “I don’t like this color.”

  “What?”

  “I don’t like blue.”

  “It’s a mug. You drink from it.”

  “I want another mug.”

  “Are you serious—”

  “The customer is always right. Always.” She flashes her perfect white teeth. “Get me a different fucking mug.”

  Trying not to roll my eyes, I take it from her. “Does anyone need anything else?”

  Eric holds my gaze, rage galloping over his face. Ryder’s busy eating his scrambled eggs. Caden shakes his head, averting his gaze. Amber and Keira demand more coffee.

  Keira drops her spoon on the floor. “Oops.”

  I bend to get it for her, when someone kicks my butt, sending me sprawling across the floor. The coffee mug flies in the air and shatters into pieces.

  When I lift my head, I catch Eric with an evil smirk. The girls giggle softly. Ryder and Caden just watch the show. I know it was Eric who pushed me.

  “Are you okay?” Avery asks in mock concern.

  Mom’s at my side, helping me to my feet. The coffee splashed all over my uniform. It’s not hot, but that doesn’t really matter.

  Mom checks me for damage. I pull away from her. “I’m fine.”

  “Go get changed. I’ll take over for a little while.”

  Dad emerges from the kitchen with a broom, and after checking to make sure I’m okay, he starts sweeping the shattered ceramic.

  As I go to the back room to switch into another uniform, I can feel the hatred from Eric and his friends, the humor from the girls.

  I back into the wall, banging my head and shutting my eyes. Screw them. Screw them. Screw them.

  I’m only putting up with their shit because this place means the world to my mom. It’s that thought that makes me straighten up, throw on another uniform, and return to the dining area. Avery and the others are still there, and from the looks of it, it seems they have no plans to leave.

  “Daphne!” Avery waves her hands. “We need you!”

  Mom skips over to me. “I tried to serve them, but Avery wants to talk to you.” She gives me a hopeful smile. “I think she wants to be your friend.”

  I give her a face. “Mom, come on.”

  “She seems really sorry about what happened. You guys started off on the wrong foot, that’s all.”

  “We’ve known each other since kindergarten. If she wanted to be my friend, don’t you think she would have done so by now?”

  Mom shakes her head. “Friendships are formed in the weirdest way sometimes. Sweetie, just keep an open mind, okay? Avery’s family puts a lot into this business. So do the Kensingtons.”

  “Yeah, yeah,” I mutter before marching over to their table. “Yes?” I say overfly sweetly to Avery.

  She gestures to the others. “We want to order more food.”

  “You ordered enough to feed a whole army.”

  Avery narrows her eyes. “What’s it your business how much we eat? Besides, don’t you need the money?” She starts listing off everything she wants, talking so quickly it’s hard to keep up.

  I lower the pad. “I’m not asking the chefs to make all that food when you won’t eat it.”

  Avery sighs, exasperated. “Oh my gosh. Are you seriously refusing us service? Should I call your mom?” She smiles wickedly.

  I’m about to retort, when Eric gets to his feet. “I’ve got to go. Later, guys.” He shoves me out of his way. “Move.”

  “Where you running off to?” Caden calls after him. But Eric ignores him, zooming out the door like he’s on a sinking ship and there’s only one lifeboat left.

  Caden frowns after him. “What’s up with him?” he mutters to himself.

  Avery looks at me with that evil smile. “Why are you just standing there? Go fetch our order.”

  I so want to flip her off right now, but unfortunately, we need her, and besides, people are looking. I swallow my anger and do as her royal majesty wishes.

  It takes another hour, but they finally leave the diner, and like I expected, the food I brought them is still there. They just forced us to waste all that food and money. The least they could do is take it home with them.

  I can’t even offer it to charity because they pretty much destroyed all the dishes, making a mess of the table. On purpose, of course. Avery knew I’m on cleanup duty.

  I can’t look at the destroyed food as I dump it in the garbage bin. Stupid jerks.

  Because it’s the weekend, my parents and I don’t get much of a break until it’s time to close up.

  The rest of the day goes by well, and the events that happened with Avery and the jerks leave my head. Mom and I decide to watch one of her favorite horror movies. She loves snuggling up on the couch with the lights off and getting scared shitless. And she told me she purposely watched horror movies when she was dating Dad because she wanted him to protect her.

  “That’s the best way to know if a guy likes you,” she always claims. “If he holds you in his arms and makes sure you’re cared for, he’s gold.”

  None of my middle school boyfriends wanted to watch horror with me, so I haven’t tested her theory yet. Anyway, guys are the last thing on my mind. Right now, I’m focused on making it through the days unscathed.

  Mom plays with my hair as we watch. “You’re quiet. Thinking about today?”

  I roll my shoulders. “I don’t like those kids.”

  She places the huge bowl of popcorn between us and we chomp down a few. “Avery seems like a nice girl. Her parents are good people. They give charity, among many other things.”

  I give her a look. “Her parents are rich. All they care about is their image, not the needy.” It’s impossible for Avery to stem from “good people.” I won’t believe that.

  “And the Kensingtons do as well,” Mom continues. “Our town wouldn’t be standing if it weren’t for those families. Our diner wouldn’t be standing.” She takes my hands. “Which is why it’s very important for you to treat them with respect. They came to the diner to eat, and they don’t need that attitude from you.” She shakes her head. “Daphne, I’m worried something’s bothering you. You’ve never snapped at customers before. Or got de
tention. Talk to me.”

  I want to snort. Talk to Mom about how the offspring of the heroes of our town torture me every chance they get? No way. I hate that my parents need to kiss their asses, but then again, so does the whole town. Avery and Ryder know they can pretty much get away with anything. So can Eric and Caden because they’re his best friends and awesome swimmers, something our school is very proud of. They molded Blake into the amazing athlete he was. He was destined to do great things.

  But he wrecked his dreams and his good name. But no one sees that, do they? Of course not. All they see is the bitch who lied. The traitor. The girl who doesn’t deserve to go to their school, their parties, to even exist. If Eric was able to snap his fingers and turn me into dust, he’d do it in a heartbeat.

  Mom squeezes my hands. “Daphne?”

  I force my thoughts away, and paste a smile on my face. “Everything is okay. I got detention because I was late to class. I told you that.”

  “Are the kids giving you a hard time?”

  “No.”

  “It’s not too late to switch schools.”

  “I’m fine.”

  The last thing I want is to run. I won’t let those assholes chase me away.

  “Okay, but tell me if something’s wrong, sweetie. Don’t keep it all bottled in.”

  I nod, my gaze glued to the TV, where the killer is chasing a group of kids down an alleyway. Normally, I like watching the characters get out of such situations, but now I feel nothing.

  As much as I try to forget about everything that happened since the first day of school, the truth is that I can’t.

  Chapter Eight

  Eric

  “Where you running off to?” Caden calls as I dash out of the exit of Jillian’s Diner. I want to stay and hang out with the others like we usually do, but I’ve got a job to go to.

  I make my way to the bus stop and plop down. After whipping out my phone, I send Phoebe a text, asking where she is. Hopefully she’s not with Dad. He wasn’t drunk this morning, but I know that could change in an instant.