Chapter 3: she's my girlfriend

Willow's POV 

She poked my shoulder, still laughing, “How can I forget? You and your useless mother don't have the means to.” 

Lone tears slipped, but I just kept mute… didn't dare make any sound. I didn't want to provoke her further, knowing the consequences.

The storage room became hot and suffocating as it finally dawned on me that another person who knew my secret, more than myself, was here, in this college.

If I could get Kian to keep quiet and not say anything, Delaney would never, especially now that she has more reason to torment me.

 It was becoming harder for me to breathe, and I knew sooner, my panic attack would kick in.

“Aww. Are you crying?” She dabbed my tears in her hand. “Don't cry. I have not even started with you.” Her well-manicured palm landed on my cheek, the force knocking me down.

I couldn't help but relive that night, in senior year, when she caught me with my skirt and underwear down—two fingers going in and out of me, moaning Lucas's name so loud—I thought no one was in the bathroom with me.

Or all the things she made me do in the name of paying off my debt and avoiding getting on her bad side so she doesn't expose me.

Masturbating in front of her friends—both girls and boys—while she recorded me. Blowing the guys off. 

That's why when Mom brought up the idea of moving to California to enroll in the same college as Lucas, I didn't dare decline, as that was my salvation.

I thought that would save my secret and keep my past away from me—guess I dreamed too soon. 

It turned out my past followed me here and caught up with me.

“Guess he didn't see you as enough of a woman, huh? And you know what?” She knelt, facing me. “He would never be turned on with the wrinkly old woman body of yours and the granny panties.” 

She grabbed my chin roughly. “You listen to me and listen carefully. I do not want to ever see you close to him. Not even a look his way, or I will end you…”

“And if you even try to say anything to him about this or whatever happened during high school? High school will be heaven for you compared to what I am going to do to you.” She made me look her in the eyes. “I will end your miserable existence.”

She gets up to leave, and from nowhere, I don't know if it's the voice in my head or if I was clearly asking for death or for my secret to be exposed.

The voice said, ‘Are you going to let her walk over you like that? Remember, this is not high school. She has no authority over you here.” 

“And what if I tell him? What… What… are you going to do? You don't own me.” I forced myself to be calm, like I wasn't shitting myself in the pants.

“I will tell Lucas anything I want to tell him. This and what happened in high school so he can see you for who you really are.” 

She was speechless for a second before she let out another laugh. “aww. The little squirter has grown some nerves.” 

 Then all of a sudden. One minute she was standing and laughing. The next minute she was on the floor, on broken glasses, wailing and calling for help.

“Delaney!” 

I was shoved out of the way, and someone scooped her up. That someone being my brother.

Delaney increased the momentum of her cries, and a crowd started gathering, while some brought out their phones to take videos.

“Are you alright? What happened?” Lucas asked in a frantic voice, “Willow, what did you do to her?”

“I… I… I… I didn't…” I couldn't form coherent words. Everything felt like a dream.

“I was trying to reconcile with her, Lucas.” Delaney started in her fake cry. “She cursed me out and said she didn't want anything to do with me and was about to leave. I grabbed her hand to stop her, but she pushed me and threatened me to stay away from you.” 

“What? I didn't do that? That's all you. You pushed yourself.” My eyes flickered to Lucas, whose face was burning with anger. “Lucas, you have to believe me. I didn't do anything to her. It was…” 

“Spare me the story, Willow. Delaney would never hurt herself on purpose. And why can't you let everything go? Delaney just wanted to reconnect with you…”

“...I thought you'd be happy for me. At least I got one of your best friends as my girlfriend. Why are you so insensitive? Apologize to her now!” He bellowed.

“Lucas… listen… I didn't…”

“Willow, I don't want to hear anything. Apologize to her now, or I swear to God…”

It hurts to see that my only brother, who knew me better than anyone, was taking sides with my tormentor. He called her his girlfriend.

He watched everyone laugh at me, and he is telling me to apologize to my tormentor. Do I have a choice?

“I am sorry, Delaney.” I whispered, trying to keep the tears at bay.

I turned to leave, but something hit my leg, and I went flying to the floor—my bag flew to another angle, all my papers scattered around.

My papers. Oh my God. My secret is out.

I scrambled to get up and pick them, but Delaney beat me to it.

“Give me… back… my papers.” I said in a shaky breath.

But the universe was not on my side as she started reading it out loud. My heart beats along with each letter.

Why can't I be lucky for once?

“Every time I watch him practice shirtless, drenched in sweat, gripping his stick like he was born to ruin things… I touched myself under the bleachers, praying the guilt will feel worse than the high.”

“Oh my God. Willow. You are writing erotica about your brother? Don't tell me you have a crush on him.” Delaney laughed and raised it for everyone to see, and they started whistling and laughing too.

“What a slut!? Willow is obsessed with her brother.” 

“I didn't know nerds could get turned on.”

They kept talking, and Delaney gave me a satisfactory smile, like she was just told she won a World Cup.

Lucas is going to hate me now—FUCK.

I peeked at him from under my lashes, and I was right… he looked disgusted.

“Seriously, Willow. What the fuck is this?”

“I… can explain, Lucas. It's… it's… not…” 

“Lucas is not the only one who practiced shirtless. Is he?” That voice cut through their laughter and mockery.

Every one of us turned to him, looking surprised. Me especially, wondering what he's up to now. I hope he's not here to add more fuel to the fire.

“The stories are about me.”

“What are you talking about, freshman?”

“Ohh. Willow, you didn't tell him?”

“Tell me what?”

“She's my girlfriend.”