Share

Chapter 10

Author: Dea B
last update publish date: 2026-03-30 23:51:43
Ella

By the final bell, my stomach is a complete disaster.

Not normal nerves.

Not test nerves.

Not even Beckett nerves.

This is worse.

This is the kind of nervous that sits in your chest and refuses to leave. The kind that makes your hands cold and your thoughts loud.

Because in a few hours, I’m supposed to sit in a salon chair and willingly let someone change something about me.

The idea feels ridiculous.

People do this every day.

They get haircuts.

Highlights.

Layers.

Whatever.

N
Continue to read this book for free
Scan code to download App
Locked Chapter

Latest chapter

  • My Bully Next Door   Chapter 158

    BeckettThere is a spreadsheet on our kitchen table.I immediately want to leave.“What is that?”Dad looks up from his laptop.“College.”“No. That’s Excel.”“Sit down.”“I suddenly remembered I have homework.”Mom points at the chair.“Sit.”Apparently I’ve reached the stage of life where my future is decided by cells and columns.Terrifying.I sit.Dad turns the laptop toward me.“Westfield’s offer.”“I know what they offered.”“Do you know what it actually costs?”“Yes.”He raises an eyebrow.“Approximately.”“Exactly.”Dad starts clicking.Tuition.Housing.Meal plan.Books.Fees.Fees for things I didn’t know could have fees.“Why am I paying an activity fee?”“Because college enjoys stealing money,” Dad says.Mom smacks his shoulder.“What? It does.”Then Dad subtracts the scholarship.The number left isn’t nothing.But it’s a hell of a lot smaller.I stare at it.“We can handle that,” Dad says.Something tightens in my chest.“You shouldn’t have to.”“Beckett.”“No, seriously.

  • My Bully Next Door   Chapter 157

    EllaMy mother is cleaning the refrigerator at eleven o’clock at night.Not putting groceries away.Not wiping up a spill.Cleaning it.Shelves are spread across the kitchen counter, every condiment we own is lined up beside the toaster, and Mom is attacking the vegetable drawer like it personally offended her.I stand in the doorway.“Should I call someone?”She doesn’t turn around.“Why?”“Because you’ve snapped.”“I’m cleaning.”“At eleven o’clock.”“It needed it.”I pick up a bottle.“This mustard expired seven months ago.”“Throw it away.”I look at another.“Relish. Eleven months.”“Throw it away.”“Mom, there’s a salad dressing here that could legally start kindergarten.”That gets a laugh.Finally.But she keeps scrubbing.I watch her for another minute.Something is wrong.“Okay.”“What?”“Give me the sponge.”“No.”“Mom.”“Ella.”I take it anyway.She glares at me.“You’re acting weird.”“I’m cleaning the refrigerator.”“Exactly.”“I clean.”“Not appliances after bedtime.”S

  • My Bully Next Door   Chapter 156

    EllaBeckett has been on the phone with Westfield for thirty-seven minutes.I know this because I am not waiting for him.I am simply sitting at my kitchen table with my chemistry book open while occasionally checking the clock.Every forty seconds.Completely different.Mom walks through the kitchen, takes one look at me, and opens the refrigerator.“You’re going to burn a hole through the wall.”“I’m studying.”“You haven’t turned the page in twenty minutes.”“It’s complicated chemistry.”“Your book is upside down.”I look down.Shit.Mom laughs.“I’m worried about him.”“I know.”“What if they don’t offer enough?”“Then he considers his other options.”“What if they offer everything?”“Then he considers his other options.”I frown.“You’re terrible at this.”“At what?”“Giving me the answer I want.”She sits across from me.“Which answer do you want?”I open my mouth.Nothing.That’s the problem.I want Beckett to get the scholarship because he’s worked for it.I want him to have c

  • My Bully Next Door   Chapter 155

    BeckettNobody tells you the end of your high school football career smells like sweat, cheap body spray, and somebody’s feet.I sit on the bench in front of my locker while half the team acts like nothing happened.Corey is arguing about where we’re eating.Two freshmen are throwing athletic tape at each other.Coach has already yelled twice for everyone to get dressed.My uniform is still on.I don’t want to take it off.That’s stupid.It’s a jersey.I’ve worn dozens of them.But this one has grass stains across the shoulder and dirt ground into the knees, and somewhere between the touchdown and Ella kissing me on the field, it became the last one.Sean drops onto the bench beside me.“You planning to shower?”“Eventually.”“You smell like ass.”“Thanks.”“Ella’s waiting.”“I know.”“Then definitely shower.”I elbow him.He laughs, but then looks around the locker room.“We’re done.”“Yep.”“That sucks.”“Yep.”He nods.“Good talk.”We’ve never been particularly talented at feelings

  • My Bully Next Door   Chapter 154

    EllaThe first time I watched Beckett Cross play football, I sat three rows from the top and hoped nobody noticed me.Tonight I’m standing against the railing in his jersey while Lila paints a crooked number twelve on my cheek.“Stop moving.”“You’re putting paint near my eyeball.”“Beauty requires sacrifice.”“I don’t think blindness counts.”She grabs my chin.“Hold still.”The stadium is packed.Last game of the season.Last time Beckett will wear Oakridge colors.That part doesn’t feel real.Maybe because Beckett has always been the quarterback.Even when I hated him.Even when I secretly watched him.Even when I told myself I didn’t care.Football and Beckett have always seemed permanent.Apparently nothing is.“Done.”Lila holds up her phone camera.The twelve is definitely crooked.“You suck at this.”“You’re welcome.”Sean appears behind us wearing enough school colors to look like a mascot exploded on him.“Cross is looking for you.”“He’s on the field.”“Exactly.”I look dow

  • My Bully Next Door   Chapter 153

    Beckett“Congratulations.”That’s it.One word.One fucking word, and Ella doesn’t move.Her phone is in her hand. Her mom is leaning over one shoulder. I’m practically breathing down the other.“Ella?”She blinks.“I got in.”Her mom screams.Ella jumps.Then her mom grabs her, and suddenly they’re both crying.I stand there smiling like an idiot.She got in.North Ridge.The school she wanted before she ever thought about where I might go.The school eight hours away.Eight.Fucking.Hours.I shove that thought down so hard it should require medical attention.Ella looks at me over her mom’s shoulder.Her smile wobbles.I know exactly what she’s thinking.So I don’t give her time to ask.I grab her.“You fucking did it.”She laughs against my chest.“Language,” her mom says while crying.“Sorry.”“No, you’re not.”“No.”Ella pulls back.“You’re happy?”There it is.I hate that she has to ask.“Are you kidding me?”“Beckett—”“You got into North Ridge.”“I know.”“The school you’ve b

  • My Bully Next Door   Chapter 42

    Beckett “Uh… hello?” I close my eyes and let my head fall back for a second. Fantastic. Just absolutely fantastic. Across from me, Ella looks just as horrified. Another knock rattles the door. “Some of us actually have to pee!” I recognize the voice immediately. Amber Fields. Of course it’

  • My Bully Next Door   Chapter 20

    Beckett I should look away. I’ve been telling myself that for the last ten minutes. Look away. Stop staring. Go talk to somebody. Jump back in the pool. Do literally anything else. Instead, my eyes keep finding her. Every single time. Across the backyard, Ella sits at the edge of the pool

  • My Bully Next Door   Chapter 7

    Ella The second I walk through the front door, I know something is wrong. Not bad wrong. Just… different. The house isn’t quiet. Usually when I get home, the silence hits me first. The TV is off. The kitchen is empty. Mom’s car is nowhere in sight. Today, her purse is sitting on the entry tabl

  • My Bully Next Door   Chapter 1

    Ella “Hey, James. Did your closet finally lose a fight with a dumpster?” Laughter broke out behind me. I didn’t turn around. That was rule number one. Actually, it was the only rule that really mattered. Don’t react. Don’t engage. And whatever you do, don’t let them see it hurts. The hallwa

More Chapters
Explore and read good novels for free
Free access to a vast number of good novels on GoodNovel app. Download the books you like and read anywhere & anytime.
Read books for free on the app
SCAN CODE TO READ ON APP
DMCA.com Protection Status