CHAPTER 6: I'M A WHORE, SORRY

CHAPTER 6: I'M A WHORE, SORRY

ANNA'S POV

I rubbed my eyes until they stung, desperately clinging to the hope that this was still a nightmare. Any second now, I’d wake up safe in my bed, and none of this would have happened.

I dragged myself upright, heart hammering. “Ten… nine… I’ll wake up soon.”

Deep breath. “Eigh—”

My bedroom door burst open. “Anna! You’re not even dressed yet. You’re going to be late!”

I collapsed back onto the mattress with a groan, dragging both hands down my face. “Oh God… I’m going to kill myself.”

I reluctantly climbed into the passenger seat as my mum announced for the first time in months that she was dropping me at school.

How much worse can this day get?

“Honey, aren’t you going to take off that sweater?” She glanced at me in the rearview mirror, frowning.

It was already scorching outside, probably over eighty degrees, but I was dressed like it was mid winter: oversized brown hoodie, long flared pants, a mask, and my hair loose for the first time in forever. I was praying no one would recognize me.

“No, I’m cold,” I lied, tugging the hoodie tighter around me. “Can you drop me a few blocks away from school?”

“Why?” Mum turned fully in her seat, giving me that piercing mother look that said she could smell the bullshit from a mile away.

I shrugged, avoiding her eyes. “Just… feel like walking a bit.”

She stared at me a second longer, then sighed. “Fine. But you’re acting really strange today, Anna.”

I didn’t reply. The moment the car slowed down a couple of blocks from school, I hopped out fast, muttering a quick “thanks” before she could ask anything else.

The second I stepped through the gates, I pulled the hood lower over my face. Just make it to class, nobody needs to notice me today.*

“Anna!”

Ella sprinted toward me, ponytail bouncing. She skidded to a stop and squinted.

“Wait… how did you even recognize me under all this?”

She waved a hand at my outfit. “Is it raining or something? Why are you dressed like it’s Christmas in July?”

I forced a nervous laugh, yanked the hoodie off in one motion, and stuffed it into my bag. The thin tank top underneath suddenly felt way too exposing. I shook out my hair, hyper aware of every possible pair of eyes around me.

Ella’s eyes widened, then a proud grin spread across her face. “Oh my God, look at you! Finally, I’m so proud you actually posted on your I*******m. The comments are insane you already have over five thousand likes and the views keep climbing. Everyone’s saying you’re serving main character energy.”

My stomach dropped. I forced a small smile, but inside I was screaming.

I could barely remember posting it. I remembered pulling up my shirt, taking the pictures… but then the memory of kissing William crashed back in. His soft lips, his strong hands. The way we kissed while grinding against each other. It hadn’t been a dream and the worst part? I loved every second of it.

Heat flooded my cheeks.

Ella tilted her head. “You okay? You’re turning red.”

Act natural, you idiot.

I swallowed hard and shrugged. “Yeah, I’m fine.”

She leaned in closer, voice dropping with excitement. “Anyway… who’s the mystery guy you hooked up with at my party? Spill. Everybody wants to know.”

I kissed your boyfriend. I’m sorry. I’m a horrible friend and I hate myself but please don’t hate me.*

“Umm—”

The bell rang, saving me. I grabbed Ella’s hand and dragged her down the hall. “Let’s go eat. I’m starving.”

She gave me a suspicious side eye but didn’t push it.

The second we stepped into the cafeteria, every head turned our way. I glanced behind us, hoping maybe a teacher or new student was walking in.

No. It was definitely me.

“Anna…” Ella muttered through a tight smile. “They’re all staring.”

“I noticed,” I whispered back as we headed to our usual table.

*We got this.* The ten thousand likes on my half naked photo were probably mostly from outside school. No one here at Bridgeview High had probably even—

“Yoo, Anna, right?”

A tall, muscular guy in a stupid “I heart Boobs” shirt strutted over, grinning like we were old friends.

“Yes. It’s Anna,” I said quickly, dropping into my seat and trying to breathe normally.

He didn’t wait for an invitation. He pulled out the chair next to Ella and sat down, turning straight to me. “I’m Jonathan. Everybody knows me around here.”

Well, minus me.

“Yeah… I think I’ve heard of you,” I mumbled.

He didn’t let me finish. “Well, um…” His eyes dropped straight to my chest. “Your boobs are massive.”

I glanced down to make sure I was still covered. My face burned and Ella’s mouth fell open beside me.

“No, no — I don’t mean it in a creepy way,” Jonathan backtracked with an awkward laugh. “Like, not ‘I wanna fuck you’ or anything.”

He was definitely lying. He’d seen the pictures. Now he thought I was easy. The kind of girl you could hit up for a quick hookup.

He stole another glance at my chest before looking away. “So you wanna chill with us tonight? Me and the guys are throwing a party in the woods.”

My heart slammed against my ribs. Was this what sudden popularity felt like?

Ella stayed suspiciously quiet, just shoving fries into her mouth and grinning like she was watching her favorite drama unfold.

I leaned back, trying to look unbothered. That’s when I saw Jonathan laugh and signal to some guys behind us. My stomach sank.

Fuck. This is all because of that post.

“I-I—” I shot up so fast my chair scraped loudly. “I have to use the restroom.”

I practically ran out of the cafeteria.

The bathroom door slammed behind me. I locked myself in the farthest stall and pressed my back against the cold wall, breathing hard.

Everybody thinks I’m a whore now.

The thought hit like a slap. Jonathan hadn’t even known my name yesterday. Now he was inviting me to a party in the woods because he’d seen my tits online. How many other guys were thinking the same thing? Laughing in their group chats? Saving the pictures?

My hands shook as I pulled out my phone. I opened I*******m and went straight to the post. Over twelve thousand likes now. Comments were crazy with fire emojis, heart eyes, and a few nasty ones calling me desperate.

Delete. Delete. Delete.

I smashed the button before I could overthink it. The post vanished, but I knew it was too late. Who knows how many people would have seen it.

I stumbled out to the sink and turned on the cold water, splashing it aggressively on my face once, twice, three times… trying to wash away the shame burning under my skin.

Then I felt it.

A big, warm hand settled firmly on my waist, pulling me back just enough that I could feel the hard press of his body behind me. Another hand gently gathered my hair, holding it up so it wouldn’t get wet.

My entire body froze and I didn’t look up.

But I knew that touch, that cologne.

I would recognize that scent anywhere.

“Are you okay?”

That deep, smooth voice wrapped around me like velvet, sending heat rushing through my body.

I know that voice fuck!.