Speechless(70)

                My eyes widen. The pictures are still on my phone, but I                     haven’t sent them to anyone.

                “I guess everyone was right about you,” she mutters.

                Mr. Callihan stops midlecture to clear his throat pointedly,                     and Megan leans away from me. She stares straight ahead, and I know that once                     again, I no longer exist to her.

                I’m too busy processing this latest information to pay                     attention to the rest of Mr. Callihan’s diatribe. It doesn’t take a rocket                     scientist to realize what had to have happened. It was Kristen. She must’ve sent                     the picture and told everyone I did it—a perfect way to turn Tessa and Megan                     against me for good. Knowing I have literally zero way to defend myself against                     her accusations.

                This must be phase one of Kristen’s retaliation. And I know this isn’t the end of it.

                When I see Brendon at lunch, I’m not sure if it’s going to make                     my Friday better or worse.

                He’s standing in front of the library double doors, riffling                     through his backpack. I’m supposed to meet Asha for another tutoring session.                     Part of me wants to flee the moment I spot him there, but the only way out is if                     I turn around abruptly and backtrack. I’m still considering my options when                     Brendon glances up and sees me. He looks uncertain, but since I have him                     inadvertently cornered, he can’t really ignore me.

                “Hi,” he says, zipping up his backpack.

                I try for a disarming smile and hope he doesn’t notice the way                     I’m staring. I can’t help it. Why does he have to be so pretty?

                “I heard about your…thing,” he says. “The no talking?”

                There’s an awkward moment where I’m just looking at him.                     Obviously I can’t really respond to that, can I?

                “I heard you joined a cult, and that’s why you’re doing this.”                     A smile flits over his face, a little uneasy.

                So that’s what people are saying, huh? The rumor mill must be                     in overdrive—certainly Kristen’s taking care of that much. I wonder what else is                     being said about me. I’m sure I could take a wild guess and not be far off the                     mark.