Total pages in book: 162
Estimated words: 158872 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 794(@200wpm)___ 635(@250wpm)___ 530(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 158872 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 794(@200wpm)___ 635(@250wpm)___ 530(@300wpm)
The week before finals, when the first episode aired and all my classmates saw my tear-streaked goodbye to Griff, had been mortifying. While I didn’t get bullied the same way I had as a kid, the relentless whispering and laughing behind my back made the last few days of high school unbearable.
Then the second episode aired, and the ring bunnies were introduced. One of them—Kiki— always seemed to be hovering around Griff. After that, several of my classmates made a point to tell me they were Team Kiki, which made me want to vomit.
Horrible stuff was posted about me online from people all over the country watching the show. Remy would’ve committed murder if he knew where to find these people.
“Molly?” Hayden places her hand on my arm. “Is that okay? Should we still come over?”
“Sure,” I answer in a less than enthusiastic tone.
Kyla stops rattling off classmates’ names. “Did you see the ads they’ve been running for this week’s show?” Her nervous gaze shifts to Darcy, Hayden, then finally me.
“No, I was too busy worrying about this.” I wave my hands in the air to indicate the graduation ceremony.
“Oh…” Kyla’s gaze drops to the ground.
Well, that’s not good. “Why? What’s—”
“Hey, graduate.” Remy taps my shoulder.
I turn, and he holds out his arms. At least one family member came to see me. The only one I have left as far as I’m concerned. “Thanks for sitting through all this,” I say against his ear.
“Wouldn’t have missed it for anything.” He squeezes me tight. “Proud of you.”
“Thanks.” Over his shoulder, I spot Juliet, Vapor, Ella, and Eraser. “You made them come too?”
He laughs and holds me at arm’s length. “Made them? Are you kidding? Juliet pitched a fit this morning. I’m pretty sure she robbed some eleventh graders of their tickets.”
“He’s exaggerating. Congratulations, Molly.” Juliet glides next to Remy and nudges him aside to pull me in for a hug. “I thought you’d be a little sad Griff’s not here and might need some extra voices cheering you on,” she says, low enough for only me to hear.
“I thought I recognized your whistle.” I grin and step back. “Thank you.”
“Girl, that was me.” Ella pushes in next to Juliet and squeezes me with more strength than someone her size should be capable of. “Congrats.”
“Thanks.”
Eraser and Vapor offer quick hugs and congratulations, then step to the side with Remy.
Juliet squints at me and presses the back of her hand to my cheek. “You’re so red, Molly. Did you wear sunscreen?”
Now that she mentions it, a stinging sensation prickles my cheeks.
“Here.” She opens her giant purse, pulls out a metal water bottle, and shoves it toward me. “Drink some water.”
I accept the cool, slick metal and smack my dry lips together. “Aren’t you the one always telling me not to accept strange drinks?”
“I’m not a stranger.” She rolls her eyes. “And it’s ice water.”
“She’s got like six of those in there.” Ella taps a piece of masking tape with a black M scribbled on the front of the bottle in my hands.
Vapor lifts his hand. “Can confirm. I carried that bag into the stadium.” He flashes a quick smile at his wife who grins back at him.
Grateful for the drink, I flip the cap open and take a deep sip. Cool water slips down my throat. I’m more parched than I realized and take several long swallows before capping the bottle. “Thank you.”
Juliet takes it from me and sticks it back in her purse.
“You’re such a mom,” Ella teases.
“Duh.” Juliet shrugs.
Vapor wraps his arms around Juliet’s waist and hugs her to him, leaning down to kiss her cheek. “My girl’s always prepared.”
“At least one of us is,” Remy says, holding up his empty hands. “I brought myself and nothing else.”
Eraser slaps my brother’s shoulder. “That’s why I always say you’re as useful as an ashtray on a motorcycle.”
“I don’t see you carrying anything.” Remy points his wide eyes at Eraser’s empty hands.
“Wrong. So wrong, bro.” Eraser pulls a white envelope out of his back pocket and hands it to me. “For our little graduate.”
“Aw, thank you.” I take the envelope. “You guys didn’t have to do that.”
“He didn’t,” Ella teases. “Open it at home.”
“Uh, okay.” I tuck it into the little purse at my side.
“Come on, Molly.” Hayden tugs on my arm. “We’re all headed to my house before we start hitting the parties.”
I glance at Remy, hoping he’ll save me. But he’s busy bullshitting with Vapor and Eraser again.
“I’m going to run home and change first.” I tug on my gown. “I’m all sweaty.”
Hayden pouts for a second, then nods. “All right. But don’t disappoint me, girl.”
Hayden was right to be skeptical. Once I’m home, the thought of leaving is intolerable. I just want to crawl into bed and sleep.
“Come on. You should go have fun with your friends,” Remy insists.