JUST SO YOU KNOW

*[Savage Pink Exclusive]

Just so you know, I'm always walking a thin line between creativity and chaos. My art is my escape — my sanctuary. But it's suffocating when you're living in someone's shadow. Everyone expects me to be like them — charming, athletic, popular. But I'm not. I'm the girl who'd rather sketch graffiti on the school walls than cheer at a pep rally._

So, if you've got a problem with me using that shadow to find my artistic muse, I'll gladly take the title of Savage Bitch. I'll wear it like a badge.

Today was a good day, though. The sun was shining, and the basketball team was playing their biggest game of the season. My brother was going to crush it on the court — like always. I couldn't help but feel a surge of pride… and maybe a little bit of annoyance.

Of course, he'd warned me — explicitly: "Don't even think about blogging about the team or me."

As if I'd ever listen. Pushing his buttons is my favorite pastime.

So, like I said — just so you know — I, the Savage Pink, don't give a damn if the red team wins, no matter how cute they look. Especially their so-called captain.

But let's get to the real tea.

I'm still fuming about the absolute garbage rumors circulating about Nick and Belle. All I'm gonna say is — she deserves so much better than some guy who talks trash about her body. But, of course, Nick thinks he's God's gift to humanity now.

Little does he know, I've got the receipts. I remember him in eighth grade, crying about his… ahem… inadequacies. Funny how his ego grew faster than his… well, you get the idea.

So here's my two cents: if Nick wants to play with fire, he better be ready for the flames. And I'm more than happy to fan them — for Belle's sake. Someone's gotta put him in his place.

Time for me to sign off — but stay tuned for more savage takes on the juiciest school gossip.

*-*

I set my phone down just as my bedroom door flew open. Bill stormed in, his face burning with a mix of anger and concern, his eyes blazing like embers. The air seemed to vibrate with tension as he towered over me.

"What were you thinking?" he demanded, his voice low and even, but edged with frustration. "Posting that about Nick? You're going to get in trouble."

I rolled my eyes, already tired of this conversation. "Oh my God, Bill, I can handle myself. I've been running this blog for six months — I know what I'm doing."

His expression turned skeptical. "You don't get it, do you?" he said, his voice tight with worry. "Nick's going to destroy you. He's got influence — online and in real life."

I shrugged, pretending I didn't feel the knot of anxiety twisting in my stomach. "I don't care," I said, my voice firm. "That doesn't justify what he did to Belle."

Bill sighed, dragging a hand through his hair. "I'm just trying to protect you, Billie. Be careful with this stuff, okay?"

For a second, guilt pricked at me — because I knew he was just looking out for me. But I was still angry, still fired up, and I didn't know how to back down.

"Fine," I muttered, breaking the silence. "But you found out pretty fast, didn't you?"

My brother's mouth curled into a wry smile. "Did you forget I'm your number one fan? I've been following your blog from the start."

That… caught me off guard.

"It's good you stood up for Belle," he added, more serious now. "If that happened to you and no one said anything, it'd be wrong. You did the right thing."

For once, I was speechless. I just nodded. "Yeah."

The tension eased, and Bill's face lit up with excitement. "Thanks for the luck with the game today. You coming?"

I forced a smile. "Yeah."

But as he walked out, I couldn't shake the unease settling deep in my chest. What had I just gotten myself into?

Not that I care, though. I stand up for what's right — and I said what I said. No matter who's got a problem with it.

The game was already buzzing with the fallout from my post. You could feel it — whispers, glances, that spark of fresh drama in the air. Even Nate was talking about it.

"This girl's on fire," he said, grinning. "Every single day. She just knows what matters — what to talk about."

My heart did a little flip. Nate — my long-lost, unrequited crush since we were twelve — was talking about me. Or, well… about Savage Pink.

"Bet she's hot in real life," Tim chimed in from the other side of the locker room.

I bit back a smile. Too bad indeed.

But even if the guy I'd been in love with for years was singing my anonymous praises, I couldn't write about him. Or anyone on the team. Bill had made that rule the second he found out I was the ghost living in the shadows — the number one #SavagePink on school grounds.

And so far, I'd kept my promise.

But something told me… that was about to get a whole lot harder.