CHAPTER 4

Blair POV

I had just curled up in bed, the warmth of my blanket wrapping around me like a silent promise that I could forget today, maybe even tomorrow, for a little while. But peace didn’t last long in this house.

“Blair, honey?” her voice called softly.

Shit.

I shut my eyes tighter, turning my body to face the wall. Maybe if I stayed still long enough, she’d leave. Maybe if I didn’t breathe, didn’t exist for a second, she’d finally take the hint.

Her footsteps came closer, and the soft creak of the floorboard and the dip beside my bed told me she’d sat down.

“Blair…” she said again, her voice trembling, far too soft to match the woman who screamed at me last week for not emptying the dishwasher. “I know I’ve hurt you. I just—God, I hope you and your father, wherever he is, can find it in your hearts to forgive me.”

I didn’t move. Not a twitch. My heart pounded, but not with guilt. With bitterness.

She sniffled. “I made mistakes… I know I did. But it’s hard seeing your own daughter walk past you like you’re a stranger. Like you’re invisible. How do I get my sweet girl back?”

She brushed her hand over my arm and leaned down to kiss the crown of my head. Her lips were warm. But all I felt was cold.

“Sweet dreams, honey.”

The door shut behind her.

Yeah right. Thanks for the nightmares, mom.

Morning slapped me in the face like an unpaid debt. I rolled over groaning, barely awake when I checked my phone and saw a text from Max.

Max: Tonight's pay is exclusive.

Translation: tonight I’d have to smile like I meant it and flirt like my life depended on it.

Me: Alright, as usual pick me up by 8.

Max: okay babe.

Me: don’t.

Max: why?

I left him on read. I didn’t have the patience to explain that “babe” was not a name I ever wanted to hear from him. I only talked to Max because he got me gigs and gigs got me money. That was our arrangement. Nothing more.

I threw the blanket off and got dressed in something comfortable but cute. High-waisted black shorts, a nude crop top, heeled black boots that made a satisfying clack with every step, and my oversized gray hoodie to top it all off. My hair went into a rough, messy bun under the hood.

I bolted downstairs, half praying I wouldn’t run into her again.

So far, so good. Just a few steps to the door. My skateboard leaned right where I left it. I grabbed an apple off the counter and reached for my board—

“Sweetie?”

Damn it.

She appeared from her room like a ghost. How the hell does she move so quietly?

“Have you had breakfast?” she asked, her voice coated in that fake concern she put on like lipstick.

I didn’t even look at her. “Why’d you care?”

“Blair, please…” her voice cracked. Great. Tears again.

I rolled my eyes. Could she not go a day without crying?

I said nothing. Just snatched my skateboard and walked out, slamming the door behind me.

She wants sympathy? Then maybe she should’ve thought twice before ruining everything.

The morning air hit my face like a blessing. Cool, clean, and silent.

I took a big bite of my apple and rolled down the street, letting my board hum beneath me. The calm didn’t last.

A car horn pierced through the quiet.

“Hey babe! Need a ride?”

Oh, for the love of—

I didn’t bother looking. I just pushed faster, hoping to outrun him like always.

“Come on! Any other girl would kill for a ride with me!”

I rolled my eyes so hard it almost hurt. This guy seriously needed a dictionary for the word no.

He kept pacing me all the way to school. Luckily, he had to park, and I finally lost him in the crowd.

Four exhausting classes later, the bell for lunch finally rang. I made my usual walk into the cafeteria, and like always, the chatter died down. Silence followed me like a cloak. I kind of liked it. No one dared mess with me. At least not directly.

I headed toward the food line, and as usual, people stepped out of my way without needing to be asked—except today, there was a new face. Some guy stood there like he didn’t get the memo.

“Hmhm,” I cleared my throat quietly.

He barely turned, then looked back forward.

Oh. Okay.

I pulled down my hood. Let him see who I was. Maybe that would help.

He turned again, eyebrow arched. “Can I help you?” he asked, tone polite but confused.

Guess he didn’t know who I was. Rookie mistake.

I shook my head, expression blank. Just get your food, Blair.

Then—

“Yo Tyler!” a familiar voice called from the crowd.

Oh no.

What was his name again? James?

He did some ridiculous bro-handshake with the new guy, Tyler, then turned and saw me. “Oh… it’s you.”

Yup. Me. Still here. Still trying to avoid you.

“You know her?” Tyler asked.

James grinned. “Yup. Pretty sure she’s mute. I’ve said like a hundred things to her and haven’t heard a single word back. I mean, most girls dream of me even looking at them, but this one? She vanishes.”

Tyler burst out laughing. “Dude. That’s amazing. Finally a girl not falling at your feet.”

“She’s interesting,” Tyler added, now looking at me more closely.

Great. Another one.

I saw the line shift. With the boys distracted, I slipped forward, got my food, and found my usual corner table. Solitude. Finally.

But peace didn’t last long.

“Hey! There you are!” Tyler said, dropping into the seat across from me like we were old friends.

“She has a way of slipping out like smoke,” James added. “Mysterious much?”

I clenched my jaw, my fries suddenly tasting like cardboard. They were ruining my lunch.

I slammed my hand on the table, the sound echoing through the cafeteria. All eyes turned to me. Good.

I glared at both of them, grabbed my burger, and stormed out.

Wandering the hall, I found an empty classroom to finish my food in peace.

Or so I thought.

Inside, a girl sat curled into herself, shoulders shaking. She was crying—no, sobbing—and looked up in surprise when I stepped in.

Ugh. Tears. Why?

I sat at the far end of the room, chewing slowly, staring out the window. She stared at me. I could feel it.

“Hi,” she said, her voice a whisper.

I looked over. She was wiping her tears, forcing a smile.

“I’m sorry… you don’t really look scary like they say,” she chuckled, nervous.

I didn’t respond. Just stared. Or glared. Same difference.

She took a breath. “I know you don’t talk much, but… you seem like you listen. And I just… I really need someone to listen.”

Don’t do it, Blair. Don’t get dragged in. Tears are weakness.

But she kept going. “Please. I won’t ask for advice. I just… I need to talk.”

I sighed and tossed the rest of my burger into the bin. Her eyes widened.

Yeah. I’m scary. Get over it.

I folded my arms and leaned back in my chair. Giving her the look. Talk. Quickly.

She hesitated, then poured everything out.

Her parents were splitting. Had already split, actually. Did it behind her back, while she was in school. Now she had to choose between them. She didn’t want to choose. She just wanted her family whole again.

Her words faded into a dull hum in my ears.

I’d heard this story before. Different faces. Same pain.

I waited until she finished, let out a soft breath, and walked out of the room without a word.

She didn’t ask for advice. Only someone to listen. And that’s all I had to give.

I walked down the hall to my locker.

I needed to go home.