Smoke and Wishes (Best Wishes #1)(27)

“Oh my gosh, yes, Madison! Hudson was the perfect date. He flirted and touched me throughout the whole thing!” The blonde’s soprano voice called out. Her arms waving about animatedly.

“Dante was a wonderful guy, he was sweet and funny,” the brunette added. Khloe, should probably remember that. I had a feeling I’d be dealing with them again if they were dating Dante and Hudson. “We actually have another date scheduled for Tuesday after his class! What about you, Brittney? When do you see Hudson again?” Her voice was slightly nasally. Jealousy coursed through me at the thought of any of my guys seeing someone else, but especially at the idea of them dating one of the Bitch Crew. I tried to clamp down on the negative emotions coursing through me. The guys were free to date whoever they wanted, I reminded myself.

“Our date is for next Friday,” the blonde, Brittney, answered. As hard as I attempted to focus on my studying, their voices cut through any attempts at concentration. Deciding to pack up my stuff quickly, I tried to slip by them unnoticed. I was unsuccessful.

“Oh, it’s you,” the Gucci bitch sneered. “Shouldn’t you be off stacking the shelves somewhere?” The other girls cackled. Who actually cackles?

“Looks like she’s going to puke,” Brittney added, then continued in a stage whisper. “I’m betting she’s bulimic, Claire, no one is that skinny.” Breathe, don’t do anything rash.

“I may be skinny, but at least I’m real. Word of advice girls, Barbie dolls aren't the best body idols. And if you're going to get work done? Make sure your doctor knows what he's doing,” I rubbed the side of my nose, maintaining eye contact with Claire. Smart Lucie, way to be petty. Who cares if they’ve had plastic surgery? I chided myself.

“Last I checked, we’re dating two of your friends, so what does that say about them? It’s not like they’d want some too thin nobody. No guy would want a skeleton” Khloe stated, raising a perfectly plucked eyebrow.

“Temporary lapse of judgment,” I shrugged nonchalantly. “Every guy needs to get his dick wet once in a while,” I smirked leaving off the rest of my insinuation. Their jaws dropped, taking the lull of insults, I turned and strode off. My head held high even though my chest was aching and my eyes started to water. I will not cry. I vowed not to stoop to their level again. That's not who you are, don't let them get under your skin.

I had locked away my emotions when I reached my dorm. Sadie was busy painting a large canvas when I slipped inside. Our shared living room was filled with her art supplies, paint tubes, brushes, metal tools all scattered on a paint tarp thrown over the coffee table. The canvas was dark, shades of black, greys, and white with a splash of red marred the page. The longer I stared at the work in progress the more the hair on my arms stood up. You’re just worked up over what happened in the library.

I shook my head before turning away from the eye-catching shadows. Not wanting to talk, I slinked past her into my room closing the door behind me. I glanced around my small dorm room with disdain. I really didn’t want to stay here in case Sadie wanted to talk, but I also didn’t want to go back to the library and risk seeing them again.

I wracked my brain trying to think of something, anything, I could do to get my mind off those catty bitches, when I remembered I hadn’t had a chance to take my wish tokens to my hiding place. Quickly ripping off my messenger bag, I changed from my flats to my knee-high black boots with thick tread. Can’t go trotting through the forest with flimsy shoes. I opened my closet door and pulled out the middle drawer of my dresser. Buried under all of my clothes, wrapped in a soft cream silk cloth was my token box.

I looked around for my cream, thick knit sweater which had large slouchy pockets that sat towards the bottom. I was able to slip in the box and cloth with it not being noticeable. The sweater was longer and reached mid-thigh putting the box at the perfect height for my hands to sit in my pockets without being awkward. Tucking my phone away in my pants pocket, I stepped out of my room quietly. Sadie’s movements caught my attention once more, large sweeping motions in frantic succession blended a swatch of dark paint over a blank piece of canvas. Her face was blank, eyes never straying from the easel, just flickering hectically from one portion to another. Yet again, I was struck with shivers and goosebumps at the painting. I slipped out of the dorm, focusing on my feet to rid myself of the odd sensation before pushing out into the breezy afternoon weather.

Twenty minutes later, I stepped off the slightly worn dirt path, weaving through several trees to my favorite spot on campus. This area of the surrounding forest was deep enough in and far enough off the main routes that it was never was visited. Well, except by me.

The small pond’s surface rippled in the cool breeze, grey weathered stones lining the water’s edge. The greenery and grass were softly swaying whenever the wind forced its way through the large, aged tree trunks. Sounds of birds and other wildlife of the forest rang out in the silence. Despite still being on campus, the area was still and peaceful. I closed my eyes and breathed in the smell of earth and pine. The stress from my earlier dealings with the Bitch Crew just melting away, the tension leaving my body with each deep inhale.

When I finally opened my eyes, the sun had peeked through the clouds, casting shadows throughout the clearing. Looking around, I was determined to find a good hiding spot in the place I’d found serenity in. My eyes landed on a cluster of rocks that, upon first glance, seemed piled snuggly around one another. As I crept closer to inspect the formation, I noticed a small opening barely large enough for my token box. Perfect. I took another sweeping glance around the clearing, listening carefully for signs that anyone was near. When I felt sure it was just me and the forest, I pulled out my box, checking that the covering was secure and gently placed it into the alcove. Locating another small rock that sat on the grass a few feet away, I grabbed it and laid it on top of the opening, maneuvering it in a way that concealed the box perfectly. Content with my little hiding place, I smiled.