Chapter 37 Enough
860words
Ember's lips turned down. "Don't start, please."
"No," Belinda smacked both her palms down onto the table, resulting in the broth from everyone's bowls spilling. One of the unknown to me boys sitting by the table scowled at her, wiping the mess on his tray with a paper napkin.
"I don't want her here. She's already caused enough trouble." Then Belinda tore her eyes from me to Ember. "You really don't want to do this."
"Yes, I do," Ember said, pulling out a chair beside hers and signaling me to sit. "This isn't an exclusive, special people only table, okay? She has every right to be here. So leave her be."
I hesitated, clutching my tray to my chest. "You know what, Ember, I think it's better if I don't."
"Damn right it's better," snarled Belinda. She clucked her tongue, throwing her long curls over her shoulder and managing to knock Kayn against the side of his face in the process.
He pinned her with the stink eye.
"I can clearly see I'm not welcome here." I turned, but Ember grabbed my arm and gave me a pleading look.
"Please ignore her. You are very welcome at this table."
"Very," Kayn added. I wasn't certain if he was sarcastic or if he meant it.
You never knew with him.
"No, she's not," Belinda snapped. "Go away so we can live our lives peacefully, the way we lived before you showed up here."
I spun around. "That's it. I had it with you. What the bloody hell is your problem with me?"
"It's none of your business," Belinda said casually. "It doesn't affect you in the way it does us."
"Do you even hear yourself? None of my business, huh?"I scoffed. "Because this sounds incredibly personal."
She waved me off. "Just go away. Disappear. Whatever."
"I'm not going anywhere until you tell me why you're a complete bitch toward me," I snapped, my cheeks flaming. "I'm sick and tired of being treated like I'm some disgusting demon spawn infecting and ruining people's lives. What am I ruining? Kindly tell me so I'd at least know why I need to leave so badly!"
Belinda's smile turned venomous. "Everything. Don't you get it?"
"No, I don't," I hissed. "Because no one has bothered to tell me the actual problem."
"You," she got up from her seat, pushing away Kayn's hand, who was trying to hold her back. "You are the problem. Your existence is the problem. Go die somewhere, please. And I promise you when it does finally happen; we will have one heck of a flashy party with colorful balloons and cake in your honor."
"Oh my word, Belinda," Ember cried out. "Just stop it!"
She wished me dead.
What was wrong with me that people around here hated me so much?
I've always thought I was raised well and turned out okay. This place was egging on my doubts.
My shoulders dropped, and I stared at Belinda for a moment with a blank look, no indication of anger or sadness.
I gripped the edges of my tray, speaking in the steadiest voice I could manage. "Very well then."
I turned and began walking. I had to fight incredibly hard not to dump the bowl of broth out on top of her head instead.
"Carly." Ember jumped up from her seat and grabbed hold of my forearm. "I'm so, so sorry about this."
"It's fine," I lied, holding back tears. "I get it."
"She should not have said that," Ember continued. "I'll make her go. Come sit with me, please."
"I'd rather not."
"Please don't be angry with me," she pleaded.
"I'm not, Ember." I forced myself to look at her and feigned a smile. "I just need time to think straight."
"Carly, I do—" she started but got interrupted by a high-pitched scream and glass breaking.
"Ember," Belinda gritted.
Ember flung around. As I craned my neck to see what was happening, she broke out in a fit of laughter. "Oh, wow."
Belinda was covered in broth.
Ember's brows shot up, glancing at her brother, and choked out, "Now you did it."
Kayn's lips were pulled into a tight line as if he was fighting off a smile.
Belinda's eyes flicked toward Kayn. "So it was you?"
Wasn't it obvious as he was the one sitting closest to her?
"I'm way over here, Bells," Ember stated. "But you won't know for sure, now, will you?"
I frowned, trying to catch up on the cryptic exchange. What was that supposed to mean?
Belinda's eyes bounced between Ember and Kayn as if she was making a decision. Not a second later, she lifted a hand covered in broth and slapped Kayn through the face.
Ember buckled into another fit of giggles.
"A match made in heaven," I snorted a laugh. The deep sadness I felt a moment before was now gone, replaced with a gratifying satisfaction that they both got what they deserved.
I caught Kayn glancing my way before I turned around and walked away.
He was grinning.
