HAZEL
My phone vibrated against my thigh. Once. Twice. Three times in quick succession. The screen lit up through the thin fabric of my dress, casting a pale glow that made my stomach clench.
Father.
I didn't need to look to know. The buzzing continued, relentless and angry, each ring a demand I couldn't bring myself to answer. Not here. Not with all these eyes on me.
The stares had started the moment I'd left that bathroom. Whispers followed me through the hallways like smoke, clinging to my skin, suffocating. I kept my head down, my broken hands tucked against my sides where the blood had finally stopped dripping but the pain still screamed with every heartbeat even if it was starting to heal now.
"Evil bitch."
The words drifted from somewhere behind me. It was a woman's voice, sharp with disgust.
"So cruel."
Another voice joined in. Male this time. Deep and condemning.
"Goddess, she reeks of wickedness."
