The cold from my smoothie cup has started to seep into my palm, but I don’t cate I’m too may laughing.
“No, no, wait,” i manage between gasps, “she actually said that?”
Mila tosses her braid over her shoulder like it personally offended her. “Dead serious. Word for word. Madame Loretto pointed at me in the middle of the warm–up and yelled, ‘Mila, you dance like a drugged stork on a trampoline.“”
1 nearly choke on my sip. “A stork?”
“With low blood sugar, apparently.” She grins, taking a long draw from her mango smoothie as we drift patt a store blasting pop music. “I almost pirouetted myself into the sun.”
“It’s so unfair,” I say, still giggling. “You’re one of the best dancers we have.”
Mila shrugs like it’s nothing, but her smile says otherwise. “That’s why I’m triple–cast now. Triple. Can you believe it? And I’m not even the biggest diva in the room.”
We turn toward a rack of pastel workout tops near the window of a boutique. I flip through them absently while she continues.
“Case in point–Danielle actually cried when she found out she’s only doing the second night. Like full, messy tears. Snot, Penny.
“That’s… honestly kind of impressive,” I say. “How are we even supposed to survive gala season?”
“By gossiping with overpriced smoothies in hand, obviously.” Mila taps her cup to mine. “And I’ve missed you, by the way. My life has been an exhausting tornado of pliés, panic, and petty girls.”
“I’ve missed you too,” I say quietly.
We stop at a display of strappy black leotards with velvet trim, and Mila sighs like she’s in church. “You look better,” she says after a moment.
“I feel better,” I admit. “I’m still a little shaken, but… things are good.”
Mila gives me a look. “You mean things with Asher are good.”
I can’t help the blush creeping up my neck.
“Do not play coy with me right now,” she warns. “You tell me this actual Navy Seal action figure man moved into a new apartment, literally scooped you off the floor like a novel hero, and is taking you furniture shopping… and you want to talk about my drama?”
I laugh, holding up my hands. “Okay, fine, he’s amazing.”
“He’s the hottest man I’ve ever seen. Ever.” She waves her smoothie in the air like she’s invoking the heavens. “If you don’t date him, I will end you. I will smother you with my leg warmers.”
“I can’t just jump into something.”
“You already jumped. Your heart did a swan dive, and you know it.”
I grin, but before I can answer, a voice cuts through the air like a jagged shard of glass.
“Well, well, look who it is. Little Miss Perfect.”
Mila tenses beside me. I turn slowly, dread curling in my gut.
Zoe and Rebecca stand a few feet away. Zoe’s wearing an off–the–shoulder top that barely qualifies as a shirt, a smug grin pulling at her lip. chewing gum so loudly I feel like it echoes.
zecca’s
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Chapter 183: Penny
“God.” Mila mutters. “You two again?
“Did we ask for company? I say flatly, already tired
Zoe tilts het head. “Just thought I’d say hi. You know, to the girl whose boyfriend 1 state
Mila scoffs, “You stole him like a kid steals trash off the side of the road. Congrats.”
Zoe’s eyes flash. “Tealousy’s not cute on you.”
“Neither is chronic lying and backstabbing,” I say.
Rebecca crosses her arms. “You think you’re better than everyone just because you wear sparkly shoes and stand on your toes for a living.”
“No,” I say, “I think I worked hard for what I have. There’s a difference.”
Zoe laughs, the sound harsh. “Don’t act like you didn’t see it coming. You were always too busy with your little ballerina dream to give Tyler what he needed.”
“Wow,” Mila snaps. “Victim–blaming? You’re officially disgusting.”
Zoe shrugs. “Whatever. I gave him attention. Affection. Actual fun.”
I meet her eyes, and for the first time, I don’t flinch. “You gave him distractions. Lies. You offered him an escape, not a future.”
Zoe steps closer, eyes narrowed. “Why do you even care? You’ve clearly moved on to his hotter, older brother.”
“That’s not the point,” I say. “I want to know how you sleep at night. Seriously. How do you do what you do and still look in the mirror?”
Zoe’s smile falters, just for a second.
“I mean,” I continue, voice steady, “don’t you get tired of it? Of always trying to hurt people? Of needing to be the center of some ugly little drama just to feel important?”
“You don’t know me,” Zoe spits.
“I don’t want to,” I say. “I just feel sorry for you. I don’t know what made you like this, but you must feel empty. You must feel worthless if the only way you can feel powerful is by tearing other people down.”
For a second, the world is quiet.
Then Mila adds, “And you should probably see someone about that. Like a professional.”
Rebecca rolls her eyes. “Come on, let’s go.”
Zoe hesitates. Her mouth opens like she wants to say something cruel–but nothing comes. She turns on her heel and follows Rebecca.
Mila exhales. “Holy hell. That was savage.”
I feel shaky. But good.
“You okay?” she asks.
I nod. “Yeah. I think I am.”
We head to the checkout, our smoothies long gone, our arms full of cozy new finds. Mila bumps my shoulder.
“So… what do you want to do after this? Go find a dress hot enough to make Asher propose?”
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Chapter 183: Penny
laugh. “Let’s start with lunch.”
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