Chapter 149

Karina

"I love your makeup today, Ms. H!" Jess, one of the senior cheerleaders compliments me as she runs into class, right before the bell rings, indicating hallways are supposed to be clear.

Little does this girl know my makeup looks different because I'm trying to hide the damage Mason did to my neck on Friday night. Three days later, and nothing is fading. If anything, I had to mix different colors of concealer as it's gotten darker. But that's not something you can talk about in a high school classroom. Instead, I grin. "Thank you, Jess! I'm always looking to try new stuff, you know? Trying to keep up with you gorgeous ladies."

"Whatever, you don't even need it."

I wish I had the blind confidence of this girl. Granted, I have it now, but it took me a long while to get it after my engagement fell apart, but I've never had as much as she does. "How's everybody doing today?" I lean against my desk. One more class to go after this one, and then we're out of here. These kids,