Chapter 12:
“How could you strike her!” shouted Fred, face flushed with fury. He lunged at Rylie, only to have his wrist snatched and flung aside with ease. Rylie’s foot swept out, catching him just right so that both Fred and Stacey dropped to their knees before her.
All around them, students drew in quick breaths, wide-eyed at a display of power that none had ever witnessed from Rylie before.
While rubbing her wrist, Rylie stared down at the pair, her voice steady and cold.
“Every night, I was either locked away at the lab or pushing Phillip’s racing career for your sake. Stacey, have you ever stopped to wonder if you were being fair, saying those things?”
Cupping her cheek, Stacey glared at Rylie through her tears, still putting on a sorrowful face.
“Whatever you say is true, Rylie. Just please, don’t hurt me again and leave Fred out of it.”
Never imagining himself sprawled on the ground because of Rylie, Fred needed help from his classmates just to stand.
Pointing a trembling finger, he exclaimed,
“You’re just a fake heiress who was thrown out. You play at research, but what have you really accomplished? Why doesn’t Dr. Vivian Estrada take you in? Why haven’t you come first in any exams? Why not win a racing gold medal? After all you’ve done, why is it always Stacey who comes out on top?”
With a sly twist to her lips, Rylie retorted,
“What makes you think I’m not capable of acing the exams or snagging the top awards?”
Determination flashed in her eyes, a silent vow forming that she would reclaim every accolade Stacey had ever taken from her.
Fred leveled a vicious challenge at her.
“Go ahead, impress us all — if you manage it, I’ll kneel and beg for your forgiveness in front of the whole school! But if you fail, I expect you to crawl around the track for everyone to see and pay for your arrogance.”
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“Agreed,” answered Rylie without missing a beat. “There’s no need for begging, though. If I win, you can take your turn crawling the track and make your apology right there.”
Panic set in for Stacey, and she rushed to intervene.
“Stop it, Rylie! You’ll only drag the Kirk family’s name through the mud!”
Giving her a sideways glance, Rylie coolly asked,
“Are you willing to put your pride on the line too? Bet on me taking the top spot in the department this year. What do you say?”
Stacey knew that Rylie’s real level had always been at the bottom. She was already imagining Rylie crawling in humiliation, but still, she pretended to be reluctant and concerned.
“Rylie, I don’t want to bet with you. I’m afraid you’ll get hurt.”
Fred weighed in, eager to see Rylie humbled.
“A little lesson might help her tone down that attitude. It’ll do her some good, honestly.”
A beat of hesitation passed before Stacey lifted her chin and, in a show of devotion, declared,
“If I don’t outscore her, then I’ll accept the loss as mine, too.”
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