The next day at school, Kayci spoke to Beth as soon as she could.
“It’s all lies, you know I’d never do anything with Kurt.” Beth turned her back. “Come on, don’t be like this,” Kayci pleaded.
“You’re a fucking little whore,” Beth spat at her and strode away. The others followed Beth’s lead. Kayci felt stranded, adrift in a void.
In her classes, she was avoided like a pestilent. She tried to get a note to Beth explaining, but no one would acknowledge her. She felt accusing stares and whispers of ‘slut’ float in the air. It had been one thing to read the words, but hearing the venom in the voices, seeing the spite in their eyes struck deeper. Kayci would not go gently.