Chapter 4: The Fire and the Truth

I walked slowly toward the edge of the sparkling blue pool, the rough concrete burning against the soles of my bare feet. The crowd parted for me, the chant of “Take it off!” keeping its aggressive, rhythmic pulse.

Chloe stood at the edge of the water, the microphone resting against her hip, a look of absolute, arrogant victory plastered across her flawless face. She thought she’d won.

She thought I was about to reveal a pale, un-toned, perfectly normal body, proving to the entire school that my reclusive nature was nothing but a pathetic, attention-seeking personality disorder.

I stopped exactly three feet away from her. I looked into her beautiful, expectant hazel eyes.

My fingers, slick with sweat, gripped the thick knot of the bathrobe belt. I pulled.

The knot came loose.