Oops Wrong Girl to Bully (Angelina) by Xena Kessler novel Chapter 12

Chapter 12

Angelina’s POV

Westfield Mall was massive. Two million square feet of retail therapy spread across three floors in downtown Roseville. On a Saturday afternoon, it was packed–families with strollers, teenagers in groups, couples window shopping.

Len and I walked through the main entrance. The air conditioning hit like a wall.

“So where are we going first? He shoved his hands in his hoodie pockets, thought we were getting lunch.”

“We are.” I steered us toward the JCPenney on the left side. “But first, I need to fix something.

“Fix what?”

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I didn’t answer, just kept walking.

The salon was tucked in the back corner of JCPenney, past the racks of discount jeans and clearance racks. Small. Maybe six chairs. The smell of hair products and chemicals hung in the air.

A woman in her thirties looked up from the reception desk. Blonde highlights, fake tan, bright smile.

“Hi! Welcome to JCPenney Salon. Do you have an appointment?”

“Walk–in, is anyone available?”

She checked her computer. “Sarah’s free. What are we doing today?”

“Cut and style. Nothing complicated.”

Leo tugged my sleeve. “Wait, you’re getting your hair done?”

I ignored him.

The receptionist smiled wider. “Great! Sarah will be right with you. You can have a seat over there.”

I sat in one of the waiting chairs. Leo dropped into the one next to me,

Why are you getting your hair done?” He leaned closer, lowering his voice We don’t have money for this.”

Thave money.”

“From where?”

Saved it.”

Bullshit. You’re always broke.”

I shrugged.

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Chapter 12

A woman approached Late twenties, wearing all black, hair pulled back in a sleek ponytail. Aria? I’m Sarah Co on back.

I stood.

Leo grabbed my wrist Seriously, what’s going on?

I looked down at him. At his worried face.

He thinks I’m having some kind of breakdown, I realized. Jump out a window, get my hair done… yeah, that tracks.

“Just trust me.” 1 said quietly.

Then I followed Sarah to the chair.

She ran her fingers through my hair, studying it in the mirror. “So what are we thinking today?”

Get rid of the bangs. Cut some long layers for movement. Keep the length but make it look… intentional.”

Sarah blinked. “That’s very specific.”

Is it doable?”

Oh yeah, definitely. She met my eyes in the mirror. “You have amazing bone structure. These bangs are hiding your face.”

Finally, I thought. Someone who gets it.

The original Aria had hidden behind those heavy bangs and that awful braid for years. Like she was trying to disappear.

But I wasn’t hiding anymore.

“How long will this take?” I asked.

Maybe forty–five minutes? An hour tops.”

Perfect.

Sarah got to work.

I closed my eyes and let her do her thing. The scissors made soft snipping sounds. Hair fell onto the cape around my shoulders.

Forty minutes later, Sarah stepped back.

Okay, take a look.”

I opened my eyes.

The girl in the mirror looked like she belonged on a magazine cover.

The bangs were gune My face was fully visible now–high cheekbones, sharp jawline, green eyes.

TII

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Chapter 12

The layers framed my face perfectly Made my features pop

Sarah was staring at me with her mouth slightly open. “Holy shit.”

tilted my head, examining the cut from different angles. It’s good.”

It’s more than good. You look like- She shook her head, I mean, you were pretty before, but now? Damn.”

I stood up Pulled out the cash I’d taken from Jayden’s wallet yesterday. What do I owe you?”

Thirty–five for the cut, plus tip if you want-

I handed her fifty, “Keep it.”

Her eyes went wide. “Are you sure?”

“Yeah

I walked back toward the waiting area.

Leo was slumped in his chair, scrolling through his phone. Looked bored out of his mind.

Then he glanced up.

His whole body jerked. Phone nearly fell out of his hand.

“What the fuck?

1 stopped in front of him. “Language.”

“No, seriously,” He stood up, staring at me. “What the actual fuck?”

“You don’t like it?”

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That’s not–1 mean- He ran his hand through his hair. Aria, you look… mean, that old hairstyle was so lame, I’ve been telling you to change it for months!”

I smiled slightly. “Yeah, It was pretty bad.”

“So why the sudden change?

Felt like it.

He studied my face for a second longer. Then shook his head. “Whatever starving. Can we eat now?

That’s why we’re here.”

The food court was on the second floor. We took the escalator up, passing lusters of people loaded down with shopping bags.

Leo kept sneaking glances at me. Like he still couldn’t believe what he was seeing,

III

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15.52 FN FREE HE

Chapter 12.

“Stop stating: Paid

I’m not staring

You are

I’m just” He huffed This is weird, okay? Two days ago you jumped out a window. Now you’re getting makeovers. It’s a lot.”

“I didn’t jump. I fell.”

“Right. Fell” He didn’t sound convinced.

We reached the top of the escalator. The food court spread out in front of us–maybe fifteen different fast food stalls arranged in a semícircle.

Chinese, pizza, burgers, Mexican. Tables filled the center space.

“So what do you want? Leo pulled out his wallet. “I’m buying.”

“You don’t have to-

“I want to.” He grinned. “Come on. When’s the last time you had decent Chinese food? Not Mom’s leftovers.”

My chest tightened again.“Okay,” I said quietly. “Chinese sounds good.”

We started toward the Chinese place on the far left.

And that’s when I almost crashed into them.

A group of teenagers. Maybe eight or nine of them. Letterman jackets. Designer jeans.

I sidestepped at the last second. Kept walking.

“Wait–Aria?!

The voice was male. Shocked.

I stopped.

Slowly, I turned around, Arms crossed.

The guy who’d spoken was staring at me like I’d just materialized out of thin air. Tall, athletic build, dark hair. One of Kai’s football buddies.

But my eyes went to the person standing in the center of the group.

Kai Matthews, Amber eyes that were currently locked on me with an expression I couldn’t quite read.

He’d been in the middle of saying something to the girl next to him. Stopped mid–sentence when he saw me

His mouth actually fell open slightly.

The girl next to him was stunning, Blonde hair, blue eyes, perfect cheerleader smile. She had her hand on Kai’s arm in that casual possessive

L

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Chapter 12

Bella Morrison, I realized. The one who killed the original Aria.

This was the first time I’d actually seen her in person.

“Holy shit, another guy breathed. ‘Is that really-

“Ara Sterling?” The first guy took a step closer. Squinted at me like he couldn’t believe his eyes. “That’s you, right?”

I didn’t answer right away. Just let the silence stretch.

Around us, people were starting to stare. The group’s attention was completely on me now.

Kai hadn’t moved. Hadn’t blinked, just kept staring.

“Yeah.” I said finally. Kept my voice flat. Bored. “That’s me.”

The guy shook his head slowly. “You look… different.”

“Thanks for noticing.

Bella’s smile had frozen on her face. Her eyes were doing a quick scan–my hair, my face, my body. I could practically see the calculations happening behind those blue eyes.

She’d expected me to still be the pathetic girl who wrote love letters. The asy target.

Not this.

I almost didn’t recognize you,” Kai said. His voice was quieter than his friends.

I met his eyes. Held his gaze.

“Must be the hair,” I said.

One of the other guys laughed nervously. “Yeah, the hair. That’s, uh… that a big change.”

Another beat of silence.

Then Bella seemed to shake herself out of whatever trance she’d been in. Her smile returned. Sweeter,

Aria! What a surprise! She stepped forward, still clutching Kai’s arm. “What are you doing here?”

“Shopping.” I gestured vaguely at the mall around us.

Right, of course.” Bella’s laugh was like tinkling bells. Fake as hell. “I just meant–well, we mentioned we’d be here today. Last Friday,

remember? During lunch?

I didn’t remember. But I could see where this was going,

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Chapter 12

“Lasked if you wanted to come. Bella continued. Her voice dripped with concern. “You said na.*

She paused. Let that hang in the air.

She setting a trap, I thought. Wants everyone to think I’m stalking Kai

And yet here you are! Bella tilted her head. “What a coincidence, right?

A few of the guys exchanged glances. One of them smirked.

Kai’s expression had shifted. The shock was fading. Now he just looked… comfortable. Maybe a little suspicious.

Bella was loving this. I could see it in her eyes. She thought she had me cornered.

I smiled.