I don’t wait for her to notice me. I grab her wrist and yank her away from the bench like she’s in my way just by existing. She stumbles, and I shove her into the lockers hard enough to make the metal shake. The sound is sharp and ugly and I like it. She looks at me all wide-eyed, and it only makes my grip tighter. I crowd into her space, not giving her room to move, my hand flat against the locker beside her head.

“Why are you even here?” I spit the words like they taste bad. “You think anyone actually wants you around?” I tilt my head just slightly, studying the way her jaw tightens, the way she tries not to flinch when I push her shoulder back against the cold metal again. I can see every little twitch in her expression, and it just fuels me.

She tries to say something, but I cut her off with a sharp laugh that isn’t even amused. “Don’t bother.” My voice is low but sharp enough to cut, each word deliberate. “You don’t get it. You never will.”

For a moment I just stare at her, holding her there like I’m daring her to move. Then I step back, letting my hand fall away, but my eyes stay on hers the whole time. I make sure she knows I’m not sorry. Not even close.