Free Poison Heart by S.B. Hayes

me.
    ‘Why didn’t you tell us?’ Hannah cried. ‘We could have helped.’
    ‘We knew you were stressed,’ Nat added. ‘You’vecoped with so much; it was bound to get to you eventually.’
    The group hug lasted for minutes until I broke free. ‘Mum’s going to get some help – talk to people and try some counselling.’
    Nat pummelled my arm until it hurt. ‘That’s great. I’m going to buy you a double latte with chocolate sprinkles to celebrate.’
    ‘I don’t deserve you two.’ I sniffed some more. ‘Thanks for being so understanding.’
    ‘That’s what friends are for,’ Hannah declared, just as Genevieve walked through the door. Our eyes met and time stood still. She tried to compose her expression at the sight of our three happy shiny faces, but she failed miserably. I saw rage and disbelief fighting one other. She moved forward, attempting to smile, but it looked more like a grimace.
    And now for the real scene-stealer. I stood up, dried my tears and walked towards her. My arms enveloped her slim body and she immediately recoiled, but I held on grimly, enjoying her discomfort. We were locked together in a weird symbiotic embrace and I could almost believe that some of her blood was now coursing through my veins.
    My voice was deliberately raised so that everyone could hear. ‘Sorry if I made you feel unwelcome. That’s not like me at all. I’ve had some problems at home.’
    ‘It’s OK,’ she muttered ungraciously. ‘I really wasn’t bothered.’
    ‘No. It was awful of me. You do forgive me?’
    ‘Yes. Of course,’ she replied woodenly.
    ‘And we’re friends?’
    I let go of her and she flinched as though she’d been struck. Nat had turned away for a minute, her purse open, asking Hannah for change. Genevieve took advantage of their distraction.
    ‘Over my dead body,’ she whispered malevolently.
    I threw back my head and laughed like a drain. ‘Genevieve! You’ve got a wicked sense of humour.’
    She wasn’t expecting this reaction and the flush that spread across her face gave me a thrill of power. I’d seen a chink in her armour and I was determined not to let up. For the next hour I laughed, swivelled on my chair and kept up a stream of bright brittle chatter to show everyone how completely at ease I was. I made sure to include Genevieve in every conversation and continually used her name, even shortening it to Gen. Her green eyes grew larger with disgust. The bad vibes between us were so strong I thought everyone must be able to feel them, but when I glanced at Nat and Hannah there was no recognition.
    After a while, the strangest thing started to happen – Genevieve began to droop before my very eyes, like a wilting flower. The more I acted, and the more I talked, and the more I pretended that she didn’t get under my skin, the weaker she became, as though we were in a tug of war and I was winning. I blinked, wondering if my eyes were playing tricks on me. Her eyes went dull, her speech driedup until she spoke only in monosyllables and even her hair seemed to lose its lustre. She was the invisible one now, while I glowed.
    After lunch Nat and Hannah went to classes, which left Genevieve and me alone together. Part of me actually relished this as I tried to stop my own Cheshire Cat grin from filling my face.
    ‘Think you’re clever?’ she said.
    ‘No, I don’t.’
    ‘Whatever you’re up to, it won’t work …’
    ‘You’re the one playing games.’
    She moved closer, her eyes almost hypnotizing me. ‘Don’t underestimate me. It really isn’t a game.’
    I squared up to her, straightening my back and lifting my chin. ‘It’s obvious you crave attention and don’t care how you get it.’
    She spoke with real menace. ‘Don’t practise your amateur psychology on me. You don’t know what you’re dealing with.’
    I gave a mock shiver. ‘Ooh, you’re terrifying me.’ She didn’t move a muscle and could stare for ages without blinking. Eventually I had to