Chapter 28

Audrey & Third Person

Audrey's POV

I stared at the cheerleading squad in complete disbelief, my jaw hanging open as they performed their routine in those all-too-familiar uniforms. The asymmetrical bodice, the sweeping skirt with that pop of burgundy, the cream knitted cardigan...

It was unmistakably my design down to the very last detail.

000 000 000000000☐☐☐

But how? I had received that email just last week, clearly stating that my submission had been rejected. So who had approved this? And why was my hard work being showcased without any credit?

Suddenly, the sensation of someone shaking my arm pulled me out of my stupor. I whipped my head around to see my friends staring at me with wide eyes, their faces just as shocked as mine was. "Audrey, is that...?"

Tina didn't even need to finish before I was turning on my heel. Gritting my teeth, I pushed through the crowd, making a beeline for the bulletin board near the gymnasium entrance. Sure enough, tacked up amongst the various announcements and flyers was an official- looking notice detailing the winning cheerleading uniform design pick.

My heart dropped into my stomach when I saw the bolded name at the top of the page.

Linda O'Malley.

Of course. That scheming little brat had obviously found a way to steal my hard work and pass it off as her own, just to spite me. Just like she had done when she trashed our studio. A white-hot flare of rage ignited within me, and I whipped around to search the gym for that familiar brunette head of hers.

"There's the little thief," I snarled when I spotted her, causing a few nearby people to jump in surprise.

grabbed my arm

growled, pulling my arm away. "I'm giving her a piece of my mind. How dare she

friends. Stopping a few feet from her, I clenched my

at the sound of my voice, and her eyes widened almost comically. Good-so she knew exactly why I was furious. Still, she

she purred, clutching a hand to her chest in mock surprise.

design?!" I scoffed, loudly enough to draw the attention of those sitting nearby. I jabbed an accusing finger toward the cheerleaders still performing their routine in my

and she bared her teeth in a feral sneer that made the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end. In the

she growled,

to flicker. A tremor of fear shot through

bulging arm. She fixed me with a look of pure venom. "Little Miss Priss here is just throwing a tantrum because she didn't get her way. Isn't that

mustered up every ounce of courage and lifted my chin defiantly. "You're going to pay for this, Linda. Stealing isn't going to get you anywhere in this school-or in life. Just

bravado. Then the mocking sneer returned. "Whatever you say, Audrey. Now why don't you run back to your little

growl that sent a tremor through me; the girl was at least twice my size, likely on the rugby team. Against my better judgment, I backed

her comeuppance. I would make sure

Third Person POV

Linda lingered in the hallway outside the locker rooms with Regan and a few of her other new

the mirror

floor behind them. Linda turned with a scowl already in place, ready to bite out a scathing remark to whomever else was bothering them, but the words

them with an air of elegant confidence. Her dark hair was pulled back into a tight bun, and her ruby-red lips were curved into a polite yet disinterested smile. "Linda O'Malley?" the woman inquired once she reached them. She held out a slim hand when

face. The other girls exchanged hushed, awestruck murmurs as Linda reached out

doing her best to keep her tone calm and unaffected despite the

cheerleading uniform design. Said it reminded her of her own youth. The Luna wishes to potentially commission similar designs from you, if you would be

delight, Linda positively beamed at the woman. "I would be honored. Where can I meet

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