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 again. "Audrey,

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

I was already storming toward Linda and her gaggle of new friends. Stopping a few feet from her, I clenched my hands into fists and called out, "You

voice, and her eyes widened almost comically. Good-so she knew exactly why I

she purred, clutching a hand to her chest in

enough to draw the attention of those sitting nearby. I jabbed an accusing finger toward the cheerleaders still performing their routine

the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end. In the blink of an eye, one of her friends-a tall, brutish girl who

she growled, taking

shrinking back as her eyes seemed to flicker. A tremor of fear shot

Regan," Linda purred, resting a hand on her friend's bulging arm. She fixed me with a look of pure venom. "Little Miss Priss here is just throwing a

I mustered up every ounce of courage and lifted my chin defiantly. "You're going to pay for this, Linda. Stealing

you say, Audrey. Now why don't you run back to your little

on the rugby team. Against my better judgment, I backed away-but not before shooting Linda one final glare

get her comeuppance. I would make

Third Person POV

was beginning to thin out, Linda lingered in the hallway outside the locker rooms with Regan and

her lip gloss with her pinky finger in the mirror of her small compact, "she won't be around for

the tiled floor behind them. Linda turned with

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 Linda stepped forward. "Elaine Constantine. I'm

other girls exchanged hushed, awestruck murmurs as Linda reached out

To what do I owe the pleasure?" Linda asked, doing her best to keep her tone calm and unaffected

reminded her of her own youth. The Luna wishes to potentially commission similar designs from

the woman. "I would be honored. Where can

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