(Haven's POV)
I don't even remember how I ended up in the middle of that circle-with all the girls around me, staring like I had something sacred to share. Truth is, I didn't. I didn't want to. I hate revisiting those memories. They're not stories to laugh over or cry through. They're wounds. But... the way they looked at me, eyes wide with curiosity and care-I knew I couldn't walk away from it. Not completely.
So I told them... parts of it,"
"Matthew was my ex. We weren't together for long, but he was there when I was falling apart. I was young and hurting and thought maybe-just maybe-someone saw me."
I could feel my chest tighten, but I kept talking.
"My dad... he used to hit my mom. Not once or twice-often. All because I wasn't born a boy. The boy he wanted. My mom was the heir to the Emerald family-yeah, that family-and he was a nobody when they got married. She gave him everything. Everything. And he gave her bruises. Gave me trauma. He became a monster after I was born."
I paused for a second. No one said a word.
"I blamed myself. Every day. But then I met Matthew, and for a while, he made me feel... wanted. Special. Like I wasn't a mistake. But it was all a lie. I overheard him one night laughing with his friends-talking about how good I'd be in bed. Like I was some kind of... product."
Gasps filled the circle. Ivy's mouth dropped open. "What an asshole."
"It got worse," I continued, voice lower now. "They posted stuff online. Said I was desperate for sex. Even Matthew confirmed it. I didn't recognize the boy I thought I loved."
The murmuring around me got louder. Disbelief. Anger.
"We broke up. And with everything happening at home... I just decided I was done with men. My dad left my mom with nothing but a name and a broken company. I helped her build it back up-no, build it better. And guess what?" I laughed, but there was no humour in it. "He's now married to Matthew's mom."
" So you mean your ex is now your step-brother?" Ivy asked as I nodded. "bunch of assholes... but you know not all males are jerks like Matthew and your Dad, right?"
"Sorry... I can't bring myself to trust them again. They are...."
"PIGS! We know," all the girls said at once, followed by a joyful giggle.
I smiled. just barely. Not because I felt healed or anything, but because...for once, I didn't feel like I was completely alone. It was like they were holding the pieces of me I didn't carry.
But of course, it didn't take long before Ivy sat up straight with that dangerous glint in her eyes.
"Alright, I've got it."
Priscilla groaned softly.
"Please don't,"
"No, no, listen," Ivy said, eyes locked on me. "You hate boys, right? You think they're all the same, right? So why don't you become one?"
I blinked. "Excuse me?"
Ivy grinned like the chaos goddess she is. "A bet. You dress like a boy, act like a boy, act like a boy, and live like a boy for a few months. You get close to them, see how their stupid brains work. Then, you'll know for sure if they're all pigs or not."
My mouth fell open for a second. "You want me to become one of them? Are you high?"
"I mean, not right now," she said, laughing. "But think about it! No one would recognize you if we do it right. We cut your hair a little, wear a hoodie, drop your voice a few octaves...boom! You're just some mysterious new boy. "
Becca looked horrified. "I-I don't know. What if someone finds out? What if they try to hurt her?"
"To avoid people from suspecting a thing...she will just do at a complete different place from here besides anyone who try to hurt will have to go through me first... just RELAX"
"You don't have to do it if you don't want to Haven." Priscilla said gently, reaching for my hand. "but I think it could help. You have to love them or forgive them... just observe. No one gets to hurt you this time."
"And what is in it for me?" I asked
"Simple... you pride. You get to prove to all of us here that you are anti-androphobia free. What do you think?"
I look over at Priscilla; my best friend. I don't really want to do this, but my pride is on the line... okay... I am not going to really do anything. Besides, it is just for a few months.
"Okay," I said ,my voice flat but steady. "But if I do this... you're all in, too. No bailing, no chickening out. "
Ivy punched the air like we had just won a war. Becca looked like she was about to faint. Priscilla just squeezed my hand and smiled.
And me?
Well... I was about to become everything I hated for a few months.
###########
I am still thinking about this... how did I agree to this. Maybe it was the way Ivy was staring at me with those daring eyes, or maybe it was how the girls were all hyped up like we were planning a heist. All I knew was... I didn't was to back down. I hated the idea of making anyone think I was scared. Especially after all I have been through.
That's night, I lay on my bed and thought of how my life is going to adjust to a drastic change because I bet. I sighed... I hold I am fine, but I pray silently for the boys I am about to meet in the next few months. I hope they are fine too because they are just about to meet one of the most powerful archenemies in the history of the world.