Jana and I walk into school side by side, talking about what happened after Daniel and I left the party. "I can't believe you—you just dived right in, didn't you? Was it—I mean, how was it? Were you okay?"
We stop at her locker, and I talk quietly as she gets her things. "It was a little difficult at first, but he was so gentle, so patient and caring. I just...I love him. He really cares about me, Jana. He makes me feel safe and alive and..." I smile, dreaming.
"Well, I'm happy for you. You deserve it," she says and gives me a side-hug as we continue down the hall. "You two make a beautiful couple, oh, like James and I."
I shake my head. "Maybe we're both love-sick puppies"
Walking into my first class, I slip past Daphne,
"What are you talking about?""It was Harrison's father," he says again, confusing Jana."Okay," I whisper, not sure what to think but forcing myself to push it to the back of my head. "What does that have to do with the station?""We can't trust them. Most of the officers are in agreements with the mayor,Harrison's father. If we give it to someone we can't trust, they'll destroy it, I promise you," he explains. "You have to give it to someone you trust."I squeeze my eyes shut, knowing what he means. "My mother."Jana holds her breath in the back and Daniel keeps his eyes on me. The USB drive is locked in my hand and it feels as if I'm holding a diamond. Everything is
Harrison was not at school for the last week until winter break. Everyone wondered where he went and assumed his father took the family on an early vacation to some tropical island. They were jealous of him. In the locker room, the girls chatted about how lucky he is to be able to miss an entire week. His father can pull strings, they said.I stayed silent and tried to ignore them, not wanting to feed my ego over the fact that I know the truth.Harrison is in trouble.After my mother went to the station with the USB drive, she called later on to tell me that everything was going well, that there were no issues. We celebrated at Knocks, and in the night, Daniel dropped Jana off at home and came inside mine. My mother was too dedicated to leave work, so I didn't expect her to come back a
It happened last year. No one saw it coming, it hit our town like a meteor, something foreign, something both frightening and enticing. This scandal made everyone shake their heads, but they loved it, they love drama simply because they hardly get a taste of it. Sadly, their entertainment came with a cost, and I got shoved the bill. Really, the entire scandal was put into motion by me, but it wasn't my fault. They say I lied. That I made it up. They pinned me with a dire need of attention. Attention was the last thing I wanted, especially from someone like him.Don't cause problems, my mother said to me, in this town, nothing stays a secret for long.It's not a secret, I told her, I want people to know what he did to me. And I'm not causing problems, it's the truth!I told my mother ev
I feel suffocated like all their harsh eyes are focusing in on my throat, mentally choking me. I swallow, step further in, let the door shut behind me. "Hello, I'm Hailey. I'm new," I say and turn to the teacher, they were right, he is good looking, but a little too short for my taste.Mr. Freeman's face is blank, surprised maybe, then he comes back to life. "Oh, o-of course. Take a seat, it's an open seating chart."I smile, painfully, and turn back to the crowd. They are staring or whispering to each other, it's one or the other. There is a seat right in front and I make my way over until a girl suddenly places her bag on the chair. I look at her and she glares.With a sigh, I find another seat in the middle of the classroom. I step over bags and move to sit down. Once I am sat, I pl
I remember it all so clearly. Harrison asked me my name.Hailey, I mumbled softly, not sure why he was talking to me. I knew who he was.Harrison, but I'm sure you already knew that since youareat my house, he said with a charming smile. All of the girls in my grade dreamt of that smile. He was a Junior like I was, but he was friends with many seniors because of football. He played on the varsity team, every game.I didn't know what to say back to him, I hardly ever talked to guys. The only time I was around popular ones like him was when Daphne wanted to go to Knocks.I felt his eyes watching me. You want something to drink? He asked, and nervously I said sure.
I lead Jana up to my room, though I'm sure she remembers where it is. It is the same as it was last year, white walls and carpeting, white furniture, and white bedding with delicate purple flowers on it."You haven't changed a thing," she murmurs and wanders inside, looking up my bookcase."No, I didn't feel like it," I tell her while sitting down on my bed."Sorry about what happened at Knocks, Harrison usually doesn't go there so I thought it would be okay."I shake my head. "Don't be sorry. How would you have known? Stuff just happens."The house is quiet, as my mother is at work. She has a job at the local police station, obviously enough she is a police officer. It is silly, act
"Do I have to wear a swimsuit?" I ask Jana as I sit on her bed, waiting for her to come out of the bathroom."Itisa pool party," she calls, "I mean kickback, a pool kickback."I grab one of her pillows and set it on my lap. Jana's room is colorful and cozy, and being in here makes me feel happy. She has plenty of pictures, school merchandise, decorations, things that truly make this room that of high school girls. The last time I saw it, she had a mirror hanging on her door where we used to write in lipstick, only because we thought it made us edgy. Now thinking about it, I laugh a little.Jana comes out in a white bikini, showing plenty. She looks amazing in it, incredibly confident. "Perfect," I call and she waves me off.
The night carries on and thekickbackmoves inside. Those who swam now have towels wrapped around them, and Trent Watts, the host, is now visible. I didn't recognize his name, but I remember him from just one glance. He was not popular, nor unpopular, sort of like me. I suppose he now has these pool parties going for him, it must have put him on the map.Music plays softly in the background as I curl up next to Taylor and Jana. Trent has the fireplace going, and I wonder where his parents are. We are in the living room, and soon enough Jordan comes in with Trent himself and Daniel. My posture lifts up a bid at the sight of him."What you up to?" Jordan asks Taylor and she shrugs, almost falling asleep against my arm."She's worn out," Jana murmurs and throws her head