3. Know Your Place

As soon as I got off the bus and walked into the school, I could feel all eyes on me. Well, it had actually started on the bus. The moment my foot hit the school floor, I received a range of looks—some horrified, others sympathetic.

Their eyes were practically trying to strip me naked.

It wasn't the kind of attention I wanted. If I could, I'd take it all back. I never wanted to be famous; I just wanted my unknown, quiet life back.

But the damage is done, right?

I walked down the hallway, unable to avoid those curious stares.

Why couldn't they just say what they were thinking to my face? I'd take it.

Yes, I was stupid. Stupid enough to go into the woods and take Sara with me, and now she's dead.

Is that what you want to hear?

I opened my locker, shoved my bag, and grabbed a few books for my first two classes. The moment I closed the locker, I almost screamed. Zach stood beside me, leaning casually against the locker and staring intensely.

What did he want from me?

"You Jennings? Bernice Jennings?" he asked.

"Yes, and?" I snapped, holding his gaze.

He didn't answer right away, just narrowed his eyes slightly. Then, out of nowhere, he said, "Where are your glasses? Didn't you wear glasses?"

Was he making small talk or mocking me? I couldn't tell, and honestly, I didn't care.

"What's it to you?" I looked away.

"If you don't wear glasses, how do you even know where you're going?"

Wait, where are my glasses? When did I stop wearing them? Without them, everything should be a blur.

But... I felt fine. Everything I saw looked normal. Too normal.

I glanced back at Zach, unsure, then turned my shoe sole and walked away without answering.

God... why do I feel so uncomfortable?

From my fast-healing wounds to bending a metal spoon, and now this... my glasses?

I can't lie to myself anymore.

Something strange is happening to me. And I have no idea what it is.

I looked back at the hallway's corner, but Zach was gone. Thank God. I hope he stays out of my life forever. In fact, I don't want anyone to bother me at all.

I hurried into class and sat down. Reflexively, I turned to the empty seat next to me. That was where Sara used to sit. On mornings like this, she'd be scrolling through P*******t, looking for DIY projects.

The pain hit me again. God... I miss Sara so much.

Suddenly, a familiar scent hit me, like a reminder: vanilla, with a hint of iris and peony—the same scent I remembered from that night.

Maggie's scent.

I turned toward the door, and there she was—Maggie, standing in the doorway. When our eyes met, she walked in, her little entourage trailing behind her. She stopped by my desk.

What does she want now?

"Hey, you! I hear you're feeling better. Sorry about your friend," she said.

I could tell she was trying to sound sympathetic, but I wasn't buying it. If she cared, she would've visited me in the hospital or at home. But no, she kept her distance.

Of course, she did. Because of her, my life will never be the same.

"Are you okay?" she asked, pulling me out of my thoughts.

"Never been better."

"Yeah, I'm really sorry..." she repeated, but it sounded even more hollow this time.

"Her name was Sara, not 'your friend.'" I glared at her. "Or have you already forgotten what you did that night?"

"What did I do?"

She gave a fake laugh, echoed by her plastic little clique.

God, I used to think Maggie's circle was cool. Now I'm just disgusted by how forced their whole vibe is.

Their laughter died as Maggie cleared her throat and leaned closer, her voice softer. "Actually, I wanted to ask you something."

"Again?" I scoffed. "The last time you 'asked' me for something, my best friend ended up dead. What now?"

She looked uncomfortable. Her eyes flicked to her friends, and she gave a small smile. "It's no big deal, really. I just don't want any more... problems between us. You understand, right?"

I frowned. "Issues? What are you talking about?"

"I just... I wasn't too thrilled with the statement you gave to the police. My family got dragged into it, too. They said I asked you to buy tampons and beer."

That's what actually happened. What else was I supposed to say? That Sara and I went to the woods for fun?

She forced a smile. "Look, I hope you can change your story. You know I have a future, and I'd really appreciate it if you didn't mess it up. I know you're smart enough to handle this the right way."

My hands clenched into fists.

She shrugged. "I understand this is hard for you. I don't want another tragedy like your friend. Let's just say we're even after this, okay?"

"Oh, really?"

"Those who have passed on are better left in peace, right? We must tend the living."

And just like that, Maggie and her girls left.

What the hell did she mean? Was it a threat? If I stuck to my story for the cops?

Usually, I'd sit back and swallow my feelings. But not this time. This time, I could feel my anger boiling. I slammed my desk down, startling everyone.

I stormed out of class. Yeah, I was going after the heartless queen bee herself!

I yanked her shoulder as soon as I spotted her in the hallway. As she spun around, I slapped her hard across the face.

"You bitch!" I yelled.

Her eyes went wide in shock. But I wasn't done. Not by a long shot.

"I guess your future is all that matters to you! Meanwhile, my best friend is buried six feet under! The least you could do is show some damn compassion!" I pointed at her. "Sara and I went into these woods because of you! Don't you dare run away from what you did—own it!"

I stormed back to class, not caring what Maggie thought or who had seen it.

She deserved that slap. Honestly, she deserved more.

As I sat back down, another scent hit me. I turned to Sara's seat and almost jumped.

Zach was sitting there, the same intense look in his eyes.

My eyebrows knitted. "Why are you sitting in Sara's seat?"

He didn't answer right away. His cold stare pierced me as if he had every ounce of control in the world.

"Can we talk? After class. I'll find you."

"Talk about what?"

"Something important."

And then he walked out, leaving me with a thousand questions.

*

As soon as class was over, I rushed out. There he was, Zach, waiting in the hallway, leaning against the wall like he didn't care.

People stared, glancing between the two of us. I ignored them and walked straight up to him.

"What do you want to talk about?"

He gestured for me to follow him, and we walked out of the school building into a quiet corner. Suddenly, I felt a little nervous.

"Why are we out here? Can't you tell me now? I don't have time for games!" I snapped.

Our eyes locked again. The same stare. My heart was racing. And then the memory of the woods came back. Of Zach. The last thing I saw that night.

"Me neither, Bernice," he said firmly. "Didn't I say this was important?"

"Well, what is it?"

"Listen. You need to control your emotions and behavior, or you'll be in serious trouble."

"What the hell did I do?" I shot back.

"Slapping Maggie like that? You went too far. Know your place!"

"Too far? She got Sara killed!"

"No. Maggie didn't kill your friend. That creature did."

Zach stepped closer. I instinctively backed away, but he didn't stop. He kept coming until I was pinned against the wall. Heat radiated from his body, and I could hear his low, snarling breath.

"You've been given a second chance, Bernice. Make the most of it. Your friend didn't. But that doesn't mean you're better than her," he hissed.

I scoffed. "Oh, so you're saying I should have died instead of Sara?"

"No. That's not what I'm saying." He leaned closer, his breath hitting my face. "I'm saying that both of you should have died. Because that's what was supposed to happen."

His eyes burned with conviction.

Why?

Why would he say such a cruel thing?