Chapter 6

Kelsey walked in carrying bags full of gifts.

"Juliette, you already bought your ticket? Colton and I haven't gotten ours yet! If we don't sit together, you'll be bored the whole way."

She set the gifts down without waiting for a response, then turned and threw her arms around Christine.

"Mom! Did you miss me? It's only been a few days, but you look even younger and prettier than last time!"

A few words from Kelsey, and Christine was already laughing. "You little charmer. You stayed away so long that I thought you'd forgotten all about me."

"Forget about you? I'd forget anyone before I'd forget you, Mom."

Kelsey clung to Christine's neck, sweet and playful as always. Watching her waltz in as if nothing had happened, Juliette felt the anger in her chest surge.

"Get out."

"Go where?"

Kelsey blinked at her. "Juliette, you're not still mad about that night, are you? I told you it was a misunderstanding. Can you please just let it go?"

Christine frowned at her daughter's tone. "Juliette, what kind of attitude is that? Kelsey is your best friend. Can't you speak to her properly?"

"Speak to her properly?" Juliette stared at her mother in disbelief. "Mom, do you even know what happened?"

"Then tell me! What happened?"

"Mom, it's my fault." Kelsey's voice broke as tears spilled over.

"At the class party, I had too much to drink. I thought Colton was my boyfriend and I kissed him, just once. Juliette's been upset with me ever since. I've already apologized, but she still won't forgive me."

"You were seeing someone?" Christine grabbed her hands, suddenly animated.

"Who? Which boy? Why didn't you tell me?"

Kelsey wiped her eyes. "We only lasted three days. We already broke up."

"Mom!" Juliette froze. Even now, her mother's concern was for Kelsey.

Christine waved her off. "Enough. It was just a kiss. Kelsey already said she's sorry. Stop being so petty about it."

In that moment, Juliette felt like the punchline of a joke.

It was bad enough that her own boyfriend was in love with Kelsey. Her own mother adored Kelsey too.

"I told you to get out. Kelsey, was I not clear enough that night? We're not friends anymore. Stop coming to my house, and stop looking for me."

Juliette shoved Kelsey toward the door. Kelsey resisted, stumbling backward while tears ran down her face.

"Why? Juliette, you'd really end our friendship over that? We've been friends for years. We're supposed to spend the next four years together at college!"

"We are not going to the same college, because I—"

A scream cut through the air.

Kelsey stumbled past the threshold. Her footing gave out, and she staggered backward before tumbling down the stairs.

At that exact moment, Colton was walking up with a bouquet of roses.

He saw her fall, threw the flowers aside, and lunged forward. "Kelsey! Are you okay? Talk to me!"

Kelsey shook her head, her face twisted in pain. "It hurts! It hurts so much!"

"Don't blame Juliette. She didn't mean it...

"Am I going to die? Colton, I won't be able to go to Lakewood with you..."

"Stop talking like that. You're going to be fine." He looked up at Juliette.

"Have you lost your mind, Juliette? If something happens to Kelsey, I'll never forgive you."

He gathered Kelsey into his arms and ran down the stairs. Christine walked over and slapped Juliette hard across the face.

"You pushed Kelsey down the stairs? How could I have raised a daughter this cruel?"