Daniel does not come on the hike with us, and I cannot figure out why. It is not like he would share anything with me, but possibly Jordan, so that is our plan. We send Jordan to figure out what's up then we fix it—if we can. I am positive that whatever has Daniel in a mood is beyond anything casual, as showing any emotion at all is not his thing.Maybe him and his girlfriend—the one I imaginarily assigned him—have broken up. Not that I care. . ."He's upstairs in the master bedroom," Taylor tells Jordan as we stand at the bottom of the staircase, "just go ask if anything's up.""Maybe he just wants to be alone," Jordan says, clearly hesitant."Well, at least we'd know then," Jana says. "Let's just find out, and by l

"Remember, the test over Lord of the Flies will be Friday. Fall break is over, people, let's get back into the routine," Mrs. Hilliard calls to us as we exit the classroom. "Remember, if you haven't turned in your Chapter Twelve analysis. . ."Her voice fades as I wander out the door and down the hallway. Everyone seems miserable today, all hoping for one more day of fall break. It is always hard to come back after a week of relaxation.The principals muffled voice sounds above us, rambling about Homecoming, the next football game, college visits, and other events I would love to forget about. Being in the school is enough for me already. I could live without the stares and whispers. You'd think after an entire quarter that people would get over the fact that I am indeed back in Coldgrove.

"What?""Why has Daniel beaten up Harrison?" she repeats accusingly.I sit up swiftly and attempt to grasp the words coming through the phone. "He what?""You're telling me you haven't heard?"I run my hand through my hair. "No. I haven't heard, Jana. I've been at home for an hour or so. When did it happen? Where did it happen?""Well, I'm assuming it happened after you left, and I heard it happened in the locker room. What was the last thing you and Daniel talked about? Did—did you tell him that Harrison—""No, of course I didn't," I say. "Who told you?""Jordan did a

I park in front of Jana's house and walk up to the front door with nothing but my phone and keys. It is six o'clock as she asked, and when I ring the doorbell it takes five seconds for her to answer. She leads me past the living room where her parents are watching television. I greet them in the second that she gives me, as Jana is already on the stairs, telling me to hurry up.Once in her room with the door closed, I ask, "They're letting you go to a party on a Monday night? Or are you sneaking out again?""I told them that we're going to a basketball game for school. I just have to be back by eleven," she says. "Here, I have your outfit."I glance down at her bed where the outfit is laid out. "A black dress, great.""Not just a blac

Daniel gave my keys to Jana so she could take my car home with her and pick me up in the morning for school. Somehow, he convinced me to talk, finding time to do so as he drives me home. Maybe it was his promise of leaving me alone that made me agree, that is if I simply talk. About what? I am not sure. I am sure he doesn't want the details of what happened, though. Who does? No one. I couldn't even tell the story out loud without freezing up. Such details stay in the past, where they belong.With my head resting against the door, we remain in silence beside my quiet directions on which way to go. "Turn left at the next light," I murmur.When we pull up to my house, we continue to stay in place, waiting for something. My mother's car isn't there, I wonder where she is. It's only seven thirty, though. She must be staying late at the stat