Jenna Brooks’s POV“Okay,” Liam replied as he stood up. “Let’s got out and get some ice cream,”I sighed and pulled my knees up to my chest again. “Liam, I really don’t want to go anywhere,” I said. Liam grabbed my arm and pulled me up. “Where are your shoes?” he asked. He saw some flip-flops in the corner and dragged me over. “Put these on.”“These don’t match my outfit,” I said. “It’s dark outside, no one’s gonna notice.” he said. “Come on.” I slided my feet into the shoes and Liam walked me downstairs, still holding my arm. Auntie Laurel was down in the kitchen with Jamie drinking milk tea. Both of their faces lighted up when they saw us.“We’re going to get ice cream,” Liam said.“I’m being kidnapped,”“Good job, Liam,” Auntie Laurel replied. “Have fun, kids,”He didn’t let me go until we reached his car. He pushed the button on the automatic locks and opened the door for me. I sighed and sat down. He walked around the car and slided in next to me. Without saying anything,

Jenna Brooks’s POV Liam and I hadn't spoken in two days. I had called him multiple times, but he wasn't answering. I also sent him several texts, but he didn't respond to any of them. When I went to his house, Becky informed me that his entire family had already left for Hawaii. I wouldn't see him until two weeks later. Conrad and Toralei were still together, for some unknown reason. How could she ruin my relationship with Liam just because she wanted revenge on me for kissing her boyfriend? The sound of the arrivals announcement snapped me out of my thoughts. I was at the airport, having just landed in Cronners. I walked out of the airport, rolling my bag along with me. I hailed a cab, got in, and it drove off. As the cab glided through the streets, I looked out the window. It had only been three months, but everything seemed different. I had changed too. My phone buzzed in my pocket, and I took it out. It was a text from Auntie Laurel. "Did you arrive safely? Call me when

Jenna Brooks’s POV I woke up and stretched in bed, feeling all my aching muscles and joints. It was early still, just after seven, but the sky was still dark and snowing outside my window. I sat up and rubbed my eyes as I looked around my room. Empty wrappers, dirty plates and toilet papers were everywhere. It was a complete mess because I hadn’t stepped out of my room and had been eating here since Mom’s funeral, four days ago.I was wearing one of Mom’s favorite floral dress and I’d worn them for four days now. My hair was also greasy. I knew staying in bed for most of the day wasn’t helping my situation but I just wanted to be left alone. As long as I could sleep and stuff my face, I felt numb, and numb was good; numb didn’t hurt.It felt like everyone else had moved on from Mom’s death, everyone except me. Dustin was back in boarding school, he was still too young to understand the gravity of what had happened. Liam had gone back to Houston and Auntie Laurel was still arou

Jenna Brooks’s POV“Yes, Jenna?" Mrs. Andrés finally acknowledged me when she noticed my raised hand."The seat belongs to Olivia. We can't just let a random stranger have it," I explained.Stig gasped dramatically, "Oh my God, Jenna. You're being racist.""What? I'm not! What does that have to do with this?""That's exactly what you're doing, Jenna," he retorted, raising his hand with a clenched fist in a protest-like manner. "It's the twenty-first century, Jenna. People don't think that way anymore. Say no to racism!"The class joined in, chanting, "No to racism!"I couldn't help but raise my eyebrows and drop my jaw in surprise. He had turned my simple statement into a protest?"Quiet!" Mrs. Andrés yelled, successfully calming the class. "Take the seat next to Jenna."Stig walked over to the chair beside me, and I glared at him as he did. If looks could kill, he would be six feet under from the intensity of my glare. I already hated him.*** Second semester came with sel

Jenna Brooks’s POV“Oh my God, Jenna, you look amazing!" Conrad exclaimed as he approached me."What are you doing here?" I asked calmly, trying not to sound evasive."Are you that surprised to see me here?" he asked with a smirk."Not really.""Exactly. The real question is, what are YOU doing here, Jenna?" he asked, taking a step closer to me as I took two steps back."I...came with a friend," I replied, not wanting to get Jeanette in trouble."You have no friends, Jenna. I know you came with Jeanette.""I...""It's cool, I'm not going to tell on you guys," Conrad replied, and I breathed a sigh of relief.There was nothing more to say to him. I turned and walked towards a chair by the bonfire in the middle of the lawn."It's really chilly, don't you think?" Conrad asked as he sat next to me. I watched as he took off his denim jacket and handed it to me. "You should wear this."I couldn't refuse; I was too cold to think. I slipped into the jacket and murmured a "Thanks."We sat i