The accusation was clear on the faces scowling toward Hannah and Sean’s table. Hannah gripped his hand back.
“Better stick close to what little friends you have left. But that’s not the only reason why Hannah gets the Dunce award. It’s the fact that her boyfriend is a proven cheater. For those of you who haven’t seen it, check out last spring’s exposé of the four statements given by girls he cheated with. Hannah, we know you feel sorry for the dude, but seriously you look like the dumbest girl walking,” Dax said.
Hannah pulled her hand away; Sean threw down his fork and stomped off. They could never escape Sean’s past with the Sun Vlogger around. It looked like yet another semester of his campaign to break them up. There were too many eyes on her to go after him. The last thing she wanted to do was end up in tomorrow’s report.
***
“Before I get into to my final story. I want to take a moment to address the little letter that went out to all the freshmen. I’d like for you all to know that I had nothing to do with it. I mean come on, I live off the drama. Why would I warn people against it? So ‘Careless Citizen’ beware, if you’re thinking of making a power play, you have no idea who you’re messing with. It’s not if I find you, it’s when.”
Dax cleared his throat. “And now my final story. A tribute to one of my favorite girls, Ellie Lawson. Here’s a few photos the regular memorial wouldn’t and couldn’t show you. “
Photos taken of Ellie before the accident streamed and everyone crowded even closer to get a better look.
***
Tristin watched as Kristen looked up to see a picture of Ellie, Hannah, and herself and turned away. Brian scooted his chair closer, holding her hand under the table.
A photo of Emmitt and Connor appeared and Hannah grabbed her backpack and headed for the same exit Sean took.
Tristin signaled for Quinn to move in, when Kristen started tearing up.
“Let’s get some air,” Tristin heard Brian say as he took Kristen’s hand.
He walked her toward the exit, but Tristin cut them off.
“You all right?” she asked, trying to sound sincere, while Quinn slipped under the table. Everyone was too distracted by the photos to notice her.
“As if you care,” Kristen said.
“Look, it’s a rough day and I was just checking to see how you are,” Tristin said as Quinn searched Kristen’s bag. Kristen didn’t have any pockets; it had to be in there.
“I’m just taking her outside for a minute,” Brian said.
Quinn held up the phone and Tristin smiled.
“Well, allow me.” Tristin opened the door for them and Kristen eyed her suspiciously.
Gasps rang out all over the cafeteria as the slideshow stopped on a photo of the coroners loading a body bag into their van.
***
Dax closed his laptop and pulled off his wig, feeling pretty proud of himself. He watched campus security search the parking lot. “One of these days you’re going to get your ass caught,” Noelle said as she climbed in the backseat.
“Didn’t I tell you to stop coming out here?”
“I don’t see why you can’t just tape your vlogs the night before.”
“Because drama is best served fresh,” he said. “P.S. you looked hot this morning.”
“Thank you.”
Chapter Six
Kristen/Tristin/Hannah
The bell rang and everyone rushed the exit. Kristen and Brian made their way out to his car.
“I could hang around and help you de-stress,” he said, rubbing her shoulders.
“Very tempting, but this is going to take a while.” She grinned and kissed him. “How about I call you when I’m done?”
“Go on then, the faster you get started, the sooner I’ll get to kiss you again,” Brian said.
If only it were that easy. Kristen had an event planning meeting with her veeps, a speech to write, and committee chairs to assign, on top of three chapters to read before tomorrow. Being president was a way bigger job than she’d anticipated.
She passed her sister on the way back inside and Tristin threw her a grin that made Kristen’s stomach sink. Tristin’s earlier threat was still on Kristen’s mind, but she didn’t have the time or energy to deal with her.
“Give it a rest, would you?” Kristen asked.
“I will once you’re gone.”
“Do you not get it? I’m student body president, which means I own this place. If you can’t deal, maybe you should transfer out.”
Tristin grinned and whispered, “There’s the bitch no one else sees but me.”
“What can I say, you bring it out of me,” Kristen said before walking away.
***
Tristin was almost giddy as she hopped in her car. For months, she’d been plotting how to crush her sister and today was finally the big day. She also had the added bonus of getting Brian out of her head for good. He was all she could think, even dream about. And she was so not the type of girl to be fantasizing over a boy. Hell, she was the subject of most boy’s fantasies, especially when she and her girlfriend, Chelsea, went out together. But it wasn’t as fun anymore. Instead, she spent their weekends together grinning at the daydreams playing in her head.
Tristin pulled out Kristen’s phone and typed a speedy text to Brian.
Finishing earlier than I
thought, meet me at my
house in 30?
Hell yeah :)
Tristin’s grin was so big her cheeks blushed as she drove by Hannah on her way out of the parking lot.
***
Hannah searched the rows of cars for Sean’s SUV, but it wasn’t there. She hadn’t seen him since lunch and was beginning to worry. He’d undoubtedly be waiting for her when she got home. So she took advantage of the break. He never let her out of his sight. She couldn’t go to visit her friends or even talk to them on the phone anymore. Even with him constantly around, she had never felt more alone.
She turned toward the street when Connor stepped out from in between two cars. She stared at him for a moment, but the pain of missing him caused her to head the other direction.
“Hannah,” Connor said, causing her to pause.
Despite her effort not to, she turned and watched him approach.
“We’ve been friends too long for you to just walk away from me,” he scolded.
“I’m sorry. I—I just don’t know what to say to any of you.”
“Not even to me?” Connor asked stepping closer.
Only a few inches stood between them and Hannah couldn’t help but look around for Sean.
“None of us are the same without you. I’m not the same without you.”
Hannah missed the girls, but Connor and Emmitt were her best friends. They’d spent nearly every day together from third grade up until the night of the accident, and they were the hardest for her to lose. Tears trailed down her cheeks.
Connor opened his arms to hug her, but Hannah stepped back, holding herself.
“I’m all right,” she said drying her eyes.
“Let me give you a ride home.”
“No, I want to walk and clear my head.” Hannah walked past him, heading for the street. She didn’t look back, even though she wanted to. There was a time when Emmitt and Connor were her protectors. They were better than brothers, better than friends. They knew her in a way no one else did, and she worried if they stared at her long enough, they’d know what she’d been going through.
Chapter Seven
Tristin/Hannah
Tristin and Brian feverishly felt one another up on Kristen’s bed. She’d severely underestimated how much she would enjoy kissing him. She’d kissed boys before, but it was always just for fun. This was something more. Being there in his arms made her crave more. She pulled off his shirt and sat on his stomach getting a good look at him. His skin was smooth and hairless, but it was so much rougher than Chelsea’s. Male or female, she
couldn’t deny a beautiful body.
“You must’ve really wanted to see me,” Brian said kissing her neck. “I’m almost tempted to ask you for the code word.”
Tristin pushed him back and pulled off her own shirt. “Are you trying to say my sister is sexier than me?” She was secretly grinning inside. He was a boy; of course he thought she was hotter.
“No. I would never think that.”
Tristin leaned in and gave him a gentle kiss. “Good, because you’d be surprised the things I can do.”
Brian gripped her face and looked her in the eyes and Tristin paused wondering if he’d figured it out. “You know I love you, don’t you?” he asked.
Tristin, caught off guard, placed her hands on top of his. He looked at her and she thought for a second he might actually be talking to her.
“I love you too,” she replied with too much honesty in her voice. She shook it off, there was no way she had real feelings for him. He was just a pawn in her revenge, but she couldn’t deny the way his lips quivered on her skin and the bliss in his touch.
He flipped her onto her back and Tristin let herself and her plan melt away under the weight of him.
***
Hannah turned the corner to find Sean’s SUV parked in front of her house. She pulled in a deep breath before heading for her front door.
She unlocked the door and heard his footsteps approaching. He pushed it open without even asking if he could come in.
“Where were you?” he asked as Hannah fought the urge to roll her eyes. The last thing she wanted to do was upset him behind closed doors. “I’ve been waiting here for ten minutes. What took you so long?”
“I looked around for you for a while before I started walking.”
“Why didn’t you call me?” he asked.
Hannah didn’t have an answer. The truth was that she preferred the walk, even in the heat. “I didn’t want to bother you.”
“You’re lying,” he said grabbing her arm. “You ditched me just like everyone else!”
“No I didn’t,” she said with a wince. “I—I’d never do that.” She tried to hug him, but he wouldn’t let go of her arm.
“You think you know what it’s like!” he yelled. “All day, people whispering and pointing at me, calling me a murderer.”
“I’m sorry,” Hannah cried. “I should have called you. I’m sorry.”
Sean opened his eyes and released her. Hannah held her arm as she tried to catch her breath. She stared at the ground, not wanting to meet his eyes. This was the new Sean, the one who did nothing but hurt and control her. She hated him.
Sean reached for her face and her flinch caused him to pause and fall to his knees.
“I’m sorry. I—I didn’t mean it. I didn’t mean any of it I just don’t know what to do.” He pulled her in by her waist. “I just want you to love me like you used to. I want to be the person I used to be.”
Hannah wished for the same things. All the years they’d been together. All the good they shared. She just wanted that back. She wiped a tear from his cheek.
He stood and held her to his chest, only there wasn’t any force in his grip. He kissed the bruise taking shape on her arm and each of her cheeks before pressing his lips to hers. Hannah put the last nine months out of her mind and did the same thing she’d grown accustomed to doing, pretending he was the Sean she once loved. When his hands gripped her, walking her backwards down the hall and into her bedroom, she conjured up all the memories of when they used to make out for hours on that very bed. How her heart used to race at his touch, but all the fantasizing in the world couldn’t work past the moment when he unbuttoned her jeans.
“I can’t,” she whispered into his neck, praying the rejection didn’t anger him all over again. “I love you, but I can’t.”
Sean stared into her eyes a long moment before he rested his head on her chest. Hannah exhaled in great relief. It was the only “no” he still honored and she feared the possibility of a day when he wouldn’t.
Chapter Eight
Connor/Tristin/Kristen
Connor had circled the school twice looking for Noelle. He knew she was upset, but she couldn’t have walked. It would take her more than an hour to get home. Even while worried about Noelle, Connor couldn’t get Hannah out of his head and it was apparent by the six missed calls, neither could Emmitt.
“How was she?” Emmitt asked.
“I can’t really say. I only talked to her for like a minute.”
“Well how did she look?”
“Thin and nervous. She kept looking around the whole time and she wouldn’t even let me give her a ride home.”
“It’s because of him. I know it is.”
“I don’t know man. Hannah’s not the type of girl to let some guy control her.”
“Well, you’ve got to do something to get her alone. Something’s not right. She should’ve called or texted or messaged by now.”
“She said she didn’t know what to say to any of us.”
“It doesn’t matter. Tie her ass up and drive her over here!” Emmitt yelled.
“You want me to kidnap her? Now you’re losing it. What you need is to come outside. I bet if she saw you she wouldn’t run.”
Connor spotted Noelle walking down the street and pulled over. “Hey, I got to call you back.”
“Why?” Emmitt asked.
“Noelle stuff, I’ll call you later.” Connor hung up and hoped out the car.
He caught up with Noelle and she looked back and rolled her eyes.
“What do you want?” she asked.
“I just wanted to apologize.”
“I don’t want your sorry,” Noelle said as she stopped and turned toward him. “I want you to want me. It seems like you’re always pushing me away.”
She folded her arms and looked around. Connor knew what she wanted, and the more time went by the more she threw herself at him. He wished she’d relax a little, then she’d see they both wanted the same thing.
“Noelle, I want you. You just have to give me time to do it my way.”
Noelle rolled her eyes and continued walking. “I’m sick of being on your time, waiting for when you’re ready. You don’t control me.”
Connor grabbed her arm, pulling her in for a hug. “I don’t want to control you, and I don’t mean to make you so unhappy.” He pressed his lips to her cheek as his hands slid down her back and grabbed her butt. “Did I mention how much I love your ass in this skirt?”
“Do you really mean that?” she asked almost excited.
Connor squeezed her tight, and let his lips convince her.
***
Tristin helped Brian with his shirt as he kissed her bare shoulder.
“You were amazing,” she said. “But you better go before my sister gets home.”
Brian brushed the hair from her face and kissed her goodbye. Tristin all but exploded with nerves. She never expected him to be so good, or for her to like it more than any girl she’d ever been with. As much as she wanted him to leave, she couldn’t keep her hands off him.
“I lov—”
“What am I going to have to do to shut you up?” Tristin asked, cutting him off.
She couldn’t fool herself into believing the words were meant for her. This whole thing had gotten so twisted, but she wouldn’t dare take it back. What they’d shared was the best thing she’d ever experienced and she didn’t want it to end. She stared at him, glancing to check the time. Kristen would probably be at school for another hour, which meant they had time.
“How about a repeat?” she asked, pulling his shirt off again.
He replied by tossing her back onto the bed as she giggled.
***
Kristen had looked everywhere for her phone and prayed for it to be sitting on her desk. Her whole life was in that phone and she didn’t know any numbers by heart, not even Brian’s. She’d dialed ten different numbers from the school office, none of which
turned out to be his. At this point she just wanted to crash.
The first day of school felt more like a month, and Kristen had no idea how she could possibly keep up. She froze at the giggling coming from her bedroom door and pushed it open ready to bust Tristin for snooping around her room yet again, but as soon as she saw Brian, shirtless and kissing her sister, her brain collapsed. His eyes darted between the two of them as Kristen backed into the door. Tristin’s mouth dropped and her hands trembled as she sat up to wrap herself in Kristen’s sheets.
“Kristen?” Brian asked as he pushed Tristin off his lap.
“How could you?” Kristen screamed as he approached her.
“I thought she was you. You—she—texted. You have to believe me. Kristen, you know I would never—”
“Get out!” Kristen bent over to catch her breath and when she came back up her enraged eyes locked on her sister. Kristen charged the bed, catching Tristin by her hair.
“I hate you! I hate you!” Kristen cried as she kicked and clawed at her sister.
“Get off me. It’s not my fault that he wanted me,” Tristin said, prying her hair out of Kristen’s grip.
“That’s a lie. She tricked me,” Brian said as Tristin hid behind him.
Kristen slapped him across the face. Then she cursed as she snatched up her bags and ran out.
Chapter Nine
Dax/Emmitt
Dax entered his room, tossing his bags on the bed. He sat down at the desktop, checking his surveillance again.
“Let’s see what we have for tomorrow’s vlog.”
He fast forwarded through the footage and paused at two students making out in the stairwell. His mouth dropped when he realized it was Sean and Noelle.
“Oh, this is going to be good,” he said, fast forwarding through the footage of the other cameras. He caught the two in the parking lot getting into Sean’s SUV and driving off during sixth period.
He grinned as he pulled out his phone and dialed Emmitt.
“Hello?” Emmitt answered.