by Raathi Chota
“Do you know how it feels, looking at your girlfriend who you know has been raped yet she doesn’t know that you know?” he demanded, and I looked around, thankful that the other guys were in the cabin next door. It was only Erwin, Tyler, Ethan, Aidan, Liam, Carter, Benny, Nick, Marcus, and me in here. “Yet I had to tell her…I couldn’t take it anymore,” Aidan whispered. “The look on her face broke me. It’s another reason why I didn’t go after Lana in that bet because I felt guilty.”
Silence spread throughout the cabin, and with the rain outside, it made the atmosphere gloomy. Aidan and Benny stared at each other, and I felt terrible for them. Parker has assaulted both of their girlfriends. Even though he’s in juvie, Aidan would still have that weight of responsibility.
“Hug it out.” Liam pushed Benny closer to Aidan. I smiled when Aidan hugged Benny back while Liam cheered.
“Well, at least your girlfriends have something in common.” Marcus shrugged.
“Dude, you’re so full of shit, now I know why the toilet keeps flushing when you walk past,” Liam grunted. Marcus and Liam argued, but nobody had the energy to stop them. I got up and sat next to Aidan, who turned to me with a smile. I was never a big hugger, so I awkwardly patted his shoulder. The rain continued throughout the night, and so did the game. When the bottle came back to me, I looked at it and finally took a sip.
***
Most of us skipped breakfast with the humungous headache that we had. Mr. Bronx walked in and laughed at us because he sniffed the alcohol in the air. He mentioned since it’s our last day and it’s such a beautiful day after the rain, we’d be able to swim in the lake. Farther up the creek, there’s a small cliff where a few students wanted to jump. I decided to leave my phone to charge so that I’d have music to listen to on the bus. I took my towel and swung it over my shoulder then looked to see the guys outside of the cabin. From the corner of my eye, I saw Liam on his top bunk. Benny and Nick stood in front of him as they spoke.
“You guys coming?” I asked, yet Liam was still in pajamas.
“Err, yeah, we’ll catch up with you guys later,” Nick said as he gave a dismissive wave of his hand. I gave them a strange look and noticed that Liam looked at our bags that were in the back of the cabin. Benny had his back to me, but he looked down. I gave a curt nod then walked out. Everyone waited in the center of the camp. Coach Harris, Mr. Bronx, and Miss Rosa stood in the front and told everyone to get in line. Most of the guys were dressed in swim shorts while the girls wore swimsuits or bikinis with shorts. I approached Carter, who wore a black shirt and Ray-Bans.
“Some people are still in the showers while others have decided to stay, so Mrs. Singleton will be staying with those people,” Miss Rosa said. “Can some people help carry a few things?”
“Me!”
“I will, Miss Rosa.” A few guys offered to help, and I rolled my eyes in amusement as I watched Marcus, Tyler, and Carter walk toward her.
“Great, Mr. Bronx will give you the stuff.” She smiled, and I grinned when I saw the blank looks on their faces when Mr. Bronx glared at them. We walked, and out of the corner of my eye, I saw Lana a few steps behind me. Ahead was Marcus, who held a cooler in one hand while his other arm was around Miranda’s shoulder. Tiffany and Aidan held hands while they talked, and Melissa and Jennifer laughed. I slowed my pace so that Lana could catch up. She wore a pink tee, black jean shorts, and sandals. Her hair was tied up in a loose bun with a few strands out. She looked down as she walked, and I noticed how her glasses fell to the bridge of her nose.
“I see you haven’t told her yet.” I motioned to Marcus. I glanced over at Kelly, who was in front of them as they spoke to Mr. Bronx.
“I tried to,” she said then pushed her glasses up.
“He was a total dick last night when Benny and Aidan spoke about Parker, like he was on Parker’s side,” I muttered. I stopped when I saw Lana behind me. I turned to see her stare at the ground. “What’s wrong?” I asked. Her mouth twisted, and that’s how I knew she bit the inside of her cheek. She looked up at me then shook her head and continued.
“Where’s Benny?” She looked around.
“They’re still in the cabin. Liam’s not even dressed yet.” I awkwardly chuckled, but she blinked rapidly. “Are you okay?” I asked. She eyed me up and down then gave a stiff nod. I guess nothing had changed between us even though yesterday she almost had a breakdown when we did the dishes. At least she spoke to me, or she was because she had to for the Marcus issue. Either way, there’s something wrong. We got to the top of the hill forty-five minutes later, and how ironic, it was the one that Lana and I jumped down on before. I still remember that day distinctly. The last day before spring break, a few us decided to ditch school and have fun. When I jumped down with her was the best part. The feeling of our bodies colliding from the impact, wet clothing clinging to our bodies, and when we reached the surface her arms locked around me. Her frantic breaths and my laughs as she told me how crazy I was. The blue in her eyes shone as it blended in with the color of the water. Her hair was curly, and somehow I loved it like that, so frizzy and lambent that it made her face fragile. I glanced down at my hands, and somehow, I got the feeling when my hands were on her waist. She held onto me tight, and I squeezed her hips and promised not to let go.
Chapter Fourteen
Lana
After lunch, we left the camp, which meant that everyone had to shower and pack in under an hour. It was horrid. I didn’t even get time to dry my hair, so it got curly. While we were on the bus, I felt a pair of eyes on me, and when I turned around, Blake stared at me. It was an odd stare, an expressionless one, and I stared back until I got creeped out.
When I got home, my parents were there. I dropped my bags by the stairs then walked into the kitchen. They had a late lunch, and Dad surprisingly did the dishes while Mom wiped the counters. I sat down by the island while they asked me how the camp was. All in all, except for the usual drama, the last few hours were fun.
“Something arrived in the mail this morning,” Dad said after he dried his hands. I tilted my head at him and watched as he walked out of the kitchen. I turned to my mother, who stood on the opposite side of the island and grinned. Dad came back with a small envelope then slid it across the island. I caught it then looked at my parents, who smiled. When I picked up the envelope, I let out a gasp.
“It’s from Yale.”
“We wanted to open it, but then we thought, it’s yours and we should wait until you return.” Mom smiled. The corners of my mouth turned up as I ran my fingers across the edges of the envelope.
“Oh, but wait, before you open it…” Dad trailed off, and I saw them take a few steps back. “Just in case…”
“Harry!” Mom scolded and playfully rolled my eyes as I ripped open the envelope.
“Okay, here we go.” I gave my parents one last look then took out the paper. As I read it, my eyes lit up, and I couldn’t contain the excitement. Until I saw that word, the word that ruined it all. “Waitlisted!” I yelled then looked up at my parents. Their eyes widened as they stared at me. I looked at the paper again, to make sure I read it right. Right there in italics typed in black: Waitlisted. “Daddy, do something!” I whined then tossed the paper toward them.
“There’s nothing I can do, sweetie. Look, they could’ve said no, but they didn’t,” he said, and Mom glared at him. “Err…what I meant to say, it’s neither a yes nor a no. So, we can only hope for the best.”
“Now what?”
“Well, Lana, you might have to consider the University of Illinois if Yale doesn’t say anything soon,” Mom said.
“Yeah, and prom is in a few days, then graduation, then summer break,” I groaned then pushed up my glasses.
“Speaking of summer break, your mother and I discussed that we wouldn’t be going anywhere,” Dad said. “Even if you want to go with your friends.”
“What? Why?” I asked as Mom and Dad looked at each other. Mom gave Dad a short nod as he sighed
then turned to me.
“James has been spotted in a town in the outlying suburbs. Even though we live in the closest town near the city, we still need to be cautious,” Dad said.
“Dad, we live in a town in Illinois. I don’t think we’ll ever be safe.” I whispered the last part. “Even if you’re the sheriff of this town.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Mom raised a brow. “Lana, your dad is doing everything to keep us safe. This James Cornelius is a very dangerous man who has put not only you and your friends in danger, but us too.”
I looked down at my hands because Mom was right. I said those things because I’m scared, and to see what James did to people who disobeyed him frightened me. That guy on New Year’s Day who got hung, Ernst found in front of the diner, and Noel who got poisoned.
“Yeah, I’m sorry,” I said. Dad put his arm around my shoulder. I leaned my head against his chest then felt him kiss the top of my head.
“Don’t worry; I’m not gonna let anything happen to this family,” Dad said while he rubbed my back.
After a few seconds, we pulled away, and I looked up at Dad, who smiled at me. The corner of my mouth pulled up but only long enough for him to see it. Dad walked to the fridge while I looked down at the torn envelope. I let out a sigh then ran a hand through my tangled curls.
“I guess I’ll call Carter and tell him.” I raised the envelope. My parents nodded then walked out of the kitchen. I took out my phone then scrolled through my contact list. When I was about to call Carter, Miranda’s name showed up. I sighed then answered my phone. I didn’t even have time to put the phone against my ear when I heard her yell out, “Marcus broke up with me!”
***
While I drove to Miranda’s house, I decided to block out my thoughts about Yale and played My Chemical Romance as loud as I could. Melissa, Tiffany, and Jennifer were already there, but when I went upstairs to Miranda’s room, I only saw Melissa. I frowned when I saw my best friend cry over a boy who was the biggest asshole on the planet. I bet he only broke up with Miranda so that she wouldn’t find out that he cheated on her with Kelly.
“Yeah, and he just ended it by text! Look!” Miranda exclaimed and shoved her phone in Melissa’s face.
“That weak bastard. I’d kick his balls…if only he had any.” Melissa shook her head as she looked at the phone. Miranda sighed then turned to me. She let out a gasp then held out her arms. I forced a smile then approached her. She squeezed the daylights out of me and cried into my shoulder.
“I can’t believe it, Lana! We dated for almost nine months!” she cried. “I loved him so much.”
“I’m so sorry, Mira—”
“He was so sweet and charming. He helped me through my mother’s problems; he’d come over at three in the morning to help me look for her!” Her voice broke, and I stroked her blonde hair. Miranda pulled away, and I looked at her. Her blue eyes looked lost and broken. The guy who helped her through everything, taught her baseball, helped her and her mother, loved her yet broke her. All because of one girl. “Was I not good enough?” she asked as her eyes glistened toward me. “Did he get bored? What did I do? Lana, I loved him so much…I thought he was the one.”
“You didn’t do anything, Miranda,” I said then put a lock of hair behind her ear. “It was Kelly.”
She sniffled then looked at me. Her eyebrows knitted in confusion, and behind her, I saw Melissa shake her head. I turned back to Miranda, who wiped her tears as she stared at me.
“What?”
“Y-Yeah, at camp, Liam, Blake, and I saw them making out in the woods,” I mumbled. “I tried to tell you, but you were either with Marcus or we’d all be together having fun.”
“Oh my God, and you’ve warned me before at school, and Jennifer!” Miranda shook her head. “That filthy, sweet, lying, perfect body asshole!”
“Why now, though? Suddenly? We were doing so well and talking about the future.” Miranda sniffled. “He was always the innocent one out of all of us. What happened?”
“Kelly West is what happened.” We turned our heads to see Ethan by the door.
“Ethan? What…are you doing here?” Miranda asked, and I tilted my head to hear downstairs. I listened to a bunch of deep voices over Tiffany and Jennifer’s.
“Tiffany told Aidan what happened, then Aidan texted the group, so now I’m here…” Ethan awkwardly rubbed the back of his neck. I stepped back and stood next to Melissa. She folded her arms and grinned while Ethan approached Miranda.
“Well, err…thanks for coming, I guess,” Miranda mumbled. “It’s no big deal, though.”
“Miranda, I heard you from downstairs.” Ethan chuckled but coughed it away. “But you’re right, none of us knew Marcus would do something like this. He was a cool guy, but I guess he just became a dick.”
I turned to see that Miranda tried to fight back the tears. She balled her fist then bit down on her bottom lip. I realized she was heartbroken, it was her first boyfriend, and she loved him. Ethan sighed then held up his arms and walked toward her. I smiled when he wrapped his arms around her and rested his chin on her head. Her sobs were the only thing we heard as she cried in his chest.
“You’re beautiful and funny, and you’re always looking out for people. Marcus doesn’t deserve you, he doesn’t know what mistake he just made, but he’s an ass, so what would you expect?” Ethan stated as Miranda raised her head. “You have the most amazing eyes, prettiest smile, and good heart. Don’t let someone like him beat you down. We’re here for you to bring you back up…” he continued, and out of the corner of my eye, I saw Melissa gave me a look. “I’m here for you, no matter what’s there to talk about. I know about your mom and everything, so if you ever need help, I’m here,” he whispered. “I just don’t like seeing cute girls crying over assholes.”
“Thank you, Ethan; I’m gonna miss you all so much,” she said. “I can’t believe you’re going to Australia and Melissa is going to Italy and Lana’s go—”
“I’ve been waitlisted.” I cut her off. “So I don’t know what’s gonna happen, but others will be here too, like Aidan, Liam, and Jennifer.”
Miranda nodded, and I watched as Ethan swung his arm around her. She looked up at him, and he gave an adorable smile that made me want to pinch his cheeks.
“Come on, we’ll all head over to my house and watch movies in the cinema room,” he said then rubbed her lower back. “How does that sound?”
“I’d like that.” She bit her lip. The two walked out of the room with Ethan’s arm over her shoulder.
“Am I sensing some connection here?” Melissa whispered beside me. I shrugged in response then watched as the two walked down the stairs. I barely saw over Miranda’s head, but it was clear enough to see Liam, Nick, and Benny. Tiffany, Jennifer, and Aidan were by the front door. I turned to Liam, who watched Ethan and Miranda with a stunned look.
“Oh, come on!” Liam raised his arms then covered his face. We reached downstairs, and I gave him a look. He pouted.
“I’ll be right back. I have to go tell my mom and get my phone,” Miranda said then walked back upstairs. Liam walked into the kitchen while Benny and I shared a look. I hesitantly went after Liam and heard Benny’s footsteps behind me. We entered the small kitchen to see Liam with his head in his hands.
“Liam, you should’ve come upstairs before him.” I chuckled, and Liam raised his head and stared at me.
“Jennifer suggested that Ethan should go. That he’s soft and polite.” He huffed then folded his arms. “How can you hate him? I love Ethan! He’s our captain, all buff, wealthy, and polite!”
“Dude, give her some time. She cared about Marcus, so just be there to get her mind off him and cheer her up,” Benny said.
“Yeah, she wouldn’t get into a relationship now.” Liam sighed then shook his head. “I still can’t believe he’d do something like that. In the beginning, I liked him, but when Detective Kale questioned him that one day during winter break, I got suspicious.�
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“Yeah, me too,” I mumbled as I remembered how Marcus got questioned on the pills and how they ended up in the alley. “Also, I think your theory about him working with James is getting stronger. Miranda said they’ve been dating for almost nine months. Nine months ago, I was doing the bet. It must be a coincidence he just popped up when I started that bet.”
“Holy shit, didn’t think of that,” Benny said. “What if he knows?”
Liam and I didn’t even have to ask to know what he meant. It made sense since he followed us the whole time. He often played it off casually and said he protected Miranda.
“If he knew, then why didn’t he rat us out? Why wait?” Liam asked.
“Do you want him to?” Benny asked.
“No, I’m just curious, dude. It’s part of investigating, asking questions,” Liam stated. “That’s why we’re investigators.”
“It makes sense because Ernst said James has a whole thing planned.” I shrugged. “That S1, S2, and S3.”
“Yet we still don’t know what it means!” Liam hit his palms against the fridge. Benny and I shared a look then turned to Liam, who exhaled deeply with his head lowered. “Do you guys know how late at night I stay up trying to make sense of all of this? How I hack into systems to see where James is, to be one step ahead of him?”
“You’re a hacker?”
“Yeah.” He raised his head then smiled. “Part of being an investigator.”
I opened my mouth to ask what else he did in that little apartment room of his but closed my mouth when Aidan walked in and told us we’d be going.
***
The night was spent at Ethan Baxter’s house with all the girls and some of the guys. Miranda was occupied in the middle with Liam on her left and Ethan on her right. Benny and I cuddled on the top while everyone else were scattered around with blankets and snacks. All in all, it was a good night spent. I told Benny about my Yale letter, and he said they’re absurd to put me on the list. I agreed, and soon after, Carter joined our conversation, and they watched in amusement as I ranted to them. The following day Melissa, Miranda, Jennifer, Tiffany, and I went shopping for our prom dresses. It was good for Miranda to get her mind off Marcus and have a girl’s day. At the end of the day, we got beautiful dresses and shoes. We decided to go back to Miranda’s house, where we found Mrs. Stevens on the sofa. She didn’t pay attention when Miranda told her about our prom dresses or that the dress she got was expensive. It made me wonder how they managed on their own for so long. Mrs. Stevens wasn’t even bothered about the price of the dress. Miranda rolled her eyes at her mother’s behavior then motioned us to follow her upstairs. Melissa and Tiffany plopped down on her bed. Jennifer sat cross-legged on the carpet while I spun on her desk chair.
