Chapter 21
I called Carter again, but just like before, he didn’t answer. My chest tightened as I stared at my phone. Why did this make me so nervoud I knew he was with Emily–maybe something had happened, and she needed his help. But still there was no reason for him to ignore me…
I told myself, over and over again, that there was a reasonable explanation for everything. Carter wouldn’t just ignore me for no reason, especially not to spend time with Emily behind my back. Emily–my best friend. Carter’s ex.
“Stop overthinking.” I muttered to myself. “It’s nothing
But my gut refused in believe it
The cab driver dropped me off at the side of the road, and I had to walk the rest of the way on foot. The path leading to Elthon Hillside was quiet and shaded, weaving through the dense forest. Thankfully, it wasn’t completely dark yet, so I didn’t have to worry about getting lost. Still, I was careful as I moved, avoiding sharp branches and loose rocks along the way.
As I got closer to the spot Carter had taken me to on our date. I heard murifled voices. My pace slowed. The voices became clearer with each step, and when I finally reached the cleaning, my heart dropped
There they were
Carter and Emily
They were utting way
way too close to each other on a flat rock overlooking the hill Carter’s arm was draped around Emily’s shoulders, and she was leaning into him, whispering something in that soft, coaxing voice he used when she wanted something.
I froze staring at them, unable to move. What was I supposed to do? Confront them Leave? Would they think I was stalking them? I didn’t want to jump to conclusions, but there was something so intimate about the way they were sitting togerber
They’re just friends. I tried to tell myself. There’s nothing suspicious about this, just two friends hanging out.
She’d
Except they weren’t just friends. They had history. They’d dated before. And nothing was stopping them from dating again—except for me.
I thought back to how harsh Emily had been with me in school lately, how angry she seemed whenever Carter come up in conversation. refused to tell me why, but now now I wondered if she still had feelings for him. And Garter–did he want to get back together with her!
Before I could decide whether to approach them, Emily’s voice rose, sharp and angry.
“I already told you the don’t have feelings for you! She’s probably only with you because she feels lonely: Carter, you know how much she hates
I ducked behind a tree, my heart pounding in my ears. They were talking about me. Of course, they were.
“You hated vamjarni too,” Carter said, his voice Bow and defensive
“I never hated them” Emily inapped. “I was intimidated by vampires. But Kerry! She hates them. She even wants to leave town–move in Miami with her dad, where she thinks there are no vampires Dating you won’t change her minit The second we graduate high school, she’s gone,”
My breath caught I couldn’t believe what I was hearing Yes, I’d told Emily about my plans to move in Miami with my dail–years ago. And I never
aid I hated vampires: Sure. I was afraid of them sometimes, but Emily knew that. Weid bonded over it because her mom was married to a vampire,
always, terrified of her stepbrother
hared everything Or so I thought. How could she twist my words like this? How could she talk about me like this to
wouldn’t help. None of
of them would
in my chest, hot and furious, but I forced myself to stay hidden. Hursting in now wouldn‘ ring zaradangged on, men if Blad every right to be angry
ily continued, her tone whening “Let’s focus on you. Do you want me to teach that ***** a lesson
Easily leaned forward, resting her head on Carter’s slavulder. My blood boiled at the sight.
moment, I felt hope flare in my chest. Maybe he would path her away
Maylar he would
Chapter 21
But he didn’t
Emily leaned up and kissed him
I stood there, frozen in place, waiting for him to pull away Waiting for him to say something but he didn’t. He didn’t push her away. He didn’t stop
ber
Emily was kissing my boyfriend. And I just stood there, watching helplessly.
I couldn’t take it anymore. Turning on my heel, I fled. I didn’t confront them. What was the point? What could I even say? Tears blurred my vision as I stumbled back through the forest.
God. I hated this
And yet deep down, I wasn’t even surprised. Hadn’t I been expecting this to happen! Silas had warnest ne–he’d said Carter had left me for Emily once before, and he’d do it again if given the chance. Id defended Carter, ching to the hope that Silas was wrong
But now! Now I felt like a fool
Heartbroken, helpless, and angrier than I’d ever been. I wiped at my tears and kept walking
Screw them. Screw all of this
I avoided everyone the next day.
When I got home from Elthon Hill I locked myself in my roam and cried myself to sleep. Silas wasn’t home. Mom and Bill were probably off at some hoirl having the time of their lives. I was alone with my misery
was moments like these that made me wish I lived with my dad. He always had my back, always gave me a shoulder to cry on when I needed it. Mom! She was never around. She always had something more important to do.
That night. I lay in bed, staring at the ceiling. How was I supposed to act around Carter and Emily tomorrow? Pretend nothing happened? Confront them lenore them! I was exhausted just thinking about it
When I got to school the next day. I was the center of attention–but for reasons I didn’t understand.
Girls whispered behind their hands, boys gave me curious looks, and there was this strange buzz of energy whenever I walked past
“Hry, Kerry” Emily said brightly as she slid into the seat next to me. Her face lit up with a smile, her eyes sparkling with happiness,
I stared at her lilankly. How buid of her to act like nothing had happened after what I’d seen last night. She’d ignored me for weeks, but now, she was acting like everything was fine
““Hey” I said dryly, my voice devoid of emotioEL
jock tired” dhe remarked, tilning her head. “And your hair’s kind of messy-
Didn‘ get rough sleep!”
spent most of the rigla crying into my pillow, but there was no way Tillet her know flut
Easily ngled, as if trying to seem ergiriful. “Til sorry about the misunderstanding between in. I’ve been going through a lot. David and I broke up,
bring fair to you: I should’ve told you what was going on, and I dala’t. I hope you can forgive me?
cruel, satudied smule “The found someone the Like And now, I’ll do whatever it takes to make him mine
godly my ment. That ung unile stayed on her lips.
Htralized something awful. Emily enjoyed this he
aluated. “Why did you
3.26 PM Cr d
Chapter 21
The classroom fell silent, and 1 fch all eyes on us Phones were raised, people recording every seconil of our argument.
“I didn’t steal ham! You told me you didn’t want to be with him anymore!” I yelled. “You said you were afraid of him, Emily! I supported you–Chad your back:”
*Don’t give me that b******* You just wanted him i for yourself
And with that, she smirked, holding up her phone and showing me photos. Photos of me with Carter. With Matt. With Damon. My heart sank.
“You can’t stick to one guy, can you? You just have to have them all.” Emily xncereit.
Laughter rippled through the classroom, vicious and cruel, I couldn’t take it anymore
Head down. I turned and bolted our of the classroom. I could still hear their laughter, the cruel whispers, calling me a slat
Don’t cry don’t cry, don’t cry, don’t cry
“Keny
I quickened my pare as Carter’s voice rang out behind me. I needed to escape–away from him, away from everyone in this school Tonly made it as far as the parking lot before Caner caught up with me. He grabbed my wrist and spun me around to face him. My face was streaked with tears. my eyes swollen and red. I was struggling to breathe, panicking, and the last thing I wanted to see was him right now.
“Kerry. hat’s wrong! Please, talk to me
Seeing the conerm on his face only fueled my anger. This cheating bastard had no right to act like he cared.
You and Emily can fucking burn in hell”
“Kerry. I—I can explain. I swear I wanted to call you. I wanted to tell you everything the kiss didn’t mean anything I I love you. Kerry”
“I hate you” The words tore from my throat. “It’s too bad you love me, because all I can do is hate you! You and all your kind–stay the hell away
I wrenched my arm free from his grip, turned, and ran. My legs carried me faster, faster, until all that mattered was getting away, I needed to leave. I had to get out of her.
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