Page 11 of Under the Influence

I walk down the stairs, grab a Red Bull from the fridge, and attempt to give myself some energy since Carson and I stayed up all night. My mom is in her room with the door closed, so I rummage through the pantry, find the vodka bottle, and pour a little into the can.

I put the can to my lips, knowing it won’t make me feel any better. I’m just really good at making horrible decisions, and I’m even better at making bad days worse. It’s not that I don’t know better, but the more good choices I make, the more I suffer. So I’ve decided to give in to the demons on my shoulder. It’s easier that way.

My keys are taunting me from the counter, so I grab them and walk out to my Jeep. I can’t help but think about Drayton as I pull the door open. My dad got him a Jeep just like this but a different color.

How messed up is that?

I’ll tell you. This kid is exactly my age, just a couple months younger, and plays baseball at Oak Valley Prep.

Our rival.

So my dad basically left us and started being a dad to someone else. Drayton Lewis, who I’ve known since we were five. He was on several of my travel teams growing up. He’s a pitcher, but he’s no Carson. He’s perfect, though, and never fails to rub it in. Perfect grades, perfect hair, perfect family, perfect life. Which is why I avoid him at all costs, Dad too.

Dad found a new family, Mom is out doing whatever to get the pills she swears she needs, and I’m here… alone. I shake off the self-pity, reminding myself I like it this way.

I start the Jeep and head to Avery’s. It’s Friday night, and since I took this shot of liquid courage, I’m done hiding. If I have to see Corinne, I’ll make her life miserable. Just like she made mine.

CHAPTER

FIVE

LAINEY

“So you had class with the new girl?” I ask Madden, handing him the rest of my blueberry swisher.

“Yeah, so?” He takes a drag, handing it back to me.

“So? Is she cool?”

“Ha, she’s different. The Sharks have their eye on her, though. I heard Crew and Carson whispering at practice earlier, and the way Nash reacted, something tells me she’s about to flip things upside down.”

“Hmm,” I sigh. “She seems like a badass. I wouldn’t mind her spearing a few Sharks.”

Madden laughs, “You know that is a terrible idea. Why would you even want her to get involved? It’s like sending someone to their death.”

I drop the cigarillo, smashing it beneath my Dr. Marten boot, “Don’t be so dramatic, Mad. You know I’ve been handling Nash for years, and I’m not afraid of them. Not anymore.”

He nods, remembering how we became friends, “Just don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.”

I tug his unruly black hair, messing it up playfully, “Never.”

I stand, walking around the back of this house, some party on the outskirts of town, an Oak Valley party. They know we’re from Legacy, but we don’t cause trouble, and they don’t mind that we’re here. It’s better to be here than at a Legacy party where everyone is bowing to the precious Sharks.

It’s a silly concept, I know, but Legacy is the definition of privilege.

Look it up.

The teachers, the parents, even the damn city leaders are in on it. And the Sharks? They run the show. No one crosses them. No one even tries. You’re either in, or you’re not, and for us… we’re out, and it’s no walk in the park. They make it hell because no one is against them, and they hate it when you try and make them look stupid, especially Nash.

Madden plays Switzerland, although they know he can’t be trusted because he’s on the outside too. They just need him at shortstop, so they tolerate it.

The Sharks ruined my life without even thinking twice. Well, Jovie and Nash did. My dad—the town pastor—had an affair. His perfect reputation and high standing in the community made his lies believable, though, and I would’ve believed him too... had Nash not made me sit through the video. That’s right. He locked me in a closet for over twenty-four hours while the video of my dad sleeping with his mom played on repeat.

He is evil.

The purest form of the word.

I hate him. I hate Jovie, and I hate the Sharks. Thank God Madden saved me from that closet. Who knows how long Nash would’ve left me there.