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I was happy here. We were happy here. And standing here now, I’m struck by how easily I’d forgotten that.

I don’t have much time to reminisce since Misty is already jumping out of the car like she can’t get to the mill fast enough.

“Let’s party!” Misty shouts.

Kayla and I follow her with considerably less enthusiasm.

After a couple of minutes walking through the woods, the distant thump of music filters through the trees, growing louder with every step. Laughter soon joins it, and before long, I catch the flicker of a bonfire through the branches ahead.

Hmm. Maybe some of the older kids prefer partying back here instead of inside the mill.

I’m about to ask just that when Kayla bumps my shoulder as she passes me, suddenly in a hurry.

“I’m sorry,” she whispers.

“No worries,” I reply, but I doubt she heard me.

She’s already picked up her pace, shoving her hands deep into the pockets of what I’m pretty sure is Kody’s varsity jacket.

Then, just as the trees open up, I spot the Reds gathered around the bonfire, red Solo cups in hand, with Peyton holding court right smack in the middle of them.

Blood instantly drains from my face when I realize I’m now alone in the middle of the woods with the very girls who made my freshman year a living hell.

“Misty,” I whisper, reaching for her hand, but she darts away before I can grab it.

“Guess who’s here, bitches!” she shouts gleefully, dancing her way toward the bonfire before stealing Brooke’s drink straight out of her hand.

“Finally!” Amber laughs, wrapping an arm around her. “I thought you’d never make it.”

“Of course, I would. And I brought a present.” Misty walks over to Peyton, looking far too pleased with herself. “Told you I’d get her here.”

“Yes, you did.” Peyton smiles at her.

Something inside me cracks. My best friend didn’t bring me to a party. She delivered me into an ambush.

“Max, Max, Max,” Peyton drawls as she starts walking toward me. “You always seem to be a thorn in my side, don’t you?”

“What do you want, Peyton?”

Thank God my voice comes out strong and unyielding. Inside, I’m anything but.

“What do I want?” she repeats, looking at each of her friends in turn. “What I’ve always wanted.” Her eyes settle back on me. “You out of my life.”

“Tough shit. Kind of hard to do when we live across the street from each other.”

“True. But if I can’t physically remove you from my life, I can at least make sure you regret ever getting in my way.”

“So what? You’re going to beat me up? Eight against one? Is that your big plan?”

“Beat you up?” She laughs. “Did you hear that, girls? Max thinks we brought her here to beat her up.”

A few of them laugh with her, though Delaney doesn’t look like she hates the idea.

“No, no, no, Max.” Peyton shakes her head. “I wouldn’t touch you with a ten-foot pole. Who knows what nasty little diseases you’re carrying.” She shivers with exaggerated disgust. “Besides, there’s more than one way to hurt someone. I don’t even have to get my hands dirty.”

She smiles at me, her pale blue eyes looking like something straight out of one of my horror stories. “Delaney,” she says without taking her sights off mine. “Bring me the box.”

My lungs forget how to breathe with the order.