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“Cherry?”
“Yeah,” I say quietly, turning to look out the window again.
“You looked, didn’t you?” Simon sounds so worried. I love that he cares so much.
“I did.”
“How much did you read?” He asks, and I can hear someone in the background asking him to put the phone on speaker. It’s Shaun, I think. They are travelling together with Shaun’s brother, Derek.
“Only a bit. Can you tell me more?” I ask quietly, since it’s hard for me to speak in this confined space with ears eager to hear my conversation.
“Kitten?” Shaun’s voice comes down the line, and I chew the inside of my cheek in an attempt to hold in my emotions.
“Yeah.”
“Are you sure you want to know?”
“Not really, but I think I need to,” I admit, glancing up to see my dad eyeing me in the rear-view mirror.
Shaun sighs, “Eric Carter announced his top five guesses.”
“I’m gonna kick his arse!” Simon hisses. “Who the fuck does he think he is? Why would he even try to guess? He’s the richest kid at school. It’s not like he needs the money.”
“He’s an entitled prick. It’s not about money for him. Just winning. And dragging people down in the process.” There’s so much rage in Shaun’s voice. He’s normally so chill. It reminds me of the night at the Feast. The sound of his voice as he yelled for them to stop.
“Just tell me,” I say impatiently, noticing that my mum and dad keep glancing at each other.
“His list is Ella Briggs, Darcy Thompson, Sierra Chapman.” Simon clears his throat. “Bell and you.”
And there it is. Of course,Imake the list. And Bell too. Why not? We fit the physical description, just like the other girls do. Long dark hair. Dark eyes. What a dick. There are probably fifty other girls that fit the physical description, but not all of them are weird or promiscuous—only the five on that list.
“Are others agreeing?” I ask, trying to remain vague so my eavesdroppers don’t understand my conversation.
“Some are,” Shaun admits. “Others have their own theories. Eric has declared that he has chosen one from that list and sent his guess to the email address that was sent with the video. Some of the other guys have submitted guesses too, but they aren’t revealing who they chose.”
“Right. Well, that’s that then.” I’m pissed off. Why did we have to leave Ebony Falls? I was finally feeling like my old self. I fucking hate Julie Bates. I’m going to make her pay. Somehow. Some way. I’m going to fucking expose her.
“Kitten. It doesn’t mean anything. They might be bluffing.” Shaun offers, and I scoff.
“Unlikely. But thanks for trying to make me feel better.”
“Cherry. Don’t forget how much we care about you.” Simon’s tone is filled with pain. He’s scared. Probably of how I’ll react. Let’s face it. I’ve been standing on a narrow ledge lately. He’s probably wondering what it will take for me to step off. Hell, I’m wondering the same.
If Julie announces to everyone that it’s me in the video, will I step off that ledge?
I’d like to think I’m strong enough not to. But what if my guys turn their backs on me, not able to be tied to such depravity? Can I handle living without their support? Their care and attention? Would I give up on life altogether?
I don’t want to be that person. I don’t want to throw everything away because my old foster parents are fucking paedophiles out to ruin me all because they got sprung. Fuck them! And fuck anyone else who turns their back on me for something I never asked for.
“Kitten?” Shaun’s concern is as evident as Simon’s. I really do think I love these guys.
“I’m ok. I should probably go. Call me later?” I try to push some sort of positive vibe into my voice. It’s all I can do right now, although I’m not sure I’m convincing.
“Yeah, of course,” Shaun says right before Simon agrees.
When I hang up, I don’t look up from my phone. I don’t want to see Cynthia and Will looking at me. Something is going on, and I’m not sure if I can handle anything else thrown at me.
Actually, I do know. I’ll handle it with a fake smile and a hit of Mary Jane.
