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She’s deluded. My parents didn’t care about what I wanted. They still don’t. My father likes control. He likes a tightly run ship, and I veered off-course.
“I’ll do whatever you want me to,” I plead. “I’ll check in regularly, or take extra credit, but I can’t do this anymore.”
“You really don’t want to be on the squad anymore?”
“I don’t.”
“I want bi-weekly meetings. I need something to tell your parents.”
“Consider it done.”
“And I’ll be asking all your teachers for regular reports.”
“Fine.” God, she’s as bad as them. I’m not a child anymore. I’m pregnant, for God’s sake. Growing another life inside me.
Emotion overwhelms me, but I force it down. I can’t break, not now. Not in front of Miss Jones. She’ll never let me leave without answers if I start crying.
I stand, desperate to get out of here.
“I meant what I said last time we talked, Hadley. My door is always open.” Her smile is sincere, but her words can’t be trusted. Not when she’s on their side.
“I’ll see you in two weeks,” I say, hurrying out of there... and running straight into Marissa.
“What’s your problem?” she sneers.
“Leave it, Marissa.” I barge past her.
“Just because Cole decided to dump your pathetic ass, doesn’t mean you have to take it out on us. We’re supposed to be a team.”
I shoot her a scowl over my shoulder and say, “Not anymore.”
And then I get the hell out of there.
I manage to get through the day. Every time someone shouts in the hall or accidentally bumps into me, I recoil, panic flooding me. Until I remember I’m safe.
Donny is gone.
He can’t touch me anymore.
There’s a big game tonight, but I only feel relief that I won’t have to be there. I’m not sure I could face Cole.
But as if the universe thinks I haven’t had enough to deal with lately, as I exit the building I almost collide with him.
“Shit,” he groans, tensing the second he realizes it’s me.
“I, uh... sorry.” I brush the stray hairs from my face and hover awkwardly.
There was a time I would have moved closer, seeking out his darkness. But everything is different now.
He’s different.
I’m different.
“How are you?” he asks.
“I’m okay.” Liar. “I should go.” I thumb toward the path that leads to the dorm buildings.
“Hadley, wait,” he calls after me, the sheer desperation in his voice reaching something inside me.
