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She stopped pacing and stepped closer. “I don’t like people taking what’s mine, and I don’t like people thinking they’re better than I am. Besides”—Kendall tilted her head—“it’s so much fun this way.”
“And if I say no?”
“Oh, I think we both know you’ll do it. Because in the end, protecting yourself is far more important. Besides, it would be a damn shame if someone reported Ellen to the authorities, wouldn’t it? I imagine Eli would take it hard if he was ripped away—”
“Stop.” A violent shudder rolled through me. “Just stop.”
“So is that a yes then? You’ll do it.”
Bitch. She had me right where she wanted me. Even if I wanted to stand up to her, I would never risk Eli and Evan.
Ever.
“How do I know you won’t share the photos anyway? That when this is all done, you won’t just ruin me?”
Kendall moved around me until we were shoulder to shoulder. “I guess you’ll have to take my word for it.”
The door slammed shut behind her, but I couldn’t move. What she was asking me to do could get Scarlett into so much trouble. Suspension from school, even expulsion, or worse. I dragged myself over to the row of sinks and splashed my face with water. She would never forgive me for this. If it ever came out, I’d lose everything. My friends. Evan. Any hopes of being able to have a normal life in Credence.
Kendall had me every which way.
Say no, and she’d reveal the truth.
Say yes, and I’d be forever indebted to her. But Eli and Evan would be okay, they would be together.
What choice did I have?
I swallowed back the tears and slipped the envelope into my pocket.
* * *
“Oh my God, Becca, did you hear?” Lilly rushed over to me, her head low, voice quiet. She grabbed my arm and ushered me to the locker bank. “Scarlett’s in trouble.”
“Trouble?”
“She got called into the principal’s office and then sent home. She texted me not to worry, but something has happened. She can’t afford another strike. They could kick her out.”
“What?”
“Yeah. She has a colorful record. You know how she gets. She’s a lot calmer than she used to be, but… this is bad.”
What had I done? I wanted to march right back into Principal Garraway’s office and insist I had my facts wrong. But even if I did, it was too late. Scarlett got high, a lot. The chances of her not having pot on her at school were next to none. Even if I rescinded my accusation, they would only have to search her locker or her person—if they hadn’t already—and they would find something.
“Everything is going to shit. First Jay, now Scarlett.” Lilly’s voice cracked. “What am I going to do?”
“It’s a mistake. It has to be. Everything will get smoothed out.”
Liar.
Liar.
LIAR.
Lilly sucked in a sharp breath, and I didn’t need to turn around to know Jay had just walked by.
“You guys still haven’t worked things out?” I said.
“He swears he didn’t do it, but the letter said… Ugh. I don’t know what to think. Did you know that Kendall made a play for him once?”
