Pausing a moment, I take a deep breath, knowing that what I say next might fuck this up. “Is that why we deal?”
I leave the drugs off in case anyone is eavesdropping.
She considers her words. “I never wanted this for us. Unfortunately, it happened and I’m doing everything I can to pull us out of it. I don’t regret much, but this I do. I should have known better. I should have been a better leader.”
Reaching out, I grab her hand. “You’re an amazing leader. Without you, we wouldn’t even have a team, let alone be going to State.”
She gives me a grateful smile. “Thanks.”
After a moment of silence, she stands, throwing her hair over her shoulder. “This changes nothing though. In front of them, I’m the ruthless leader. You understand, right?”
I smile up at her. She’s playing a part as much as I am.
“I do, but know that if you need to talk, I’m here, too. You can trust me.”
Her eyes flash with sadness. “You can’t trust anyone, Hailee. Don’t trust anyone. Not even me.”
Then she turns to leave.
Maybe Willow and her are more alike than they think.
-
Twenty-Two
After talkingwith Tiffany a couple of days ago, I have a newfound respect for her. I guess the old saying not to judge a book by its cover is true. I saw her as the facade she put in place to fool the world. A stuck-up bitch with a chip on her shoulder. Uncaring and cruel, but she’s more than that. She is trying to survive the best way she knows how. Just like me.
Pulling out my English homework, my heart aches. English used to be my favorite subject. Now it’s bittersweet for me. I still love the subject, but having Nate so close and being so combative is both a blessing and a curse. Part of me is happy to even be able to share the same air as him while the other part thinks it would be better if I ran away from this town so I never had to see him again.
It’s a double-edged sword. Neither option will truly make me happy.
Add in the fact that I know the teacher is a scumbag making my team deal drugs and it’s become the class I dread the most.
Shaking off my thoughts, I settle on my bed. An hour passes when the buzzing of my phone distracts me.
Looking down, my stomach clenches. A text from them is never good.
Unknown: A birdie told me a little secret recently. Want to know what it is?
My heart is hammering in my chest. What secrets do they know? I’ve been very careful around Willow and Nate. Especially after my freak out.
Willow said she was going to get me out, but I’ve avoided her since that day.
Truth is, I don’t want out. If I get out now, we will be back at square one.
No matter what happens to me, I’m doing this. For her. For him.
Willow and I once had a conversation about how decisions can change the path of your life. This decision is already made and I plan to see it through to the end.
Taking a deep breath, I text back.
Me: Sure.
Unknown: Play the video
Unknown: Video attachment
It takes me a few minutes to drum up the courage to actually play the video. I don’t know what it is, but I know it’s going to be bad. All I can hope is that they are stupid enough to send me evidence I can use against them.
