The mind.
There weren’t two people more different than my sister and me. Trina considered being appointed cheerleading squad captain ‘the peak of her high school career.’ She valued popularity over everything else. Whereas I focused on more important things, like bringing down the asshole jocks she threw herself at every five minutes.
I placed my hand over my eyes to shield the afternoon sun.
This campus was full of blissfully ignorant people. I referred to them as programmable robots for men in power to puppeteer. If any of them had bothered to inspect the green grass under their feet, they’d see that the field wasn’t as perfectly cut as one might think.
There was a slight deviation in the third mower line. Telling me that the landscaper was either distracted or interrupted. It could be nothing. Then again, it could be everything. But did any of these people care? Of course not because—like my sister—they made their way through life wearing blinders.
Sometimes I wondered if Trina chose to be ignorant of the realities of the world. It was incredibly frustrating to watch her flitter about carelessly. My sister acted like all she needed to get through life was styled hair and a pretty smile. Unfortunately, there was a time when I used to think the same way.
“Marnie, wait up.”
The arm waving at me caused a sigh to heave in my chest.
Ashleigh, great.
I didn’t necessarily have anything against my new editor. She was nice and probably the only friend I had in this place. But she was one ofthosegirls. The ones that did their hair and make-up every morning and flashed a sweet smile to everyone they saw.
Shelby was the same way, and look where that got her—tied to Logan Hudson. The most unstable human I’d ever met, and I was using the term ‘human’ lightly. I loved Shelby and even understood her choices. If my hometown had a most eligible bachelor prize, it would’ve gone to Logan Hudson.
I wasn’t surprised that he’d set his sights on her. Shelby, however, I thought she was more intelligent than that. Then again, I couldn’t talk. Once upon a time, I was an eager participant in the dress-me-like-a-princess train until one church picnic when I received a little too much attention.
Mom had gotten Trina and me cute little jumpers, but they were blue, and I wanted to wear my fancy red dress with the frills and sparkles. It would be prettier, and it was. At least, that was what Sheriff Nash said when he cornered me in the bathroom.
I never told anyone about that encounter or the places he made me touch him. I never explained why I refused to wear a dress again.
In a way, I was thankful to the former sheriff. He taught me a valuable lesson. Monsters didn’t notice the girl that hid behind the crowd. A motto I managed to live by for nine years. I even wore armor in the form of glasses I didn’t need.
Not that anyone knew that. Forgery was one of the many skills I’d managed to master. A simple letter from a supposed ‘optometrist’ convinced my parents. My life was going exactly as planned. Trina was the shining star, and I was the shadow in the background.
Then I walked into Chase’s tattoo parlor, and another monster took notice.
“Hey.” Ashleigh rushed across the cut green grass and skipped up beside me. “I’m glad I found you.”
Considering she knew my schedule, finding me shouldn’t have been an arduous task. A fact that I was tempted to point out.
Instead, I smiled. “Here I am.”
Right where I should be. On the little brick path to building C and my next class.
She tipped a brow down at the book in my arm. “I thought Professor Richards didn’t start the American Revolution until the second semester?”
He didn’t, but I found some mistakes in the textbook. I wanted to let him know.
“Nothing wrong with getting a head start.” I shrugged.
Ashleigh eyed me. “Has anyone ever told you to loosen up?”
“Yes,” I stated flatly.
“Riiight.” She gave me a slow eye roll, then continued, “Anyway, we need a good investigative piece for the first edition.”
Ashleigh reminded me of Trina. My sister had the same naïve spark in her eyes. How many times had Ashleigh brushed off something she shouldn’t have? Did she turn a blind eye to people’s actions because it might affect her status if she said something?
Don’t get me wrong, as far as editors go, Ashleigh wasn’t that bad. She was a little overzealous, but at least she kept her hands to herself, which was more than I could say for some.
“We need something thrilling and real.”
