"Tendai, you invited him even though you knew he raped Eloise," I said, my voice trembling with frustration.
"Addie, he didn't do it—he's innocent," Tendai insisted, his face flushed with anger. "Eloise is slandering him."
"I'm going to sue him for beating me up!" Tyler yelled, his voice filled with defiant rage.
"Tendai, I'm breaking up with you. Inviting Tyler over was insensitive—especially knowing what he did to Eloise," I declared, my heart pounding with a mix of sadness and resolve.
Tendai released Tyler and walked toward me, his expression a mixture of hurt and desperation. "Addie, we can't break up because of other people," he pleaded. "Do you still love me or not?"
"I love you, but it hurts that you can't see the truth when it comes to your friends," I said, my voice breaking.
"Why does every girlfriend of mine break up with me because of my friends?" he asked, his tone filled with confusion and hurt.
"Because your girlfriends get tired of being third wheels to your friends," I said, tears welling up.
"Addie, you can't speak for Quinn," he said, his voice rising. "She seduced Tyler and later claimed he raped her. I've told you this before."
"That's not what Quinn told me!" I shot back, my voice filled with frustration. "She says he drugged her just like he did Eloise. All your friends know the truth and are lying to you."
"You talked to Quinn!" Tendai's face twisted with anger. "You betrayed me. How could you go behind my back and talk about me with her? If she was innocent, why sleep with my dad?"
"Because you didn't believe her when she told you Tyler raped her! She did it to get back at you!" I shouted, my voice cracking with emotion.
"Addie, you and Quinn are the same," Tendai said, his voice harsh. "Stay away from my dad. My mom really loves you. It will break her heart if you sleep with him."
Tendai turned and supported Tyler out of the house, leaving me stunned and hurt. Did he really think I would sleep with Ray just because we had broken up?
I caught Grayson watching me. "How much did you hear?" I asked, my voice shaking.
"Everything," he said, his tone steady but concerned.
I had hoped no one had witnessed our argument. The weight of Tendai's words and the situation felt overwhelming.
"Why did you beat Tyler?" I asked, trying to understand.
"Nadia told me he raped Eloise," Grayson said, his voice firm. "Nadia and I are very close. She tells me everything."
"How did you know it was him?" I asked, feeling a mix of relief and apprehension.
"I used to be friends with Tendai—I know Grant, Rowena, and Tyler because we've hung out together before," Grayson revealed, surprising me.
He was closer to Eloise than I had imagined and was protective of her. I was relieved he had taken a stand against Tyler for what he did to Eloise.
"I'm really sorry about what Elijah said," he added, his voice low with regret. "I know my influence played a part in how he and Noah treat you, but it stops today."
Before I could respond, Mae appeared, her expression seething with anger. Not wanting to get into it with her, I strolled off, leaving Grayson behind.
When I reached the terrace, the party had resumed as if nothing had happened. Only Janine and Ophelia were gossiping in a corner.
"Who was that stranger?" Janine asked when she spotted me.
"A friend of Tendai's, of course," I replied, keeping my tone light.
"What did he do to Grayson?" she continued, prying further.
"I don't know," I lied smoothly, unwilling to expose the truth. "I'm looking for Eloise. Have you seen her?"
Ophelia spoke up, "She went into that room with Grayson's sister."
I thanked her and made my way to Eloise's bedroom. When I opened the door, I found her curled up on her bed, crying.
"Addie, why did Tendai invite him here?" she asked, her voice filled with pain and confusion.
"Tendai doesn't believe that Tyler raped you," I said, feeling a deep sadness for my friend. I couldn't hide the truth from her anymore.
"Why doesn't he believe me?" Eloise asked, her voice cracking.
"Because he thinks his friends are saints," I explained, feeling a pang of guilt. "They've both left, by the way."
Eloise cried even harder. "Why would I lie about something like that?" she asked.
I couldn't tell her that Tendai had said he'd seen how she behaved with Tyler that evening, making her story seem unbelievable in his eyes.
"Eloise, I'm really sorry about what he did. If I had known, I wouldn't have invited him over in the morning."
"You needed to see him—not after what happened to you last night. Don't work yourself up," she said.
I felt relieved—at least she understood.
"I don't want to return to the party," she said, her voice breaking. "I need some time alone," she added, turning away. I stood there, hearing her soft sobs echo behind her. I wanted to comfort her, but what could I even say?
I picked up some of the things I needed and took them to one of the basement rooms, then returned to the terrace.
I found that Grayson had ended the part. The partygoers were leaving.
Mae kissed Grayson goodnight and left with Andrew. "Talk later," she said softly, giving a small wave as they walked out together. They were the last ones to leave.
It was just the four of us again, the house feeling quieter than before.
"Eloise needs some space," I said, my voice gentle.
"Nadia, join me in the basement," I added, glancing at her.
Nadia nodded, before she said, "Okay."
"We need to lock up," I added, my mind racing with everything left to do.
"Eloise's security is outside," Grayson reassured me, his voice steady.
"We'll clean up tomorrow. Goodnight," I said, feeling the exhaustion settle in as I headed back downstairs.
I changed into my swimwear in the basement that I had picked from Eloise's room. I was hoping that swimming would help me relax. I jumped into the pool, the water cold against my skin. I swam a few laps, trying to clear my mind.
"I thought you said you were going to sleep," Grayson's voice interrupted my thoughts.
I looked up to see him standing on the opposite side of the pool, watching me.
"I needed to relax," I said, feeling a mix of relief and anxiety. "Where's Nadia?".
"She'll be sleeping in my room," he said. "I swapped with her."
"No, Grayson, you can't sleep down here with me," I said, feeling uneasy at the thought of him being so close.
I got out of the pool and wrapped myself in a towel, trying to ignore the sparks of electricity between us. He walked up to me, his eyes filled with something I couldn't quite decipher.
"Goodnight, Grayson," I said, trying to keep my voice steady, though my heart was pounding in my chest.
"Don't go," he murmured, his voice low and earnest, almost pleading. "You and Tendai are broken up now. I hope it's not too bad if I make my move on you."
"Grayson, you've treated me badly for years," I replied, frustration lacing my voice. "Why would I want to be with you now—especially after Tendai and I have broken up?"
"Because where there's hatred, love can blossom," he said, stepping closer, his voice soft but intense, as if he believed every word.
Grayson's approach made my heart race, but it wasn't fear of him that gripped me—it was fear of what I might do, fear of crossing a line I knew I shouldn't. I knew he was trouble, that he was a bad person.
"No, you're with Mae," I said, trying to hold onto some sense of reason, my voice firm.
"I don't love her," Grayson said, his tone filled with regret. "I only got with her because I wanted to hurt you after you rejected me."
His words cut deep, confirming the doubts that had lingered in the back of my mind about their relationship, and it stung more than I expected.
"I can't do this, Grayson. I love Tendai," I said, my voice trembling with anguish, torn between what I knew was right and what I felt in the moment.
"You saw how he treated Eloise," Grayson pressed, his voice almost coaxing. "He will do the same to you."
"I can't do this!" I exclaimed, overwhelmed by the flood of emotions crashing through me.
"Yes, you can," he insisted, his voice growing more insistent, more desperate.
He took my hand, and the sparks I had been trying to ignore ignited once more. He kissed me, and despite every inner protest, I found myself kissing him back. Grayson led me to my bedroom, closing the door behind us.
The night we spent together was a whirlwind of emotions—both magical and painfully bittersweet. He was gentle, and in those moments, I allowed myself to feel something I had tried to bury. But even as I reveled in it, I knew this would complicate everything in ways I wasn't ready to face.
How could I face Mae, knowing I had been with her boyfriend? How could I face Tendai? And what would people think of me being with the school bully?
At 6:27 AM, I woke up. Grayson was still asleep next to me, and guilt washed over me the moment I saw him lying there. What have I done? The weight of it made it impossible to stay.
I decided to leave. Eloise can bring the rest of my things to school on Monday, I thought, trying to make myself feel better about slipping away.
I got out of bed carefully, avoiding any noise. Grayson was still fast asleep as I dressed and packed up the few things I had managed to gather. With one last glance at him, I left the room quietly, making sure not to wake him. I just couldn't face it—not yet.
I found the guards Eloise had hired outside, and they didn't question me as I left. I walked a distance before catching a taxi home.
Mom opened the door for me when I got home— she was still sleepy. "I was expecting you later in the day," she said.
"Mom, someone tried to kill me on Friday evening!" I said, my voice breaking with the weight of the revelation.
"What?!" she exclaimed, her eyes widening in shock. "Why didn't you call us?"
"Was the person arrested?" she asked, her voice filled with concern.
"I wanted you and Dad to solve your marital issues first," I explained.
"We could have postponed that!" Mom said, her voice tight with worry. "Why would anyone want to kill you, Addie?"
"I think it's Kemi," I said, my voice trembling. "I don't know how, but she must have sent someone to kill me. Who else would want to get rid of me?"
"Let me call your dad," she said, with pain in her voice. She came back with him. They were both worried.
"Your mom says you were attacked at your friend's house and nearly died?" he asked, worry evident in his voice.
"Yes," I replied, my voice trembling slightly as I nodded. I began to recount everything that had happened, each word bringing the memory of that terrifying night back to life.
"Afua, call Soren. Tell him to come back immediately," Dad said, his voice filled with fear. "I'll go to the police station with Addie to get an update on what happened to her on Friday."
Mom dialed Soren's number while dad went back to the bedroom to change his clothes. "Desmond, something is wrong with Soren," Mom shouted. "He's complaining of a stomach ache and says he's been sick since yesterday."
Dad ran out of the room, struggling to put on his shoes. He hadn't even managed to tie them yet. Panic was etched on his face. "Mom, we need to go pick him up. I'm really worried," I said, my voice trembling with urgency.
We rushed out of the house and piled into Dad's car. He sped through the streets to Levi's house, which wasn't far from where we lived, but every second felt like an eternity.
Dad parked the car in front of Levi's house, and we all hurried out. He knocked on the door, harder than usual, his urgency evident.
"I wonder who that is," we heard Hannah, Levi's mom, say from inside. When she opened the door, her expression immediately turned sour, her eyes narrowing in frustration.
"Hello, Hannah. We need to see Soren immediately," Dad said, his voice tight with urgency.
Without waiting for a response, Dad pushed past her. "Where's Soren?" he demanded.
"We're sorry for barging in," Mom said, stepping forward with a softer tone. "We think something bad has happened to him."
Hannah's face changed—concern now replacing her initial anger. "Come with me," she said quietly. We followed her down the hall to a bedroom.
She knocked on the door softly. "Levi, Soren's parents are here to see him," she said.
Then we heard it—Soren's voice, strained and desperate. "Mom, Dad, help me!" he cried from inside the room.
Without hesitation, Dad swung the door open. Soren was on the floor, writhing in pain, his face twisted in agony. His friend Levi knelt beside him, looking helpless and terrified.
"What happened?" Dad asked, his voice shaking with concern as he crouched down beside Soren.
Levi explained, "While we were at the park, a man came and blew a white substance on Soren. He complained of pain when we got home."
Dad's face hardened with determination. "We need to get Soren to the hospital immediately."
Dad rushed out of the house with Soren cradled in his arms, moving with a frantic urgency that terrified me. Hannah's voice echoed behind us, asking what was happening, but no one had the time to answer.
Dad drove like a man possessed, his hands hard against the steering wheel as the car hurtled toward the hospital.
When we arrived, Dad didn't waste a second. He lifted Soren out of the car, his arms trembling with the weight of fear, and sprinted inside. "Help, my son has been poisoned!" he shouted desperately.
A swarm of nurses descended on us, immediately placing Soren on a stretcher and rushing him down the corridor. Dad collapsed into a chair, his face buried in his hands, sobbing uncontrollably.
"It's all my fault," he cried out, his voice broken with guilt. "My lies have brought death to my family. First my wife, then my daughter, and now my son."
Mom sat beside him, wrapping her arms around his trembling shoulders, whispering words of comfort. But the fear in her eyes betrayed her calm exterior. "God help us," I whispered, my voice cracking as I prayed. "Please, don't let Soren die."
Needing a moment to gather my thoughts, I left them to comfort each other and headed to the hospital chapel. I sank to my knees, my heart heavy with the weight of my prayers. "Please, God, let him survive. Don't take him away."
When I returned I found that Mom and Dad had entered the ICU room Soren was in. They were seated by his bedside. A tangle of tubes and IV lines surrounded him, his fragile body fighting a battle none of us could help with.
I knelt beside him, tears streaming down my face. "Dad, what did the doctor say about Soren?" I asked, my voice barely a whisper.
"He said Soren was poisoned by a substance called Ricin," Dad explained, his voice thick with anguish. "The good news is that only a small amount entered his body, but the bad news is there's no cure. Soren has to fight it off by himself."
The tears I had been holding back broke free. "God, don't take my brother," I pleaded, my voice trembling with emotion. "He doesn't deserve this. None of us do." Anger and despair mingled within me, and for a moment, I wished death on Kemi. But I quickly pushed the thought away—it was wrong, an un-Christian thing to wish for. "Please, God, don't let my brother die," I sobbed, my body shaking with grief.
Eloise called me repeatedly, but I couldn't bring myself to answer. The weight of the day bore down on me, leaving me too drained to even lift my phone. That Sunday was the darkest day I had ever known. None of us could eat; we just sat in silence, tears our only companions. Soren lay still, his eyes closed, while the doctors and nurses hovered over him, administering more IVs and checking his vitals. Mom and Dad whispered countless prayers, clinging to hope in the face of despair.
Day turned into night, Zahara came into the room. Her expression was serious as she introduced herself. "This is a police case," she said, her voice firm. "We are investigating the poisoning of this boy, Soren Kamara."
She turned to me, recognition flickering in her eyes. "Aren't you the girl who was attacked in Knightsbridge on Friday night?" she asked.
"Yes," I replied, my voice barely audible.
"These two cases are related, then," Zahara said, connecting the dots. "Is this boy your brother?"
"Yes," I confirmed, my heart pounding.
"Ma'am," Zahara addressed Mom, "can you tell me where your son was when he got poisoned?"
"He was at a sleepover at his friend Levi's home," Mom explained, her voice shaking. "His friend told us that someone blew a substance at him yesterday."
"I need to question this friend. Where does he live?" Zahara asked, her tone professional but urgent.
Mom and Dad gave her the address, and Zahara promised to return with updates. As she left, exhaustion overwhelmed me. I slumped beside Soren, closing my eyes and letting sleep claim me.
I woke up with a sharp pain in my neck, the uncomfortable position reminding me of where I was. It was 2:33 AM. Mom and Dad were asleep, leaning against each other for support. My phone buzzed, and I saw 12 missed calls from Eloise along with several unread messages. But I couldn't bring myself to respond, the weight of the night pressing down on me too heavily.
Eloise: Hi Addie!
Eloise: Woke up and noticed you bounced without a word. Everything cool? Did Grayson pull some crap? He even swapped rooms with Nadia just to piss you off.
Eloise: You forgot some stuff; mind if I bring them to school tomorrow?
Addie: Hey, sorry for ghosting like that. Grayson's cool.
Addie: Left because of some family issues; for now, I will be unavailable until it gets better. 😔
A part of me expected to find a message or missed call from Grayson. "He's not your boyfriend, Addie. Why are you expecting him to check on you? He doesn't even have your phone number. How is he supposed to reach out if he doesn't have your contact? You don't have his either."
A doctor came in to check on Soren, so I stepped out to get something to eat; my stomach was rumbling. None of us had eaten anything all day. I bought some chocolate from the vending machine, hoping it would ease the hunger. The sweetness of the chocolate brought a small comfort.
When I returned to the room, the doctor had finished his examination and left. Exhaustion overwhelmed me, and I fell asleep again.
I woke up to the sound of screams. Panic surged through me. "Was Soren dead?" I wondered, terror gripping my heart. But the screams were of joy, not sorrow—Soren was awake. I reached out and touched his hand, tears streaming down my face. "I missed you, little brother," I whispered.
The doctor told us Soren was showing signs of recovery. It would take time, but there was hope he could soon breathe without the machine. His organs hadn't suffered much damage.
Mom and Dad spent the next hour thanking God for Soren's recovery.
"Ade, you need to eat something," Mom said gently.
"I don't care about my body. My priority is my brother," I insisted.
"No, both of you should go home. I'll stay here," Dad said. "Your mom and I will take turns. You can visit after school."
"Dad, I don't want to go to school today—maybe tomorrow."
"Desmond, let her rest today. She can go back tomorrow," Mom said softly.
Dad agreed. I left him some of the chocolate I had bought from the vending machine. Mom and I arrived home forty minutes later, realizing we had been in such a rush yesterday that we'd forgotten to lock the door.
"Ade, we need to check the whole house," Mom said cautiously. "I'll throw out all the food in the fridge, just in case."
Thankfully, nothing was missing, and nothing looked suspicious. Mom disposed of all the food, just to be safe.
We ate the fish and chips we had picked from Fish n Chips on our way back for breakfast. We were both too exhausted to cook. As soon as I finished eating, I took a shower and fell into a deep sleep.
When I woke up after lunch, I found a message from Mom:
"Gone to relieve your dad. Ordered some food for you and him. Dad must be exhausted; he's gone many hours without proper rest or food."
I ate lunch and switched on my phone, which I had turned off to avoid interruptions at the hospital. There were several missed calls from Eloise, Jensen, and our class teacher, Mr. Callum Thomas. But none from Tendai or Grayson.
After what happened on Saturday, I didn't expect Tendai to check on me.
I texted Eloise and Jensen, letting them know something tragic had happened, but I didn't go into detail. I promised to explain everything at school.
Then I turned off my phone again, wanting to focus solely on my little brother. My life meant nothing without him. He was fighting for his life because of me—because I urged him to use his investigative skills to solve Mom's acid attack case. That discovery nearly cost him his life. If he died, I knew I would never forgive myself.
Dad came home, exhausted, just as I had predicted. His shoulders slumped as he walked through the door, the weight of the day evident in every step. I quietly warmed his food, and without a word, he sat down and ate. He finished everything in under five minutes, barely tasting it, before rising from the table.
"Thanks," he muttered, already heading to rest. I could tell he needed it.
Mom returned later that night to sleep, while Dad went back to the hospital. She told me Soren still hadn't spoken yet. He was still being closely monitored.
I refused to go school on Tuesday and spent the entire day at the hospital. On Wednesday, however, Dad insisted I go back to school.
I took the tube to school. I ran into the disciplinary master, Mr. Phillip Ngonzi as soon as I got to school.
"Why are you late, Kamara?" he asked, his voice stern.
"Sir, my brother is in the hospital—he was poisoned."
"Really?" His tone softened. "How is he doing now?"
"He's opened his eyes, but he's still on oxygen."
"Who the hell would want to kill your brother? He's a nice boy," he remarked, shaking his head.
"I don't know, sir. The police are investigating."
"I wish him a quick recovery. Please keep the school updated on his health."
I found Ms. Avelone Gopal already in class, mid-lesson, when I walked in. She stopped teaching and turned to face me, her expression stern.
"Adessa, why are you late?" she asked, eyes fixed on me.
I wasn't going to lie—especially not to her. I remember how Kemi got detention for lying to her. Taking a deep breath, I spoke.
"My brother was poisoned on Saturday, and I've been by his side. At first he was in a coma but he's awake now."
The class fell silent, students gasping in shock. Ms. Gopal studied me, her expression hard to read. She doesn't believe me, I realized.
"What poison was it?" she asked, her tone cautious.
"Ricin," I answered, my voice steady.
Ms. Gopal's eyes widened slightly, and for a moment, she hesitated. "Yeah, I've heard of that poison. Is your brother Soren Kamara?" she asked.
I nodded. "Yes."
"He's one of the top chemistry students. I didn't see him in class yesterday when I taught his class. It's such a shame that someone tried to kill him." Her voice softened, just slightly. "I wish him a speedy recovery."
"Thank you," I whispered.
"Now, take your seat," she said, turning back to the board, her voice back to its usual firmness.
I walked to my seat. Grayson turned away the moment I reached my desk, refusing to meet my gaze. Mae wasn't seated next to him either. Of course he doesn't want to look at me—not after what we did on Saturday night.
Ms. Avelone Gopal continued teaching until the bell for break rang. As soon as she walked out, Eloise turned to me with concern etched across her face. I noticed Grayson slip out of the classroom immediately, avoiding me entirely.
"Addie, what is happening to your family?" Eloise asked softly. "First you, now Soren? How was he poisoned?"
Before I could respond, Jensen walked over, catching the tail end of her question. He joined us, his brow furrowed with concern.
I recounted what happened to both of them—how it happened, me coming back home, him slipping into a coma, and finally waking up. They listened in disbelief, their faces a mixture of shock and sympathy.
"Addie, I'm really sorry about what happened," Eloise said, quietly.
Jensen, his face pale, added, "Soren's my friend. I want to visit him at the hospital! I don't understand why someone would want to poison him. Which hospital is he in?"
"He's at Evergreen Heights Medical Centre," I replied, feeling a lump form in my throat.
"I'll go this afternoon," Jensen decided immediately.
"We can go together," I suggested. "I'll be heading there after class."
Tendai appeared, interrupting us. "Addie, can I talk to you?" he asked, his voice hesitant but determined.
Anger flared inside me. After what he did on Saturday, how dare he want to talk to me now?
"Addie, see you in the cafeteria," Eloise said gently, sensing the tension in the air.
"See you," Jensen added, giving me a supportive nod before they both walked out of the classroom together, leaving me alone with him.
Great. Just what I need.
"Addie, I'm sorry about your little brother," Tendai began, his voice softening. "I know we're broken up, but I can't leave you alone at a time like this."
"Tendai, I don't want to talk about us—not now," I snapped, my voice sharper than I intended. "Leave me alone and go be with Grant, Roe and Tyler."
"You need me right now," he insisted, stepping closer. "Forget about what happened on Saturday, just for now."
"No," I said firmly, stepping back. I was feeling sad but not sad enough to go back to him. Without another word, I turned and walked out of the classroom, leaving him behind.
I headed to the cafeteria, my mind racing with thoughts I couldn't shake. Eloise was already there, eating her breakfast, and as I scanned the room, I saw Grayson sitting with Elijah and Noah. So, they've reconciled after that debacle on Saturday. A sinking feeling hit me—I wonder if they'll go back to insulting me now.
Grayson was avoiding me, his gaze never drifting in my direction. He knew about Soren being in the hospital, poisoned, and that was why I'd been absent. But still, he hadn't said a word. Is he mad because I left without saying goodbye on Sunday morning? The thought nagged at me, though I quickly tried to push it aside.
I picked up some breakfast and sat next to Eloise. As I started eating, a few of Soren's classmates came over, asking about him, along with some other students I barely knew. I answered them quietly, surprised at how many people seemed to care. I hadn't realized how well-known Soren was. It felt like everyone suddenly had questions or concerns, and it was overwhelming.
I avoided the cafeteria at lunch, not wanting to face the endless questions about Soren. Everyone was desperate to know who had tried to kill him, and I just couldn't handle it. And as for what happened to me on Friday night? I kept that buried deep. The last thing I needed was more attention or pity.
To escape, I told Agnetha at the dispensary that I had a headache. She gave me a sympathetic look and handed me one of the meals reserved for sick students. I ate it quietly, grateful for the solitude.
Afterward, I headed straight to the library for my free period, hoping to find a corner where I could disappear for a while. I wove through the shelves until I found a quiet spot, hidden from view. Finally, I thought, sinking into the chair. I needed a moment where I wasn't "Soren's sister" or "the girl everyone's asking questions."
I pulled out my notebook, but it was hard to focus. My mind kept wandering back to everything that had happened, the weight of it all pressing down on me. Still, being alone in the quiet helped—at least for a little while.
I thought I was safe—until Mae found me.
"Miss Popular, I need you to listen to what I have to say," she said, her voice dripping with sarcasm.
"Had she come to say sorry?" I wondered, but quickly dismissed the thought.
I looked at her face critically. Her eyes were red and swollen—she must have been crying.
"Grayson broke up with me on Sunday. I know it's because of you," she accused. "I don't know what you did or said, but I know you have a part to play."
Grayson had broken up with Mae! Was it because of what we did on Saturday night?
I didn't know how to lie to her face that it wasn't my fault.
"Your look says it all," she said, her voice trembling. "That's all the confirmation I needed."
"Addie, I was your long-time friend. I know your facial expressions," she continued, her voice filled with bitterness. "I know when you're lying and when you're telling the truth."
She was right. She could read my face. How many times had she seen me lie to my parents, saying I was at her house when we were actually at the mall?
"I won't beg him to take me back anymore, but you will certainly pay for the betrayal," she vowed, her voice cold.
Mae strolled off, her expression distant, and guilt washed over me. I didn't mean for this to happen, but it did. I made them break up. The weight of my actions bore down on me, and I could feel the tears welling up. I buried my face behind a book, but the tears came anyway—quiet and relentless.
I cried for everything I had done, for the mess I had caused between Mae and Grayson, and for the unbearable sight of seeing my brother lying in a coma at the hospital. It all felt too heavy to carry.
I skipped P.E. and remained hidden in the library until the end of classes, not wanting to face anyone. When the final bell rang, I hurried to class, grabbed my bag, and went straight to the parking lot to wait for Jensen.
Mom wasn't coming to pick me up—we had agreed that she and Dad would focus on Soren for now. They needed to be there with him, and I understood that.