old w

r air, but a coldness deep i

ving Eve

sure. I could almost feel the wate

th hate, but with a stra

erything, Etha

oed in the si

mmered, a frantic bir

real. I

throom, humming. The

present herself as his girlfriend to his family, wh

ing that, in my last l

lled Ashley, dragged he

e. Brandon, humilia

owned me in our bathtub, t

re again. Tha

topped. The w

in a towel, her dark ha

me awake. "Morning, sl

each her eyes. It

voice was flat, devoid of the

ezy. "Just a few last t

for Brandon. An overnig

still goi

"Going where, silly? To Mom and Dad

ight," I stated. It wasn't

a second, he

led. Poor thing. Still carrying a torch after all these ye

and whispered with him for an

ed. My body fe

ting us, Ashley. Your m

le, her confusion. Mr. Miller, always so

llow Creek Apart

Kids with fireworks

red dress. Brandon' s favorite color. "That' s wh

looking in the mirror. "What do you

voice harder now. "Do

"What are you talking about? I just

re l

ss vanished. "And what if I am, Et

e your business.

e said, a sneer in her voice. "T

me, the red dress c

than. Tired of you, ti

y," I said quie

o surprise he

did yo

fter Thanksgiving. After

e, then a cunning l

he smiled, a different, sharper smile. "Why don' t you

st that smile

I have? I couldn't

aid. "Don'

or. As I reached for the

of the lock from the other side. The old-fashione

ou doing?" I rattle

me from the oth

upid, Ethan. Like try to follow me or call

this door!"

was receding. "Oh, and Ethan? Don' t bother trying to spoil

n the hall. The front d

le

d locked me in my own helplessne

nd sharp, we

s time,

as a two-story drop, but there was a thick

r parents. The fir

ey wouldn't be ther