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Darkest Dawn
Katlyn Duncan


One desperate journey for the truthReturning to Willows Lake eleven years after her mother’s tragic death, Sloane Baker knows she will finally get the answers she needs! She always suspected that there was something more sinister at the heart of the accident that claimed her mother’s life, but a cryptic note could be the key to her past…Two lives changed foreverThe small town has always seemed safe to Brianna Taylor – until a mysterious new girl arrives who looks exactly like Bri! Now everything Bri knew has been thrown into question and Sloane’s arrival has changed the world of Willows Lake forever.Strange things are happening in Willows Lake. But when they turn deadly, Bri and Sloane must find a way to save each other or risk losing everything they hold dear…Watch out for the thrilling sequel Blackest Night coming soonPraise for Katlyn Duncan’s The Life After Trilogy'Katlyn Duncan’s YA debut, Soul Taken, is a thrilling ride that will leave you breathless for the next page, and curious to find the true soul we nurture within.’ - Jennifer Murgia, author of the ANGEL STAR series & BETWEEN THESE LINES‘I’m truly blown away by this series … ONE of the best I’ve read this year!’ – Dark Novella'The writing was spectacular… There was the perfect amount of angst, tension, and passion all blended together.’ – Tween 2 Teen Books‘I really loved this book. From the first page I was totally hooked and couldn’t put it down until I was finished.’ - Dark Faerie Tales.‘This is one of those books to look out for.’ - A Diary of a Book Addict










One desperate journey for the truth

Returning to Willow Lake eleven years after her mother’s tragic death, Sloane Baker knows she will finally get the answers she needs! She always suspected that there was something more sinister at the heart of the accident that claimed her mother’s life, but a cryptic note could be the key to her past…

Two lives changed forever

The small town has always seemed safe to Brianna Taylor – until a mysterious new girl arrives who looks exactly like Bri! Now everything Bri knew has been thrown into question and Sloane’s arrival has changed the world of Willow Lake forever.

Strange things are happening in Willow Lake. But when they turn deadly, Bri and Sloane must find a way to save each other or risk losing everything they hold dear…


Praise for KATLYN DUNCAN (#u7d1e1e32-a5f2-5b41-ad70-1c40257c3bf7)

‘The epitome of a summertime read.’ Rather Be Reading on This Summer

‘Fans of sweet romances and light reads will flock to cheer on Hadley and Will’s romance blossom.’ Pretty Little Pages on This Summer

‘I definitely recommend This Summer if you are looking for a great romance but that’s not completely light and fuzzy. The writing is fantastic and the romance PERFECT <3’ Lose Time Reading

‘I really loved this book from the beginning to the very end. It was a book that you couldn’t put down because you wanted to see if this couple would ever get together and fall in love.’ 4.5 stars from Once Upon a Twilight on This Summer

‘This Summer really reminded me of Colleen Hoover’s Hopeless that I loved and even though it wasn’t as intense, the writing itself was incredible.’ Spiced Latte Reads

‘This Summer was a sweet best-friends romance with a large dose of drama. It is an ideal summer read.’ Rampant Readers

‘Katlyn Duncan’s YA debut, Soul Taken, is a thrilling ride that will leave you breathless for the next page, and curious to find the true soul we nurture within.’ Jennifer Murgia, author of the Angel Star series and Between These Lines

‘Wow! Talk about a completely unique concept with tons of new ideas, roles, and characters that took me on an exhilarating adventure.’ 4.5 stars from I ♥ Bookie Nookie Reviews on Soul Taken

‘Soul Taken is a BRILLIANT read! … This is one of those books to look out for.’ 5 stars from A Diary of a Book Addict


Also by Katlyn Duncan (#u7d1e1e32-a5f2-5b41-ad70-1c40257c3bf7)

The Life After Trilogy:

Soul Taken

Soul Possessed

Soul Betrayed

This Summer

This Christmas

Coming soon:

Blackest Night


Darkest Dawn

Katlyn Duncan







Copyright (#ulink_b12c5615-9b61-5cc4-9e5b-7a128949ac69)

HQ

An imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers Ltd.

1 London Bridge Street

London SE1 9GF

First published in Great Britain by HQ in 2015

Copyright © Katlyn Duncan 2015

Katlyn Duncan asserts the moral right to be identified as the author of this work.

A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.

This novel is entirely a work of fiction. The names, characters and incidents portrayed in it are the work of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or localities is entirely coincidental.

All rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. By payment of the required fees, you have been granted the non-exclusive, non-transferable right to access and read the text of this e-book on-screen. No part of this text may be reproduced, transmitted, downloaded, decompiled, reverse engineered, or stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereinafter invented, without the express written permission of HarperCollins.

E-book Edition © September 2015 ISBN: 9781474031998

Version date: 2018-07-02


KATLYN DUNCAN grew up in a small town in New England, but her head was always in the clouds. She wanted to travel and see the world but was happy enough to write her own characters and live through them. Katlyn started writing at a young age and never really stopped. Even if she wasn’t writing a novel or a movie script, she was jotting down ideas in her journal or on post-it notes. She never thought (even though she dreamed) they would lead to actually becoming published someday. One of her proudest moments was winning $50 for a writing contest in sixth grade. And Katlyn bought her very own television with it. In that same grade, one of her most influential teachers taught her that reading was an escape and she hopes she can bring that to her readers as well.

Katlyn currently lives in lower New England, a quick train ride to New York City, with her husband and adorable wheaten terrier in a Victorian fixer-upper.


Contents

Cover (#u265715ed-ed1d-51a9-b19a-d43796a2721d)

Blurb (#u7619350c-79e5-53c5-a638-b5f1b37213b3)

Praise

Book List

Title Page (#u3fc81c61-bc34-5b5f-a08e-e17a4d2da877)

Copyright (#u10842c3c-fc54-5192-b269-e20acddc64f5)

Author Bio (#u44d4ba4c-e799-535a-8e3c-26adc3ef30ea)

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Nineteen

Chapter Twenty

Chapter Twenty-One

Chapter Twenty-Two

Chapter Twenty-Three

Chapter Twenty-Four

Chapter Twenty-Five

Extract (#litres_trial_promo)

Endpages (#litres_trial_promo)

About the Publisher (#litres_trial_promo)


CHAPTER ONE (#u7d1e1e32-a5f2-5b41-ad70-1c40257c3bf7)

Sloane

I promised myself I’d never step foot in Willows Lake for as long as I lived. Yet diesel fumes filled my nose as the coach bus roared away into the night. I squinted up at the bright lights of the gas station that served as the town bus stop. I tightened my grip on my backpack and touched my pocket, crinkling the paper hidden inside. It had become a compulsive habit ever since I received the letter several days ago, calling me back to the place that served as the setting for most of my nightmares.

The two men that I shared the final stretch of my journey with had already left. One of them got into a car seconds after we arrived and the other was on his way to the motel across the street.

My stomach growled. The last time I ate was five hours ago at the bus station. A vending-machine meal of trail mix and a soda.

My phone chirped from my back pocket.

A text lit up the screen, R U there yet?

Amber. A quick companion at my newest school in Manhattan. She was the resident cynic and had just lost her clique after stealing her new boyfriend, Paul, from her best friend. I wasn’t picky when it came to friends. I usually had at least one in the short stretches of time before Dad and I picked up and left for another location, which was good enough for me.

I typed a response. Have officially arrived in Hicksville, USA.

Keep me updated!

I checked the other text that had come in when I arrived. It was from Dad. Just landed. Have fun with Amber. Don’t stay up too late. Love you. Quick and to the point. That was Dad. He felt bad enough leaving me for days at a time, enough that for a while he’d bring me home gifts from airports around the world. But having a pilot for a dad wasn’t that bad. I rarely broke the rules, given that there weren’t many. The main rule being that I let him know where I am when I’m not home. It was a simple one.

Until I got the letter.

It had been Amber who convinced me to come to Willows Lake. I told her I had family history in the sleepy town in upstate New York. It wasn’t a complete lie, yet made me feel bad enough.

“You saved me from torture the past few months. The least I can do is lie to your dad,” she’d said.

The letter opened up old feelings for me that I’d locked away a long time ago. The real truth I’d searched for until Dad sent me to several doctors at a high cost to our family and bank accounts. After finding several past-due bills, I knew I had to figure something out. Eventually I said whatever they needed me to say to officially “get over” her death.

Something wet splashed across my cheek. I looked up at the thick clouds as more rain peppered my face. I looked both ways before crossing, not that there was another car in sight but the ritual had been burned into my brain by my mom from a very young age. I hustled across the street to the diner next to the motel. A fluorescent sign for “Willows Lake Diner” called to me.

I checked the gold watch on my wrist; it had been Mom’s. Other than in the shower, I never took it off.

A memory of the accident crept into my mind. This time I allowed it to linger. Mom was the reason I was here. The last time she came to Willows Lake, she returned in a body bag. A car accident with one casualty and one survivor.

More than once I’d wished she’d been the one to survive instead of me.

I clenched my jaw, shoving the memories down. I inhaled the cool, crisp air, allowing my lungs to fill to capacity. The burn gave me something to think about other than her. Thinking of Mom always made my mind spiral. Soon I’d know more, then the nightmares and questions would end and I might finally be at peace.

I opened the door to the diner. The scent of burnt coffee and mouth-watering bacon filled my nose. The windowed walls were lined with red booths sitting on black and white checkered tile. Although it was much cleaner than any of the dozens I’d been to at home, I imagined there weren’t too many patrons coming through. A punk couple sat in the corner booth, their black-liner eyes boring into one another’s. And one old man sat in the middle booth reading a newspaper. A rock song poured through the open window behind the counter. I held the door open for a guy throwing his hood over his head before heading out into the night.

“Are you going to just stand there and let the rain in?”

I glanced at the older woman who stood in front of me, hand on her hip and lipstick stains on her front teeth. She cracked her gum and raised one pencil-thin eyebrow. Her white, curly hair was pulled back from her face in a mess, reminding me of the fluffy bichon frise that lived next door.

I pulled off my hood and I let the door go. The bell above tinkled as it closed.

“Just one?” she asked.

I glanced behind me at the empty space and turned back to her. “Yeah.”

She pursed her lips, pulled a menu from the hostess stand, and walked to the closest booth. I tilted my head down, letting my hair move over my face like a curtain. I wanted to keep the lowest profile I could. I slid into the seat, my back facing the door.

She slapped the laminated menu onto the tabletop. “Coffee?”

I shook my head; I wanted to sleep tonight. “Water is fine. And a bacon cheeseburger. Medium-well. Ketchup on the side.”

The waitress took the menu and turned on her heel toward the kitchen. I waited until she returned with the glass of water. No ice. I curled my lip but said nothing. Instead, I gulped down half of the lukewarm water and slid down the booth until my back pressed against the edge.

A newscaster’s voice rose over the music from the kitchen. I glanced up at the television mounted to the corner. The volume bar at the bottom of the screen increased. The waitress walked toward the television, holding the remote in front of her. She clicked her tongue disapprovingly.

“—Another large animal has drowned in Willows Lake. The county Animal Control will be testing the water and all residents are encouraged to steer clear of the lake until further notice. This is the fourth animal to be found in the past six months. Now on to the weather…”

I tuned out the news as I took the letter from the inner pocket of my jacket. I recited the words to myself as I unfolded the crumpled paper. I’d spent the last two days folding and unfolding the paper as I read it over and over, still not comprehending what it promised.

Dear Sloane,

I apologize for taking so long to get in contact with you. I’m so sorry about your mother. She was a friend of mine for some time.

I can imagine Willows Lake is the last place you want to think of but it is imperative that you return. Information about your mother’s accident has come to light and with your help I know we can give her the proper justice she deserves. You need to return by Friday, October 14. I have enclosed money for your travel and to compensate you for any inconvenience. This matter must be kept to yourself until all the information has been collected.

I’ll meet you at noon behind the cafeteria at Willows Lake High School. You can stay at the Willows Lake Motel.

I read the unsigned letter two more times before putting it away. A relieved breath whooshed out of me, replacing my jittery nerves with a growling stomach. I glanced at the kitchen. The waitress filed her nails by the kitchen doors. I assumed she was only waiting on me, as it seemed like everyone else already had their meal.

My mind wandered back to the note. I wasn’t a naive sixteen-year-old girl who frequently followed requests made in unsigned, mysterious notes. The information promised in the letter meant it couldn’t be from some random person. He or she knew my past with Willows Lake.

My cell buzzed from my pocket. Another text from Dad.

Off to the hotel. You alive?

I quickly texted back. I’m not sure I could handle speaking to him at the moment. He would call if I didn’t respond. Yeah. Sleeping. Love you.

You too, pumpkin.

I smiled to myself, missing him already. Hating that I’d lied to him. Soon I’d be able to prove to him that I was right all those years ago. And I could finally move on with my life.

I thought the waitress had returned but I glanced up at someone else.

A guy held a steaming plate topped with my hamburger and a pile of french fries. He was cute. I’d even venture to say gorgeous. His big chocolate eyes were bright for this time of night. And he had thick brown hair that would make any girl want to run her fingers through it to see how soft it really was. His grease-stained apron was probably white once, and attached was a name tag that read “Jake”. When he slid into the booth across from me, my skin exploded with goose bumps. My mind went to the stun gun in my bag. Looks and a smile like his didn’t always mean good intentions.

“I almost didn’t recognize you,” he said, his voice was deep and he still smiled. “I thought you would come around back?”

I glanced around the room. Was this the person who sent for me? Weren’t we supposed to meet tomorrow? I pressed my back into the booth, my body rigid. He was closer to my age than my mom’s. He would have been young when Mom’s accident happened. I scanned the room, looking for anyone who was watching us. I came to the quick conclusion that this guy must be the calm and trusting face for me to meet prior to whoever sent me. Tingles shot up my skin and not for the first time did I think this had been a bad idea. Or possibly that I might end dead in a ditch in this pathetic town.

I knew that note backward and forward. It had a specific meeting point and time. I decided to test him. “We aren’t doing this tomorrow?”

He slid the plate in front of me. The bacon-scented steam wafted up my nose. This guy knew how to distract me. “This conversation should be private, not at school.”

There must have been a change in plans since I got the letter. And he was right—I didn’t want to discuss the strange circumstances surrounding Mom’s death around anyone else.

He was staring at me.

“What?” The accusation came out short, but I was annoyed, tired, and very hungry.

And he had the nerve to smile at me again. “Sorry. Your eyes—”

I narrowed them. The genetic defect heterochromia iridium, which made my left eye a dark green with my right eye pale blue, had made me stick out as different. One of the reasons I was able to get over other people’s stares was because Mom had the same trait. “What about them?”

He shrugged slightly and slid from the booth. I followed him with my gaze. “It’s not something I see a lot. They really look amazing.”

“Thanks,” I mumbled, unsure if he was making fun of me. I could normally read guys, but this one was setting off warning bells that I had the urge to ignore. Was he flirting with me? I wasn’t sure that it was the time or place. I needed answers.

I started to get up from the booth but he held a hand up. “Eat first. You look hungry. Come by the kitchen after.”

I followed his retreat to the kitchen but he didn’t look back at me. As much as I wanted to know everything right then and there, my stomach persisted. And I obeyed.

Whether it was because I was starving or the need for information burned inside of me, I ate the burger in under two minutes. I gulped down the rest of the water and grabbed my bag. I slipped my stun gun into my jacket pocket. I’d never make the same mistake twice. I slapped a few bucks for the tip on the table and went to the double doors of the kitchen. The waitress hadn’t stopped me, even when she went to collect my plate and money.

I pushed open the door and was met with the tinny sound of an AC/DC song. An older man was at the sink, bobbing his head to the music. His voice was off-key but he seemed to be enjoying himself, especially when he broke out an air guitar solo.

Jake came into the kitchen, wielding a mop as a microphone and singing the lyrics to the song in a spot-on Brian Johnson impersonation. My hand shot to my mouth as I stifled a laugh.

Both guys looked at me and I froze in place.

“It appears we have an audience,” said the older man. He turned down the music.

Jake raked his hand through his hair a few times, not meeting my eyes. “That was quick.”

“I couldn’t wait.”

He gave me another disarming smile. My stomach twisted. Damn him. He didn’t seem like the serial killer type, but I’d seen enough crime shows to know that most didn’t. I glanced out the pass through window into the dining area. He couldn’t kill me with witnesses present, right?

“Pop, can I—?”

His dad turned the music up. “Don’t be long,” he called over it and winked at me. “These dishes won’t dry themselves.”

Jake indicated for me to follow him. He led us through a back door into the cool night. The heavy door closed behind us.

There go the witnesses.

We stood on a set of cement stairs. A small overhang protected us from the rain that had picked up since I’d last been outside. Cold air swept under my jacket and I shivered. I inspected our surroundings, hoping this wasn’t a trick. A large garbage bin and several smaller ones were our only company.

Jake’s body was close to mine and I kept my hand at my side, feeling for the stun gun.

He moved away from me, clasping his hands around the metal railing opposite from the one I dug my back into. I tightened my grip on the strap of my bag.

The mixed emotions of relief and nervousness were etched on his face. “Sorry. I can’t think in there sometimes.” He leaned his head back, studying the overhang. “I know this isn’t the place to do this, but I couldn’t wait.”

Now we were getting somewhere. “Tell me.” My voice was terse and strained, but I didn’t want him to move until he told me why I’d been brought here.

He smiled to himself, almost shy. “I tried to think of the perfect place to do this. Then realized there isn’t a perfect place.” His smile was gone, replaced with a serious expression that struck me like lightning.

He moved closer and I clutched my bag tighter. My chest bloomed with anticipation of what he was about to tell me. His smile was back, but this time it quirked the side of his mouth. His eyes moved over my face, a wake of awareness touching everywhere—my cheeks, nose, eyes—and finally his eyes settled on my suddenly dry lips.

“It took me way too long to say it. But I think you’re incredible.” His fingers gently brushed against my cheek.

I flinched. My body froze even though alarm bells rang in my ears. It was so wrong, yet my body remained still.

“And beautiful.”

My legs turned to jelly and I leaned even more into the railing.

His fingers traced over my cheek. “I don’t think you should ever hide those eyes.”

Before I knew it, his lips were on mine. I gasped lightly. And pressed my hand against his chest. A flurry of thoughts raced through my brain. Though I couldn’t pull any rational ones from the situation. I briefly wondered about the bacon burger and the effect it had on my breath. Finally my brain clicked on. I pushed him away with barely enough force to make him budge. He pressed his body against mine and my body betrayed me by melting into his, all thought of right and wrong disappearing from my thoughts. He deepened the kiss and I let him. Oh boy, did I let him. His lips were warm and each time they touched mine, the heat intensified, reaching down to the tips of my toes. I reached up, brushing my fingers over his shoulders.

“Bri,” he murmured against my lips.

My body froze, the name stinging me like a thousand bees across my skin. I found the strength to push him away, my hands frozen between us. What the hell was I doing?

His eyes opened wide. “What’s wrong?”

I shook my head, rattling some sense into my brain. The cool metal railing sent rational thoughts back to the front of my mind. I moved away from him, stumbling down the cement steps, stunned by the rain as it soaked me in seconds.

“Bri. Wait!”

“I have to go.” I backed away from him. I turned away. His hurt expression made my chest tighten. I jogged around the building toward the motel. I touched my pocket again. The further I got from him, the clearer my head became. What the hell was I thinking? I should have gone with my first instinct and fled the diner after I’d eaten. And who the hell was Bri?


CHAPTER TWO (#u7d1e1e32-a5f2-5b41-ad70-1c40257c3bf7)

Bri

“Mom! Get your butt down here!” Bri Taylor called up to the second floor of the condo. She checked her phone for the hundredth time in five minutes and shoved it back into her bag. Abbey Taylor ran across the hall to the other side of the second floor, her robe flying behind her like a cape.

“Oh no you don’t!” Bri dropped her bag and bolted up the stairs after her mother.

The lock on the bathroom door clicked just as she grabbed the handle. Bri pounded on the door.

“Two minutes, Brianna!” Abbey called, her voice muffled by the shower.

“You have less than that!” Bri turned, sliding down the wall and sitting cross-legged by the door. It wasn’t like her mom’s snooze alarm hadn’t gone off three times.

Bri unlocked her phone to check the time then scrolled around the screen to her text messages. She pressed Jake’s name to open their recent conversation.

Come by the diner tonight. We need to talk.

Bri had received the message around seven the night before. Her mom had already been passed out in bed. The papers she’d been reading were spread across her lap in an unruly mess. By the time Bri had stacked everything neatly on the nightstand, cleaned up after dinner, and done a load of laundry, it had been eight-thirty. And with the stupid laws that went with her driver’s permit, she couldn’t go anywhere in the car past eight without an adult. She’d contemplated dragging Abbey’s unconscious body into the car but did wonder how she’d get back in the house after. It was one thing going down the dangerously steep driveway; it was a different thing entirely getting back up.

Her message remained the last part of the conversation. Sorry. Let’s talk tomorrow?

She knew he could only get on his phone at the beginning and end of his shift. All night she wondered what Jake wanted to tell her. Lately their relationship had been leaning toward something more than the friendship they’d had since middle school. “Hello?”

Bri shoved off the floor and leaned on the banister, her chin resting on her arms. Her best friend, Max, stood in the doorway, her short black hair pulled back in a tiny ponytail at the top of her head, with a thick curtain of bangs shading her already dark eyes. She arched an eyebrow at Bri.

Bri shrugged. This wasn’t the first morning battle.

“Mrs. Taylor!” Max called. “If I’m late again, Mrs. Brewster is going to kick my ass.”

The bathroom door opened. Bri looked over at Abbey who was fully dressed and in the middle of pulling her hair into a bun as she walked back to her bedroom. “Watch your language, Maxine. And Madelyn and I are on the best of terms. I will explain your tardiness, if necessary.”

Bri checked her phone again. They would be at the tipping point of being just in time for first period and being late. She groaned. At this rate, she wouldn’t get a chance to see Jake until lunch. Her fingers hovered over the phone screen. Ultimately she decided to wait until she could see him in person. He had wanted her to come to the diner last night so it was something he wanted to say to her face. A hole widened the pit of her stomach.

Bri lifted the handle of the suitcase she’d placed at the top of the stairs earlier that morning. Abbey came out of the room, her hands on her hips, scanning the area.

Bri tapped her finger on the handle of the bag. Abbey grinned and fluffed Bri’s hair before taking the bag and gliding down the stairs. “Thanks, sweetie.”

Max stuck her tongue out and Bri’s mom flicked Max’s ponytail playfully. “Let’s get a move on, ladies!”

Bri flew down the stairs and bumped Max with her arm. Max wrinkled her nose and followed Abbey out of the house. Bri closed the door behind them, checking that the lock was in place. She and Abbey had been a duo since Bri was born, months after Abbey’s boyfriend had split. They shared the household tasks and made up for each other’s downfalls—Bri mostly making up for Abbey’s—but she wouldn’t have it any other way.

Abbey slid into the passenger seat. “Chop chop!”

Bri jogged to the driver’s side of the car, avoiding the rain so it didn’t make her hair go from straight and smooth to frizzy and unruly. She slid into the driver’s seat and checked her phone one last time. Even though the day had started off rough, she had a feeling today would end up okay. All she had to do was make it until lunch.

***

Bri navigated the road, the windshield wipers thumping. The rain had picked up after they got into the car. At that point she knew they were going to be late but she’d rather that than end up in a ditch and never hear what Jake had to tell her.

One of the perks of Abbey being the school librarian was prime parking in the faculty-assigned parking spots. Bri pulled into the busy lot at a snail’s pace so she wouldn’t run down any of her classmates. The car crawled behind a group of popular seniors, who didn’t care that a vehicle was behind them. As sophomores, Bri and Max weren’t at the bottom of the social ladder but certainly far from the top. They kept to themselves. Though Jake breezed up and down the ranks as he wished. Being the golden boy of both baseball and basketball teams had its advantages.

Bri pulled into one of the teacher’s spots and put the car in park. “Max, there are two umbrellas under the seat.”

Max shuffled under the seat and came up empty-handed. “Don’t see them.”

“Hmm,” Abbey murmured, her bottom lip trapped under her teeth.

Bri groaned. “Seriously?”

“Well I did use them,” Abbey said lightly. “I may have left them inside.”

The warning bell for first period shrilled outside.

Abbey reached into her bag and pulled out two plastic grocery bags. “A little rain never hurt anyone.”

Bri unbuckled her seatbelt and braced herself, peering back to Max who shot daggers at Bri’s mom. Loving daggers, of course.

Max reached over the seat and kissed Abbey on the cheek. “I’m finding a new ride.”

Abbey grinned. “Without me your life would be so uninteresting each morning.”

“At least we’d be on time!” Max pulled the bag over her head. As a straight-A student she was determined to end her high school career without so much as a blemish on her record. That included perfect attendance.

Bri tossed the keys to Abbey and kissed her cheek. “See you Sunday night?”

“I’ll text you when we get there!” she called as Bri hopped out of the car.

“Love you!”

Bri was already soaked before she could get the bag on her head. She and Max raced to the front of the school just as the final bell rang. They climbed the front steps and shoved through the front doors, pulling the dripping bags from their heads.

Max’s shirt clung to her body. “Awesome,” she deadpanned.

Bri took Max’s bag and threw them both into the nearby recycling bin. Her socks squished with each step.

They quickly scaled the two flights of stairs, their shoes squeaking over the linoleum floors. Max’s breathing was heavy and Bri was on the verge of breaking a sweat. They picked up their pace at the top of the steps and rounded the corner to the classroom.

First period was English. Bri peeked into the room. Mrs. Brewster had her back to them. Max grunted something under her breath and opened the door. Mrs. Brewster turned. Her long fingers were wrapped around the phone attached to the wall. “Okay,” she said into it though her tone suggested she was not okay. At all.

Abbey had called her in the knick of time. Mrs. Brewster’s eyes were on them as they made their way toward their seats in the middle of the first two rows. Their peers were quiet yet Bri could feel their stares. Her skin pricked with embarrassment. She’d have to remember to set the clocks back an hour and hide Mom’s phone so they could attempt to get to school on time.

Mrs. Brewster hung up the phone. “As I was saying…”

Her voice faded in the background as Bri lurched forward. Something had blocked her feet. She instinctively grabbed the closest thing, which happened to be football defense Tommy Sanders. His reflexes were incredible. His hands clamped onto her arms hard enough that she knew she was going to bruise. Better than face-planting in front of the class. She ignored the snickers and muffled laughter from her classmates as she looked down to see a bright pink backpack on the floor at her feet. She tasted blood. She nodded to Tommy in thanks and realized that none of what had just happened was her fault. A pair of emerald green eyes innocently peered up at her.

Chloe Hudson reached down and picked up the bag that Bri knew she had intentionally put in the way. “Watch where you’re going, Freak,” she said under her breath.

Bri blinked, feeling the contact lens in her left eye. Chloe had dubbed Bri with that cruel nickname. Her two different-colored eyes had always been fodder for her peers making fun of her. Even though she had purchased a green contact lens to match the right eye, the nickname had already stuck.

A tightly packed ball of paper sailed across Bri’s periphery and nailed Chloe in the head.

Chloe narrowed her eyes and snapped her head toward the assailant.

Bri glanced over her shoulder to see Max sliding into her seat, her eyes fixed on Chloe.

Bri continued down the aisle, her skin prickling. She sat at her desk, which was right next to Max’s. “Thanks.”

“No problem.” Max balled up another sheet of paper from her notebook. “I always have your back.”

Mrs. Brewster continued with her lesson, completely unaware of the exchange. Bri tried hard to concentrate on her teacher’s voice and resisted the temptation to rip out all of Chloe’s stupid blonde hair. Forget about her. She took a breath and relaxed into her chair. Chloe had been on her for a long time. Bri would get her revenge during swim practice.

***

The rest of morning classes dragged like molasses going uphill. As each bell struck, Bri’s heart rate kicked up an extra few beats. She checked her phone several times each class, but there was no text from Jake. She shouldn’t have expected anything else. He had to keep up a good appearance for his team. The staff had no issues bringing down any jock who disobeyed the rules of conduct. Bri really wished he’d make an exception. He had to realize he was making her insane.

The lunch bell shrilled just as her history teacher, Mr. Dale, started writing that night’s assignment on the board. Everyone stood up but he blocked the door. “Read through the next five chapters tonight; there will be a pop quiz tomorrow.”

“Isn’t the idea for us to be surprised?” future valedictorian Holden Jeffers asked.

He dodged a spitball just as Mr. Dale spoke. “I’ll be sure to surprise you next time.”

Bri filtered out of the room with the rest of the class. Mr. Dale had a tough exterior as the football coach but he was a softy. He was one of Bri’s favorite teachers and since he taught history, a subject outside of her comfort zone, she needed him on her side as much as she could.

Bri met Max at her locker and shoved her bag inside, making sure she grabbed lunch money before closing it. She tucked the phone and money into her back pockets and leaned against the locker next to hers. Kids rushed down the hall toward the cafeteria.

Max groaned and struggled with her bag.

“Want some help?” Bri knelt next to her. Max had taken four advanced classes this semester. With advanced classes came massive textbooks.

“Okay.” Max placed her hand on the bag, balancing it in place. “One, two—”

They slammed the locker shut seconds after Max’s fingers moved out of the way of the metal door.

Max rubbed her hands together. “I’ll deal with that mess later.” She looped her arm through Bri’s. “Ready?”

***

Bri’s palms started to sweat and her heart raced. Before lunch, they always met Jake and Tucker outside the boys’ bathroom closest to the cafeteria. Tucker Langley had been Bri’s neighbor in her condo complex since his parents split when he was eight. As the only two kids in the fifty-plus complex, they bonded quickly. Even though Tucker was a so-called ladies’ man, he never forgot his roots.

The excited buzz around them turned inward in Bri’s ears as they rounded the corner. Her eyes went right to Jake. Her heart fluttered as she watched Jake act out a conversation for Tucker.

Bri’s mouth went dry and she stopped in the middle of the hallway. Someone pushed her from behind and she made a noise, enough to catch Jake’s attention.

She couldn’t look at his piercing eyes. Instead she focused on his shoes.

“Will you cut your hair already?” Max said to Tucker.

Bri was relieved at the reprieve. She needed a minute to compose herself, even though she’d spent the entire night and morning thinking about Jake.

Tucker grinned. His ink-black locks were the longest she’d ever seen them, pulled at the nape of his neck in a ponytail. “Jealous?”

Bri ran her fingers through her own hair, which had finally dried out from the rain. She twisted a chunk around her hand and pushed it away from her face.

Jake leaned against the wall confidently, one foot up against it and his hands in his pockets.

Bri’s heart raced. To the untrained eye, he appeared calm. The hands in the pockets were a definite sign that he was nervous too. This could go either way.

“Relax,” Max said under her breath, knowing full well that Bri was a ball of jitters.

Bri shrugged. “I’m fine.”

Max snorted a laugh. “Your panic-stricken face suggests otherwise.”

Jake’s eyes widened. “You put your contact in today.”

“She never leaves the house without it,” Max commented.

Bri glanced at Max.

“But last night …” He trailed off. The corners of his eyes tightened.

“Let’s leave the lovebirds alone.” Tucker winked at Bri and grabbed Max’s bag, leading her away.

Bri opened her hands at her sides. “About that. I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay,” he interrupted. “Maybe it wasn’t the right time.”

Bri’s throat tightened. They stood in silence, staring at each other. Bri cleared her throat. This was not turning out as she expected. Someone pushed her from behind and she caught a hair flip from Chloe as the girl walked by. Earlier she had been fueled with revenge but now she was incredibly annoyed. “I couldn’t leave that late. Mom fell asleep.”

Bri turned back to Jake and his eyes bored into hers. The skin around his eyes crinkled at the corners as if he wanted to say something but couldn’t find the words. “You didn’t—”

“Another late night?” Bri said at the exact same time. She wanted to lighten the situation even though her insides were tangled in a knot.

The hallway cleared out and she didn’t want the awkward conversation to go on any further. At least not without food in her stomach. In her hurry to get Abbey ready, she’d forgotten to eat breakfast.

Jake nodded slowly. “Yeah. Late night.”

“So …” She dragged the word out. “What did you want to tell me?”

He blinked several times. Yet nothing came out of his mouth.

She reached out and touched his shoulder and he jumped. Not something she imagined him doing from her touch. She fought back the hot tears behind her eyes. She looked away to hide them.

“Sorry,” he said. “Dad’s had me working late these past few weeks. I think it’s starting to catch up with me.” He shook his head, revealing the disarming smile that always made her heart melt. His hand trailed down her arm and his fingers twined through hers. “Let’s talk after practice?”

She nodded. As much as she wanted to know exactly what he had to say, she didn’t want to push the subject. Not when he’d made his intentions perfectly clear by touching her more intimately than he ever had before.

He pulled her to his side and she failed in her attempt to hide her glee.

They arrived at the cafeteria. The line for the hot buffet nearly reached the door. Instead of going elsewhere, Jake squeezed her hand, leading her to the line. Her stupid imagination hoped that it would be because he wanted to hold her hand longer. The thought was hard to shake when he didn’t let go. She was light-headed. The feeling intensified and for more than one reason she was happy he was holding on to her. She really needed to eat something before she face-planted in front of the whole school.

Thankfully, the line moved quickly. The cafeteria workers had their routine down to a science since the kids barely had thirty minutes to buy and eat their food. Jake and Bri lingered on polite conversation, the weight of whatever he had to tell her pressing around them like a thick fog. But they’d been playing this game for some time. What was the harm in playing for another few hours?


CHAPTER THREE (#u7d1e1e32-a5f2-5b41-ad70-1c40257c3bf7)

Sloane

The warm shower I’d taken in the motel room washed away as I made my way to the school. By the time I’d walked five minutes up the road I was soaked. My jeans clung to my skin, yet I was happy I’d chosen to bring a jacket. At least most of my body was dry, though my attempt to calm my chattering teeth was unsuccessful. My mind wandered to the epic mistake I’d made last night in thinking that Jake had anything to do with my appearance in town. I’d been so wrapped up in getting answers I didn’t think at all.

Idiot.

The school came into view and I sighed. My breath billowed in front of me, weaving its way through the rain.

I rolled up my sleeve to check the time. The face of Mom’s watch blurred as the rain pelted the glass surface. I was a half hour early. Hopefully enough time to find the cafeteria. The hairs on my arm bristled. I wasn’t sure if it was because I was freezing or the promise of information. Either way, I added a spring to my step and I jogged the rest of the way.

The main road led to the front of the school. I walked at the edge of the parking lot and rounded the back of the building, keeping behind the cover of the cars in the full parking lot. I briefly wondered how I’d get into the building, and crossed my fingers that it wouldn’t be too hard. I tucked my body against the wall and made my way to a small set of stairs. I kept my hood on, even though the pounding rain had lightened to a steady mist. I didn’t need anyone spotting me. I peered through the glass doors and saw no one in the hallway. This was my best chance.

I grabbed the handle and pulled. The door opened freely but a shrill bell struck me like a bolt of lightning. I hadn’t thought of the alarm. I sprinted into the school and ducked into the closest hiding spot I could find—a cutout in the wall for the water fountain. The fountain dug into my back.

The bell stopped as quickly as it started. I glanced around the empty hallway, expecting to be caught at any second; instead, several doors opened on either end of the hallway and students poured out of classrooms. I plastered myself against the wall, temporarily stunned, though no one blinked in my direction. No teachers or administrators came out looking for me. It had only been the bell to change classes. I let out a shuddering breath and lifted the hood from my head as I melted into the moving crowd of kids. I moved my fingers through my hair and brought the strands forward, keeping my face hidden.

A thrill snaked through me. I was so close and I hadn’t come up against any roadblocks. Meeting this person had to be fate and I could barely contain myself at what was going to happen next. I glanced behind me and no one seemed the wiser. Small towns and their unlocked doors—would they ever learn? No one could get into my school. Whoever sent for me had made it all very easy. After the disaster from the night before, I wasn’t complaining.

I slowed my pace, searching for the cafeteria, when someone gave me a flat tire. A willowy blonde gasped as if I’d assaulted her. She stumbled back, her too high heels clacking. She would have been pretty if it wasn’t for her grimace. Another girl was behind her, her lip curling as if I’d hit her as well.

“Watch it, Freak!” the blonde snapped.

I raised an eyebrow. “Excuse me?” I couldn’t help the white-hot anger burning inside of me.

She pursed her lips and poked a finger into my shoulder. “I. Said. Watch. It.” She accentuated each word with a jab of her finger. Her chin was raised high enough to convey her “status” over her classmates. I’d met a hundred girls like her. Her insecurities were masked by how mean she was to others.

I grabbed her finger and twisted it downward. She cried out.

I pulled her down to my height. “Oh, I heard you,” I said in a low voice.

“Chloe?” the other girl whined.

I’d dealt with plenty of girls like this one in every school and even though I should have kept a low profile, I couldn’t resist the opportunity to set her straight. “You touch me again and you will lose that finger.”

I let her go and she stumbled away, holding her hand against her chest. Her eyes narrowed to slits and her breathing was almost as ragged as mine. “You’re going to regret that.”

We were at a standoff and a few kids gathered around us. I waited for her to make the first move. Instead, the two girls walked away.

A few other kids stared at me and I immediately regretted the unwanted attention. I needed to find this person and get out. I scurried down the hall and approached two girls walking together in front of me. “Where’s the cafeteria?”

Neither looked at me yet one of them spoke. “Left then left.”

“Thanks.”

I followed her directions, keeping my head down, not risking any more attention to myself. I checked my watch again. I had five minutes. I chided myself. I should have let it go when the girl Chloe came at me. I couldn’t let go of the “freak” comment. I’d been called many names about my eyes throughout the years and even though I pretended like it didn’t bother me, the way she said it had struck me the wrong way. Being the bigger person was never my forte.

I found the cafeteria quickly and stood at the end of the long line outside of the room so I’d be in a prime location for whoever was searching for me. The line continued to grow as we moved forward. My eyes darted over all the faces. As I got closer to the doors of the cafeteria my body temperature rose. I checked my watch again and the clock on the cafeteria wall. They both were in sync and read 12:01. My chest deflated. If this person expected me on time, where was he or she? I got out of line and shuffled toward the back. The note said to meet behind the cafeteria. I stumbled over someone’s foot and turned, coming close to taking a backpack to the face before catching myself and moving out of the way.

I sprinted past him. A mumbled “bitch” followed me. I didn’t care. I got out of line again and moved in the opposite direction. I should isolate myself. Maybe I’d be easier to spot? I stopped at a row of lockers outside of the bustling cafeteria. The hallway was less traveled at that point and a few of the bulbs flickered above me, creating an annoying ringing sensation in my ears.

The room tilted around me and my shoulder slammed into the wall. I pressed my hand against the cool surface to steady myself while taking in a few deep breaths. I hadn’t eaten anything since the night before but I’d gone longer without eating before and this never happened. I blinked a few times but the scene before me blurred as a fuzzy darkness outlined my vision. I’d had the same sensation every time I got my blood drawn at the doctor.

Don’t pass out. I repeated the mantra in my head a few times. A volcano rolled around my stomach as I fought to keep consciousness. Heat spread through me like wildfire, making beads of sweat form at my brow.

A blurry sign for the bathroom was up ahead and I lurched toward it. I barely made it through the doors before my legs gave out from under me. Sharp pain ripped through my legs as my knees connected with the tile floor. I grabbed the edge of the sink. I took a breath and the room stopped spinning. I waited a few seconds before lifting myself from the floor. I dropped my bag under the sink and pressed both hands against the cool porcelain.

One of the stall doors opened and I flinched, expecting another confrontation.

Instead, a girl with short black hair emerged from the stall, her mouth stretched in a satisfied smile. “I thought for sure you and Jake would be inseparable now.” She clicked her tongue and turned on the sink next to mine. Her eyes moved over my body from her mirror as she washed her hands. “Why are you wet?”

I swallowed once, giving myself a moment to compose myself. How did she know about Jake? I turned to the sink and tucked my hair behind my ears. “It’s raining.”

“I thought after this morning you would have avoided the rain. Unless—” She closed the tap and turned to face me, her hands dripping between us. “He kissed you!”

I choked. “What?”

She grinned broadly. “Jake hates PDA, so he took you outside to kiss you? I would have picked a sunnier day.” She went to the towel dispenser and grabbed a few sheets. “At least he finally took the next step!”

“Um,” I mumbled, my brain going blank. Why did Jake have this effect on me?

“Fancy!” The girl pulled my wrist to hers. She moved her finger over my watch. “Where did you get that?”

“My mom,” I said before I could stop myself.

She frowned, looking up at me before narrowing her eyes. “Bri, did you take your contact out?”

The name shocked me as it had the night before. I stared at the girl. A million questions fired in my mind. Who was this Bri girl and why did people keep calling me by her name?

The girl checked her phone. “I need to eat something before Mr. Henry’s class. Come on. We can talk more after your swim practice.”

She held the door for me.

“I’ll be right there.” I’d finally found my voice. I needed this girl to get the hell away from me.

“We have like ten minutes left.”

I snatched my bag and headed for the door. “I forgot something. I’ll see you later.”

The girl said something as the door closed. The line for the cafeteria was gone and no one remained in the hallway. My eyes started to burn. Was this some sort of cruel joke? I decided to retrace my steps and jogged in the direction of the entrance I had come in earlier. My shoe slipped, the soles still damp, and I nearly went down. I slammed my hand against a locker.

Someone grabbed my arm and I cried out.

“Sorry,” said the guy, holding his arms in front of him. “I thought you were going to fall.”

I ripped my arm away and glanced up at him. His leather jacket was covered with beads of rain. He towered over me. His forest green eyes widened with recognition. My eyes moved over his face; his sharp features were pulled even tighter as with each passing second he appeared to get angrier.

His jaw clenched. “You don’t belong here.”

My stomach twisted. My mind flashed to another time and place with a different guy. I quickly shoved the memory away. I lifted my chin. I wasn’t going anywhere without answers. Before I could open my mouth the bell rang again.

The guy reached for me but I ducked under his arm and bolted in the other direction.

“Hey!” he called out but I was already halfway down the hall. I looked back and saw him only a few feet behind, until kids poured out of the cafeteria, separating us more and more with each second. I turned down the next hallway in an attempt to lose the guy. Clearly something had gone wrong or maybe I’d misinterpreted the note. Either way I had to get to a quiet place to collect my thoughts. Like hell was I giving up that easy.


CHAPTER FOUR (#u7d1e1e32-a5f2-5b41-ad70-1c40257c3bf7)

Bri

“Come on ladies, hustle!” Coach Kendra called across the natatorium.

Bri pulled herself from the pool and onto the slick tile floor, unable to hide the grin on her face. She’d kicked Chloe’s butt in that last relay and both of them knew it. The obvious anger on Chloe’s face when she surfaced and saw Bri already halfway out of the pool was perfect. Bri wished she had a camera.

“Yay, Bri!” Max called from the top of the bleachers. She had books and notebooks spread across her lap. Max didn’t like being home in the afternoon. Her parents worked third shift at the hospital so she had to be silent while they slept.

“I didn’t realize hustle meant walking like frickin’ zombies!” Coach Kendra clapped her hand against the clipboard permanently attached to her other hand.

The twelve girls who made up the swim team picked up their pace until they huddled around Coach. Her beady brown eyes captured each of them in her gaze before she spoke. She looked the part of a female high school gym teacher with her too long and unflattering shorts and shirt big enough to swallow any sense of her figure. Even with her tough-as-nails exterior she was a great coach. They’d won most meets since she became coach at the beginning of the year after her parents had passed away, leaving their home to her.

Her eyes touched each of the girls as she spoke. “All of your times were below last season. You need to treat every single second you’re here as if you’re in a race. Do you understand me?”

“Yes, Coach,” the girls chorused.

“Now do it again. Group together and I want two hundred and four hundred yard freestyle relays.”

Chloe snorted and Coach narrowed her gaze. “Another two hundred for you.”

Chloe rolled her eyes. They’d had this battle before and Chloe never won.

Coach lifted her whistle to her lips and blew. The shrill sound echoed off the walls and the girls partnered off.

Bri nudged Gina, a mousy freshman. She had the best backstroke on the team. As captain, Bri had taken Gina under her wing. “I’ll go first,” Bri said, giving Gina a break after the last relay.

Gina heaved a sigh of relief into her towel.

Bri took her place at the block and dropped her hands down close to her feet. She closed her eyes and inhaled deeply, letting the air out slowly through her slick lips. She opened her eyes and focused on the water below. It rippled and moved over itself as if it were alive and waiting for her.

Coach blew the whistle and Bri dove into the water, her body slicing through it. She pumped her legs and arms until she resurfaced, her arms lifting over her head as she took in her first breath. Her eyes focused on the line painted at the bottom of the pool, ensuring she was right above it. Seconds before she hit the other side of the pool, she flipped her body around and pushed off the wall. She focused on the line and her breathing again, tunneling her vision in counting laps. She could hear the other swimmers but didn’t dare look to see how far away they were in relation her. Swimming was the only thing that cleared her mind. Nothing mattered when she was in the water.

On the way back from her first lap something caught her eye at the bottom of the pool. She lost her pace and her stroke slowed for a second as she squinted her eyes to get a better look. Something red ebbed and flowed at the bottom of the pool. A body shot past her and she snapped out of her trance. She clenched her jaw and picked up her pace, knowing she’d lost precious seconds by letting herself get distracted. She kicked her legs and moved her arms faster until she reached the side of the pool. She couldn’t help search for it on her final lap. As she sped down the lane whatever she’d seen was gone. She pushed on until she touched the side of the pool where Gina stood ready on the block. The girl dove into the water.

Chloe preened from the next lane, having finished her laps before Bri.

Bri jumped out of the pool. “Have fun on your next set.” She didn’t look back at Chloe, her mind still on what she might have seen.

Bri made her way to the bleachers and wrapped a towel around herself. Her heart still pounded hard in her chest as she thought about how she’d messed up. She watched Gina, mentally critiquing her form. Coach never moved from her spot yet Bri felt her stare. She was going to hear about her screw-up soon enough.

Gina was the first to finish in her group, even though Bri had slowed them down. She smiled at choosing the girl. Coach might not be as hard on her since they’d won. Bri headed to the side of the pool to join her team. The girls huddled together, cheering for Chloe. Even though Chloe had earned those extra laps with her mouth, they still were a team. Since they were always in competition, Bri was rarely able to watch Chloe. Chloe’s form was very good, even though Bri hated to admit it. One thing she loved about the sport was that most of the time it was individual. A place where Bri shined.

Chloe lifted herself from the pool and made her way over to the group. Her chest heaved as she caught her breath. They all turned to Coach for their next instruction.

“That was pitiful. Same time Monday.” Coach unnecessarily blared her whistle in their faces and headed toward the locker room. “Shower up.”

Just as Bri heaved a relieved breath, Coach’s voice bounced off the high ceilings. “Brianna, in my office.”

Chloe snorted on her way past Bri.

Bri clenched her jaw.

In instances where Chloe annoyed the crap out of her, she tried to remember the days when they weren’t at odds. They had been friends up until their freshman year when they both got onto the swim team. Chloe’s overly competitive nature had split them up and Chloe had veered off, making her own set of friends who were higher in ranks than Bri and Max.

Max bounded down from the bleachers. “What happened out there? I saw you slow down. You okay?”

Bri nodded and pulled her hair free from the cap. She twisted her fingers around the strap of her goggles. “I thought I saw something.” She shook her head.

“Well you definitely gave Chloe more fuel.”

I shrugged. “There’s always Monday.”

They entered the locker room.

“I’ll wait for you by the lockers, okay?” Max headed down the narrow hall.

Max knew the locker room always freaked Bri out. For some reason Bri was reminded of horror movies when she went in there alone. The tall ceilings and dim lighting threw shadows in every corner. To the right were the showers. A dozen stalls, capable of hiding anyone from wandering eyes. The perfect spot for a serial killer. Up ahead were rows of lockers and benches. She didn’t expect Max to wait outside of the shower cubby—she wasn’t five.

To the left were two storage closets and Coach’s office. She knew Coach stayed late and was thankful for small favors on those occasions when Max had other club commitments.

Bri opened the door to the office.

Coach was at her desk. Her hands were on her lap. “What happened just now?”

Bri bit her lip, unable to come up with any excuse other than the truth. “I thought—”

Coach cut her off. “I know you girls are distracted. Boys. Dances. College. And whatever else.” She leaned back in her chair, locking her eyes with Bri’s. “Boys will always be around. School dances will be forgotten. College is important, though. And I understand you have a single mother who’ll probably help with your college fees. But you’re good enough to get a full ride to any reputable college with a swim program. You’ll just have to work harder.”

Bri tightened the towel over her chest.

Coach pointed at the wall. “You have to be a leader for these girls and I think you are doing a good job, but there’s more potential in you. And if you are willing, I’d like to offer you some extra time to get you there.”

Bri’s skin flushed. “Really?”

Coach nodded, her expression stoic. “You have less than two years before you leave this place. Which isn’t ideal, but I think we can do it.”

“Thank you.”

Coach tapped her hands on her desk. “I want you here for an extra hour on Monday. We can work out a game plan then.” Coach’s offer was amazing. Her reputation had preceded her before she came to Willows Lake. Multiple college trophies and even an opportunity to get into the Olympics before she’d injured herself. Mom would be proud.

“Sounds good.”

Coach looked at her desk. “Get out of here.”

Bri nodded, noticing a barely perceptible lift of Coach’s lips. Bri suppressed a smile. Coach wasn’t as tough as she seemed—that didn’t mean she deserved any less respect though.

The rest of the girls were already changing when Bri claimed the closest shower stall to the locker room. She knew Max would be annoyed if she took too long. And she couldn’t wait to share the news. She showered as quickly as possible, just enough to get the chlorine off her skin. When she turned off the shower, a dull ringing settled in her ears, growing louder and louder. A splitting headache accompanied the sound so she leaned against the still-warm plastic wall of the enclosure.

She reached for the towel slung over the hook right outside the curtain but missed, toppling forward. She caught herself as her foot slipped across the floor. She was able to grip the towel and hook just before falling. Black spots dotted her vision. She took a deep breath, willing her eyes to stay open and not succumb to passing out.

Several breaths later she was able to come out of it. Sweat trickled over her body and she shivered. When she was sure she could stand without falling, she lifted the towel from the hook and wrapped it around her body. She slipped on flip-flops, grabbed her damp bathing suit, and headed for the locker room.

The buzz of voices didn’t greet her this time. The other girls must have headed home.

Bri blinked a few times to make sure her balance was okay. “Max?” Lockers outlined the space and all the benches were empty. Her breathing was loud in her ears. “This isn’t funny!”

Something moved behind her and she spun around, expecting to see Max. No one was there. She swallowed the tractor-trailer-sized lump in her throat and headed for her locker. As she spun the combination on the locker, something shuffled behind her. She paused, her hand hovering over the lock. Her skin heated as she turned around again.

Max knew not to mess with her. “Coach?”

She quickly spun the combination again and reached in her bag for her clothes. She didn’t even bother to get halfway dry before shoving on her underwear, shirt, and jeans.

A shuffling sound made her stop. She held her breath as it moved closer and closer. It started at the entrance to the locker room. “Hello?”

Again, nothing.

Her teeth started to chatter and she pressed her lips together to stifle the noise. She was going to kill Max if she was pranking her. A large shadow moved across the space. Her instincts propelled her legs in the other direction. She tucked her bag against her body and sprinted toward Coach’s office. “Coach!” The office was dark and the door was locked. She was alone with whatever shadow-thing she’d seen. She ran down the back hallway and pushed through the door to the natatorium. A body lay facedown on the surface of the pool and she screamed.

The body moved, his head popping up from the surface.

Relief surged through her as she recognized the face. “Kael?” What was Kael Theron doing at school? She walked closer to the edge.

His head dipped below the surface again and he swam to the side of the pool.

Bri backed away when his hands touched the tile by her feet. He hopped from the water and towered over her. Droplets of water streamed down the taut muscles of his chest. His normally sandy blond hair was a few shades darker from the water. He only wore a pair of swim trunks.

She steadied her eyes on his. “You gave me a frickin’ heart attack.”

The corner of his mouth lifted in an amused smile. Her heart flip-flopped. Kael was a few years older and the steady subject of Willows Lake’s constant stream of gossip. Being the reclusive son of the craziest and wealthiest man in town would do that. It didn’t help that they lived on the outskirts of town on the lake in a secluded mansion. A place she always thought looked enchanted and straight out of a fairy tale.

He held her gaze. “I didn’t realize anyone was still here.”

She’d become accustomed to people looking at her eyes but with her green contact firmly in place, his stare wasn’t about the genetic deformity. It struck down to her core. “I was the only one left in there.” She hoped. She thought of the sound she’d heard before freaking out. It had probably been her imagination. In any case she stepped away from the door to the locker room.

His eyes narrowed briefly as if he was judging her truth. “Why are you here so late?”

She thought of Max and how much she wanted to strangle her for leaving before she was out of the shower. “We just finished up practice. I’m headed out to meet Max.”

“Max?”

“Maxine,” she clarified. “My friend.”

His chin lifted. “I see.”

She skirted past him, keeping her eyes on the slick floor. The sound of his wet feet followed. She turned her head. He tugged on his jeans and shoved a dry shirt over his head.

“How’s your dad?” Abbey visited Mr. Theron a couple of days a week, even though he had numerous caregivers. For some reason he had requested her to keep him company when he first got sick.

“Same,” Kael said in a clipped tone. One that she recognized as annoyance. It was the same tone that she used whenever someone asked about where her dad was. Not that she had any idea who he was. Or that she cared.

“My mom will be back to see him in a few days.” She filled the awkward silence.

He shook his head. “He doesn’t even know she’s there half the time.”

“She likes spending time with him.”

He snorted. “His ability to make people feel guilty deserves an Oscar.”

Kael made it seem like illness was something his dad enjoyed. Although she didn’t know him well enough to know if he was kidding—not that his situation was anything to joke about. Instead, she changed the subject. “You like to swim?” She immediately regretted asking. Obviously he did. For some reason he always put her on edge and not always in a negative way.

A secret smile touched his lips. “I do. It relaxes me.”

She quirked her lips. “Me too.”

He raked a hand through his hair, slicking it back. “I’m glad it was you here instead of the coach.”

Bri flushed. “Why?”

He pressed his lips together briefly before speaking. “Let’s just say I don’t exactly have permission to be here.”

“I won’t tell anyone as long as you keep me screaming like a banshee to yourself.”

He winked at her. “Deal.”

Her breath caught in her throat.

They hovered by the door, but Bri reached for it first.

“Wait.” His hand slammed into it. It came close enough to her face that she could make out each individual hair on his arm.

She whirled around realizing how close his body was to hers. His breathing was labored.

“Are you okay?”

“Yes,” he said firmly.

If it wasn’t for Mom and her stories from Mr. Theron, she might have been afraid of his outburst. Most people in town were. He was portrayed as a “lost soul” by his father.

“I need to meet my friend,” she prompted, pointing at his arm.

“Be careful okay?” His jaw clenched. “Make sure you go straight home.”

“Okay,” Bri said, dragging the word out. Why was he being so weird?

He removed his hand from the door. “Some might take advantage of a girl who’s home alone.”

Bri hesitated but Kael didn’t meet her eye.

She grabbed the handle and pulled, the cool hallway air blasting over her face. She pushed the door open for Kael as black spots filled her vision.

“Brianna?”

She turned around, looking up at Kael. His eyes were pulled down at the corners with worry.

She took a deep breath, recovering quickly. “I’m fine. I need to eat something.” Her phone buzzed from her backpack. She’d had it on silent since the morning, as she didn’t want to give any teachers an excuse to take it away. She pulled out her phone. Several texts from Mom littered the screen. She’d arrived at the conference and would call later.

She exhaled deeply and tossed a quick wave to Kael before leaving the natatorium. The door closed behind her and she took a few more deep breaths before heading down the hallway, letting go of the strangest ten minutes of her life. Her nerves must have had the better of her. She’d probably heard Kael splashing around in the pool, which had freaked her out since Coach rarely let anyone in the natatorium unsupervised. With Mr. Theron’s clout in town, Bri doubted Coach could say anything to stop Kael though. And since she’d nearly passed out in the shower, her eyes had probably being playing tricks on her.

The room whirled around her again and she leaned against the wall for support. She took out a granola bar from her bag—she always had food handy, especially after the amount of calories she burned at practice. She unwrapped it and took a few bites until she felt somewhat normal.

She turned the corner and stopped.

She blinked a few times but the image at the end of the hallway didn’t go away. Brianna Taylor couldn’t take her eyes off a mirror image of herself standing at the opposite end of the hallway. The only difference was that the mirror image was dressed differently. The out of body experience made her stomach roll and the edges of her vision blur.


CHAPTER FIVE (#ulink_b12c5615-9b61-5cc4-9e5b-7a128949ac69)

Sloane

I couldn’t believe I survived the rest of the day cooped up in a cubby at the back of the library. Not once did anyone come back and find me. I spent the first hour wondering what had gone wrong and imagining the possibilities. Had this person changed their mind? I couldn’t imagine anyone I knew able to pull off an elaborate prank like this. The back of the cafeteria was the meeting place he or she had requested. Maybe something happened to the person who summoned me. Hopefully nothing bad. I wished he or she had included a cell phone number or something.

I pressed my hands on both sides of my head, attempting to calm my thoughts. If this person found me in Manhattan, he or she would be able to find me in Willows Lake. At the very least they could leave a note at the motel. The fear of running into that guy again made me stay put. I jumped at each bell signaling the change in classes. I glanced over my shoulder every few minutes to make sure I hadn’t been caught. I wondered if I’d be in even more trouble because of breaking into the school. I thought of the excuses I’d make: “Well technically I didn’t break in since the door was open.” An excuse I was sure the principal or whatever disciplinarian caught me wouldn’t appreciate.

I tucked my chair further into the cubby and took out my phone. I’d had it turned off from the second I entered the library. There wasn’t a plug anywhere near my hiding spot. I didn’t want to risk losing my charge. I flipped the mute button and turned the phone on. A few messages came in from Amber wanting an update.

I quickly texted her back, promising to call her with details later. She assured me that my dad hadn’t called her house yet.

My shoulders slumped. Dad knew I wasn’t supposed to be on my phone during school hours. That didn’t mean I wouldn’t hear from him later. I’d have to connect with Amber and coordinate our stories.

I carefully took the letter from my pocket and reread it, trying to figure out if or where I’d gone wrong. My mind wandered to the other two confrontations I’d had since I arrived. They weren’t from the mysterious letter writer but they had something equally strange in common. How had they mistaken me for someone else? And if Jake liked this “Bri” girl so much, why would he think I was her? Unless we looked alike?

My hands froze around the phone. A silly idea popped in my head and before I could dismiss it, my fingers were already moving across the screen. I opened the browser on my phone and went to Google, typing in a few search items. “Bri” and “Willows Lake”. I knew it was a long shot, and after reading the first few pages of results I knew I had been correct. I contemplated other search terms when I found an article from the previous year. The blurb highlighted a girl named Brianna Taylor from Willows Lake taking first place in a swim meet. The girl in the bathroom mentioned something about swim practice. I clicked on the article.

I didn’t know what to expect. Maybe a picture of Bri or some clue why two people thought I was her. Instead there was only an image of a swimming pool. I scrolled through the article. No photo. At least I had a full name. I went back and typed the keywords “Brianna Taylor” and “Willows Lake”. Articles from the town’s small press came up about Brianna. With each one I held my breath, expecting to see a picture. It only took a few articles to find one.

My breath caught in my throat as I zoomed in on the photo. It was grainy but unmistakable.

“No frickin’ way.” I didn’t care if anyone heard me. I could always pretend to be the girl who others had mistaken me for.

It would be easy.

She looked exactly like me. From my slightly long nose ending at a point to my oval-shaped face. I couldn’t tell the most unique factor from the picture. If she had two different-colored eyes, it would seal the deal. I brought the screen closer to my face, bringing the impossible to light.

A loud voice boomed across the room and I gasped, dropping my phone on the table. The voice on the intercom made announcements about an upcoming school dance, and a delayed meeting time for the chess club. My blood ran cold as the man read off stats from the most recent swimming meet, giving me the second craziest idea since I’d made the decision to come to Willows Lake.

I’d never believed in fate, especially after the accident, but I couldn’t think of another word for it. Had the person who summoned me to Willows Lake known about Bri? Had she been the one to find out more answers about the accident? If there was a scandal, she would probably try to keep her identity from me. I knew I wouldn’t have believed it if I hadn’t seen her face for myself.

At the front of library, the kids were shuffling around. I hesitated, going back and forth on my decision. I could go back to the motel and hope that someone would make contact. Or I could take initiative. What harm could a detour do? If it wasn’t her then the person could wait a little while, since he or she had sent me on a wild chase. Maybe Bri would have some answers. It seemed to be the best option at the moment.

When I reached the hallway, I lifted the hood of my sweatshirt over my head to keep my identity hidden. I didn’t need another one of Bri’s friends to mistake me for her. Or for that other guy to find me. I was on a new mission now and like hell would anyone stop me. I asked a younger student waiting outside a classroom where the pool was. He was a little too eager to reply. I assumed he didn’t have much contact with girls. I followed his instructions, leaving through the back door of the building and following the parking lot to the annex building.

***

I entered the one-floor faded brown brick structure. I vigorously wiped my wet sneakers on one of the thick mats inside the main entrance. I didn’t want to slip on them again in case I ran into that guy.

Across the hall was an open door and as I neared it, the sounds of sneakers and dribbling basketballs grew louder. A man shouted something. I couldn’t make out his words among the other sounds. I peered into the gym, watching the dozen or so guys move across the court. Half of them wore netted vests and were doing drills in pairs. An otherwise conventional practice session.

My gaze fell on a familiar face. Jake, from the diner, knocked the ball away from one of his teammates and he dribbled the ball at breakneck speed up the court. Toward me.

I cleared the doorway and pressed my back against the wall, my heart hammering in my chest. A ragged breath parted my dry lips. If I didn’t know any better I’d think he was stalking me.

Even though you’re at his school.

I headed in the opposite direction. I didn’t want to pass by the open doors for fear of being recognized so I traveled along the corridor until I reached the empty outer hallway of the building. The dribbling basketballs faded as I traveled further from the gym. I tested the bottom of my shoes; they were dry enough. I jogged down the hallway until I reached another corridor. This time I peered down it to make sure there weren’t any other openings to the gym. One close call had been enough.

A placard for the natatorium was plastered to the wall in front of me next to a windowless door.

I strode up to the door and placed a clammy hand on the surface. A whooshing sound in my ears stopped me and I stumbled backward. The same sick feeling rolled around in my stomach as earlier. My vision blurred momentarily before catching a sign for the girls’ locker room. I staggered down the hall and pushed through the doors. A large windowless room opened up around me with rows of lockers against the walls. I shuffled past the benches covered with strewn clothes and bags across the room to a small enclave with a bank of sinks and toilets.

I turned on the closest sink and cupped my hands under the cold water. Immediately the frigid temperature shocked me back to reality and I splashed water on my face. I drew in deep breaths until my racing heart calmed to a somewhat normal rhythm. I stared at my pale face in the mirror, resembling a drowned rat more than a girl. My stomach revolted, growling at me from deep within my abdomen. I swallowed a few times. The last thing I needed was to get sick when I was so close.

I opened one of the stalls and sat on the toilet, giving my jelly legs a moment to get back to their normal strength. The porcelain seat was the cleanest I’d ever seen at a school. The residual dizziness faded. I pulled my damp hair away from my flushed skin and into a bun at the top of my head. I’d come here with a specific goal and I needed to get back on track. After a few more minutes of calm breathing, I tested my legs.

The echo of a door slamming made my already fragile heart skip a beat. Girls’ voices floated across the space, bouncing off the empty locker room. It wouldn’t be empty for long.

I didn’t have a chance at getting out of there without someone seeing me, so I closed the stall door and locked it before standing on the toilet. After five minutes of keeping still while listening to the girls talk about dates to some event and gossip about other girls in school, I wondered if I should have risked leaving when I had the chance. One girl even tried the stall I was in, pushing it hard enough to almost move the flimsy lock from its place before giving up. I counted the seconds through my quickening breaths and soon enough the pack of girls left in one noisy group.

I gave the stragglers a few seconds to clear out before I stepped down from the toilet.

I took a breath, opened the door, and bolted for the entrance of the locker room. I didn’t stop, even when some girl cried out when I knocked her purse to the floor.

The hallway was cooler and I sucked in deep breaths when the dizziness returned with a vengeance. I stopped and leaned against the wall, terrified of what might happen next. I knew I shouldn’t be out in the open for fear of someone thinking I was Bri but my legs were solid blocks on the floor. A bead of sweat traveled across my hairline and dropped like an icicle on a hot day.

The ceiling lights buzzed and crackled. I lifted my gaze to them. They were flickering wildly. The ceiling moved in a slow circle above my head. My mind put it together that this wasn’t right. Someone at the end of the hallway caught my attention. The person’s body blurred as I tried to focus on him or her. My eyelids drooped as I fought to stay conscious. My legs propelled me forward even though my head wanted everything around me to stop. As I neared the person it was as if I’d entered a carnival mirror room. In front of me was me. I cocked my head to the side and tried to focus on me.

As much as my brain was fuzzy, I knew I wasn’t looking into a mirror. I’d found Bri. I didn’t need to wonder if she felt the same way as she staggered toward me. We were both jelly-legged yet pulled together by the same strange force. The lights continued to flicker and the buzzing intensified. Then as suddenly as the buzzing started, my hearing turned inward as if the world had swallowed all sound. I couldn’t take my gaze from her eyes. Both of them were dark green, matching my left eye.

Mom’s face flashed before my eyes. The look of horror as she fought for control of the wheel. She turned in her seat and her face was my face. The face of the girl in front of me.

I grounded myself in the present and reached for the girl, needing to touch her. I needed to know that this was real.

And as our fingers brushed all sound returned forcefully. A crack like thunder shook the ground beneath us as I clasped her hand in mine. She returned the grip as something sharp hit my cheek. Her eyes bored into mine and at that distance I saw the faint outline of a contact lens in her left eye. I didn’t need to think about what color would lie under the lens because I knew it was blue. The only physical difference between me and this girl. A warmth spread through my body as if I’d been waiting for this moment my whole life. It was as if I was transported back to the day before Mom died, when the world was right and perfect.




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