And my world goes black.
Chapter one
Hunter
“We’re deeply saddened by the tragic events that took place last Friday night. Please be assured that here, at Willowbrook, we are dedicated and committed to supporting you.”
I’ve heard this speech at least a dozen times. To my father’s credit, he actually manages tosoundsincere. I guess practice does make perfect.
It’s clear by the bereft and frustrated glances that no one buys his act, though. The auditorium is packed with the entire student body of both Willowbrook and Cedar Heights.
While my Willowbrook classmates seem immune to the events, I can’t say the same for theother ones.
The Cedar Heights cohort looks worse for wear. Bexley’s bitch boy is sitting two rows in front of me, slightly to the right. Every so often he turns in his chair, glaring at me with such hatred that I have to stop myself from flipping him the bird. I understand he’s feeling big boy emotions, but frankly, this isn’t my fucking fault. And despite the grief they are all feeling, I won’t allow anyone to pin the blame on me.
Bexley was going into that building no matter what. If they thinkIcould have stopped her, then they didn’t know their precious leader at all.
Besides, I’m the one who got burned—literally. I swear I can still taste fucking ash on my tongue. I was also the one who got hospitalized for three days to treat smoke inhalation and minor burns. But yes… it’s allmyfault.
Next to me, Rylan’s fist clenches and unclenches on top of his leg. It’s the only reactive sign that gives away his true thoughts. To everyone else, he just looks bored and inconvenienced at having to be here. Though, perhaps there is some truth in that as well.
And to be fair, the same seems to be the case for Tai. Though, he’s spending way too much time observing his freshly painted black nails. It’s starting to come off as gauche. At least Sophia looks miserable. Surely that’s what they want to see.
Fuck. How did we gethere?
“More. You can take it.”
“I can’t.”
“Yes, you can. Come on, just a bit more in your mouth.”
There’s a clatter of metal as Peyton throws down her fork in frustration. I cock an eyebrow at her, leaning back and folding my arms expectedly for the incoming lecture.
“You’re being extra bossy today,” she huffs quietly. “I’m trying my best.”
“Are you?” I ask, softening my tone. “Because I think you’re struggling this week. And it’s fine if you are. But be honest with yourself, Peyton. There’s nothing wrong with admitting that it’s too much some days.”
“Every day is too much,” she murmurs. “But this week especially sucks.”
I nod. “One more forkful then we’ll call it a night.”
Peyton sighs, slowly picking up her discarded fork. I wait quietly, letting her go at her own pace. I’m pleased when she manages the last bite, pushing the plate away in dismissal. “Happy?”
“At you? Yes. With life? No.”
She snorts knowingly, a hint of sadness tainting her expression. “Uncle Marcus being insufferable as usual?”
“I’m going to let that one slide this time,” I grunt.
“Oh, please. He’s always been insufferable. Just because you choose to ignore it most of the time doesn’t make it any less real.”
I laugh gingerly. “As opposed to Aunt Cordelia?”
Peyton crosses her arms, offering me a sympathetic smile. “Mom is far worse than Uncle Marcus. The two of them are creatures of their own doing.”
I won’t admit this out loud, not even to Rylan or Tai, but the past few days, my father has really gotten under my skin. It’s starting to keep me awake all night, replaying his handling of this whole fucked up situation. I keep wondering if he’s always been like this and I’ve been blinded by my admiration of him and his status or whether he’s just becoming worse the longer we’re stuck with Cedar Heights at Willowbrook.
Either way, I cannot stand to be in the same room as him at the moment. It’s a constant façade of false narratives and performances. Every time I hear him talking about the situation as though it’s the worst thing to ever happen tohim, I just wantto promptly depart the safety of my gated community and get as far away from him as possible.