T hat text shattered something inside me, but I don’t think it broke me. In fact, I was fuming with toxic rage by the time I made it out to my car. Of course, when the engine wouldn’t turn over, I veered toward losing my shit. Then Reece and Everette came over to check on me and I broke down. Collapsed. Cried in front of them .

They were both kind, despite the fact that they had to deal with a sobbing girl. Everette in particular was sweet. It was nice. It really was. To be able to cry in front of someone. And I love that he helped me to his car and is giving me a ride to … well, I’m not sure, since I said I was too afraid to go home. My guess is his place .

Afraid .

Afraid .

Afraid .

I’m so sick of being afraid. And I don’t want to have to be around a guy—or anyone for that matter—just to feel safe. I want to be able to take care of myself. Live in a world where this shit with Travis and his friends can’t happen .

That also doesn’t necessarily mean I want to do this alone .

After blinking the tears away, I turn toward Everette. “Actually, do you mind dropping me off somewhere ?”

He gives me a concerned sidelong glance. “I’m not sure if you should be alone right now .”

His statement is a bit odd. Sure, I just cried in front of him, but he has no idea why, nor does he know me well enough to be so concerned. Perhaps he thinks I want him to drop me off at my place after just admitting I don’t feel safe there. Which I don’t. Not after receiving that message .

Afraid .

Afraid .

Afraid .

“I won’t be alone. I’ll be with a friend.” I retrieve my phone from my pocket, my finger hovering over her contact, the girl from the list that I recognize .

How do I even begin with this? With telling her what I went through then asking if anything similar happened to her ?

“I can drop you off at your friends,” Everette responds hesitantly. “But I just want you to know that you’re more than welcome to hang at my place if you need somewhere to stay where you feel safe .”

I force a smile as I meet his gaze. “I appreciate the offer—I really do—but I’d really just like to go to my friend’s for now. I need to talk to her about something anyway .”

He nods with reluctance then turns the car around after I give him my friend’s address .

As we drive to her place in silence, I send her a text, asking if I can come over. She instantly replies, telling me absolutely with an exclamation point at the end. I wonder if her happiness is fake, or maybe I’m wrong about the meaning of the list. Still, the names play on repeat in my head, each one engraved in my mind .

Isabella Anders

Ashlynn Wynterland

Clarissa Kensington

Annabella Baker

Kinslee Hartertonlend

Lily Monreofend

Ireland Harliforson

And then the girl whose house I’m going to. Her name is etched into my broken soul .

God, please let me be wrong about this. Please say she hasn’t gone through what I did .

By the time Everette stops the car, I’m all sorts of worked up, my body shivering as if I’m cold .

“Are you sure you’re going to be okay?” Everette asks as he shoves the shifter into park and glances at the two- story home .

I nod, unfastening my seatbelt. “I’ll be safe here, I promise.” I reach for the door handle, willing my voice to come out evenly. “And sorry about all the crying.” I glance back and forth between Reece and Everette. “I feel really silly now .”

“You don’t need to feel silly,” Reece promises me with a kind smile. “But can you do one thing for me .”

Even though I barely know him, I find myself nodding . “Sure .”

He slants forward. “Make sure to sign up for those self-defense classes .”

I nod, more than happy to do so. I grab my bag and start to get out when Everette places a gentle hand on my arm, not really grabbing me, but trying to get my attention—I think he caught on to my repulsion of being grabbed. I like him a tiny bit more for making sure not to grab me anymore. Although, he let me grab the shit out of him as I sobbed into his shirt .

Poor guy .

I’d probably feel more stupid if he hadn’t admitted to me that he once had a breakdown .

I may have despised him when I first ran into him, but I think my initial assessment stemmed from my general irritation toward guys in general. Not Everette in particular .

I need to try to be nicer to him .

“Can I give you my number?” Everette asks as I meet his gaze. His lips quirk. “I swear I’m not hitting on you right now. I just want you to have it in case you need anything .”

I nod shakily. “All right.” I type his number into my phone as he prattles off the digits. Then I do something I haven’t done since that night. I send him a text so he’ll have my number, as well .

He smiles when my message pings through. “Thanks .”

I’m not sure why he’s thanking me, but I offer him the smallest of smiles then hop out of the car .

I briefly hesitate before forcing myself to move forward—toward her house. My legs are wobbly by the time I reach her front porch, and my hand trembles as I knock .

Moments later, Willow opens the door with a cheery smile on her face. Her hair is twisted into a messy bun and she’s dressed in her usual, laid-back style, wearing jeans and a plaid shirt over a black shirt .

“I’m so glad you’re here. It feels like forever since we’ve hung out .”

I wish I could let her keep smiling. I wish I could procrastinate this for a bit. But, as I’ve learned, procrastination can turn into a two-month long silence .

“I have to ask you something,” I say nervously. “It’s about … why your name’s on a no-entry list at The Silver Glass Box .”

Just like that, her smile fizzles, her eyes flickering with rage .

She swallows hard. “How do you know about that ?”

“I went there last night, and they wouldn’t let me in. The bouncer showed me a list, and your name was on it.” It’s the most truthful I’ve been in months .

“Your name’s on it, too?” she asks, and I nod. An unsteady breath puffs from her lips as she peers around then motions me inside. “Come in, and I’ll tell you what happened. But I want to hear why you’re on the list , too .”

My stomach ravels with knots. Vomit burns at my throat. But I suck it back this time and step inside, planning to tell her everything .

Planning to tell the truth .

I just hope that we can figure out a way to stop this from happening again. To stop Travis and his friends from having so much power .

Revenge .

Revenge .

Revenge .

To maybe get revenge for us all .