Chapter
Thirty
People stare as I walk down the hall Monday morning. I can feel their eyes on me as I move past them, and I keep my posture straight, my head held high as I go to my locker, even though my knees are quaking. No one speaks to me, not even a random hi tossed carelessly in my direction. They all keep a wide berth, as if they’re afraid to get too close.
I guess I can’t blame them. I’m the girl who found Dani and Courtney—well, Cass and I found them. I’m also the girl who’s linked to every single one of the victims. I don’t think anyone suspects me, though. I mean, come on, it’s Courtney who did it.
It has to be.
“Hey.” I feel a large hand touch my shoulder just after I get my locker open, and I whirl around, relieved when I discover it’s Cass. “You didn’t text me this morning.”
“I was supposed to text you?” I frown, fighting the guilt. It was so nice, having him spend time with my parents and me last night. They were wary at first, but they warmed up to him quickly. He was polite and respectful, seemed genuinely interested in what they had to say, and I know he was interested in everything I had to say, too. We even laughed a few times.
And that explosive good night kiss he gave me on the porch just before he left made my toes curl.
“I figured you would.” He’s frowning, his thick, dark brows knitting together. “I don’t like the idea of you coming to school alone.”
“My dad dropped me off. I still don’t have my car back from the police.” It’s kind of annoying, how the cops are keeping it as evidence, but I guess I understand why. My dad swore he’d get it back by the end of the day, and I hope he’s successful. No way do I want to be dependent on my dad for a ride.
Though really, I’d rather lose my car for a while than my life forever, so I need to get over myself.
“Oh, good.” The relief on his face is evident. “Wait, not that the police still have your car, but that your dad drove you.”
“You approve of my having a chaperone?”
“I can’t help it. I worry about you, especially after everything that’s happened.” He steps closer to me, speaking low so no one else can hear. “I’ll take you home, though. And tomorrow, we’re riding together, even if you do have your car back by then. I’ll come pick you up.”
“But that’s a total pain in the butt for you.” He’d have to drive past campus to get me. We live in opposite directions of the school. “I can drive myself.”
Cass shakes his head, his expression firm. “I’ll drive you. I don’t mind.” When I open my mouth to argue, he cuts me off. “Come on, Pen. Let me do this one thing for you.”
“Okay.” I like how protective he is. He wants to watch over me, and right now, I need that. It’s like I have no one on my side. All my friends are gone. There’s no one else but my family and Cass. And my family can’t follow me to school every day.
So I’m going to need to start counting on Cass—and myself.
I can handle this. I have to.
“Did you see the news report this morning about Courtney?” he asks.
I shake my head, fighting the nerves that have suddenly taken residence in my stomach.
He pulls his phone out of his pocket and taps at the screen, pulling up the video before he hands it to me. I watch in dull horror, my mind cataloging all the images but not really hearing what the reporter is saying. There are clips from the most recent crime scene—Courtney’s house—featuring lots of yellow tape and flashing red and blue lights streaking across the dark night sky. Dani’s school photo from last year appears, as do Gretchen’s and Lex’s. Then they show Courtney’s senior photo—of course her photo is more current. She looks beautiful.
Perfect.
My stomach churns.
“Cape Bonita Prep senior Courtney Jenkins was released from the hospital yesterday afternoon, upon which she returned to her family’s residence. The police have been mum in regards to Jenkins’s involvement in the three recent murders, but Jenkins hasn’t been officially dismissed as a suspect, either. We’re keeping close watch on this situation, and will report as soon as we learn new details.”
The video ends.
So she’s home. I wonder if the detectives spoke to her. I wonder what she said. I wonder why the hell she’s not behind bars.
I wonder if she’s going to get away with murder.
“That was depressing,” I tell Cass when I hand him back his phone. “A known lunatic is now wandering the streets. What’s it going to take to lock her up for good, huh? Another murder? Do I have to die in order for Courtney to finally pay for what she’s done?”
Cass sends me an incredulous look. “Are you serious right now? Come on, Pen.”
“Isn’t that how the judicial system works in America?” I slam my locker door shut and turn to face him once more, lowering my voice. “I’m freaking out, Cass. Everyone who’s died is a Lark. Even if Courtney isn’t the murderer, it still means only Court and me are left. I’m a target.”
“I agree. You’re definitely a target,” he says firmly. “Whoever’s doing this seems focused on the most popular girls in the senior class. Or they’re after the most beautiful girls. Hell, I don’t know. None of this makes any sense. But I do know one thing.” He hesitates, then goes for it. “Courtney didn’t do this.”
I glare at him. “You don’t know her. You don’t know anything about her.”
“I know more than you think,” he says somberly. “We have a past. She’s my friend. We went to rehab together.”
My mouth drops open. Rehab? And the secrets just keep on coming. “Are you for real right now?”
Cass shrugs, looking irritable. “What’s the big deal? You know we had a past. Well, there it is. My secret shame, along with Courtney’s. We went to rehab together. We supported each other. We haven’t seen each other as much lately, but I want to do the right thing.”
“And what’s that?” I ask, my voice a tiny whisper.
“Talk to her. Make sure she’s okay. Make everything between us right.” His mouth goes firm. “She was acting so crazy, and at one point, I truly believed she was the killer. But there’s just…no way it could be her. I know Courtney. She can be rotten, and selfish, but she’s not a murderer. I feel bad that I suspected her at first, so I need to make amends. She’s always stood by me in the past, so I want to stand by her.”
Dude. I can’t freaking believe it. Why does he care if she’s okay or not? Why does he feel the need to make “it” right? What exactly is he talking about?
No one I know.
“You can’t talk to her,” I tell him.
He frowns. “Why the hell not?”
“She’s deranged. Delusional. She’ll work her way into your brain and convince you that you shouldn’t see me anymore.”
Cass literally scoffs. “Give me a break. She wouldn’t do that.”
“She so would.”
“I won’t let her.”
“Trust me. She can be very convincing.”
“Are you calling me weak?”
Oh. He sounds pissed now. “No. I never said you were weak. Don’t put words in my mouth.”
“I can talk to whoever I want, Pen. Courtney was my friend before I really even knew you.”
“So she matters more to you than I do.” Okay, now I sound like a jealous, crazed girlfriend. Maybe I’m the one who’s deranged. Clearly I’m not thinking straight.
“Now who’s putting words in someone’s mouth?” Cass says snidely.
Blowing out a breath, I start walking down the hall, Cass right along beside me. “Go away,” I tell him, as if he’s an annoying bug. “I need to get to class.” If we keep this up, I’m going to start crying, and I promised myself I would stay strong today.
“You really want to end it like this?”
I come to a stop, as does he, and people pass us by, in a hurry to get into their seats before the first period bell rings. “End it? What do we have that’s even started?”
My words hurt him. I can see it in the way he flinches ever so slightly, and by the quick flicker of emotion in his gaze. “I think we both need to cool off.”
“Yeah, maybe you should go cool off with Courtney. Your very dearest, closest friend.” I really need to shut up. “Though from what we saw Friday night, I think she’s a better expert at heating things up.” Oh, that was petty and rude, but it’s all I’ve got, and I’m freaking mad.
I don’t give him a chance to speak. Instead, I storm off, ignoring Cass when he calls my name. I don’t even bother looking back. I can’t believe he’s siding with Courtney. So what if he’s known her longer than me? I’ve known her longer than pretty much everyone in my life besides my family, and while I originally believed no way was she capable of hurting someone physically, now I can believe it.
And I believe she did it.
“Penelope.” A female voice calls my name when I walk past, and I’m so startled I turn and look for her, slamming my backpack into someone’s side as I do.
“Watch it,” the guy mutters before he stalks off.
“Penelope! Over here!” I finally find the source and it takes everything I have not to roll my eyes. Even in my anger and fear, I can turn on bitch mode with the flip of a switch.
Something I’m not really proud of, either. A few weeks ago, I would’ve flipped them total attitude. Now I just want to ignore them. Pretend they don’t even exist. Neither option is nice, though, is it?
Alyssa and Maggie, two of my junior Larks, are standing by the lockers, nervous smiles on their faces. They look downright excited to see me and as I approach, I note the way they both stand up straighter, as if they’re presenting themselves to me.
This, I can appreciate. This, I understand. Maybe I really am the queen bee, not Courtney. This is my school.
And I’m not about to let Courtney Jenkins and her evil, psycho ways ruin everything.
“We’ve been so worried about you,” Alyssa breathes, her dark brown eyes wide and her entire demeanor dramatic. “But you look great! Your hair is so shiny this morning.”
I hate that they’re trying so hard to please me. “You could’ve called,” I remind them. “Or texted. Or Snapchatted. Or sent me a DM on Twitter or Instagram—”
“We get it,” Maggie interrupts, her expression immediately contrite when I glare at her. “Our bad for not reaching out to you. But we were scared! Everything that’s happened is straight out of a scary movie!”
“We’re…afraid for you, Penelope,” Alyssa adds, her tone much more sincere. “You’re a senior, you’re in charge of the Larks, and we admire you so much! We just don’t want anything awful to happen to you.”
“I appreciate that,” I tell them quietly, meaning every word I say. “Really.”
I’m scared—and I firmly believe Courtney is a direct threat. Yet Cass wants to hang out with her. Forgive and stand by her, or whatever crazy thing he said. I don’t get it.
I don’t get him.
“Let’s call a meeting,” I tell the girls, making their eyes go wide. “Today, after school. In our usual spot at the usual time.”
“Are you…sure?” Alyssa asks hesitantly.
I nod. “We can discuss what needs to happen next. Maybe we should disband. At the very least, go on a temporary hiatus. I don’t know. But we need to talk.”
“Sounds good,” Maggie says cheerily right as the last bell rings. “See ya later, Penelope!”
I watch them go, not caring that I’m late. Like any teacher is going to give me a tardy notice today.
I’m practically a walking dead girl. Who’s going to give me shit after I’ve lost three of my very best friends?