Chapter2
I had barely stepped out of the pharmacy when I heard whispers behind me.
“Just like a hooker.”
“She looked so sweet… But…Unbelievable.”
Their words lashed across my face like a whip, burning hot from my cheeks all the way to my chest.
I hurried away, clutching the paper bag, my vision blurring. At the bus stop, I washed down the
white pill with a bottle of water.
I drank too fast. The water caught in my throat, and I started coughing so hard my eyes watered.
“Sierra!”
Chase came running up, out of breath, worry etched into every feature.
“Why’d you leave the hotel without telling me? I texted, I called. Where have you been?”
The way he said it–like I was the one being cruel–it almost made me laugh.
Almost.
But all I felt was this sharp, twisting ache in my
chest.
“I went to buy emergency contraception,” I said, holding up the now–empty pill box.
His expression faltered. Embarrassment crept into his eyes.
“You could’ve told me. Or let me go get it. I was worried.”
I didn’t want to argue over this. “It won’t happen again.”
He sensed something was off. He reached for my hand. “I’m sorry I lost control last night. I’ll be
more careful next time.”
Then he smiled. “Hey, the Class President is throwing a graduation party at Capital Square. Come
with me?”
I pulled my hand back. “No one knows we’re together. It’s better if we go separately.”
Chase stiffened. After a moment, he nodded.
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“Okay. I’ll grab a cab.”
I didn’t reply. I just got on the next bus.
He had promised we’d go public after the SATs.
But for the past few days, while he chatted away in the group chat, not once had he mentioned me.
And I’d already seen the truth in that secret text thread with his friends.
There was no relationship to announce.
By the time I got to the private dining room at Capital Square, the place was packed.
Maddie, dressed in a pink Lolita–style dress, sat surrounded like some Disney princess. Chase was
right next to her, peeling cherries and handing them to her one by one.
A few classmates started teasing, “Chase, you’ve been so good to the Prom Queen all year. You better shoot your shot before college. Once you get to Columbia, there’ll be too many options!”
Everyone had seen how good Chase was to Maddie.
Even though he was secretly dating me, publicly, he was always by Maddie’s side–helping her clean up after class, saving her a spot in the lunch line, carrying her books.
He was even the one who rallied the guys to vote her Prom Queen.
But we were twins. We looked almost identical.
Back then, he’d explained, “Maddie’s got a weaker constitution. People tend to bully her. You’re stronger, Sierra. You have me.”
I actually believed it. I believed he loved me so much, he was kind to my sister too.
Looking back now, I was embarrassingly naive. How could I have missed such a lame excuse?
I pushed the door open and walked in.
Chase looked up. His expression didn’t change–not even a flicker of guilt.
Maddie immediately stood and rushed to my side. “Sierra! You didn’t come home last night. Mom and Dad were freaking out. Where were you?”
Everyone turned to look at me, whispering behind their drinks.
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“Seriously? Hooking up with someone the night after SATs? Yikes.”
“Thought she was a brainiac. Guess she’s wild behind the scenes.”
Maddie wore a look of innocent concern, but her eyes gleamed with satisfaction.
I saw right through her.
“It’s none of your business,” I said calmly, trying to walk past her.
But she latched onto my arm like a loving little sister. “Sit next to me. The seat is available.”
She tugged a little too hard, and my collar slipped.
The marks Chase had left on me the night before were on full display–bruised and violet, unmistakable.
Maddie gasped. “Sierra, what happened to you?”
Every gaze in the room locked onto me–shocked, curious, judgmental.
“So much for the innocent honor student…”
“Jesus, how rough was it? Look at those hickeys.”
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“She’s not even dating anyone, is she? Must’ve been some random hookup after finals.”
Face burning, I yanked my collar back into place and turned instinctively toward Chase.
He didn’t even look at me.
He was still talking with Maddie, his face soft, gentle… like none of this had anything to do with
- him.
My heart hardened.
“It’s nothing,” I said coolly. “Got bit by a dog. I’m allergic.”
A worthless stray dog, at that.
Chapter2
