a good idea?” she asked.
“Hell, yeah, it’s a great idea.” Daisy took her hands and spun her around.
Bursting out laughing, Tabitha felt a kick to her stomach. She missed her best friend being like this so much. One day soon, she was going to get to the bottom of what was going on inside that head of hers.
“We can’t stay too long,” she said, being the voice of reason for a change.
Daisy snorted. “Come on, it’s going to be a lot of fun. I can’t wait.” She let out a whoop, spinning around, and Anthony caught her.
“No more alcohol for you,” Miles said.
“Spoilsport. For the first time in like forever, I’m being fun and you guys want to take it away from me. No fun at all.” She blew a raspberry.
After climbing into Anthony’s car, Miles settled in the back to keep an eye on Daisy. They took off out of the school and the moment the building was behind them, she took a deep breath. They’d made it through Halloween without a single fight or problem. Progress.
They were headed just out of town toward the small lake that was often the site for families. There were always some kids who parked not too far to make out as it was secluded by the local woods and wildlife. Fort Wills had tried to build itself in the past few years as some kind of wildlife expert, especially since The Skulls hadn’t brought any real trouble to town.
Anthony parked and out they all went. Blaise, Constance, Markus, Damien, and John also joined. Rachel and Simon weren’t too far behind either.
John set up a small fire while Simon produced more alcohol. When he went to give the whiskey bottle to Daisy, Anthony took it from him, offering her some soda instead. Markus turned up the music from one of the cars, and that was it, they were all on their feet, dancing around the campfire. Along with Daisy, Tabitha kicked off her shoes.
Letting the music fill the night air, Tabitha threw her hands up in the air, closed her eyes, swayed her hips, and just let go.
There was no trouble, no danger, no acts, just her. She didn’t have to worry about what the future was going to hold.
She was just a singular person.
Daisy started singing along to the words and Tabitha burst out laughing, joining her. Gravitating toward her, they held hands, screaming out the words, slowing down, staring into each other’s eyes. The grass felt so good between their toes. When the song went loud and shouted, they joined in, stamping their food, emphasizing what they were doing and then both burst out laughing as the song ended and another started.
Taking a deep breath, they collapsed on the ground as the others continued to dance and drink.
“Thank you,” Daisy said.
“What for?”
“For making me come out tonight. I loved it.”
They were laid out on the ground and Tabitha was aware Anthony watched Daisy. He never stopped, not since they were a kid.
Turning her head, she stared at her friend, kissing her cheek. “Anytime. Tomorrow, you’re going to tell me why you’re always so sad.”
Daisy sighed and tears sprang to her eyes. She licked her lips. “It’s him again. He is…” She sniffed. “I don’t want Whizz to hate having me. I know I’m not a great kid, nothing special.”
Tabitha cupped her face. “Shut up. Don’t start. Don’t even for a second think like that. You’re amazing. Whizz and Lacey know how good and lucky they are to have you.”
Daisy nodded but the tears started to fall and then she curled up in a ball and started to sob.
Sitting up, Tabitha pulled her onto her lap and stroked her hair. “I’ve got you.”
“I’m sorry.”
“It’s fine.”
“No, it’s not. I can’t stand it, Tabs. Whenever my cell phone rings, I’m scared. I can’t stand him. I don’t want him to be around me anymore. Can’t he just leave me alone? I’ve done nothing to him and all he keeps doing is invading my peace. I don’t know how much I can take.”
Tabitha stroked her hair, holding her close. Staring across at Anthony, there was no doubt in her mind what was going to happen. He watched Daisy.
There was nothing different about his face, but something in his eyes flashed. He’d heard Daisy’s confession, the pain in her voice. The grief and the finality to her. Her father, the man who’d donated sperm, he was going to get one hell of a visit, but she