future for myself, one in which I was enrolled at a prestigious college far removed from Shepherd’s Bay.
I figured that since I’d gone this far, I might as well come to grips with Willow stealing Julian from me. After all, he wasn’t my type. He was rich and artsy and from the other side of town, and I was an old soul. Willow seemed far better suited for him than did I. Sometimes things just weren’t meant to be.
Behind the door on the right, I heard two people whispering as they engaged in a heated discussion. What were they arguing about this late at night? I cupped my ear to the door and stood on wobbly legs. Heard muted words that shocked me—words such as pregnant, fetus, and abortion—and something about how this didn’t feel right.
Goddamned Julian! He’d gotten Willow pregnant. Tears spilled from my eyes. No wonder she’d dragged him away from me. She was carrying his baby. Was Julian trying to force her to abort it? It had to be the reason she’d been so upset that night.
Why did I care? It wasn’t my problem. And why was I always playing second fiddle to others and helping them with their problems? I had my own problems to deal with, and yet I was always coming in second to all the kids in school who were smarter, better looking, and more talented than I. Always second to Raisin, whom my parents doted on because of his illness. Even in my relationship with Drew, it felt as if I’d settled for less than I deserved.
But what did I deserve? Other than earning good grades, I hadn’t done anything in my life deserving of much attention. Who was I? Katie Eaves: a completely average girl who deserved shit. I’d never done anything special to cause good things to come my way. So why should I care now?
Furious at my shortcomings—and at myself—I lifted the putter off my shoulder and opened the door, fully prepared to inflict pain. I flicked on the switch and stepped back from the jarring sensation of light. My anger came rushing back in one fell swoop. I saw his surprised face turn toward me. My stomach rumbled, and for a second, I thought I might puke. Willow screamed as I staggered forward, bile in my throat, the putter held over my head. She pulled the sheet up to cover herself. Rage filled me, and I swung wildly at the blanket, which he held up to protect them. I heard shouts and shrieks as I swung the club again and again before dropping it and taking off, in tears, down the hallway.
* * *
My phone’s GPS leads me to a dirt road off the main artery. Then it stops. I never knew this dirt lane existed. Then again, I have hardly ever come this way. This long winding road, taken to its conclusion, ends at Harper’s Point.
I turn onto the narrow dirt lane and cruise down it, glad that my dad purchased a truck with four-wheel drive. There’s barely enough room for this pickup to navigate. Bushes and tree branches swipe against the side of the truck. Mice and bats are outlined in the high-beam lights. How far must I travel before I reach my destination? I know I should be scared, but I’m not.
The lane finally opens up to a clearing. A pickup truck bigger than my dad’s sits parked in front of a simple log cabin. I perform a U-turn so that I’m facing the way I came in, in the event I need to make a quick getaway.
A light is on inside the cabin. My mood brightens at the prospect of seeing my best friend again. Why she’s at this location, I have no idea. Is someone holding her captive? Is she hiding from someone? I tell myself to let bygones be bygones. Julian means nothing to me now. I remember Willow’s pregnancy, wondering what decision she’ll make about the life in her belly. After our senior year, we’ll both be off to college and on our divergent paths. Surviving my last year of high school will be my only goal in life, with or without Willow, but hopefully with her. All my other friendships have been burned, never to be rebuilt. It will be either enjoying a fun senior year with Willow or enduring high school alone.
I grab the Glock, stick it in my jacket, climb out of the pickup, and head toward the