Tragic

Chapter Twenty-Eight: Glass Houses

Elliot

Winter break couldn't have come at a better time. The constant tension among my friends now is stifling to say the least. Who would've thought that my break-up with Judah would have so much effect on everyone when he isn't even here? It just goes to show how petty high school really is and how much I can't wait to be done with it.

I'm powering through the last hour of the day when Cameron breezes past my locker. I glance up from exchanging textbooks and see her come to a stop and turn around. I cast my eyes away from her, but she walks up to the locker beside mine and leans back against it.

I ignore her, continuing to rummage through my things and hoping she'll go away. I don't want to deal with whatever she has to say right now. My prayers go unanswered when she speaks.

"Didn't see you at Holden's last night. I take it you two are still fighting."

My hand pauses on my notebook, and I laugh under my breath. "Well, it was a Thursday, and I've been really busy with practice."

"Never stopped you before," she snaps back at me.

I close my locker hard and sling my bag over my shoulder. When I turn to face her, she flinches back, but I force a smile.

"Why do you care?"

She shrugs, clutching her Bio book to her chest. "I don't know. I've never seen you guys be so hostile toward each other."

"Well, he's being a dick so—"

I attempt to step around her, but she blocks my path. "Judah was there. He's home for break—but you probably didn't know that since you aren't talking to him either."

I grit my teeth. "What's your point, Cam?"

She stands up straighter. "He said he got into a fight with a couple of guys outside of the liquor store. Seems odd, but whatever right? Why would he lie?"

This conversation is beyond frustrating. If she's digging for dirt, she's not going to get it. "I have no idea."

"There's a lot of things you don't seem to know lately."

I cross my arms, losing every bit of patience I have left. "What's that supposed to mean?"

She leans in closer to me. "It seems Hunter has a mysterious cut on his lip the same week Judah gets the shit beat out of him."

My pulse skyrockets, bounding through my veins. I struggle to keep my face impassive. The last thing I want is for her to connect the two and get outed by my supposed best friend.

"Doesn't seem strange to me. Hunter and Ollie go out drinking all the time, and you know how they get."

She huffs under her breath. "He does live in your guest house now. It's awfully convenient that he moves in practically the moment Judah leaves for school."

"All right," I say, putting my hand up to stop her from talking anymore. "I'm done with the third degree. Judah and I are over, I'm not seeing anyone else, and I don't have time for this petty bullshit right now."

Cameron shifts around on her feet, and the tension subsides from her face. She looks almost sad for a moment.

"Well, I wouldn't have to make such leaps if you actually talked to me anymore."

I laugh once. "You're the one who's walking around pissed off for no reason." I throw my arm out to my side. "I don't even want Dylan, so if that's what this is about—"

"It's not," she says quickly, cutting me off. She tucks a long, red strand of hair behind her ear. "Not really. I just have no idea what's going on with you, and we used to be so close. It hurts, Elle."