Dear Diary

16. PROMISES

K E L L Y

"It won't stop," Derek says to me. "Every time I go to sleep it's the same nightmare over and over again."

I listen to him from across the table we're at in the grill. Not many people are dining at this time of night. Perfect for a lowkey rendezvous. Confessedly, I was shocked when he called and asked me to meet him here and even more shocked at the reason he wanted to.

"A nightmare where you kill your sister?" I say.

"Yeah . . . What's wrong with me, Kelly?" He rubs the back of his neck, eyes downcast. "You're into psychology and stuff, right? I thought you'd have an explanation."

"Have you talked to anyone else? Like your grief counselor? I'm sure she'd be able to offer a more professional opinion."

He buries his face in the palms of his hands, and for a second I think he's about to cry. "The grief counselor is the last person I want to express this shit to."

"Maybe it's a guilt thing," I spitball. "Did something happen between you two before she died? Maybe an argument?"

He raises his head. "Yeah, actually. But I don't remember what it was about. I just know I was mad at her. I've been trying to remember, but I just can't."

"You don't remember anything else?" I ask.

He frowns at me. "Why'd you say it like that?"

"Like what?"

"Like you think I know more than I'm telling you."

I frown back at him as the question wasn't meant to insinuate anything. "Derek, I was just asking—"

"Own it if that's what you think."

"It's not," I say. The first time Derek volunteers himself to be alone with me in forever, and I've somehow managed to affront him.

Why can't I get this right?

"You've got some nerve. You, of all people." He stands and pushes his chair in. He begins to walk past me but stops, leaning down to whisper in my ear. "Don't think I've forgotten that thing I've been keeping my mouth shut about."

Those are his parting words as he heads for the exit. Words that make my blood run cold.

***

J E R O M E

"You think your dad is D.T.?" Samara asks.

"It makes sense," I say. "He has motives. Sidney, for her knowledge of the affair. Tori, because she told me the truth and was gonna break it off with him."

"But why mess with us in the process? This is a grown man we're talking about. What does he get out of tormenting a bunch of high schoolers, including his son?"

"You think me being his son means anything after what he's done to me? I know it sounds out there, but we found notes in our lockers, and it's clear D.T. spends a lot of time watching us. Pops has the means to pull that off."

"So does any other student. Think about it, your first note was at the funeral. He wasn't there."

"Regardless, it's not out of the question."

She turns away and covers her mouth, staring blankly as gears turn in her head. After a minute she turns back to me. "Before we entertain that idea any further, let's discuss what happened to you."

"Fine," I say with a nod. "It started after Tori told me everything. I was staying with Ma."

***