Abandon Me

September 26: Ask Tori to drive me halfway across the country

I felt like a child on Christmas day when Tori handed me the 30 bucks I earned. Jay and I didn't finish the whole list until everyone was asleep, so she gave it to us the next morning.

"And here's your 30," she said happily, handing it to Jay.

"Thanks." He didn't seem too thrilled about the money, which probably meant that he was still going to give it to me.

Just in case he was doubting me though, I asked Tori, "Can we do this again next week?"

She looked surprised but gave me a thumbs up. "You don't even have to ask, Spunky."

"Mom!" Josie yelled at Tori from outside. "We need help with this plant!" Her and Izzy were gardening, which was something I was glad not to be a part of.

"Coming!" She shouted back.

Once she was out the door, Jay gave me his money. "You better help next week like you promised. Now go sneak it in Josie's room and pay back the money before she comes inside."

"Fine, fine." I made sure Josie was occupied, then sneakily went to her room and checked under her bed for the red box.

Panic settled in me when it wasn't there though, so I wasn't sure what to do. I searched the places I had looked the first time, but it was nowhere. At least ten minutes had gone by and I still couldn't find the box.

"Screw it." I tossed the money on her bed, not caring if I was going to have to come clean about the truth later. However, the cash landed by her pillow, and I suddenly remembered a memory of my brother.

"That's my candy, not yours! Give it back!"

"It was going to melt under your pillow anyway."

"Leo, give it!"

"Nope, just consider this your birthday present to me."

"You're a jerk!"

I lifted up Josie's pillows and felt a small object lodged into the pillowcase. Like I suspected, it was the box. "Score!"

I quickly grabbed the money to put in the box, but as soon as I did, I heard Josie scream, "You bitch!"

I was so close to victory. I was guilt-free for six seconds before a sinking feeling washed over me again. "I was giving it to you, I swear."

Josie was so mad that she couldn't think of words to say. She stormed over to me and yanked at my wrist so the money would be forced out of my hand. I winced from the pain of my wrist, and no amount of guilt could erase the hatred I felt for her in that moment. "I admit that I took it, is that what you want? But that was like a week ago, and now I'm giving it back!"

"Yeah, right." She completely ignored what I said, but at least she was calmer. "You know, I actually started trusting you because you didn't tell Tori about the stuff you heard at school, but clearly, I was wrong."

Her tone made me think that she was being cool-headed, but Josie was being arrogant. She put the money in the box, then continued what she was saying. "I've been saving up to go to Italy since I was nine, just so you're aware of what you almost took away. I hope you rot in hell."

"I'm already there," I automatically replied as I examined my hurt wrist.

We both heard someone rush up the stairs, and Josie smiled, knowing who it was. "Time for your punishment."

I gave her the same evil smile. "I guess it's time for me to tell Tori the shit you've done with those boys."

I could plainly see that she was contemplating her decision, but she didn't have long to think about it.