Blood Money (1) | The Inheritance Games

XLVI. haunted

"Can't turn back now, I'm haunted."

I woke up after my first day back at school, yesterday's makeup still on my face, smeared around a little. I reach for my phone, then a voice travels through the vents of my room. 

"How did I know that'd be the first thing you'd do when you woke up?" 

I jump in surprise, looking around to find the source. I scowl when I realize it's Jameson, standing in the tunnel of my vents. Like a ninja, he drops down, landing the 12ft drop without even a wobble.

"Spiderman would be proud." I scoff, pulling my sheets off and tossing my phone back on my beds, heading to the mirror to look at myself.

"And how did I know that'd be what you'd do next." My brother frowns, watching my eyes scan over myself in the mirror.

"I'm a teenager in the 21st century. Sue me." I say monotonously. 

"Speaking of suing.. The court case?" Jameson starts sensitively. "What about it?" I sigh, knowing based off his face that something's going on.

"Everyone knows. News broke late last night and it quickly spread to media sources... In short, everyone's talking about it." My brother tells me blatantly.

I take a deep breath, nodding. It was coming. I knew everyone would find out at some point. I knew it would be soon. That still doesn't change the worry in my chest.

"Okay.. and what's the general consensus?" I ask, holding my breath in anticipation. The silence in turn speaks enough volume. 

"Right." I nod with realization. Not unexpected, but still disappointing. "No phones for a while, okay?" Jameson suggests with a gentle smile.

"Got it." I nod. "Take the day off if you want." He finishes, walking out. When he's gone, I open my phone. 

I glance at all the articles, skimming over the comments. An even split of genuine shocked, saddened and sympathetic comments, and the vipers of the world, stating i'm lying, attention seeking and looking for money now that the old man has disinherited me. 

The thought occurs to me, I'd probably get a lot of money if I won this court case. But the thought doesn't bring me joy. Not at all. I don't want money. Money wouldn't make me feel better. All I want is justice. So I text my lawyers group chat, stating simply that if I'm asked if I want to sue him on top of the charges, I'll sue him, but only for a dollar. I saw Taylor Swift do that once, and it felt so empowering. And only now do I realize it was the most reasonable decision.

I rush to get dressed for the day, making my hair pin straight. I wear my uniform, with a luxurious purse and heels. I apply some makeup, not too much, but just enough.

I head down the staircase and see my brothers at the bottom. Jameson and Xander are talking to Avery, mumbling things I can't hear from over here. 

"You're coming?" Jameson cocks a brow. "Why would I not be?" I furrow my brows. He just raises his hands in surrender, telling me to go ahead. 

The stares in the corridors eat me alive. The whispers haunt me like ghosts. They pretend not to do it. They pretend that they're reading or texting like I can't see their eyes glued to me. I don't care. I don't let myself care. If I care, it'll show. I carry my shoulders high, my face unfaltering. 

My teachers are as sympathetic as they were yesterday when they all separately found out. The whispers tell me there's a staff meeting after school about whether he's allowed to teach or not during the time of the court case.