Hay Creek

Chapter 24.

"Are you having dinner at home tonight?" my mom asked, leaning against the doorframe of my bedroom. I knew she wasn't just asking about dinner. I hadn't been home much lately, spending days away and barely giving her any time. It was her way of saying she missed me, that she wanted things to go back to how they were before I got wrapped up with Kai and the others. And don't get me wrong—I wanted that too. It's just... there's been so much going on.

I finished taming my curls and turned to face her. My mom had this way of keeping everything together, even when things were tough or she was hurting. "I've got a free day," I said. "How about we go to the mall after school?"

Her face brightened with a smile. "I'd love that. And you'll be home for dinner?"

I smiled back. "Yes, I'll be home for dinner."

Her smile widened even more. "Okay, darling."

*

"You just had to make a fool of yourself, huh?" Madison sneered as she and her group strutted past us in the hallway. She was referring to Daphne, who had messed up her part during drama class.

Daphne rolled her eyes. "And you just had to open that horse-sized mouth of yours."

Quinn and I couldn't help but laugh. Where did she even come up with this stuff?

"My what?!" Madison snapped. "Shut up, Lawson, you pig."

Daphne didn't miss a beat. "The only pig around here is you, Madison."

"Exactly," Quinn chimed in, "so why don't you trot along with that big Barbie head of yours?"

Madison's face twisted with rage, and she dropped her bag, lunging straight for Quinn. Daphne grabbed Madison by the shoulder, trying to pull her off, but then Madison's friends—Samantha, Abigail, and Ashley—jumped into the fray.

Is this really happening? I thought, shaking my head in disbelief. This is ridiculous. I stepped in, trying to push Samantha off Daphne, when a voice broke through the chaos.

"Hey! Hey!" It was Kai. I let go of Samantha and turned to see him, Lachlan, and Greyson stepping in to stop the fight.

"What's going on here?" Kai asked, looking around at the mess.

"You alright?" Marley asked, coming up beside me.

I nodded. "Yeah, I'm fine. It all started when Madison decided to attack Quinn."

"Let go of me!" Madison screeched, still thrashing in Lachlan's grip. "I'll bury you in the ground, you stupid b—"

Lachlan shook her, looking at her like she'd lost her mind. "Calm down."

"Get off me, jerk!" Madison yelled again.

"Yeah, let her go!" Abigail spat, glaring at Lachlan.

He released Madison and gave her a little shove toward her friends. "Get out of here."

I crossed my arms and scanned the scene. A crowd had gathered to watch the spectacle, including Evan and his crew. He stood there with a smug grin plastered on his face, watching me like he knew something. For a second, I almost wondered if he had orchestrated the whole thing, but knowing Madison, she didn't need anyone's help to stir up trouble.

Evan gave a small nod, as if signaling his group to leave, and turned to walk away, his friends trailing behind him. I let out a heavy sigh, and Kai glanced over at me, clearly noticing the frustration.

"I still want to kill her," Daphne muttered as she flipped open her math book.

"I get it, but we're not doing that again," I said firmly.