It's been five years since the sudden disappearance of Cora Cadigan's mother. Five years since the case was closed before it even began.
In the final summer before the end of high school, Cora knows it's her last opportunity to find the answers she...
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"You what?"
Dad has retired to his bedroom for the night. Usually, he'd never make it past the couch, so I was slightly in awe.
When my friends came over, I was glad that I didn't have to see their pitied expressions as they watched my father with bleak disapproval.
We were currently all sitting on the beach, huddled together for warmth. We each had a blanket thrown over our shoulders, tucked tightly around us.
The sun had set minutes ago, the orange tinge still present on the horizon. This was one of my favourite parts of summer. Watching the sun go down from the beach.
Dory was currently staring at me, jaw slack. Wesley was shaking his head, watching Ryan in his periphery. Cameron was talking quietly to Tea. And there was no way I could even look at what Ryan was doing right now.
"Rhys came by today," I repeat, quietly.
I knew my friends would be scornful. Rightfully so. We'd grown up knowing our place in New River and now Rhys was jumping over the line like he could rule both sides.
"CeCe—"
"Look," I interrupt Theodore, "it doesn't even matter. We ended up fighting and he left. No big deal."
"No big deal?" Ryan snaps.
When I meet his eyes, I notice that he's burning with fury. He clenches the sand with his hands, letting it get carried away in the wind.
I could tell it was taking everything in him to remain calm right now and the last thing I wanted was to have another fight with someone today.
I watch him with trepidation, carefully choosing my words. "Ry, it's over. He won't be helping me anymore."
"The fact that he was even helping you in the first place just—"
"Seriously?" Teagan sighs. "If it wasn't for him, she wouldn't have gotten her mum's file."
"Are you defending him?" Dory accuses, glaring at Tea.
"No," Teagan sighs. "I hate the guy as much as any of you. I just think that in certain situations, we need to give credit where credit is due."
