Uncle Jason suggests, tryin

to stop any arguments. "I'll st

me close, leading me out of the room. As we walk, he makes me laugh with a sto

d myself smiling, even if Aunt Kate watches me with

ate. "Maybe a little yoga would help with my

r girl time. I'm sorry work

bly for the best. Too much 'girl time'

l, and Uncle Jason gives my shoulders a light massage. "

ebrow. "This isn't a f

ink, "By the way, I got tickets for the Ars

ll team or some of the people on it, I love watching games. U

or some silly game," Aunt Kate warns, thoug

the fridge for dinner ingredients. For a moment, I f

ight thinking about what happened yesterday and almost talked myself ou

o school, head held high. The usu

me. Yesterday's events play over in my mind. My hands sta

e my phone, I'd tried calling her from home, but she didn't pick up. I f

, and a chill runs down my spine. My memory rep

here. I frown, wondering if Maxwell did something

turn and bump right

Liam's voice is smug, as if

nt to scream. I step back, putting some

ning wouldn't help. If I tried, he

, my confidence wavers. Liam's perfectly put-together. Strong, confident, a

de, I'll be r

most of my courage fades. The t

fect

fect

fect

the school uniform looks like it was made j

omething he uses to

harm

with the

m a distance, he looked like some kind of

ryone and swore he'd ruin me, I've realized

e is the emptiness in hi

ha

ark a

t. Either they're too caught up in

as ruthless as he wants. He could start a battle tha

love. No. O

to power, and at DES, Lia

was in charge. Now that Jake has gradu

yesterday," Liam says,

ergency." I give myself a silent pat on

gers on my chest, like he's trying to see right through my shi

"I don't believe you, Frozen. I think

m? I don't care

believe can change y

hiss, trying to stay calm.

whatever I say yo

h? Because I'm not above trying it. The world w

my anger and

get to me

swinging me back so hard I stu

h a brutal forc

y you cou

know if you've noticed, but

irst time fo

round my waist, his hands resting against the small

ogne, and his warmth seems to