Page 19 of Shattered

“We don’t know anything right now.” I can tell from the look on his face that he wants to argue, so I keep talking before he gets a chance. “I’m a little concerned about Campbell,” I admit. “And Jason, for that matter.”

I’m sure I see guilt flash across his face. He’s been avoiding us with his odd behavior, so he knows nothing about our struggles and what’s been going on with any of us.

Indifference is quick to replace his expression, though, making me wonder if I was simply seeing things.

“They’re both a couple of hotheads. I’m sure they’ll be fine once this is all over.”

“Yeah,” I reply, running my thumb over my bottom lip, though I’m not so sure I agree. “Are you going to go to the hearing?”

“No.” His face twists, his black eyes looking at me accusingly. “Why would I?”

“Even if you don’t think he’s innocent, you can still be there for it.”

Mase is already shaking his head before I finish the sentence. “Nah, I’m good.”

It’s clear that mentioning anything to do with Jacob is not going to get me anywhere with him, so I try to change the subject. “Have you figured out what you’re going to do now school's done?”

Mase inserts one hand into his pocket with a sniff, scratching at his jaw with the other. “Nah, I don’t know yet. I might just stick around here for now.”

I nod and almost tell him I’ll be around here too, but I don’t want to say anything until I’ve told Jason. I owe that to him.

“Listen, man, I got some shit to do, okay?” After running a hand through his inky black hair, he turns and walks through his front door before I’ve even processed what he said.

My brows pinch together at the brush off. What the fuck is happening with everyone? The anxiety-filled pit in my stomach twists as I stare at the closed door in front of me. Then, with a sigh, I turn away from his house and wander down the street.

I pull out my phone to see if Sunflower has replied to my last message, but it’s still sitting on sent, so I pocket it, deciding to make the fifteen-minute walk to Campbell’s and see if I can talk him into leaving the house to hang out.

This route takes me past the same field where Jacob was arrested, and I find myself slowing down as I pass, wondering yet again how Jacob was involved with everything that night. A chilling breeze blows through the longer grass, and I’m reminded that something happened here, regardless of Jacob’s involvement.

There’s one more week until the hearing, and I can’t help but wonder how he’s feeling right now. Is he okay? Is he scared? I probably would be.

After reaching Campbell’s house, I knock on the door and then step back, looking up at the rain-filled clouds rolling in. Looks like I’ll be making the trek back home in the rain, not that I mind. Not having my own vehicle means I’ve spent a lot of time walking these streets, even in the winter, so a little rain is nothing.

The front door opens, drawing my attention to Campbell’s mom. She steps forward and offers me an awkward smile that appears anything but friendly, and a weird sort of discomfort slides across my shoulders.

“What can I do for you, Neil?”

The fact that she doesn’t just let me in right away throws me off further.

I shove my hands into my pockets and rock back on my heels. “Uh. I just came to see Campbell. It’s been a little while since I’ve seen him.”

In fact, I haven’t stepped foot in his house since the morning after Jacob’s arrest. He was much closer to him than the rest of us, so it’s understandable that he’s taken it harder and has probably needed time to process.

“Sorry, but he’s busy right now.” The dip of her brows and almost accusing look on her face as she looks me over has me shifting on my feet.

“Oh. Okay. Well, can you let him know I stopped by? Maybe we can hang out later if he’s not busy?”

“I’ll let him know you stopped by,” she agrees with a nod, already starting to close the door. “But unfortunately, he’ll be busy later as well.”

For the second time today, a door is closing in front of me, and I’m left questioning what the hell just happened. Also, I could be seeing things, but it was almost as if she was looking at me like I was guilty of something as well.

Feeling defeated against my efforts to check up on my friends, I decide to head home. No one seems to give a fuck except for me.

Jason is hanging out with his cousin again today, and although I was invited to join them, I had no desire to be a part of what was undoubtedly going to be a trip fest for them.

I make it past a couple of streets before the first few drops of rain hit my skin. But that’s not what has my shoulders lifting and jaw tightening as I walk. Dylan and four of his friends—Jennifer’s friends—come bursting through the front door of one of the houses across the street.

The instant they notice me, they detour away from the car they were headed to and make a beeline for me.

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