Page 27 of Dare To Break

She answers on the fourth ring. “Hey, Bella! How are you?”

Chattering voices are distinct in the background, and it makes me wonder where she is. Our favorite pizza place? The bookshop?

The tension melts from my body at the sound of her voice. “Just thought I’d call and check in. It feels like forever since we talked.”

“I’m glad you called. I’ve got some news. Do you remember Darren?”

I squeeze my eyes shut, listening closely, trying to picture where she is. “The shy, tall guy that you have a crush on and is head of the chess club?”

Amanda squeals. “We’re dating!”

“That’s fantastic.”

“I know, right?” She laughs. “He’s so sweet. We’ve been hanging out a lot, and we’re into a lot of the same things.”

She chatters happily, and I’m torn between wishing I was there and feeling left out. What did I expect? That everything in my old life would come to a crashing halt? That nothing would be able to continue on without me.

“How’s it going at the academy?” Her question snaps me out of my self-pity.

“Good.” I force the words out, not wanting to ruin her cheerfulness with my doom and gloom.

“Have you made any friends?”

“My roommate and a few other students she knows,” I lie.

“What about your stepbrother?” Her voice drops to a whisper.

“I’ve been avoiding him. Everyone here is scared of him. I’ve heard about things he’s supposed to have done. If it’s true, I’m surprised he hasn’t been expelled.”

“Your stepdad has money and influence. I’m sure he’s paid a lot to make sure Eli keeps his place there.”

“That makes sense.” I wonder what it would take to get Eli removed from the academy permanently.

“Oh, Darren is here.” She giggles down the line.

“Where are you?”

“I’m at Tri-slice, sitting at our old table.”

My heart clenches at her use of the word old. “Enjoy your pizza.”

She laughs at something Darren says, but it’s not loud enough for me to hear. “We will. I’ll talk to you later.”

“Okay. Bye.” Lowering the phone from my ear, I sit quietly with it cradled in my curled fingers.

She’s busy. She’ll call back later to tell me about her day, I tell myself. Or maybe a text in a couple of days. She won’t forget me.

The positive words spill on and on inside my head, but they’re tainted with doubt.

The last anchor of security shifts inside me. Not as heavy and solid as it had once been. In the back of my mind, I can already feel it slipping away.

My gaze lingers on the photos on Lacy’s wall. Maybe it’s better to be a part of a crowd, even if I don’t fit in.

Chapter 18

Eli

The first week at the start of a new school year always follows the same pattern. For the first couple of days, classes are disrupted as new faces turn up in the wrong rooms as they try, and fail, to follow the map they’ve been issued.

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