Page 56 of Bring me Back

I lifted a shoulder. “The teachers.”

“So after all of this…”

“Principal Anderson somewhat believed I wasn’t passing naked pictures around.” And I almost laughed at the possibility. “And then I left.”

Silence. The Ferris Wheel kept going, Bluehaven in its most beautiful picture mocking me.

“What did Anderson do after…”

“I hope he didn’t keep the pictures.” It was a joke but by the way Daniel tensed, it wasn’t very funny to him. “I left school. He said it was better to leave it as it was and… I agreed. I just wanted to go.”

“So Preston doesn’t know?”

“No, he doesn’t.” I drew a breath. “I hope you keep this between us. I have no idea who saw the pictures and who shared, but… It never got into Dad’s ears. And I don’t want him to hate everyone.”

“Like you do.” His hands closed in a fist, his body vibrated with rage.

“I’m sorry. I wished I was stronger at the time. I wished I planned revenge or something cool. I don’t know.” I scratched my nose. “I’m sorry.”

Daniel let out a raggedy breath. His arm curved on my back and in the next second, my head was on his chest, his arms warm around me.

“You’re killing me, Cricket.”

“Please don’t die.”

He huffed a laugh. I stayed in his arms, no more words to be shared. I felt raw and exposed, but light and warm. I hated remembering. I couldn’t do it without wishing I did something different. That I was braver and demanded the principal to call their families. Or if I was stronger and fought them more for my clothes. It was the what ifs that killed me.

But Daniel never asked me if I fought them enough, and for that I was grateful. I watched the Ferris Wheel move, happy it was Daniel by my side. When it started to halt because people were coming off once again, Daniel brushed my hair off my face and tipped my chin up.

“Why did you agree with Anderson to bury this?”

I winced and put a little distance between us, but Dan captured my hand, not letting me move. “I’m not judging. If it’s because you just wanted the pictures to disappear and you didn’t want to talk about it, or if it was because you were protecting Preston, it’s all valid. You had your reasons and I respect that. I just want to know them.”

I nodded. He was so good, of course he wasn’t judging me. “All of those reasons. I wanted to forget the second it was happening.”

We were almost on the ground again, sobering me up. The quiet Hallie wanted to come out, but I enjoyed being honest with Daniel, so I told him. “But also because I knew nothing was going to happen with a Campbell.”

Daniel frowned. “What? Delilah?”

I shook my head. “Her older sister. Katie Campbell. She was the one with the Polaroid.”

Daniel paled. His forehead creased with a frown, his body froze in shock. I grimaced. “I know I told you I don’t know why the Campbells hate me and it’s true. I never knew why Katie hated me and I have no idea why Sharon and Delilah do. Maybe they also believe I passed around my pictures? But that’s my best guess. Katie probably told a lie to cover her ass.” I bit my lip, trying to get it out of me before we hit the ground. “I’m sorry I lied to you.”

It took him a second to react. It was like the lights went out on him and he needed to shake himself off. “You didn’t lie,” he grunted out. I wasn’t sure about his reaction. The cart stopped at the exit, and Daniel raised the metal bar straight away, unfolding his big body in a second.

I was still wary as he led me out. Suddenly, Daniel turned, taking my face between his rough palms. “You did nothing wrong, ok?” I nodded as much as I could with him holding my head. “I just want you to know that. Everyone failed you. Everyone.”

“Not you.” It came as the biggest truth of my life. Daniel Miller would never fail me. He took a deep breath, and then rested his forehead on mine, mingling our breaths. Our noses brushed, his hands fell from my face to my neck. And he called my name like a tortured man, “Hallie…”

“Uncle Dan!” called a little, a voice tearing us apart.

We turned to April, jumping our way with Abby, Mark, and Rose following. And I smiled, ready to hear all that the little girl thought about the ride. Daniel crouched down and raised her in his arms. Rose took my hand in hers and we went to the next ride.

All I wanted was Bluehaven to burn.

I rubbed my face, my own skin feeling too tight over my bones.

Katie Campbell.

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