Page 31 of Forever Golden

Feels like all she does these days is question me oneverything.

“Please, just get inside.”

“Because nothing’s going on with you and everything’s so fucking normal, right?”

In case it isn’t clear, she says those words as sarcastically as humanly possible.

“Scar—”

“Ricky’s here, which means there was zero point in running back inside. I need to go,” she interjects just as I hear the door to the school re-opening when she and Shane head back outside.

She isn’t crying, but I’ve definitely upset her, which likely has more to do with the fact that she’s distinctly aware of how she’s being kept in the dark. My heart’s still racing a mile a minute as I brace myself against the door frame just inside the lobby. While I get that she’s pissed, I can’t let her off the line yet.

“We’ll hang up once you’re in the car with Ricky.”

“Whatever,” she scoffs.

I’m winded and trying to settle down now that I know she and Shane aren’t alone. Then, half a minute later, I breathe a sigh of relief at the sound of Ricky’s voice in the background.

“Hanging up now,” Scar announces, right before following through with those words.

With trembling hands, I shoot Ricky a text.

Blue:Clearly, whatever shit you had to do today was more important than being on time, so don’t bother with Scar anymore. I’ll figure something else out.

Distraught and feeling like we just narrowly avoided a tragedy, I fall against the wall to catch my breath. Several who witnessed my meltdown are still watching, and while I’m certain pics of me freaking out will be sent to Pandora, I’m also certain of something else.

I’m done playing it safe.

I have no idea who the hell was in that van watching Scar, but I can’t sit around and wait for something bad to happen. I changed my mind before, but not again. If it comes down to it, it’s a must that I’m equipped to protect her.

By any means necessary.

* * *

@QweenPandora:Well, let’s see whose life I can randomly ruin today. That’s what Pandora’s all about, right?

Oh, shit! This one looks fun!

Apparently, things aren’t going so well at the dealership. From the looks of this doc I managed to get my hands on, it appears Laurence Holiday’s downtown Cypress location is experiencing a bit of financial trouble. And for those of you whodon’tknow, Laurence is none other than Princess P’s wallet/father.

Uh-oh! Looks like the princess isn’t the only one under that roof whose life’s going to shit right now. Guess the whole family’s reputation’s gone down the drain.

Ah, well. Just another day in our beautiful city.

The moment I dig up something else newsworthy, I’ll be back to drag another CP lowlife through the mud.

Later, assholes.

—X

Chapter 11

BLUE

I promised myself I’d never come back to this place, but thanks to my completely warranted paranoia, here I am.

All through practice, I kept wondering what would’ve happened if Ricky had been just a little later. Would my sister be another missing southside girl? By the time we were let out and I changed, my mind was completely made up. I can’t just sit around waiting for the worst to happen. I need to be ready.

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