Page 266 of Tis the Season to be Bullied

“She sent me a video.”

She? Shewho? Dammit people, use your words!

“You’re shitting me,” Marcus says, a light laugh in his voice. “What’s on it?”

“Nothing much. Us talking. One of us opening your bedroom door.”

“That it?” Marcus snorts. “What’s that prove? Nothing.”

“Yeah, but she says there’s more.”

Marcus shakes his head, but before he can say anything, Briar starts talking again. “How fucked were you that night?”

Marcus steps back, and his profile changes as if he’s tilting his head. “The fuck you suggesting, bro?”

“Is it possible someone saw us? Came up with us? That you didn’t notice?”

“I was fucked, but I wasn’tthatfucked.” Marcus swipes his hand through the air. “You know what, I’m done cleaning up your messes, Briar. This one’s on you.”

“I thought you cleaned this up already,” Briar growls.

My stomach sinks into my shoes.

Oh my fucking God.

He did it.

He raped Jessica.

Most likely killed her, too.

My body starts trembling, part rage, part terror.

It’s still my word against theirs. Who the fuck would believe that I just happened to eavesdrop on this conversation out here in the middle of nowhere?

My phone! I can record this?—

I pluck it out of my pocket without thinking and unlock it.

A glow envelops me. I shove my phone under my school blazer, but it’s too late.

“You see that?” Briar says, his voice changing direction.

Because he’s looking straight at you, you fucking idiot.

My eyes roll into the back of my head as I await my fate. Dry leaves and grit crunch under shoes as someone heads over to where I’m hiding.

Fuck. If they know I overheard them…

My skin goes ice-cold.

Closer.

Closer.

Fuck!

“What does she want?” Marcus calls out.

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