Page 412 of Tis the Season to be Bullied

This is fuckingwar.

Chapter 28

Jude

Today is the first time I’ve had a glimpse of “normal” in a long, long time. Maybe it’s because Dad’s absence at my Friday night games doesn’t sting as much as it used to. We killed it last night, adding another game to our streak of victories. It feels fucking fantastic...but it would have felt so much better if he’d been there to witness it.

Despite that, when we sit down for family dinner the next night—braised lamb shanks, mashed potatoes, steamed veggies—and Harper declines the glass of wine Dad wants to pour her...well, I won’t lie, everything seems right with the world.

Very fucking briefly.

I’ve barely savored more than a few bites of the meal before Diana says, “I’ve got good news, Harper.”

My stepsister looks up from her plate, a bite of mashed potatoes halfway to her mouth. There’s no excitement on her face—I guess her idea of good news differs from her mother’s.

“Wayne pulled some strings so you and your friend can help out on the Feast of Ashes committee.”

Harper drops her fork. “Mom, that’s great!”

It is? I sit back in my seat, watching the exchange with narrowed eyes. Rosie’s trying to make eye contact with me, but I keep my gaze on Harper.

Wayne gives them a warm smile, but he stays silent. Odd, that. The Feast of Ashes is a big deal for his company. They secured over a million in funds last year. I’m sure a percentage of that went into his pocket, but quite a bit went toward people in need. The Feast of Ashes mobile soup kitchen ran for over a week in Jackleg Valley before heading out of state.

“The first meeting is next week Thursday. Could you invite your friend over before that so we can meet her?”

“Who, Marissa?” I ask, grabbing my soda water and taking a sip.

Harper makes a point of not looking at me when she says, “Her name’s Eliza.”

“Oh, well then we’ll have Eliza for dinner on Tuesday. Does that work for you, honey?” Diana looks at my dad, and he gives her a nod as he chews on a mouthful of lamb.

Rosie grabs a piece of carrot and shoves it into her mouth when she thinks no one is looking, and then glances over at me. I give her a brief smile, but my focus goes back to Harper a second later. “When did you become such a philanthropist?”

Harper’s cheeks redden a little. “I’m not a monster, Jude.”

I shake my head and return to my food without another word. Now Harper’s going to be hanging out with Eliza Jackson?

I don’t like it. Not one fucking bit. And when Harper happens to catch my eye a few seconds later, she knows it too.

Why else would she pale like that?

As soon as our parents have gone to bed, I go to Harper’s room. I try the door, but it’s locked. So I go back to my room and text her.

OPEN.

I see her come online, but she doesn’t respond.

UR JUST MAKING THIS WORSE 4 YOURSELF

No response. I go to the hallway and try the handle again. This time, it turns. The light is on, and I blink into it as my eyes adjust. Harper is sitting by her dressing table, wrapping her robe tight around herself as she watches me step inside.

“What do you want?” she asks in a low voice.

Good. The fact that she doesn’t want to wake our parents means that she knows she’s at a disadvantage here. Which is only right—I’m not the one who snuck out to a party and almost got myself gang-raped. I’m not the one who drinks at school.I’m the one trying tohelpher. And if she can’t see that, then she’s a fucking idiot.

She makes as if to stand, but I put out a hand. “Stay there.”

“What are you—?” She cuts off when I bring a finger to my lips.

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