Page 3 of No Place Left to Hide

His frown deepens. “People have a sick sense of humor. These papers are three months old. What did they do, bulk-order a bunch of copies and wait for Ivy Day to mess with you? Someone needs to get a fucking life.” He grabs a bunch of them off the top of the Subaru. Likely ones I wouldn’t have been able to reach. “This is the stupidest prank I’ve ever seen.”

Relief crashes through me, and I smile. He thinks it’s a prank. This I can spin. I scramble to grab the rest before anyoneelsecan see them. “It’s not a big deal. Just someone messing around.”

“It’s immature harassment. And you don’t deserve it.”

I toss the last of the papers in the bin. I don’t dare tell him this is tame compared to some of the otherpranksI’ve weathered lately. They’ve slashed my tires multiple times, dumped water through the slats in my locker, then milk, which was significantly worse. Carved the date ofthe incidentinto one of my sideview mirrors; the list goes on. Myleast favorite was when they slapped twenty holographic “Get Fucked” bumper stickers on my trunk. Took me six hours to peel them all off.

So far, I’ve kept most of it quiet. Felix and Jena only know about the time someone printed “BROOKE GOODWIN IS A MONSTER” on hundreds of pieces of pink paper and taped them all over the school. But that was months ago, and they’re both under the impression it was an isolated incident. A retaliation by someone who wasn’t happy with the results of the special investigation. My friends have no idea how bad it really is, and I plan to keep it that way. If they knew the whole story, they’d get massively freaked out. There’s no sense in worrying them when they can’t help.

The only thing that can help me is a yes at four o’clock.

Felix leans against the hood, the deep blue of his uniform the same color as his eyes. “Do you have any idea who it is?”

“Not a clue.” At least that part isn’t a lie.

“My money’s on Claire’s brother. Especially the way he came at you at the memorial. That guy’s got some problems.”

The thought had crossed my mind a time or two. “Be nice. He’s hurting and doesn’t know what to do with his grief. His sister died.”

Felix rolls his eyes. “Brandon Heck isn’tjustgrieving. He’s an unstable loser. He was an unstable loser when he went to Waldorf, he was an unstable loser after graduation, and he’ll be an unstable loser forever. What happened to Claire is his newest fixation and either way you shouldn’t take that hit. If he keeps this up, you should report him. Your dad could probably help you get a restraining order or something, especially if he escalates things.”

Too late for that.

I change the subject rather than admit I willneverbring this to my father’s attention. He’s already disappointed in me enough. I have todeal with this myself. “Aren’t you supposed to be at practice? Isn’t there a game today?”

He nods. “Yeah, I saw you walking to your car. Figured I’d catch you before you left and give you a heads-up about Jena.”

“The party?”

“She’s on a mission. Something about you never having fun anymore and wasting your final year at Waldorf? She even asked me to covertly find out if Dylan is planning to be there to try and tempt you into going too.”

I groan and pull my phone out of my pocket. It’s on airplane mode for…reasons. The second I toggle it off, a whole slew of messages and missed calls pop up. Starting at lunch. I scan the messages before I flash the phone at Felix.

12:19 p.m.

Did you hear about Beau’s party? ????

Hello?

We should drive together. I don’t think my car will make it. ??

12:23 p.m.

If you’re ignoring me on purpose, it won’t work. I know where you live. ???

3:02 p.m.

I mean it. We’re going to that party.

?????????

Wait for me in the parking lot after school!

He laughs. “You have to appreciate her use of emojis.”

I tuck my phone back into my coat pocket. “Consider them appreciated. There’s still zero chance I can go to this thing. My parents would flip.”

He throws up his hands. “Don’t shoot the messenger. I only wanted to prepare you for what’s coming. I love her, but she’s tenacious.”

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