Page 56 of Unspoken Truths

“Promise?” I ask, almost whining as I slam my locker closed.

“Of course. Now, let’s finish the rest of this school day so we can be done with this place for a while,” Jared says.

“Are you ready for your meet tomorrow?” I ask, walking next to him.

Jared’s been training hard, spending extra time in the water both at home and at school. Competing is important to him, but so is the team aspect so that he’ll be able to become captain of the team next year. He has a lot to prove.

“I am,” he says. “I suggested that we go out afterward for dinner, win or lose.”

There’s a snarl on his face as he says the last word, and I shake my head.

“That’s not going to happen. The team is tight this year. Everyone’s been working hard,” I remind him.

“There’s this thin line between dedication and obsession,” he says, as if they’re someone else’s words. “I’m struggling to remember the coach’s speech he gave us, but that was a big part. Coach Sullivan knows the amount of pressure we’re all under here.”

“Then he also knows that he’s not going to change that,” I say. “Carlysle Prep ingrains excellence and ulcers in equal measures. Only the strongest rise.”

“Which I will,” he says. “I just have to make sure my team does too. When I started swimming, that wasn’t something I ever had to think about. It was just me, the water, and the silence when I was in the pool. It’s gotten a little more complicated now.”

Isn’t that the story of our lives? Everything is bigger, more important, which means there’s more to lose.

Watching the chestnut brown hair of the girl who is my current obsession disappear around the corner, I blow out a breath. There’s zero room for error.

No chance in hell.

* * *

LILIANA

Freedom!

I practically ran out of that damn school with Rachelle like my hair was on fire. I’ve never been so happy to have my sixth period class end.

“Lili,” Rachelle says with a laugh as we run across the parking lot to my car.

She's never called me that before.

“I don’t want to get stopped for any reason,” I say, unlocking the doors. “Fridays are notorious for the entire world needing me for something. I’m done with this week. The newspaper doesn’t need to be finalized until Wednesday night.”

“Fair enough,” she agrees, dropping into her seat. Rachelle looks good there . She pulls her seat belt on as I hit the button to lock the doors. “Why are you looking at me like that?”

It’s rare that she catches me staring at her, and I shrug.

“I can’t help it,” I tell her. “First you called me ‘Lili,’ and I realized how much I love it when you do. And now, you’re just too pretty for words. I have to look at you.”

Her cheeks heat as she smiles, and I maneuver the car out the parking lot. Traffic is always heavy leaving on Friday afternoon since there are less activities on campus than during the week. Huffing out a sigh of relief when we’re finally on the road, I whisper a prayer that the rest of the drive isn’t too bad.

“I guess I’ll have to call you Lili more often then,” Rachelle says so softly that I almost miss it.

“Good, I’d like that,” I murmur. “The chef keeps the pantry and fridge pretty well stocked. Are you hungry yet?”

“I think I’m going to need a snack after the impromptu run,” the little brat says with a grin.

We’re both in a really good mood. This week was work intensive, but the Kings mostly stayed away outside of the odd glare. I think they’re biding their time, and while I want to be grateful just to have a break, I know that too much quiet isn’t safe when it comes to them.

“Cheese and meat board or grilled cheese?” I ask her, clicking the button to open the gates to my home.

While Dad isn’t here and most of the staff is gone, the security cameras are all still active. I doubt we’ll have any trouble today, but I’ll still make sure the doors are locked and I have my weapons within reach.

---