Page 1 of How to Break My Heart
PROLOGUEEva
8 Years Ago
Did you hear that?”
Maddy tightens her grip on my arm, halting her steps as an owl hoots among the tall, overgrown trees. The haunting yet gentle sound echoes around us in the dark woods, while her hold on my arm is so tight she’s nearly cutting off my circulation. You’d think she was about to be eaten alive by the harmless creature.
A small huff escapes my lips. “This was your idea, remember?”
I had better things to do tonight than sneak into a secret high school graduation party thrown by her older brother, Aston, and his jerky friends.
“I know,” Maddy whispers, eyes wide as she scans our surroundings. She starts to move again, taking small, cautious steps. Glancing down at her sparkly teal cowboy boots, I wonder what she was thinking when she chose that footwear and shake my head. Maddy will use any occasion to dress up. “I refuse to miss out on the mostepicparty of the year just because we weren’t invited.”
I pause mid-step, shifting my gaze onto her while crossing my arms. “Madelina Eleanor Beaumont,” I say, raising my voice. “You said wewereinvited, but your parents said no. Did you seriously just lie to me all because of some guy?”
Maddy forces a small smile. “I may have embellished thetruth a little. Don’t hate me, okay? Once we’re there, you’ll forget all about it, and we will have the best time. Besides, he isn’t justsome guy… Camden Winters is theguy of all guys.”
It takes a lot of effort not to roll my eyes. She can be in love with Camden all she wants, but the guy has serious red flags. Of course, being my best friend, she chooses to ignore my warning. The moment Maddy turned sixteen last spring, she suddenly got a case of boyitis.
“Maddy! You’re going to get in so much trouble with your father. What if he grounds you over summer break? We can kiss all our plans goodbye. Have you forgotten our week in Europe with your aunt? I need to eat cheese in some ridiculously expensive castle in France.”
“Will you just relax?”
“Says the person ready to shit their pants over an owl,” I mumble.
I should have known Maddy was telling half-truths. Unlike my parents, who have no idea what the worddisciplinemeans, Maddy’s parents are strict. Her father is the mayor, and God forbid Maddy or her older brother do anything to ruin his reputation. The mere fact I’m best friends with her is a problem. At least, it seems that way to me. Mr. Beaumont is always cold around me, as if I’m unworthy of his time or energy. My very presence is an inconvenience to him. But as my mom always reminds me, you can’t please everyone.
It explains why this party is being held at the abandoned house by Peppermint Lake—no one will find us here. Rumor has it the place is haunted… but maybe now isn’t the best time to remind Maddy of that fact, since she just held on to me tighter when something rustled behind the trees.
“We’re almost there, according to my map,” Maddy informs me, glancing down at her phone. The rustling behind the trees grows a little louder, and she casts a nervous glance over her shoulder. Suddenly, she lets out a terrified scream, breaking awayfrom me, and begins slapping at her face. Her phone flies out of her hand, smacking into my chest.
I catch it, my eyes widening. “What the heck? What’s happening right now?” I yell over her incessant shrieking.
“It’s attacking me. Get. It. Off!”
With a quick swipe, I switch on the phone’s flashlight. A tiny mosquito is buzzing around her face, and I can’t help but burst out laughing. Reaching forward, I grab her flailing arms to calm her. “Maddy, get a grip. It’s a mosquito.”
She stops panicking, and a look ofwhat the hellcrosses her face. Maddy reaches out to take her phone. “I knew that. I was just messing around.”
“Uh-huh, sure. Let’s keep moving,” I reply.
The first time my dad took my older brother, Elliot, and me fishing was to this exact spot. While the lake was beautiful, fishing was not. Still, there is something about this part of the lake that is mesmerizing. The water is crystal clear blue and shines in the moonlight, reflecting gentle ripples and sparkles that take my breath away.
That day, we sat on the rusty old pier, with our rods in hand, as Dad told me and Elliot this town would be good for us. It’s destined to leave a mark on our soul, and our future will always come back to this humble place. He said it with wisdom in his eyes, but honestly, all I saw was this beautiful lake in front of me.
Elliot complained the town was boring, but of course he was older and ready for adventure.
I smile briefly at the memory, then suddenly get distracted by music.
The sound of the Calvin Harris and Rihanna song “This Is What You Came For” becomes louder as we finally step into a clearing. I reach for Maddy’s hand and pull her through the bushes.
Tonight is a full moon—which my mother says symbolizes a time of release and completion, whatever that means—and it’s so bright I can see the state of the dilapidated home from wherewe’re standing. The roof appears intact, as does the large porch surrounding the house, but even from this distance, the broken glass, which was once stained-glass windows, exposes the flaws of this once-beautiful property.
Most of the kids, at least thirty, are gathered around the bonfire or dancing beside the large speaker, celebrating freedom. Suddenly, the idea of retreating back through the woods seems tempting. Senior girls can be cruel, even though I’ve avoided most of them at school, being in eleventh grade myself. There’s this tension between the two grades, and frankly, I’m so glad they’re graduating. Seniors always think they rule the school.
“Oh my God, can you see him? He’s so beautiful,” Maddy gushes.
I glance over to where Camden is standing. He’s wearing his letterman jacket, arm around a girl, and drinking what I assume is beer since there’s a keg only a few feet away. Sure, he’s good-looking, but the guy is a 100 percent bona fide jerk. I have no idea why Maddy obsesses over him, especially since he’s her brother’s best friend. He does this thing with a toothpick in his mouth, chewing it like he’s a badass, which annoys me, but Maddy finds it “sooohot!” Her words, not mine.
