Page 115 of Cruel Academy (Princes of Ravenlake Academy 2)

Now. The park.

Going back to the park where I was attacked should be scary, but in a way, setting the meeting there feels like reclaiming the story for myself.

The last time Estefania and I were supposed to meet there, I was attacked by two Hell Princes and narrowly escaped without being kidnapped or seriously injured.

Now, we are going to finally finish the meeting that never happened and I’ll be able to put two traumatic parts of my past firmly and forever in the past: my relationship with John and Estefania’s betrayal.

I want to do this.

I need to.

My parents know the truth now. But when I leave the house Saturday night, I don’t tell them I’m going to meet with Estefania. My mom made me promise that I wouldn’t meet up with anyone to make the exchange alone.

I’m breaking that promise now.

The most important reason is that getting my parents involved is dangerous. The less they know, the better.

If I want this payment to John to be my last contact with the Hell Princes, then I need to handle this alone.

Plus, I want to talk to Estefania. I don’t have any delusions about the two of us becoming friends again, but I want to force her to look into my eyes and reckon with what she did to me.

I want her to feel guilt and remorse, but I also want to warn her to be careful.

Even if we are no longer friends, I want her to know there is hope on the other side. If she does ever manage to get out, she can be okay.

All of these thoughts and hopes and expectations and nerves are roiling around in my stomach when I pull up to the park.

Fall in South Texas is only a half-step down from summer in terms of temperature, but the aesthetics are a world apart. The blinding white sun shifts to a soft yellow and everything looks picturesque, bathed in a warm glow.

Cicadas hum and frogs from the narrow creek hidden away in the trees croak loudly enough that they almost drown out the sound of cars driving down Main Street.

I pull into a parking space along the road but stay in the car. I don’t plan to wander into any hidden areas or meadows this time. I reached out to Estefania again, but I won’t let her fool me.

I’m going to stay in full sight of Main Street the entire time.

A car pulls into a space a few down from mine, but the angle of the spot keeps me from seeing the driver’s face.

Only when she gets out do I see Estefania’s recognizable high pony.

She glances in my direction and then walks slowly to the back of her car, leaning against the bumper, making it clear she doesn’t plan to go any further. I get out and lean against my door.

Seeing her feels like a dream. It’s something I’ve thought about for months, usually with cotton-candy visions of us hugging and apologizing to one another and forgiving each other for all of the misunderstandings and drama.

But that was before.

Now, I can’t even think of a single word to say.

“Hey.” Estefania flips her long ponytail over her shoulder with a wave of her hand and crosses her arms again.

She is tense, but doing her best to look casual, and I should be doing the same. I have no reason to be awkward.

I didn’t betray my ex-best friend.

I didn’t lure her to a park to be attacked by two men.

I didn’t tell her abusive ex-boyfriend where she was at so he could swing by for a surprise visit and threaten her.

As the charges against Estefania accumulate in my mind, I finally let myself feel the anger I’ve been pushing down.

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