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“Oh, he finally agreed to run for homecoming king,” she said airily. “My Liam can’t deny me anything.” She smiled with the confidence and assurance of someone that knew she was well-loved. “There, we’re done.”

When I looked in the mirror, I was beyond wowed.

There was a brief knock on the door to my room, and it opened to reveal my mom. “Oh my, bebé. You look absolutely wonderful. My beautiful daughter.” She walked up to stand behind me while Tiffany smiled.

“You’ve done a wonderful job here, Tiff.”

I rolled my eyes. Sure, she could shorten Tiffany’s name but not mine.

Soon, we heard the familiar sound of Jake’s truck - which had been my ride to school twice when my mom couldn’t drop me off - and we all went downstairs. Of course, my mom embarrassed me a little by taking pictures of me with Jake, but she soon released us.

It was a typical high school party, and Mason’s monstrosity of a house made it even more fun. The boys and I goofed around while Tiffany dragged around an unwilling Liam to campaign for votes.

I was on my second dance with Jake - a slow romantic one by the pool with the boys and other students outside the house - when all hell broke loose.

Leila’s friend, Gina, suddenly came at me screaming, despite the hold her friends had on her. “It’s because of you she’s dead you bitch!” she yelled just as the boys stood up, and Jake pulled me behind him. “Your killer boyfriend murdered her because she pushed you.”

She could insult me or do whatever she wanted to me, but I wasn’t going to let her accuse Jake of doing something that had almost destroyed him once before.

I pushed away from Jake and stood before Gina, ready to defend Jake’s honor when suddenly she yanked me toward her and pushed me right into the pool. I couldn’t breathe…

The pool was large and not deep, but there was something about being in the water that completely freaked me out. I had always prided myself on the fact that I was a good swimmer, but for some reason, I simply couldn’t breathe.

I tried to yell, but nothing came out. Water flooded into my mouth and lungs, choking me in the process, and I felt myself slipping away.

Someone jumped into the pool and carried me out, and I could hear frantic screams urging me to open my eyes. I wanted to, but they felt heavy.

Seconds later, I surrendered to the darkness.

CHAPTER EIGHT

Iwas seated on the couch in front of the fireplace back at home covered in a thick blanket while my hand gripped the scalding hot cup of tea my mom had made me. The boys had gone home, and only Jake was left with us.

I watched as my mom paced in front of the TV with her palm clutching her forehead.

“I can’t believe she threw you into the pool. I’m definitely going to have a long talk with her parents, and the school principal. I will make sure she doesn’t get away with this. And you…” My mom swiveled toward me. “Why didn’t you swim out? You are usually an excellent swimmer.”

I shrugged. “I don’t know, I just freaked out.”

My mom scoffed. “You just freaked out? You could have died, Katrina. What the hell were you thinking? It’s just water, and the pool wasn’t even that deep.”

Suddenly I felt a flare of anger, and all the emotions I had felt since we moved to Redwood flooded out in a violent rage.

“Well, I’m sorry my dad's death made me traumatized, and I haven’t gotten over him as quickly as you obviously have!” I yelled at her.

“Katina…” Jake began.

“Stay out of this, Jake,” I ordered him.

“You think I’m over your father?”

I crossed my arms over my chest.

“Well, aren’t you? You’ve been all happy and excited that we were moving here, away from everything that reminds you of him. Did you even love him?”

I knew the slap was coming before I felt it, and I didn’t even blink. Instead, I gently placed the cup on the table, threw off the blanket draped around me, and walked out of the door with nowhere in particular to go.

“Katrina!” Jake called from the porch and ran after me. “Katrina, wait!”

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