Page 133 of Disharmony

“I didn’t,” I reply. Ash didn’t want me to. I can understand why she wouldn’t want one of the Lionhearts sniffing around her sick bed, but it didn’t make it hurt any less. “She’s not great, but she’s awake again.”

Around us, the mess hall is a hub of activity. Final preparations are well underway, and Zed paces around with a clipboard. The performers are already here, and seeing Tiffany swan around wearing a smug smirk makes it hard to control my fury. Doesn’t she understand how her actions could have cost Ash her life? If she knows, she doesn’t care.

McCallister comes over to me and props a hand on his hip. “Well?” He looks at me pointedly. “Where is she?”

“She’s unwell,” I say. “A stomach bug, but she’ll be here for the first show.”

“A stomach bug,” McCallister repeats mockingly. He doesn’t believe a word I’m saying. He claps his hands. “We’ll have to find a substitute!”

He’ll be pleased she’s out of the picture. McCallister has had it out for Ash from the beginning. Most campers come from families with money or have famous names. Like me, she was different. We are outcasts made to feel we don’t belong in their world. Camp Harmony scholarships are extremely rare and, to my knowledge, I’m the last person to have been in receipt of one before Ash.

“I heard she was partying too hard last night! She has never taken the final show seriously,” Tiffany drawls loudly from the stage. “Are any of us surprised? She’s never tried to follow the rules here.”

“Actually, Tiffany,” I step in. “Ashley’s illness has nothing to do with partying, and I think you know that.”

I shoot her a knowing look. She pauses, taken aback. She’s used to staff from Camp Harmony bending over backward for her because her mommy makes generous donations.

Tiffany smiles sweetly in reply and says, “Oh no, I hope she feels better soon.”

“I’ll fucking kill her,” Ripper hisses under his breath so only I can hear.

Tiffany wanted to remove Ash from the equation because she was a threat. Ash’s performance blew everyone away, and Tiffany knew others would see her potential.

The question is, will Ash get her chance to prove how good she is?

fifty-two

Ash

“Ash, your dad and Brick are here,” Cookie alerts me. Her nose is pressed against the windowpane. She checks out Brick and turns back to mime, “He’s hot!”

“Don’t tell him that.” I roll my eyes. That’s the usual reaction he gets. “He doesn’t need more of an ego boost.”

After dozing for a few more hours, getting up at noon and managing to nibble on chips for lunch, I’m starting to feel more human again. I’ve even managed to change into slacks. It’s helped that my nausea has lessened considerably. I’m still a little drowsy, but I’m determined to persevere. I refuse to let Tiffany win.

I watch as Dad pauses on the steps. His years as a cop mean he has annoyingly high levels of observance, and he checks out the remnants of the paint that Cookie and I haven’t been able to completely scrub away or cover. I’ve kept him and Brick in the dark about my fellow campers’ antics, and how they’ve not exactly made me feel welcome.

“Mr. Cooper!” Cookie opens the door with a wide smile and throws herself at him for a hug. He pats her on the back, shooting me an incredulous look over her shoulder. I snort and nod. They’ve gotten to know each other from our video calls, but outward affection is not in his wheelhouse.

Apart from Brick, I’ve never had any other close friends growing up. Most of the people in Meadow Springs thought I was a freak, and the girls were overly bitchy and jealous of my friendship with the star quarterback.

“It’s good to meet you, Cookie,” Dad says, then turns to me. He looks me up and down, and the lines on his forehead deepen. “How’re you doing, kiddo? You don’t look so good.”

“Gee, thanks!” I joke. “It’s just nerves.”

I’ve already given Cookie strict instructions to keep her mouth shut about what happened yesterday. If Dad found out, Tiffany would be leaving camp in handcuffs, and he’d lose his job for unlawful arrest.

“Have you actually ironed your shirt, Dad?” I tease. It’s a pale navy button down and looks good on him. Usually, he doesn’t make an effort with his appearance. “It looks good.”

His ears pink, but he doesn’t answer as Brick steps in behind him, wearing what looks to be the same suit he wore at prom. I forgot how tall and broad he is. He swamps the entire cabin. His ashy hair is bleached blonde from working in the sun, and he’s rocking a golden tan. No doubt he’ll draw the attention of some swooning campers today.

“Hey, Ash,” he says with a big grin, frowning at my comfy outfit. “Shouldn’t you be getting ready to be a star or something?”

“We’ll be leaving in an hour,” Cookie intervenes smoothly. “They have to stagger the wardrobe and hair departments. You two better get over to the mess hall. There are snacks for all guests.”

“Is your family here, Cookie?” Dad asks.

“They can’t make it,” she replies with a shrug. “They’re in Paris right now, but they’ll be watching on the TV.”

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