Page 98 of Disharmony

The Basilisks disguised their identities, why didn’t I think to do the same? Lesson one of things never to do when you’re in the public limelight learned.

“What even is that?” Tiffany’s cackles rise above the rest. “It’s not even real music.”

I grind my teeth, but Cookie’s reassuring hand on my arm stops me diving forward to remind her of how she wouldn’t know real music unless it smashed her in her perfect face.

“Leave it,” Cookie says under her breath. “The last thing you want to do is cause more trouble.”

As usual, she’s right. It’s only a matter of time before I get hauled in and expelled. After that, I can do whatever the fuck I like to Tiffany as a parting gift.

“Over here!” Leila waves at us. It seems she’s finally broken out of her hermit phase, even though she’s sitting alone. Unlike everyone else around, she’s genuinely happy to see us. “You rocked it, Ash!”

I shoot her a grateful smile as we sit down, but my ass hardly grazes the seat before Amber, Jacqueline’s secretary, paces in our direction. Her heels echo off the floor like an ominous death march as she approaches our table and announces herself. “Ahem, Ashley Cooper?”

I swivel around to face her, wearing my most innocent expression. “Yes?”

“Jacqueline wants to see you in her office,” Amber says in a self-righteous, whiney tone. “Now.”

I sling my backpack over my shoulder.

“Good luck,” Cookie mouths.

This is how Damon Archer must have felt when the news leaked about his break-up. It makes me understand why the Basilisks wear masks. They can continue to live a normal life and stop their real selves from being picked apart like a rotting carcass.

Amber doesn’t speak as I follow her to the Administration Block. For someone wearing five-inch heels, she keeps a surprisingly fast pace. As we approach her office, I see the Lionhearts sitting in chairs outside it. They stop talking and freeze when they see me.

Great, even they seem to have heard about how I’ve besmirched my reputation. I resist the urge to mouthwhatat Zach’s gawping face as Amber marches me past, and I flick my hair over my shoulder to present a confidence I don’t feel.

Amber stops at Jacqueline’s office door and sniffs in distaste. “She’s waiting for you.”

I turn the handle and step inside. My stomach sinks to see she isn’t alone. Her and McCallister sit in the lounge area of her office with open laptops and newspapers splayed in front of them.

“Why don’t you take a seat, Ashley?” Jacqueline flicks her wrist at a chair opposite them. Her frosty glare matches her newly dyed icy blonde bob and crisp blue suit. “I think you know why we have called you here.”

I open my mouth to explain, but she shushes me and holds up her hand. I press my lips together as she turns her laptop around and hits play. I cringe at hearing myself back. Their disapproving glares make me want to melt into the uncomfy seat. Before Zed’s scream hits the highest note, she flinches and presses the space bar to pause it.

McCallister smirks as he holds out his cell and dramatically swipes down the screen to read some of the comments:

“Good girl gone bad…Video Girl does it again!…YouTube sensation sings with heavy metal band…Has she been taken in by a cult?”

“That’s enough, Holiday,” Jacqueline snaps. “We get the full picture now. Do you care to explain how you left camp? Or, why you are filmed on stage singing with…” She scrunches her nose. “What’s their name?”

“The Basilisks,” I mumble.

She scoffs as she clicks a few times to bring up another video of me. The one from my mom’s funeral.

“This is why we invited you here,” Jacqueline hisses. “You have made a mockery of Camp Harmony and what we stand for. As well as breaking camp rules, you broke our contract.”

I don’t have a reason to justify my actions that would satisfy her. Unless I go along with the cult excuse, but knowing Jacqueline, she’d spin that in the media and the Basilisks would end up in jail. I wait to accept my punishment.

“Do you know why people come to Camp Harmony, Ashley?” The way she says my name makes me wince. “They are here because we can make them a star. You have been given the opportunity of a lifetime, and you’re throwing it away! You’re embarrassing yourself and this camp’s reputation.”

“I’m really grateful for the opportunity,” I mumble.

McCallister’s lip curls. “Not grateful enough.”

Jacqueline ignores his comment and continues, “You’re the second scholarship student we’ve ever had, and you’ve let us down. Thousands of girls, just as talented as you, would kill to be in your position. I should terminate your place here. You can return to Meadow Springs.”

I spot my application form among the papers on her desk. She’s done her research.

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