Page 106 of Prove You Wrong

Eyes sharp, Chloe watches her leave.

‘Truth time,’ I say softly. Our catchphrase when we know the other one is bullshitting.

‘He was driving,’ she croaks, and another tear falls. ‘Don’t tell Mum yet. I know she’ll find out, but I want to be better first.’

‘It was an accident,’ I try to reassure her.

Chloe has her guilty look, bottom lip stuck out. She doesn’t quite meet my gaze.

‘Itwasan accident?’ I repeat.

‘They were trying to race us,’ she says quietly.

‘Who?’ My stomach churns.

‘The other car. Rachel, Byron … I don’t know the others’ names. They were messing around, cutting in and out. They wanted to race.’

‘Did you race?’

‘Jamie didn’t want to.’

My sister won’t lie as such. In fact, she’s usually brutal with the truth. But she will withhold information to suit her goals. Those four words tell me more than she realises. They did race. Andshewanted to.

I pick my words wisely, not wanting her to clam up. ‘How do you know them?’ I keep my voice light so she knows she’s not in trouble.

‘From the bus.’ Chloe shrugs. ‘We’ve hung out after school a couple of times.’

My insides clench. ‘I don’t think you mentioned them before.’

‘I guess they’re new friends.’ Her shoulders twitch again.‘And neither of us has been home much to chat.’

Mum comes back in with the nurse.

‘Let sort your pain medication out, sweetie,’ the nurse says and fiddles with one of the lines going in her arm.

I fix my face into a gentle smile. Holding my sister’s hand, just as I hold my shit together. Now is not the time for a meltdown.

But fuck.

This is entirely my fault.

If I hadn’t been preoccupied with Nate, she wouldn’t have been hanging out with these people. Hell, if I hadn’t made her get the bus, she probably wouldn’t have met them. My stomach twisting, I feel sick with the thought of how selfish my actions have been. And what the repercussions are.

‘Ella, you okay? You look like you’re about to blub.’ Chloe’s voice is teasing. She’s in irritating younger sibling mode and I’m so grateful for it now, I could cry.

‘It’s been a long day. I’m okay though.’ I force a smile to my lips, painfully aware of how unconvincing it is.

There’s a tap on the door and Nate pops his head in. ‘I hope I’m not intruding? How’s the patient?’

‘I’m hungry and uncomfortable.’ Chloe grins and offers out her closed fist, which he bumps with his own.

‘I got you something.’ He holds up a wiry-furred grey bear and Chloe lights up like a kid at Christmas.

‘Thanks, Nate.’ Despite the drip lines, she stretches her arms out and hugs it to her like she’s three.

‘Are you hungry?’ I ask, jumping up. ‘I’ll see if I can get you something.’

An old sandwich from the canteen or a chocolate bar from the vending machine is in no way going to assuage my guilt, but I need to start somewhere.

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