The warning bell rang, meaning I had two minutes to get all the way to the first floor and into the A hallway. No way I was going to make it to my next class on time. I had one last shot. “Merit, Dad mentioned something last time I saw him, and I want to see if I can sneak into his office to dig around a little.”

He raised his eyebrow. “Fine.”

“Wait, seriously?”

He started walking.

“You won’t just skip school, but you’ll commit, like, a felony with me?”

“I have to.”

“And why is that?”

“Because no one is going to arrest me two days before the West game.” He stopped and gave me a once-over. “You’d be in juvie for sure.”

As I followed Merit out into the parking lot, the sun on my face feeling like freedom, I realized something: I’d lied to bust out of here. But now I was going to have to follow through. I stood up straighter and took a deep breath. I was going to be a hero today. Merit and I were going to save my dad.

JUNIPER SHORES SOCIALITE

@junipershoressocialite

Sharing bad behavior and delicious drama in North Carolina’s most exclusive coastal zip code. DM with tips, pics, and juicy deets.

SEPTEMBER 17, 11:18 A.M.

34 Posts

10,516 Followers

32 Following

You didn’t hear it from me, but…

PIC 1: What will-they/won’t-they couple was seen skipping school together? None other than Merit McDonald and Iris Sitterly. Cover your ears, folks. This will be the Sophie scream heard round the world.

PIC 2: Word on the street is that it’s getting close to judgment day. Bill Sitterly’s trial is forthcoming, and, well, inquiring minds want to know: Does the prosecution have enough dirt… uh… we mean evidence to keep him? Or will our cries of #freebill finally be heard?! (If there was ever a place for an interrobang, this is it.)

PIC 3: We heard it from a friend who heard it from a friend who heard it from a friend that… Elliott P. has hired a realtor?! Is he selling his house and moving into the mommune with the other families? Is Alice moving out? Is this the end of the mommune as we know it? If so, we do not feel fine.

PIC 4: Maybe most important of all, has anyone else heard that running back Paul Hartford got ISS? For pantsing someone in PE? And now he can’t play on Friday? Principal Windsor, come on. That’s a prank, not a crime. Let the boy play! We can’t get that West win without him!

TNT (’Til Next Touchdown)

JUNIPER SHORES SOCIALITE

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