His mouth hangs open for what feels like an eternity. “That’s impossible. If it was on your dresser, it couldn’t’ve gone anywhere. Did you search the room?”

“I turned the entire apartment upside-down. It’s not there.”

“How can that be?”

I swallow past the boulder lodged in my throat. “I brought a girl home last night. When I woke up, she was gone.”

“What does this have to do with …” His words trail off as his brain connects the missing pieces.

I cover my face with both hands and a strangled groan escapes from my throat. “I’m not sure she took it, but it would explain how the ring went missing.”

“Of course she took it.” Dad’s face reddens, and I can hear the disappointment in his voice. “You need to call the police.”

“And say what? A girl might’ve stolen my grandmother’s ring, but I don’t know who she is or where she lives?”

Dad sets his glasses on the desk and scrubs a hand over his face. “Can’t you call her?”

I look down at my lap when I say, “We didn’t exchange numbers.”

Dad sighs and rocks back in his chair. “This is something I’d expect from Josh.”

I cringe. “I know.”

“We can’t tell your mother about this.”

I nod. “What should I do?”

“File a report with the police. Notify any pawn shops in the area. If that girl stole your ring, she’s looking for money. As for your mother and Josh,” he says, pushing out of his chair. “You tell them nothing.”

I hate lying. Despise it. I’d been on the receiving end of a huge, dirty lie once, and I’ve vowed never to make anyone feel like that. Now I have to lie to the most important people in my life.

Anger, pain, regret, and guilt swell, creating the perfect storm inside my gut.

I make a new promise to myself: If I ever lay eyes on Raegan again, I’m going to make her pay.

Days Left Until School Starts: 2

Raegan

“I can’t believe we’re back. It feels like summer just started.”

Andrea groans. “It always goes by too quickly. Two months is not enough of a break for all the hard work we put in during the other ten months.”

“I wonder who our new principal is going to be.” I click my pen as I look around the faculty room. “Everyone in here is chomping at the bit.”

“Hey, Rae.” Chris, the school’s physical education teacher, waves from the next table. “How was your summer?”

“It was good. How was yours?”

“Not bad. Went by too fast, of course. You look great.”

I smile as my cheeks redden. “Thanks. Lost some weight.”