Adam glared at him before igniting the five ball in a swirl of orange sparks, sinking it in the corner pocket. He turned to me. “Do you seriously want to do this here, Ella? Now? Do you want to hear what I’m thinking?”

Surprised by the edge in his voice, I faltered, noticing the small smile that formed on Lil’s lips before she hid it.

He didn’t wait for me to answer. “Did you expect me to come running after you dragged me through the mud?” His voice was ice.

“I did what?” I sputtered. “You’re the one who made me think you liked me, then hooked up with my best friend.”

Ignoring me, he took his next shot. The six ball glowed green as it landed in the side pocket. “What, did you expect me to send you flowers after you tried to destroy my reputation?”

What did the Myrna-bot post? Dread landed with a sickening thud in my belly, and the carnival swirled around me. I didn’t know which side was up. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. My parents made me leave without saying goodbye. They took over my feeds, cut me off. I’ve been off the grid.”

“Don’t lie, Ella,” Deena said. “We all know you posted it.”

“I’m not lying.” Caught in a landslide of confusion, I felt tears roll freely down my avatar’s cheeks. “I don’t know what’s going on, but I don’t trust any of you to tell me the truth.”

Across the room, Bryce grunted. “This is boring, you guys. Can we get on with the game?”

Just then, a stranger appeared wearing a long, black cape, his teeth carved into fangs. Eyes glowing purple, he hissed, sending Kylie and Lily screaming under the pool table and Deena into Adam’s arms.

I jumped. It’s not real. This is some strange team building exercise my parents designed to band us together in a once-in-a-lifetime experience against an evil vampire. Blood rushing in my ears, I breathed deep to calm down. They’re so clueless and theatrical, they literally thought vampire therapy would save us. Ripping the headset off my face, I threw it on the ground.

Back in the game room, I glared at my so-called friends’ ordinary faces.

“Go ahead. Play your game. I’m done.”

With that, I retreated to the turret room to await my new life.

Chapter Thirty-Two

Chapter Thirty-Two

June 25, 20X5

Truth: I’ll do anything for love.

This will be my first and last entry, the final secret I share. It’s strange, knowing this is goodbye. What will be my final words to my so-called friends?