“I promise you, Anna, I will not let Luke get sentenced for killing Greg. Just give us some time to figure out what to do. I’m not turning my brothers in.”

There’s a challenge in Annalisa’s eyes when she says, “And what’s stopping me from going to the police and telling them myself?”

I make eye contact with Noah, who mouths, “Oh shit.”

If looks could kill, the unwavering gaze Aiden fixes on Annalisa would obliterate her. “The police have actual evidence that could prove Luke did it. You think they’re going to believe you, Luke’s sister, who has no evidence, when you say two nine-year-olds killed Greg? Yeah, good luck.”

“What do you guys think?” Annalisa turns on our friends, who stare back at her with wide eyes.

Before they’re forced to pick a side, which will inevitably result in another fight, I say, “Why don’t we take some time to cool down and we can figure it out tomorrow? I think enough damage has been done for the night. Let’s just act like everything’s normal until we figure it out.”

Annalisa’s technically got a point. We should tell the police what really happened. But at the same time, Aiden would never let that happen because who knows what would happen to the twins? Nothing good, that’s for sure. It’s best to talk to Alan who can help Aiden figure out the best course of action to protect them.

“Unbelievable,” Annalisa scoffs, shoving her shoes on and walking out the door that was left open after Mason left.

Julian looks at Aiden, then after Annalisa. He moves to the door and hastily throws his shoes on.

“Sorry, man,” he says to Aiden. “You know I won’t say anything to anyone about this. But I’m her ride.”

Aiden nods, and Julian gives Aiden one of those clasped arms, bro hugs for support, slapping him on the back a couple times.

“It’ll be all right,” Julian tells him before leaving.

Then it’s just me, Aiden, Noah, Charlotte, and Chase, staring at each other, standing in the hallway in the shattered remains of our friendships.

“So . . .” Noah starts. “Is your mom really banging Brian?”

I burst into tears.

“Really, Noah?” Aiden asks, pulling me against him.

I started this night with great news that I didn’t even get to share, and I’m ending it with my friendships in disarray and the truth about Greg’s murder looming over us all.

The odds of getting through senior year as normally as possible with all my friends is looking slim to none now, and whatever control I have over my life is barely holding on by a thread.

26

In the morning, I drive straight to Mason’s house. I’m hoping he hasn’t left for school yet and that I can get him alone so I can make things right. There’s no way I can sit in class and pretend it’s a normal Tuesday, and it doesn’t help that I didn’t get any sleep last night. I look like a zombie with dark spots under my eyes and my short hair curly and frizzy instead of styled.