I move in a fog from class to meals to Ten meetings, barely aware of the day or time, following Dash’s gentle reminders that it’s time to eat or get out of bed. The only silver lining is learning that Harlowe, Ivy, and Graham were sentenced to a month of duty for hanging that poster of me. Jane ordered it before she abruptly left for California. They shoot us dirty looks from across the dining hall, but we mostly avoid interacting. Maude holds off on the midnight sessions. We’re not eager to spend any extra time with Harlowe.

In a school-wide announcement, Principal Fleischer reminds us that Dark Weekend is only a week away. I feel dread at the thought of having to see my dad again. It’s hard enough being around Duplicate Ollie. But facing my dad now, after he never made any attempt to say he was sorry—it’s too much. I don’t know if I can handle all the pent-up emotion roiling inside of me. I might break.

I pray my dad will be too busy with his work to make the trip, but no such luck this time. He buzzes me that he’ll be there, and he’s hoping we can talk. Unless he can find Ollie, talking is the last thing I want to do.

The Friday of Dark Weekend dawns bright and crisp. It’s a frigid February morning, but at least the sun is out. Still, that offers me little consolation as I stand in the circular drive in front of the main house, shivering, and not just from the cold, but because my whole world is off-kilter.

I watch as Jaeger Stanwick ambles up the hill and greets Pippa and Pru. Frederica Leroy exits a limo, clad in a dramatic cape and heels, and she approaches Theodora, who waves half-heartedly from the brick path. Following Frederica out of the limo like a loyal puppy dog is a harried-looking Tessa. I assume she must be officially out of Creekside. It’s been more than six months since her court-ordered tenure began. I’m a little surprised to see her here, at Dark Weekend, but I guess she had nothing else to do.

Then I hear Frederica loudly insisting that Tessa talk to Principal Fleischer about internship opportunities.

“Dartmouth wants you to have some real-life work experience before you matriculate in the fall,” Frederica hisses at Tessa. “Go on. Talk to Principal Fleischer. Now!” She practically pushes Tessa in Fleischer’s direction.

I feel for Tessa in that moment. As much as I take issue with the girl and what she put Pru through last year, I wouldn’t wish that awkward conversation with Fleischer on anyone. Still, she’s lucky Dartmouth is taking her at all after what she did, even if it wasn’t entirely her fault. I see Tessa shuffle her feet in her platform wedges before hobbling over to Fleischer.