“Really? Is that the best you can do? Where did you get it? When did you get it?” Becca demanded.

Ash winced, hating Becca’s accusatory tone. She couldn’t remember the last time Becca spoke to her this way, doubt and suspicion tingeing her every word.

“The other day, all right? It was some random place downtown. Jesus, Becca, it’s just a tattoo,” Ash snapped. Hurt flickered across Becca’s face.

Damn it. This wasn’t Becca’s fault. Why was Ash acting like a total bitch? Old habits die hard. For a split second, she considered telling Becca everything. Spilling it all about Nate and Eli, how she’d been sneaking around behind Becca’s back and lying for months. She wanted to tell her, but all she could hear was Nate’s desperate plea: “Promise you won’t tell anyone. You have to promise.”

She needed to be smart. She didn’t want to get Nate in any trouble, and she definitely didn’t want to violate Becca’s trust. Not after everything they’d been through. She would figure this out. She had been in terrible situations, and always found a solution.

“I’m sorry. I’m just tired, and this chem final is going to be a real bitch. I’m fine. I swear to you.” Ash gave Becca her most winning smile and dug into the eggs, eating heartily. After what seemed like forever, Becca cleared her throat and offered Ash a small smile of her own.

“All right, finish up and I’ll drop you at school,” Becca said. There was something in her tone that said this wasn’t over.

Half an hour later, Becca pulled up in front of Silver Lake Academy, the small private arts high school Ash attended and put the car into park. “Ash, I know it goes without saying but I’m saying it again. I’m here for you. Whatever is going on, you can tell me.”

Becca’s green eyes were so sincere and genuine; Ash could feel tears pricking at the corners of her eyes. If she stayed in this car any longer, she might lose it. “Too bad you suck at chemistry.”

“Ash…”

“Becca, I’m going to be late. I’ll see you later,” Ash said, grabbing her backpack and practically leaping out of the car.

Most days, Ash despised school. The classes were fine. In the beginning she had struggled to keep up, but the teachers were patient. You could tell they actually liked what they were doing. No, it was the other students that Ash disliked. Most of them were shallow, brain-dead idiots. They’d never been through anything real, and Ash lacked the energy to educate them. She chose to keep to herself, ignoring the gossip and the judgmental looks. She was used to being alone. At least that’s what she told herself. Once Nate came along, she realized what she’d been missing. She thought she’d found someone to fill the void, someone who understood her completely. Now she wasn’t sure what to think.

Ash endured an endless morning of classes, barely hearing a word the teachers said. Nate dominated her every thought. She eyed her phone, knowing that if she turned it on, there would be more messages.