Hate me

Aspen

“Trent left you some money for food,” my mother tells me. 

I look at the ten-dollar bill sitting on the counter. The fact he thinks that will feed two teenagers for three days while they’re away is almost comical, but at least it’s something.

As if on cue, my stepfather comes barreling down the staircase. 

“No parties.” His gaze bounces between Knox and I. “Either of you.” 

Neither of us utters a word to them or to each other, which isn’t surprising because we haven’t spoken since the other night at the warehouse. 

Fortunately, Violet has given me rides to and from school since then, and I’ve been taking Ubers back and forth to work so I don’t have to see him. 

Violet tried probing, but thankfully dropped it after I said I didn’t want to talk about it. 

Maybe one day I’ll be able to be honest with her, but right now I still feel like an open wound and the only way to make the pain stop and to turn it into a scab is to close myself off to everything and everyone. 

Especially him. 

Trent and my mother walk over to the mudroom where their suitcases are sitting. 

“We’ll call and check in,” my mother promises as they haul them out the door.  

It takes everything in me not to laugh because she’s never given a fuck before, so why bother now? 

“Stay out of trouble,” Trent grumbles, and it’s clear his statement was aimed at his son. 

The front door closes a minute later, leaving Knox and me standing there. 

For a moment, he looks like he wants to speak, but I don’t give him the chance because I turn and walk up the stairs. 

I’m not interested in anything he has to say.

The sooner I save up money and leave him and this stupid town, the better. 

“I mean, at least the girl wasn’t a stripper,” Heather says as she applies blush to her cheeks. “That’s good news.” 

“Yeah, but she was still murdered,” I point out. 

She shrugs. “That sucks, but awful shit happens every day. Just be thankful it didn’t happen to you.” 

For now. 

Although, I suppose Knox could have killed me the other night if he really wanted to. We were in the middle of nowhere and everyone else was inside the warehouse. 

He had the perfect opportunity.  

Which only confuses me the more I think about it, because why the hell won’t he just tell me he’s i

Because he’s not, you dummy.

“Right,” I say, hating myself for once again thinking about my stepbrother. 

I look at myself in the mirror as I tie my hair into a bun. Get your shit together. 

Heather gives me a once over. “Are you go

As if on cue, the door to the dressing room opens and Freddie sticks his head inside. “Ginger, you’re on in three.” He raises an eyebrow when he sees what I’m wearing. “Why aren’t you dressed?” 

I stand up. “I am dressed.” 

He opens his mouth to argue, but I cut him off. 

“Trust me on this.” 

Graduation is only seven weeks away and I’m desperate to make some money so I can leave. 

Which means I’m going to have to do something I’ve never done before.