9.
This all spread fast.
It had violence, a family feud, and a little.
romance.
く
Most importantly, it had shock value.
Brittany’s burned face and Cole’s broken
piece made them internet famous.
Their classmates made things up to add to
the story.
No one wanted to be their friend anymore.
And the Jones said that Brittany had to pay
for what she did to Cole.
There weren’t many rich kids in this town.
Most of them went to that school.
Brittany had ruined her reputation and tied
herself to Cole.
Г
She went from school queen to “that scary
girl.”
Maybe she knew she was hated because she
went back to being the quiet flower.
She just ate and didn’t talk.
Until our family had a big party for my return.
That’s when Brittany started plotting.
The point of the party was to show me off
and get rid of the bad stuff about our family.
“I messed up. Can you give me one more
chance? I won’t embarrass you again.”
I said, “Mom and Dad, let her come. She
く
might have to get married soon and leave us
anyway.”
Mom and Dad didn’t want her to get married.
They were liberal and wouldn’t have forced
her into marriage.
Besides, she wasn’t old enough to get
married.
I wanted to anger her to show her true colors.
Brittany was furious.
She grinned. “I’m just joking. I don’t want to
leave you.”
I just looked at her.
Did she want to leave us, or our money? We’d
find out on the day of the party.
The party was all fancy.
All the looks that had been on Brittany were
now on me.
Brittany was hiding in the corner.
“Mom, my friend’s here. I have to go pick him
up, but I’ll be right back.”
She rushed out, to the courtyard.
I didn’t follow her.
I just leaned on the balcony and looked at
her.
<
The security footage was playing on my
phone, and I could see everything she did.
To make sure nothing bad happened, I’d put
security cameras everywhere.
I knew she’d bought ether and was going to
meet Cole.
I swirled my wine glass.
Brittany, come and get me.
The flames of the last life are now going to
be put out by your blood.