Twisted Truths Ivy Penn

Visit to download the full and correct content document:

https://ebookmass.com/product/twisted-truths-ivy-penn/
 Copyright © 2024 by Ivy Penn

All rights reserved.

No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical
methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except as permitted by U.S. copyright law.
The story, all names, characters, and incidents portrayed in this production are fictitious. No identification with actual persons (living or deceased), places, buildings, and
products is intended or should be inferred.
Book Cover: Nerd Sisters
Formatting: Designs by Del
Contents

Blurb
Dedication
Playlist
1. Chapter One
2. Chapter Two
3. Chapter Three
4. Chapter Four
5. Chapter Five
6. Chapter Six
7. Chapter Seven
8. Chapter Eight
9. Chapter Nine
10. Chapter Ten
11. Chapter Eleven
12. Chapter Twelve
13. Chapter Thirteen
14. Chapter Fourteen
15. Chapter Fifteen
16. Chapter Sixteen
17. Chapter Seventeen
18. Chapter Eighteen
19. Chapter Nineteen
20. Chapter Twenty
21. Chapter Twenty-One
22. Chapter Twenty-Two
23. Chapter Twenty-Three
24. Chapter Twenty-Four
25. Chapter Twenty-Five
26. Chapter Twenty-Six
27. Chapter Twenty-Seven
28. Chapter Twenty-Eight
29. Chapter Twenty-Nine
30. Chapter Thirty
31. Chapter Thirty-One
32. Chapter Thirty-Two
33. Chapter Thirty-Three
34. Epilogue
35. Chapter 34
36. Excerpt from Shattered Dreams
Who is Ivy?
Connect with Ivy
Also by Ivy Penn
Miranda
I thought Henry Walsh wasn’t like the other rich upper classmen. He had a heart, was kind and made my heartbeat faster.
Then Victoria happened. He was hers; I was trash, and she made my life hell.
One crazy evening after school changed the course of our lives, and he crushed me. He chose her over me and showed me he
was just like all of his friends.
Jerk.
Henry
Miranda Walker reminded me of a doll. She was quiet and kind and the opposite of my unwanted girlfriend, Victoria. My
plans were to break up with Victoria, go to school, and live my life on my terms.
Life threw me a curveball, making me a dad. Then a car accident made me a widowed dad. Women were the farthest thing
from my mind until I saw the beautiful redhead herding geese out of my backyard.
My beautiful doll was all grown up, and fate brought her back into my life.
This book has a special dedication to my friend Monica.
Thank you for being one of my first new friends when we arrived in this fabulous little place. You make me laugh and have
been a constant support for me on this journey. There’s no words to truly tell you what you mean to me. All I can say is Thank
You for being so incredibly you.
Thank you to my fabulous Alpha Team: Elite Hedera Helix. Your encouragement, support, and feedback keeps me going!
Love ya!
Ivy
Henry
Eighth grade
The chatter from the cafeteria flooded out into the hall where we were in line. We got out of class late because Victoria
couldn’t wrap her one brain cell around the teacher assigning us a team project.
“Dude. What is it with Victoria?” Ethan kicked the carpet covered bench between us and the wall.
Wally shrugged. “She’s a pain in the ass.”
“Mr. Barron, language.” Our English teacher glared at us from the outside of the line.
“Miss Minks. You can’t tell me I’m wrong.” Wally flashed her a smile, and she sighed, shaking her head with a tiny smile on
her lips.
I looked around the hall where they had us line up. Art decorated the walls along with awards.
Excellence in education, my ass. I couldn’t wait to be out of here.
My friends were talking about football as we neared the cashier. The lady sitting there looked like we kicked her dog every
day. Gray hair, short in the grandma style, pruned up wrinkled face, and she sounded like she’d smoked since she was a kid.
I handed her a fifty and watched her roll her eyes. “Is it necessary to bring in such a large bill every day?”
Shrugging my shoulders, I smiled. “It’s what my dad gave me.”
“Pfft.” she snarled as she made change, handing it to me and then accepting money from Dexter.
We walked through the line, taking a tray filled with questionable food and entering the main cafeteria.
Pete lifted his tray, pointing to a small blond sitting alone in the cafeteria. “What’s the deal with the sixth grader in our
algebra class?”
Wally laughed. “Worried she’s smarter than you?”
I shrugged. “Who cares?”
“Really, Pete?” Ethan shook his head. “She hangs around Henry’s cousin.”
“You know you don’t have to keep pointing out that Vivian is my cousin.” I set my tray down on the table where we’ve
always sat.
“Dude.” Pete picked up his burger. “Rumor is she’s smarter than all of us put together.”
Dexter threw a fry at him. “And?”
I’d seen her around, and she never spoke. Even when I’d come across her on the trails, she sat alone with a book.
She reminded me of an old doll I saw at an antique store called Holly Hobbie. Her dark blond hair almost looked brown in
the dim lighting of the lunchroom.
I watched as Vivi walked over to her table and sat down. Holly Hobbie looked up, then looked back at her lunch.
My friends’ voices thundered in the large room, mixed with laughter and groans. We were the cool guys. The group the loser
kids wanted to be like or be a part of.
“Henry, I’ll give you ten bucks to tell her a your mama joke.” Dexter smiled.
Wally blew milk out of his nose, laughing, and I shook my head as I shrugged. “Yeah. Why not?”
I didn’t need the money. Having more money than god was all my mother ever bragged about. However, this would be my
money. Not from my parents.
We cleaned up and took our trays to the brick wall where the return station was.
Port Stella Pirates. Argh.
Were all schools the same? Brick walls lined with metal lockers? While playing football, we rarely went through other
schools. But every locker room mimicked the other. They all stank, too.
“Let’s go, Henry!” Dexter hollered at me as they headed towards the doors to go outside for fresh air.
As I walked past the table with Vivian and Holly Hobbie, she looked up and our eyes locked. I felt a small smile on my face.
Her eyes looked like the sky when a storm rolled in.
“What are you looking at?” She sneered.
Blowing out a hard breath, I walked past her and dumped the contents of my tray into the trash, then tossed the tray on top of
the others and walked out.
What a brat! Maybe that was why she was always alone.
I joined my friends outside and tossed around a football until the bell rang. Heading back inside, we walked to our lockers,
grabbed our backpacks, and headed to Algebra.
The blond entered the room before us and I stopped in front of her desk, flashing her my best smile.
“Hey, your mama’s so ugly when she went to a haunted house, she came out with a job application.”
My friends howled with laughter as she looked up and spoke in a flat voice. “My mom’s dead.”
Her words left me dumbfounded as an awkward silence blanketed the classroom.
“Mr. Walsh, I suggest you get in your seat before the bell rings.” Mrs. Gold’s voice filled the void.
“Yes, ma’am.” I walked over to my desk and flopped into the chair as the bell rang.
Mrs. Gold launched into attendance and then walked to the board, putting up a problem for us to review and solve. My
pencil moved on the paper but I couldn’t stop thinking about blondie.
Tapping Victoria’s shoulder, I leaned over my desk to whisper. “What do you know about her?”
She turned her head, confusion all over her face. “Who?”
I thumbed to the blond.
Victoria’s eyes rolled. “She smells like a barn animal.” She whispered back. “Why?”
“Mr. Walsh and Miss Parks, care to share with the class?” Mrs. Gold’s eyes were hard. “Or perhaps you’d like to teach?”
“No, ma’am.” I sat back.
“Thanks to Mr. Walsh and his rudeness, you will have homework today.”
The class lobbed pencils and paper balls at me, groaning, before we all focused on the lesson again.
Well, maybe they did. My thoughts were elsewhere.
Did she have a stepmom? I didn’t think she smelled like a barn animal when I walked past her. Maybe she lived with her
grandparents?
The only grandparents I had were my dad’s parents, and they both passed away when I was in kindergarten. I never got to
know them, but I remembered hearing my grandpa telling my dad they stayed away because of my mom.
My mom was a huge bitch. She was greedy, selfish, and manipulative.
I hated it. I hated her.
Wally and Dexter’s moms were completely opposite, and when I needed a mom, that’s who I turned to.
“You can go on your merry way, Margie. I’m not stopping you.”
“Fine. Agree to pay alimony and child support and I’ll leave.”
Dad barked out a laugh. “The boy stays with me, and I’m not giving you a dime.”
“A boy should be with his mother.” She hissed.
“You only want the money I’d pay in child support.”
“Well, as his mother, I’d need to clothe and feed him.”
“Uh-huh.” My dad shook his head. “You’re no better than your sister. All you see are dollar signs.”
Mom’s hand flew out and slapped Dad. “Don’t you dare compare me to Judy.”
“Truth hurts, sweetheart.” He laughed. “You can leave. The boy stays with me.”
“Fine. We can do shared custody.”
“He is not a pawn to be brokered over.” Dad’s glass slammed on the desk. “He stays with me. Period.”
“No court is going to take a child from their mother.”
My dad changed the pitch of his voice, mocking her. “I’m tired of this life, Thomas. I want the life we had before that
brat came along. Where I could go out and enjoy my time with my friends.”
“You, asshole.”
Dad laughed. “That’s right. I’m the dick in this marriage.”
“What is so wrong about wanting time for myself?”
“Nothing if you’re single with zero responsibilities.”
“You said you wanted a child. I gave you one.”
“Is he even mine?”
A resounding echo told me she slapped him again. “How dare you?”
“How dare I, Margaret? You slept with my business partner.”
“And now you own the whole firm. I did you a favor.”
“And you want to divorce me and give you half of everything I worked for and built? No. I’ll see you in hell first.”
“Well, goodie for me. Being married to you and having that brat, I’m already there.”
 My mother stormed out past me into the hall, leaving me standing there in shock.
The bell rang, and I realized I spent the entire class lost in my thoughts.
Pete punched my shoulder on his way past me. “Thanks, dick.”
“My pleasure.” I growled. “Hey, Dex! Gimme my money.”

Miranda
Sometimes being smart sucked. Like being advanced in math and ending up in a class of eighth graders.
Henry, Ethan, Dexter, and Wally were the biggest jerks in school. And with them came their entourage, the bitch brigade. And
Victoria Bryant was the biggest bitch of all.
Her and her friends loved to torment me and my friends.
The last bell rang and I couldn’t wait to get to my locker and out of this building. My friend Tara fell in step beside me.
“You look pissed.” She bumped into me playfully.
“Stupid rich boy trying to be funny.”
“Um.” She cringed. “That rich boy?”
I looked up to see Henry Walsh standing against my locker, with a smirk on his face.
“God hates me.” My eyes rolled back as I walked closer. “Move.”
“Aww, where’s your manners, Holly Hobbie?” He mocked and leaned closer to me. “How about a please?”
I wanted to punch him in his smug face, but I didn’t want to get suspended. Counting to ten in my head, I tapped my toes on
the floor impatiently.
He tapped his ear. “I’m not hearing anything.”
“Get bent.” I shoved him away from my locker, not expecting him to grab my arms.
“Damn, girl.” He pulled me close. “I just wanted to apologize.”
I struggled against him, and he spun us around pressing me against the lockers.
“You’re off to a rip-snortin’ start.” I braced my hands against his chest. “Get off me.”
His hot breath warmed my ear. “I’m really trying to apologize.”
Hoots and hollers from his friends and other students added fuel to my already burning fire. The tighter he held me, the more
I struggled.
“I didn’t know about your mom.” He held me tight, keeping his words low.
“Get. Off. Me.” I growled.
“You smell like spicy cotton candy.” I felt him nuzzle my neck. “I’ve never smelled anything like it before.”
That comment caught me off guard, and I stopped fighting. “What?”
“You smell sweet.” His nose brushed against my skin. “And spicy.”
“Uh. Thanks?” Confusion flooded through me and I felt my stomach fill with butterflies.
His dark eyes flashed with guilt. “I’m Henry.”
“Yeah. I know who you are.” I rolled my eyes. “What I don’t know is why you know who Holly Hobbie is.”
He shook his head as he lifted a shoulder to shrug. “Look, I am sorry. My joke was in poor taste.”
“Can I get into my locker now? I have a bus to catch.” I didn’t like the way I was feeling. He seemed genuinely sorry.
“Miranda! Let’s go!” Tara yelled out, running back over. “We can’t miss the bus.”
Henry ran a hand through his dark hair and stepped back, letting me open my locker. I grabbed the book I needed, closed it,
and walked away, turning back to look at him as he disappeared.
Just as well. I don’t have time for stupid boys.
Tara and I walked to our bus, stepped inside the cramped space, and took our seats four rows back.
“He’s kinda cute.” Tara smiled at me. “Tall. Dark wavy hair. Pretty cinnamon eyes.”
“You’re delusional.” I huffed. “He’ll also be out of this school next year.” I pressed my head against the hard seat.
“Wanna hang out after school?” She rested her head on my shoulder.
“Not today. I’ve got too much homework.” I frowned. “Maybe tomorrow?”
“Sounds good.” She smiled. “Maybe Henry likes you?”
I barked out a laugh. “Yeah, and maybe pigs will fly!”
As the school bus moved along, I looked out the window and tried to push thoughts of Henry Walsh from my mind.
He was cute, but unfortunately, boys like him are nothing but trouble. At least that’s what my grandpa said.
Our bus driver, Paula, pulled up at my stop, and I stood up and walked towards the door. “See ya tomorrow.” I waved at
Tara and bounced down the stairs.
Stanley greeted me at the gate. “Aaaaaarrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrgh!”
 I laughed as I walked down the driveway toward the screaming goat. “I hear you, Stanley.”
“Maaaaaaaaaaah.”
“You too, Sophie.”
We ended up with the goats because some guy that works with Grandpa said he was planning to shoot them for yelling.
Grandpa decided he couldn’t let that happen, so he brought them home.
Sophie produces milk, and Gran learned to make goat cheese and taught me how as well.
I love the smelly beasts! They’re gentle and fun.
Letting myself in through the gate, I jogged, letting the goats chase me up to the house. The moment I opened the door, all
three dogs bounded out, running into the yard.
Larry, Moe, and Curly were mutts through and through.
While they did their thing. I went inside to drop off my backpack and put my hair up. My lip lifted in a snarl as I stared at
myself in the mirror.
Gran said I looked like a carbon copy of my mom. Which, on one hand, was wild, and the other was weird.
I wonder if she resents me sometimes because I look like her dead daughter.
Heaving a sigh, I went to the kitchen and grabbed an apple to snack on while I cut up a few more apples to share with my
four-legged friends.
The moment I walked outside, they lined up for their tasty treats. The dogs did a couple of tricks to get theirs and the goats
snatched some from me and ran.
I got the goats into our blue barn and gave them each a couple more apple slices. Once I knew they had settled, I closed the
heavy door and went to round up the dogs.
They knew the drill as I cut out a sharp whistle and followed me inside. Some of the small kittens tried to attack my feet as I
walked and I picked them up, snuggling three in my arms. Once we got to the back door, I let the boys in, set the babies down,
and went inside to make their dinner.
One scoop of powdered milk sprinkled over their kibbles. Then I turned on the hot water, waiting for it to get warm. I could
hear the clowder of cats mewing for their food, making me move faster.
Grabbing my phone, I tucked it in my back pocket and went outside, setting the jumbo-sized bowl down for everyone.
I did a quick scan to make sure the dogs had food and water, then hopped on my bike and headed towards the trails.
Miranda
The breeze on my face felt exhilarating, and I stood up pumping my pedals harder towards the small, wooded area that hid
the trails I loved exploring on.
I steered the front wheel, taking a left and feeling the change from pavement to dirt. The trail reminded me of a sidewinder
snake with all the curves and I knew after the fifth curve, I’d drop into a valley that would slingshot me up the other side.
Leaves and branches provided protection from the sun and created a magical canopy. Out here I felt free. No one else
mattered.
Sometimes I liked to pretend the ground and I had a connection. We understood each other. I needed to feel important. And
the ground needed me to help it feel needed.
I could ride these trails with my eyes closed!
The freedom I felt exhilarated me. I peddled harder, going up a small hill, and then squealed as I rode down the other side.
Every twist, turn and hill took me closer to the treehouse someone built near the creek. Inside that treehouse, nothing else
mattered.
I crested over a hill and felt my stomach drop. It reminded me of Henry invading my space.
With a shake of my head, I cast him from my thoughts.
Henry Walsh was part of the “in” crowd and there’s no reason to give him a second thought.
The path twisted towards the water and I slowed my bike to not fly down the last dip. The last thing I wanted to do was land
in the creek head first.
Like two years ago.
I pulled up to the huge tree, parked my bike at the base, and climbed the ladder up inside the house. The moment my head
entered the space, I saw him.
Henry Walsh sat against the wall, looking at me.
I couldn’t stop the snarl on my face as I retraced my steps to leave.
“Wait!” He poked his head out of the opening. “Miranda!”
“What!” I snapped and glared up at him.
“I came here to talk to you.”
“When did we become friends?” I jumped down to the ground. “Because I didn’t get that memo.”
“C’mon.” He looked down at me and flashed a smile that showed off a perfect dimple in his right cheek. “I’m not a bad guy.”
“That remains to be seen.” I blew my bangs off of my forehead and climbed back up into the treehouse. “Don’t make me
regret this.”
When I reached the top and climbed inside, he was sitting back against the wall again.
“What happened to your parents?” His soft voice punched me in the gut, especially since he was the second person to ask
me.
“That’s what you want to talk about?”
“Look. Sometimes I wish mine were dead.” He shook his head. “And when you said your mom was dead … I don’t know. It
made me feel weird.”
“They were hit by a drunk driver.” I looked at my lap and played with the hem of my shirt.
“Did you get along with them?” He pulled his legs up, folding them underneath his butt. “Were you with them?”
I shook my head and glanced up through my hair. “It was Christmas eve. They went to midnight mass, and I stayed at my
grandparent’s.”
“Oh, damn.” He ran his hand through his hair. “They went to church and then …”
“Yeah.” I looked up, nodding. “Makes ya wonder if there even is a god.”
 “I really am sorry.” He moved closer to me as I swiped at my face to clear the errant tears. “Maybe wishing my parents were
dead is a bit extreme.”
“You could turn yourself in at the fire station.” I shrugged and jumped when he barked out a laugh. “What?”
“I just wasn’t expecting something funny.” He moved close enough to brush a tear away from my cheek. “My dad drinks.”
Sniffling, I looked into his dark eyes and saw sadness in them. “Adults think they’re smart and know what they’re doing.”
“But they don’t.” His voice was barely a whisper. “I miss my dad.” He nodded. “I mean before the drinking.”
“What about your mom?” I reached out and brushed a tear from his cheek.
“She’s a class A bitch.” He frowned. “She makes my dad miserable.”
“Why are you telling me this?”
He shrugged. “I don’t know. Maybe I felt I owed you something since I hurt your feelings.”
“I guess we’re even then.” I sat back and smiled at him.
He thumbed to the opening behind me. “I should probably go.”
“Wait.” I put my hand on his shoulder, stunned when I felt an electric shock on my fingertips. “How did you know to find me
here?”
“Don’t sweat it, Holly Hobbie.” He moved around me and dropped down to the ground. “Later.”
I scrambled to the small window and the weirdest thought hit me as I watched him walk away.
You could’ve stayed.
I sat back and slammed my head against the wall as the tears poured from my eyes. “It’s not fair!” I slammed my head back
again. “It’s not fair when I need you!”
Pulling my legs up, I sobbed against my knees. All I wanted was my mom back. I missed my dad too, but my mom kept my
secrets and gave me advice.
I didn’t want some stupid joke, one of the cute popular jerks, said to me to hurt. And I didn’t want to wish he was still here,
so I didn’t feel so alone in the world.

Henry
Looking over my shoulder, I saw her watching me before she turned away. Then I heard a loud knock before I heard her
sobbing.
I had no idea what I could do to help, but I turned back and climbed up into the treehouse. Miranda was balled up, her body
shaking as she cried.
I’m an asshole.
She would give anything to have her parents back, and I would give anything to have my parents gone.
Okay. Not both parents. Just my mom.
I sat beside her and patted her back awkwardly. She leaned into me, and I moved my arm around her, holding her.
Her arms wrapped around me, and I pulled her into my lap.
I’d never seen someone cry like this. Not that I haven’t been around people crying before, but these weren’t little tears. Her
tears were big and pouring from her eyes.
Moving my mouth to her ear, I whispered, hoping she would hear me. “I’m sorry, Miranda.”
“Everyone is sorry.” She shuddered as she tried to breathe. “I snotted on you.”
I shrugged my shoulders. “It washes.” I brushed her hair from her mottled face, covered in tears and snot. She still looked
cute to me, and her freckles stood out more. “Holly Hobbie.”
A small smile graced her face. “Seriously? How do you know who she is?”
“I saw a doll at an antique store.”
Her lips curved upwards, smiling more. “My mom had an old sewing machine with her on it.” She sniffled as more tears fell
down her cheeks.
I used my knuckle to wipe some away, and she looked up with her big, blue eyes. Leaning in, she met me halfway as our lips
brushed against each other and my phone rang, making us jump apart.
She looked away as I pulled it from my pocket to answer it. “Hello?”
“Henry.” My mother’s voice chilled my ear. “You, young man, are supposed to be at home.”
“I’ll be there in a few.”
“Now, Henry.” She ended the call.
It doesn’t matter what I’m doing. It doesn’t matter to her where I am. All that matters to her is that I am a perfect person when
she has guests or decides she wants to show me off.
She makes me feel like a prized show pony.
 “I, uh, gotta get going.” I moved my eyes around the room, looking anywhere but at her. “You gonna be okay?”
“Yeah.” Her head bobbed, and she avoided looking at me. “I’m gonna head back home.”
“Um, okay.” I descended through the opening. “Later.”
She kissed me back.
I jumped down and ran towards where I left my bike hidden, leaning against a tree. Hopping on, I peddled towards home
wondering what mom had her panties in a bunch about now.
Usually no one noticed if I wasn’t home. As long as I showed up at the dinner table.
Maybe I should’ve invited her to come with? Is that what you do for someone who’s sad? I’ve never seen anyone cry like
that.
My wheels flew over the ground and the moment I felt the path beneath my bike changed, I felt the frown creep across my
face.
All I wanted was for my dad to stop drinking and my parents to stop fighting
But I knew that wasn’t going to happen. I followed the street around the curve, passing by Ethan’s place, which was a couple
of houses away from me.
Making it to my driveway, I turned and peddled towards the garage, parking my bike against the wall before heading inside.
Running in through the back door, I slammed it behind me in time to hear my parents fighting.
Again.
“Have another drink, Thomas.” My mother growled. “That’ll help things.”
I screeched to a halt and waited for my dad’s response.
“Of course it does.” He yelled back at her. “It makes living in hell with you easier.”
“I. Told. You. Give me the alimony I want and half of everything.” She motioned with her hand all around. “And I will more
than happily leave.”
My dad threw his head back, barking out a laugh. “And I’m telling you, again, that you’re not getting shit from me.” His glass
flew across the kitchen into the wall, shattering into tiny pieces.
“Dad?”
“Not now, Henry.” My mom snapped and pushed me back.
I slapped her arm away from me and went closer to my dad. “Dad?”
“Your mother is being unreasonable.” Dad dropped down in a chair. “I am sorry that you have to hear this.”
“Oh, Thomas, puh-lease don’t pull the pity card.” My mom’s heels clicked on the marble floor.
“Dad.” I dropped my voice low. “You need to stop drinking.”
“Don’t tell me what to do!” His voice thundered as he pounded his fist on the table. “You are a child!”
Running from the room, I ran through the house up to my room, slammed my door, locking it and then turned my radio on
loud.
Flopping down on my bed, I let the music thrum through my body and let the tears I held back go until I fell asleep.
Henry
The next day at school, I saw Miranda walking with Tara, their heads close together.
“What’re you staring at?” Ethan moved into my line of vision before leaning against the closed locker beside mine.
“Looks like he was watching the smart girl.” Richard chimed in.
Wally snorted. “You mean his Holly Hobbie?” he teased.
“So?” I shrugged and reached inside my locker for my English book.
“And the party just grew.” Richard nodded to the girls, where Vivian joined Tara and Miranda. “Viv says she’ll rip
someone’s balls off, but I bet Miranda is the type who would come at you without warning.”
Wally looked between the two girls and then back at us. “You think so?”
“Dude. She almost knocked Max out with a dodgeball.” Richard huffed in laughter. “I’m telling you. She’s the kind to sneak
into your house in the middle of the night and chop parts off.”
I closed my locker as we walked down to our homerooms. “I don’t think she would do that.”
“Suddenly you know her?” Ethan raised an eyebrow at me as we rounded the corner.
“Well, no.” I shook my head. “I’m just saying maybe she’s not like a full on bitch.”
“Hi, Henry.” Victoria appeared in front of me. “There’s a dance Friday.”
“And?” I gave her a headshake and a shrug,
“Will you go with me?”
“What do you want me to do? Pick you up on my bike?” The guys snickered.
“I was thinking that we could use the limo.” She batted her eyes, thinking it would sway me.
“Tell you what.” Ethan turned her to walk with us. “I’ll use my limo and we can all go together.”
“That sound fun.” She smiled and ran to tell her friends.
“Dude. She’s annoying.” Wally groaned.
“Doing it this way leaves lover boy here open for his sweetheart.” Ethan thumbed pointing to me. “Later, losers.”
We all split off into our respective classrooms, with Richard, Wally and I going into Miss Minks room.
“You guys wanna meet on the trails after school? We could hang out by the tire swing and rope.” He slid into his seat. “Dad’s
been on a bender, and I need a break.”
“Sounds good.” I nodded and took the seat behind him.
Maybe Miranda will be there?
I doodled in my notebook only half listening to what Miss Minks was saying. Thoughts of after school kept me going through
the day.
And between each class, I searched for Miranda. This wasn’t something new. All year I’d been watching for her.
“Are you stalking me?” Her soft voice came from behind me, making me jump.
“Shit!”
Miranda giggled and walked past me. “Don’t be a creeper.”
Shaking my head, I jogged after her. “Hey! You gonna be on the trails after school?”
She shrugged and kept walking. “Maybe.”
“Hi, Henry.” Victoria pushed between us and linked her arm with mine. “Are you excited for after school?”
“Uh, sure.” I watched as Miranda jogged ahead of us and darted into her classroom.
“Ugh.” Victoria made a funny face. “Why would you let that bitch walk next to you?”
I stopped and pulled my arm away. “Don’t call her that.”
She stomped her foot. “Don’t be stupid, Henry.”
Rolling my eyes, I slipped into my final class for the day. Dexter held out his elbow for some silly greeting we did on the
football team and I bumped against his as I sat beside him.
“Why do you look like you have a stomachache?”
“Victoria’s been up my ass.” I snarled.
“Dude. I bet she’s already got your wedding planned.” He threw his head back, laughing.
“No.” I shook my head. “Not just no. Hell. No.”
Mr. Crisman clapped his hands as he closed the door. “Let’s get ready to science!”
I got my notebook out and acted like I was taking notes. Glancing beside me, I saw Dexter balls deep messing around on his
phone.
Good. He won’t notice I’m writing a note to Miranda.
Well, not doing as much as thinking about her and scribbling her name while Mr. Crisman droned on about the periodic table.
When the bell rang, most of the class ran out, even though Mr. Crisman was still speaking. I slowly closed my notebook,
putting it in my backpack and then left the classroom.
I couldn’t wait to get home, drop this shit off and head to trails.
Ethan caught up to me as we walked down the stairs and towards the front doors to catch our bus.
“The girls are joining us.”
“Ugh. Why?” I rolled my eyes. “They’re gonna want to play truth or dare.”
“Yeah.” He laughed. “They’re easy.”
“Pervert.” I snorted as we climbed up the steps onto the bus.
“Yeah, so drop your shit off at home and meet us where the rope swing is.” Ethan brushed his shoulders off.
The bus was filled with noise and none of it provided a distraction to stop me from wondering if Miranda would show up.
Maybe I am a creeper?
When the bus stopped at my house, I walked up the aisle and down the stairs, running up the driveway.
No one home.
I heaved a sigh of relief and ran into the garage, dropping off my backpack and hopping on my bike.
The freedom I felt riding my bike was epic. No fighting parents. No bitchy mom. And no drunk dad.
I swiped a tear off my face and shook my head to push the memories out of my mind. I missed my dad. He was my best
friend. Was. Until the booze took over.
I sped down the road, pedaling harder as I approached the park. Once there, I could enter the woods and find the trail
leading to the enormous oak tree.
Usually we avoided this area and hung out at the treehouse, but today my friends had other plans. I really wanted to go by the
treehouse to see if Miranda was there, but I didn’t want them knowing I liked her.
The guys wouldn’t care, it was the girls who would. And knowing Victoria liked me, I knew she’d make Miranda’s life hell.
Like I’m a piece of property for her to stake her claim on.
Dust kicked up as my wheels moved from the parking lot of gravel to the dirt. As I neared the meeting place, I saw Ethan and
Dexter coming in from the other side.
Off to the left, I saw the girls walking towards the tree. When they noticed us, they ran to get on the tire swing and wait.
“We should play truth or dare!” Grace bounced.
Rolling my eyes, I turned to Ethan. “Told you.”
The problem with playing that was eventually, it always ended up becoming a make-out fest.
“Well?” Victoria came over to me. “You gonna get off your bike and play with me?”
“Don’t you mean us?” Lori glared at Victoria. “You’re not dating him. He’s free game.”
Victoria whipped her head around to glare at her friend. “I misspoke. We’ll all play together.”
I swung my leg around as I dismounted and parked my bike by one of the smaller trees, and then I climbed onto the tire
swing. After the guys dismounted, Dexter sat opposite of me and we swung around.
“I’ll start.” Victoria clapped her hands. “Hey, Gracie, I dare you to swing out over the lake and not fall.”
Grace looked down at her white shirt and lifted her lip in a scowl. “It’s a new shirt.”
“That’s the best you got?” Dexter asked, laughing. “Swing out.” He mimicked.
Grace pouted. “You could take the dare for me.”
Damn, she’s playing him!
Dexter vacated the tire swing and watched him move around the tree and take a running start. He grabbed onto the rope and
swung out. Just as he did, Grace flashed him, causing him to fall into the water and everyone to burst into laughter.
“What a shithead.” Ethan laughed harder, bending over with his hands on his knees.
I couldn’t help laughing at my friend. He should’ve known the girls had something up their sleeves.
“Whooooo!” A high-pitched voice broke into our laughter as Tara came flying over the hill, skidding to a stop in front of us.
“Shit. What are you jerks doing here?”
“Hanging out, sped.” Dexter came out of the water and shook off. “What’s it look like?”
 Her lip lifted in a snarl as she growled. “Great.”
From the other direction, Holly Hobbie came over the hill and skidded to a stop beside Tara. “Shit.”
I saw Victoria smile slyly at Grace and then look back to the party crashers. “Why don’t you girls join us? We’re playing
truth or dare.”
“Uh, because there’s better things to do.” Holly Hobbie motioned her head to the side. “Let’s go over…”
“Wait.” I heard my voice call out. “Why not join us?”
“Because I’m not a toy for your girlfriend to play with, rich boy.” She turned her head away from me and anger filled me.
“She’s not my girlfriend, Holly Hobbie, and I think you’re chicken.” I hopped off the tire swing and watched her eyes
narrow.
“Who’s Holly Hobbie?” Victoria sneered and walked over to me. “And why do you want her and sped to join us?”
“She’s an old character.” She pushed her bike over to a small tree and propped it up. “You cool with this, Tara?”
“Eh, got nothing else to do.” She did the same with her bike, and then the girls walked over and sat in the tire swing.
Grace sat on the ground with her legs stretched out in front of her, and leaned back on her arms. “So whose turn is it?”
“Dexter. You’re up.” I leaned against the tree and watched the breeze blow the small hairs that fell out of her bun.
He slapped his hands together and warmed them up. “Lori. Truth or dare?”
“Dare.” She batted her eyes.
“I dare you to lick a tree.”
“Seriously, Dex?” Her face scrunched up in disgust.
“I didn’t say the base where an animal might have pissed.” He made a silly face at her.
Her head whipped around, looking at all the trees. “Ugh. Fine.”
We watched as Lori stomped over to a small tree with fairly smooth bark and she stuck her tongue out, running it up a small
length. “There.”
“That looked hot.” Dexter waggled his eyebrows at her and she flipped him off.
Her eyes took everyone in, and she stopped when she got to the tire swing. “Tara.”
“Truth.”
“Have you ever shoplifted?” Lori dropped down beside Grace.
“Nope.” Tara lifted her shoulders in a shrug. “Wally, truth or dare?”
“Dare.”
One eyebrow raised as her lips twisted. “I dare you to ditch your shirt and do a Tarzan call before swinging out over the
lake.”
Wally choked on his laughter. “Done.”
He pulled his shirt off, beat his chest and wailed before grabbing the rope and performing the swing Dexter failed at.
The girls in the tire swing laughed and Wally landed back on solid ground, taking a bow.
“Ethan.” He nodded at our friend.
“Truth.”
“What’s the weirdest thing you’ve eaten?”
“Bull balls.” He gave a shudder.
“Ew.” I laughed. “You’re sick, man.”
“Yeah. That was on a dare too.” He looked over at me. “Henry.”
“Dare.”
Ethan winked at me, and I knew I was screwed. “Flash your junk at Vicki.”
And here we go, asshole.
“Pass.”
“It’s not like I’ve never seen it.” Victoria smiled at me.
“Pass.” I groaned.
“Pussy.” Ethan laughed. “Fine. Kiss your Holly Hobbie.”
I hope she’s not expecting a peck.
Her stormy eyes rolled and narrowed. “I’m not a doll to be played with.”
“Yeah.” Tara nodded. “And if she was a doll, she’d be more like Chucky.”
“Fine.” Ethan shrugged. “You’re not a doll. Henry. Please give the girl a kiss.”
“Why me?” She cringed.
“Yeah.” Victoria scoffed. “Why her?”
“Fresh lips.” Ethan lifted a shoulder in a careless shrug.
“Screw this.” Miranda got up from the swing, glowered at Victoria, and smiled at me. “Gimme your face.”
“Day-um.” Wally chuckled.
She stepped up to me, grabbed my shirt, and pulled me to her. My arms wrapped around her as our lips smashed together.
 Her lips feel so good.
Kissing Miranda was nothing like kissing the other girls. Her lips weren’t covered with lip gloss or lipstick, so they weren’t
sticky like theirs.
The tips of our tongues touched, and I felt an electric shock down to my toes.
“Dude.” Victoria shoved her arm between us. “He said a kiss. Not suck face.”
Miranda pulled back and shook her head. “You’re a jerk.”
“And you think you’re big shit.” Victoria went toe to toe with her. “All you are is an ugly ginger underclassman that wishes
she could be like us.”
“And you’re vapid bitch.” Miranda shoved her back.
Miranda
Tara grabbed my arm. “C’mon. Let’s get out of here.”
I lifted my hand with my middle finger up and shoved it into Victoria’s smug, overly made-up face. “Eat a dick.”
We walked over to our bikes, hopped on and peddled away, headed towards my farm.
You idiot. Letting her get you riled up.
“Those jerks tainted my favorite place!” I yelled over my shoulder to Tara.
“Tell me about it.” She yelled back. “Hey! Watch out!”
Her warning came too late, and I crashed into Jeremy Parks. Our bikes hooked together, our heads slammed into each other,
and we fell over in a pile of metal and limbs.
“Shit!”
“Ouch!”
“Oh, my god! Are you guys okay?” Tara hopped off her bike and ran over.
“Jere?” I groaned.
“I’m alive.” He grunted.
“Hang on, guys.” Tara worked at detangling the pile so we could scuttle out from the bikes.
We both flopped flat on the ground and I felt his hand reach for mine. Our fingers wound together, and I rolled to my side.
“You didn’t get that shiner from the crash.” My voice was strained. “What happened?”
“It doesn’t matter.” A tear slid down his cheek.
“To me it does.” I pushed myself up. “C’mon, let’s take our bikes to the farm and get something to drink.”
He nodded and got up off the ground. The three of us rode in silence back to the farm and hung out in the barn with Stanley
and Sophie.
“Dad’s drunk.” Jeremy sat on a bale of hay with Sophie bumping against him for pets.
“Again?” Tara sighed. “Mine is doing the AA program.”
Jeremy shook his head. “Yeah, well, I don’t think mine ever will.”
“Wanna stay for dinner?” I asked as I opened the large deep freezer we kept in the barn. I pulled out a bag of peas and tossed
it to him. “That should at least help it feel a little better.”
Jeremy leaned his head back and placed the cold peas on his face.
“Maaaaaaaah.”
“I couldn’t have said it better, Sophie.” He scratched her ears while she nibbled on the hem of his tee.
“How’s the rebuild going?” Tara asked as she chased Stanley around.
Jeremy’s eyes lit up as he lifted his head. “I’m learning so much. The twins’ dad, Joe, is so cool.”
“Joe is really nice.” I nodded, smiled. “He’s helped my grandparents out.”
“Rich, Coop and I all want to have our own garage one day. He said if we keep learning the way we are, then we’ll be set.”
“Whoo!” Tara jumped as Stanley turned around and chased her.
We left the goats to do goat things and climbed up in the loft to swing on the rope we had up there. The three of us laughed
and took turns.
I was swinging across when the barn door opened, and my grandfather yelled for me.
“Miranda?”
“Up here, Grandpa!” I hopped off the swing and leaned over the edge to see him. “What’s up?”
“Let’s go out to dinner.” He smiled.
“Can Jeremy and Tara come with?”
“If they want.”
 I turned back to my friends. “Well? You wanna go with us?”
Jeremy nodded. “Yeah. I can text ma and let her know.”
Tara had her phone out typing out a message. “I’m good.”
We went down the ladder, and Grandpa shook his head when he saw Jeremy’s black eye. “Gary?”
“Please, Mr. Walker.” A tear traveled down his cheek.
“I know, son. I won’t make more trouble for you.” Grandpa wrapped his arms around Jeremy. “Door is always open, so is
the barn.”
“Thanks.” He sniffled and Tara and I joined in the hug.
“So where we chowing at?” She asked as we all took a step back.
“Let’s go class up the yacht club.” Grandpa chuckled and motioned outside to his truck.
The three of us ran over and climbed inside buckling our seatbelts when Grandpa opened his door and slid in.
He started the truck; I turned up the radio volume and changed the station to the local rock one we loved.
Dancing in our seats, we enjoyed the drive to the yacht club and I couldn’t help giggling when my grandpa winked at the
valet worker and told him to make sure he didn’t scratch up his good truck.
He always told me the story of how proud he was to buy a brand new truck in nineteen ninety-nine. I don’t think they made
the ghastly shade of baby poop anymore.
Thankfully.
We walked into the club and immediately I felt underdressed. I hated that about this place. No one should look down on you
for your tax bracket. But I don’t think Carson’s got that memo.
Peggy Carson looked over at us and I saw the scowl pass across her face. Henry’s mom, Margaret, turned in her chair to
gawk at us as well.
My stomach felt like there were hundreds of butterflies inside it, and then Henry looked at me and smiled.
Tara grabbed my hand and leaned in close. “I think he likes you.”
“Shh.” I giggled and Jeremy leaned in.
“What are we whispering about?”
“Jere, I think Henry likes Miranda.” Tara giggled harder.
The hostess came over and led us to a table. She took our drink order and disappeared to find our server.
“I’ll be back, Grandpa. I want to wash my hands.”
He nodded, and I took off for the bathrooms.
I loved the way this place was decorated. The clean, bright white walls. Varied art pieces. And the bright green carpeting
that cushioned my feet.
The only reason we came here is because my grandma works in the kitchen. Her cooking was my favorite.
I was almost to the bathrooms when someone came up behind me, covered my eyes and mouth and pulled me into what
smelled like a cleaning closet.
Struggling against the strong arms, they put their mouth to my ear whispering. “Shh, Miranda. It’s me. Henry.”
I stopped fighting, and he moved his hands from my face. Turning around I looked at him in the dimly lit room.
“Sorry.” He smiled. “I didn’t mean to scare you.”
“What did you mean to do?” I tilted my head and smiled back at him. His thick, curly hair was in disarray.
“This.” He leaned in and brushed his lips against mine. His arms wrapped around me, pulling me closer.
My head swooned, and I wrapped my arms around him, letting him kiss me.
His tongue made its way through my lips, teasing mine in a strange game of tag. And I really liked it.
My chest swelled as I tried to control my breathing and I felt something hard pressing against me. Moving my hand down
between us, I brushed against his erection, making him jump.
“Oh!” I jumped back in shock.
His cheeks darkened, and he let out an awkward laugh. “It’s okay.”
“Henry!” a woman’s voice called from the other side of the door.
“Ugh.” He groaned and shook his head. “That’s my mom. I need to go before she sends out a search party.”
“It’s okay.” I brushed some stray hair behind my ear.
He stepped closer and brushed his lips across mine again. “See you tomorrow?”
I nodded and leaned in to kiss him. The moment our lips touched again, his mom called out for him again.
The door rattled, and he pushed me out of sight as he opened it. “What?”
“What are you doing?” Her voice made me shiver.
“I just wanted a few moments to myself.” He shrugged.
“Fine.” She huffed. “I don’t believe you, but I will not argue with you here. Let’s go. I want to get home before your father
drinks himself into a coma.”
His shoulders dropped, and he slipped out of the door, keeping me hidden from her eyes.
 I covered my lips with my fingers, trying to capture the feeling of his lips on mine.
Oh, my god! I can’t wait to tell Tara and Jeremy!
Counting to one hundred, I hoped that would allow Henry and his mom to be far from this area so I could sneak out and make
it to the bathroom.
I opened the door, slowly peeking out the crack. When I saw the coast was clear, I left the closet and made my way to the
bathroom, washed my hands and went back to the table.
Henry and his family had left.
I can’t wait to see him tomorrow!
We ordered food and sat talking until Grandma brought it out to see us.
“Norma?” Grandpa tilted his head, looking at her. “Are you feeling okay?”
“Jay, don’t you go worrying.” She shook her head. “It’s a little warm in the kitchen.”
“Your skin looks weird, Grandma.” My eyes narrowed as I noticed her skin looked wet with a gray tone to it.
“Now stop.” She turned to walk away. “I’m old and tired. I need to finish in the kitchen so I can go home.”
Grandma took four steps and stopped, reaching to hold on to the table to her right.
I jumped up from my chair and ran to her. “Grandma?”
“There’s an elephant on my chest.” Her hushed voice gave me chills. Her left hand clutched my arm, and I pulled the chair
out for her to sit on.
“She needs a doctor!” I heard panic in my grandpa’s voice.
Grandma slid off the chair, landing on the floor. I dropped to my knees beside her. “Grandma!”
“Oh, my God!” Tara yelled, and I saw another adult pull her away from us. Jeremy too.
“The ambulance is on the way!” someone else called out.
Another voice sounded so far away. “Is she breathing?”
I reached out and tried to shake her. Then I felt hands pulling me away.
“Let go of me!” I fought against them. “Let me go!”
I didn’t know who had me, or how they knew my name, but I heard them telling me to calm down.
“I don’t want to calm down! I want my grandma!”
Tara and Jeremy ran up and pulled me from the person holding me. “Keep her here.” His firm voice made me angry.
I shoved him and tried to get back to my grandma, and he wrapped his arms around me again, holding me tight.
And he took every headbutt, bite, kick and scream I had.
I stopped fighting when I saw the paramedics come through the doors and blow past me. I wanted to hear what was going on.
But he wouldn’t let go. The next time I saw them, grandma was on the stretcher, with an oxygen mask on her face and grandpa
running behind them.
“Go on, Jay. I’ll drop the kids off and bring her to the hospital.”
Once the ambulance pulled away with lights and sirens, the man let me go. I spun around and shoved him again, noticing now
who it was.
“I know you’re mad.” Edith’s dad’s voice was softer now. “This is a scary time. Let’s get Jeremy and Tara home, then we’ll
meet your grandpa at the hospital.”
I sniffled and wiped my nose on my sleeve. “Okay.”
When we got into the car, I sat in the back seat between my friends. They each took a hand and held it while Mr. Malone
drove us in silence.
The first stop was Tara’s house. When he pulled into the driveway, he walked her to the door, spoke to her mom, and came
back.
Jeremy switched hands so he could wrap an arm around me.
Mr. Malone returned and drove over to Jeremy’s house. Mrs. Parks came running out, wiping her hands on her apron.
Jeremy pressed a kiss to the top of my head before exiting the car, leaving me inside, alone.
I heard mumbles but couldn’t make out what they were saying.
Mrs. Parks blew me a kiss, and I felt an ugly pit growing in my stomach. I needed to make sure my grandma was okay.
Edie’s dad got back in the car and drove us to the hospital. I appreciated the silence. I didn’t need small talk, and this
allowed silent tears to trek down my face.
When we arrived, he drove up the long lane where you could drop or pick up patients from. Sitting on a bench outside,
holding his head, was my grandpa.
Mr. Malone rolled down the passenger window. “Need me to stay?”
“No.” Grandpa shook his head as I climbed out and closed the door. “Thanks, Irv.”
“You know where I am if you need anything.”
“Thanks.”
The window went up, and I took my grandpa’s hand. “Let’s go see Grandma.”
 “Honey. Wait.” He stopped me from pulling him and his voice sounded frail. “I need to tell you something.”
A chill ran through my body, and I looked into his eyes. I’d seen that look before.
“Honey.” Tears filled his eyes. “Something happened.”
My head shook as I took a step back. “No.”
I watched as he worked to swallow and stop the tears. “Miranda.”
“No.” My voice came out firmer. “Where’s grams? What room is she in?” I demanded as an officer came outside.
Sheriff Coats looked between us, removed his hat, and bowed his head. “Miranda.”
“NO!” I couldn’t stop myself from screaming.
Grandpa’s arms wrapped around me and held me tight. “She had a heart attack, baby. It hit so fast there wasn’t a thing anyone
could’ve done.”
“You’re lying.” Tears streamed down my face.
“I wish I were.” His voice broke as he squeezed me tighter.
“You have to be.” I sobbed.
“Baby, I’m sorry.” Grandpa sobbed, holding on to me.
Henry
I couldn’t wait to get to school and see Miranda.
My lips still tingled from kissing her. I knew she was a sixth grader, but I didn’t care. She was so different from the girls that
hung around with us.
Honest. Kind. Beautiful.
Ethan elbowed me. “What’s got you smiling like a derp?”
I looked around to see who sat closest and then leaned in so only he could hear me. “I kissed Miranda.”
“Dude, I know. I was there.” He laughed. “I’m the one who dared you to.”
I shook my head. “No. Last night at the club.”
“When?” His eyes narrowed.
“I pulled her into the cleaning closet.”
“Dude!” His jaw dropped. “When your mom was looking for you, you were making out with Holly Hobbie in the closet?”
“Yep.” I nodded. “You should try being nicer to Vivi. It’ll get you farther.”
“I don’t even like Vivian.” He shook his head and sat back.
“Right.” I laughed.
The bus bounced along and I looked out the window. School was almost over and summer would be here.
I wonder if Miranda likes to swim?
The bus slowed and turned the corner, shaking us all around before pulling into the parking lot and opening the door for us to
exit.
Ethan and I walked on the sidewalk, following the other kids into the building. Two stories of classrooms, hundreds of
people to wade through.
I didn’t see Miranda anywhere.
“Hi, Henry.” Victoria ran over and wrapped her arms around me. “You didn’t call me last night.” She thrust her lip out,
pouting.
“That’s because he was busy cleaning.” Ethan deadpanned.
“You have a maid.” She wrinkled her nose. “Why on earth would you do her job?”
Rolling my eyes, I walked past her and into the building. “She annoys me.”
“She’s got plans to marry you.” Ethan laughed. “Gracie told me about it.”
“I’d kill myself first.”
“Shh.” Dexter joined us. “If the counselor hears you say that, she’ll call your parents and you’ll be off to the looney bin.”
I broke away from my friends and walked down the hall to my locker. Richard had his locker open, and he was talking to his
younger brother.
“Today we’re meeting at the twin’s place. Joe is going to go over oil changes.”
“Yeah. I need something to distract me.” Jeremy frowned.
“Maybe invite Miranda?” Richard shrugged.
“Invite Miranda for what?” I asked, spinning the combination lock.
The brothers looked over at me. “Miranda’s grandma died last night. So I thought she might like something to distract her.”
“Wait.” I shook my head. “What happened?”
“She had a heart attack.” He frowned. “I feel so bad for her.”
“Ma said she didn’t suffer.” Richard joined in, frowning. “Norma was good friends with our mom.”
Pete walked up and shook his head. “I’m gonna miss her cooking.”
Confusion filled me. “Cooking?”
 “She was the head cook at the club.” Pete sighed. “My mom pissed me off too, Miss Norma just passed and mom wants to
bring in some special chef.”
“I heard Miss Norma telling my mom how your mom was trying to push her out.” Richard closed his locker.
“Yeah. My mom’s a snobby bitch sometimes.” Pete shrugged. “Catch you losers in class.”
The hall emptied as we stood there.
“What happened to your eye?” I pulled out the book I needed and closed my locker.
Jeremy shrugged and sighed. “I’m going to class.”
He jogged down the hall to his class as Pete, Richard, and I went into our classroom.
The bell rang, and our English teacher scribbled on the board while muttering.
Victoria came in late and took her pass to the teacher before sliding into the seat beside me. She leaned over and batted her
eyes.
“Henry. There’s a dance on Friday. Wanna go with me?”
I shook my head and tried to pay attention to the teacher, feeling victorious when she sat back in her seat with a huff and left
me alone.
My day was surprisingly peaceful, making my classes and lunchtime fly by. When the last bell rang, I bolted out of class, to
my locker, grabbed my backpack, and then ran to the bus.
Ethan boarded the bus shortly after me and dropped down beside me. “Where’s the fire?”
“What fire?” I shrugged and sat back.
He turned his head towards me, his eyes narrowed. “You’re going to see Holly Hobbie.”
“So?”
“Dude.” He held up his hand. “Don’t be defensive.”
“I’m not trying to be.” I slammed my head back against the seat. “It’s just … I really like her.”
“Pussy.” Ethan laughed.
“Jerk.” I elbowed him.
We rode in silence and when my stop came, I almost knocked him out of the way to get off the bus.
Running up the driveway, I skidded to a halt when I saw my mom sitting outside, sipping her iced tea.
“Welcome home, Henry.” She smiled. “You seem like you’re in a hurry.”
“Yeah, I don’t have homework and I wanted to go hang out on the trails.”
“I don’t think so.” She sipped her tea.
“Why not?”
“We’re having a dinner party tonight. I want you to pick out what you plan to wear, get in the shower and, for the love of
God, do something with the mop on your head.”
“But…” I thumbed to the garage. “Can’t I go for a little bit?”
“No.” She pursed her lips.
“We have three hours before anyone will be here.” I raised my voice, and she stood up walking closer to me. “I want to go
hang out!”
“Henry.” The tone in her voice oozed ice.
“This is stupid! I wah…”
Her hand flew out and slapped me across the face. “Enough.”
“You … you hit me!” I stepped back.
“You’re acting like a spoiled brat.” She stepped after me. “Get in the house.”
“I hate you!” I snarled.
She threw her glass of tea, smashing it on the ground. “Not as much as I hate you.” She slapped me again. “I am done with
you being a brat.”
Huffing out a hard breath, I turned to go into the house.
“And don’t think I don’t know about your little white trash friend.” Her shoes crunched the small shards of glass. “Stay away
from her.”
Shaking my head, I stormed inside, running to my room to be alone.

Miranda
The last few days blurred all together. I didn’t want to talk to anyone … that’s not true. The one person I wanted to talk to
didn’t call or come by.
My body felt numb. My brain couldn’t process any thoughts and I didn’t want to hear anymore condolences.
 People have been in and out of our home, bringing food, paper products, and repeated offers if we need anything to call.
You know what I needed?
Everyone to leave me alone.
I hated funerals. I hated death. I hated people. I hated the smell of the funeral home.
The foyer at the funeral home was meant to be comforting.
Spoiler alert. It wasn’t
“There you are, Miranda.” Wally and Andrew’s mom walked over to me. “Oh, sweetheart, I’m so sorry for your loss.” She
placed a finger under my chin and lifted my face. “You’re probably so sick of hearing that.”
“Thanks.”
“Wouldn’t you be?” Jeremy’s mom, Miss Jean, walked up.
How many times had I heard that? A hundred? A million? What does it even mean? Great. You’re sorry. You didn’t kill
her. You didn’t kill my parents.
The women stepped back to give me breathing room, and I slinked away. I didn’t want any more hugs. Walking through the
funeral home, I made my way to a dark corner and hid.
Every person here loved my grandma. I’d heard all the stories and loved them, but right now they weren’t bringing me
comfort.
All I wanted was for my grandma to be alive.
It’s not fair that she’s gone.
Most of my teachers sent home make-up work for me and I had it all completed while I avoided all the plans that were being
made.
I wanted to go home. I wanted my goats and dogs.
“There you are.” My grandpa’s soft voice made me look up.
“Sorry.”
He sat down beside me. “You don’t have to be sorry, punkin.”
“I miss my mom and dad.” Tears rolled down my cheeks. “It’s not fair.”
Warm arms wrapped around me in a secure hug. “It’s not. But sometimes this is the hand life deals us.”
“Who? Who is the stupid dealer that thought this was a good hand?”
“Aw, punkin, some people think it’s God. Others call it fate.” He sighed. “And in the end, we don’t get a say.”
“This is so stupid.”
“I agree.” His tears dripped onto my head.
We sat there together in our sadness until a strange soft voice interrupted. “Excuse me, Mr. Walker. The pastor is ready to do
the service.”
Grandpa nodded. “Give us a minute.”
“Of course.”
The young woman disappeared, and he turned his eyes to me. “Well.” He sighed. “Are you coming with me?”
I nodded. “Yeah. We’re all we got now.”
He pushed himself up from the floor and waited for me. With our hands clasped together, we walked back to the viewing
room and took our place in the front row.
A brand new box of tissues appeared at the end of the row and I picked it up, hugging it to my body. I didn’t hear a word the
pastor said.
The numbness I felt ran through me and I was sure I’d never feel normal again.
Miranda
It'd been two weeks since Grandma died, and today I wanted to go back to school. I couldn’t take being at home anymore.
Neither could my grandpa.
Today was his first day back at work too and he was driving me to school.
“You know. If it’s too much, you can call me and I’ll come get you.” He glanced over before taking off from a stop sign.
“I know.” I reached for his hand and rubbed my thumb on his leathery skin. “But if I keep staying home, I’ll just miss her
more.”
“Same.”
He pulled into the drop off lane and didn’t let go of my hand until we were almost at the front doors.
“Miranda, it’s okay to not be okay.”
Sadness filled me. “I know.”
I leaned over and kissed his cheek. Then opened my door and got out, joining the herd of kids walking towards the school.
“Hey! M!” I heard Tara’s voice, and I stepped to the side to wait for her.
“Hey, T.”
“I brought some cookies. Wanna share?”
We smiled at each other as I nodded my head. “That sounds great.”
“We can pop into the FACS class to get some milk.” She linked her arm with mine and we walked into the building and went
down the main hall to Mrs. Carroll’s classroom.
“Miranda!” someone yelled from behind us.
Pausing, we both turned around to see Henry jogging towards us. Before he caught up to us, Victoria stepped in front of him,
wrapped her arms around his neck, and kissed him.
My heart sank to my feet.
That’s why he never called.
“C’mon, M, let’s go eat cookies.” Tara linked her fingers with mine and we turned our backs and disappeared into the
classroom.
Mrs. Carroll glanced up. “Hiding out until the bell?”
Nodding, I set my backpack down on a desk. “Grandpa said I didn’t have to come back today, but …” I shrugged.
“I understand.” She gave me a small smile and let us raid the fridge for milk to go with our cookies.
We ate in silence, and my mind drifted to Henry and Victoria.
If his plan was to make Victoria jealous, he should’ve found someone else. I was stupid to think he liked me.
The two cookies I ate sat heavy in my belly and a wave of nausea passed over me.
“Sorry, T.” I sighed. “I’m gonna head to art.”
“You don’t have to be sorry.” She got up and took our cups to the sink to be washed. “We’re older now, and you’re probably
going to feel out of sorts for a while.” Her shoulders lifted in a shrug. “At least that’s what my mom said.”
“Thanks.” I pressed my lips together in a wane smile and grabbed my backpack before leaving the room.
My feet took me the long way around through the back hall to my locker. Most people I came across moved out of my way,
except for the one who stood blocking my locker.
The cloying sweetness of her perfume made me want to vomit. “Please move.”
Victoria laughed. “Not until I make sure you know your place.”
“And what place is that?”
She dropped her voice menacingly low. “You were a curiosity for Henry. Nothing more.”
My voice sounded flat when I responded. “Noted.”
 “If I see you near him, I’ll make you wish you were never born.”
“Jokes on you.” I barked out a laugh. “I already do!”
The bell rang and most students scattered like cockroaches when someone turned on a light. Victoria shoved me into the
lockers before she walked away, finally leaving me alone.
Bitch. I hated her. I hated feeling this way.
Reaching for the combination lock, I twisted my numbers out, threw my backpack inside and slammed it shut before walking
down the hall to my class.

Henry
Victoria’s sticky lips felt gross, and I pushed her back, breaking the kiss. “What the hell?”
“Oh, Henry.” She giggled. “Don’t be like that.”
“We’re not together, Victoria.” I tried to walk around her and she moved with me.
“Henry. You can’t run from me.”
I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. “Please. Leave me alone.”
“Fine.” She shrugged. “I’ll see you at lunch.”
Victoria walked away with a smirk on her face, and when I looked up, Miranda was gone.
Walking down the hall, I looked into the classrooms to see if that’s where she disappeared, and as I was about to open the
door to FACS class, Jeremy put his arm out to stop me.
“Let her have some breathing room.”
“I need to tell her …”
He held up both hands. “She’s one of my best friends, and right now? She needs breathing room.”
Shit. He’s right.
Nodding, I turned and walked away. I’ll find her at lunch and see how she’s holding up.
Ethan, Richard, Dexter and Wally jogged towards me. “C’mon, Henry, we have time to shoot some hoops.”
I joined them jogging towards the gym and pushed everything from my mind except the hurt look on Miranda’s face when
Victoria ambushed me.
Today already sucked.
The gym was always full in the mornings before the first bell rang. Sixth and seventh graders stayed in the back part of the
room leaving the front part for us eighth graders.
Dexter passed a basketball to me, and we all took turns shooting. My friends made every basket they shot.
Me? I failed.
“Dude. What is up with you?” Wally elbowed me. “You usually nail the shot every time.”
“His girlfriend is back, and she probably blew him off.” Ethan laughed, went in for a lay-up and made his shot.
“What girlfriend?” Richard asked as he took his turn.
“You know, Holly Hobbie.”
“She’s not my girlfriend.” I growled.
Ethan threw his head back, laughing harder. “No? But you want her to be.”
I hard passed the ball to him and went over to grab my backpack. “Later.”
Storming from the gym, I headed to my first class, deciding I needed to stay away from people today.
Every time the bell rang it gave me a small amount of solace to know I was that much closer to lunch.
I couldn’t concentrate in any of my classes, even more so in Mr. Bell’s history class. The past bored me to death, but when
you added in his monotone droning, sticking a dull pencil into my ear sounded like a completely sane idea.
Thankfully, this was my last class before lunch.
I drummed my pencil on the desk while watching the clock when I heard him call my name.
“Henry?”
“Yes, Mr. Bell?”
“Am I boring you?”
Loaded question.
“No, sir, I’m just hungry.” I set my pencil down and acted like I was interested in whatever war he talked about.
The classroom was so quiet I could hear the minute hand ticking away and I felt like I was about to crawl out of my skin.
When the bell finally rang, I grabbed my backpack and bolted from the classroom. I needed to find Miranda.
I scanned through the crowd until I saw her red hair going into the cafeteria. Running through the sea of people, I darted in
the doors and saw her sit at her normal table.
 “Perfect.” I walked over and took a seat across from her. “I couldn’t wait to see you.”
“Why?” She glared at me. “Seeing you kiss your girlfriend didn’t say enough?”
“I didn’t …” I shook my head and Victoria came up behind me, wrapping her arm around my shoulders.
“Hey.” She kissed my cheek, and I saw Miranda’s eyes narrow.
She picked up her brown lunch bag, stood up and tossed it into the trash, leaving the lunchroom.
“Henry, I heard her friends talking.” Victoria sat beside me. “Miranda doesn’t like you. As a matter of fact, she wants you to
leave her alone.”
“That doesn’t sound right.” I glared at her.
“Fine.” She shrugged and waved Jeremy over. “I heard you and the girls talking about Miranda and Henry.”
Jeremy shrugged. “And?”
“He doesn’t believe she would feel that way.”
“Well, she does.” Jeremy looked directly at Victoria. “And you’re a jerk for eavesdropping. Miranda would’ve told him
when she was ready.”
We watched him walk away, and Victoria smiled. “See?”
My stomach dropped to my feet. “Whatever.”
We were in the last quarter of school, and except for math, I wouldn’t see Miranda.
Eighth grade could suck my toe.
Miranda
Sophomore year of high school
I blew out a hard breath, making my lips vibrate while I spun the combination to open my locker. The stench of urine slapped
me in the face and as I looked down, I saw my books were warped from being wet.
“What the hell?” I looked around, and Bubba Williams looked around the door and busted up laughing.
“Hell, Miranda, I think that was for me.” His body shook like Jello as he laughed harder.
“You can’t be serious.” I dropped my backpack and pinched the bridge of my nose, trying to stop the headache that was
forming.
He slapped my back hard enough to jostle me. “Hell yeah! It’s senior week!”
Some of the other football players came bounding through the hall, yelling like idiots. Bubba chest bumped one and then
joined in, heading down the rest of the corridor.
I slammed my locker shut and walked in the opposite direction to Tara’s locker. She looked up at me and smiled. “Who
pissed in your post toasties?”
“Some fucking jock thinking my locker was Bubba’s pissed in mine.”
Edith and Elena walked up with scrunched noses.
“Someone peed in your locker?” Edith shook. “Please tell me you’re joking.”
“No, Edie, if I was joking I would’ve said big red truck.” I felt the snarl on my face.
“Ew.”
“Ew, is right.”
The four of us walked down the hall towards the gym. I thought I heard my name, and turned to see who was calling me,
when I tripped over a foot and went sprawling on the hallway floor.
“Ya oughta’ be more careful than that, Holly Hobbie.”
Asshole. I can’t wait for him to graduate this year.
When we hit the freshman building, it was still peaceful because the arrogant jerks were upper classmen, but now we’re all
in the same building.
“Screw you, Walsh.” I growled and got up from the floor.
“You wish.” Victoria called after me.
“Don’t worry, Victoria! Your place as school slut is secure!” I raised my hand in a one-finger salute, smiling as I caught up
with my friends.
We chattered amongst ourselves as we made our way to the gym. The halls were decked out for senior week, and most of the
school was excited about it.
I wasn’t one of them.
All I wanted was to get through this hell they call high school and get to college. Our school had a transition program where
you could get a jumpstart on college courses and I couldn’t wait.
After seeing my grandma drop and not knowing what was wrong, I knew I wanted to work in a health field.
Even now, what if thoughts haunted me.
What if I knew CPR? Could that have saved her?
As we entered the locker room, we went around the main grouping of lockers and went to our little corner to change.
I flipped my shirt off and hung it up. “This day can suck my left nut.”
“Have you seen the guys?” Lindsey pulled her tee shirt on and slammed her gym locker shut. “Like, they were all cute before
summer, but now? Holy hot damn!”
I sighed and closed my locker before sitting on the bench. “And every last one of them is a prick.”
 “Not all.” Lindsey laughed. “What do you think, Viv?”
“I think I agree with Miranda.” She laughed and put her foot up to tie her laces. “Ethan is the worst of the lot.”
“Try again.” I scowled. “Henry laughed when he tripped me this morning.”
“Why?” She scrunched her face up. “Want me to flick some chocolate shake on the back of his head at lunch?”
“Ladies!” Coach Wilkes yelled from the doorway. “Let’s get a groove going!”
“Coming, Coach!” Vivian yelled back as we finished getting ready.
One by one, we all left the locker room and lined up for roll-call and warm-ups. Then coach led us out to the field.
Henry jogged up beside me. “Hey, Holly?”
Drop dead.
“Not my name.”
Henry was cute in middle school, but now he was gorgeous. He had a five o’clock shadow that made him look rugged, and
he still had that adorable dimple.
“Don’t be like that.” He turned around and jogged backwards, trying to get my attention.
I hope you trip.
“Drop dead.” I kept my gaze forward.
He grabbed my arm and stopped me from walking. “Look, I need your help.”
“I’m not qualified for the help you need.” I looked him in the eye. “Unless you need to be pissed on because you’re on fire.”
“Gross.” He mock sneered at me. “Hear me out.”
“What do I get if I hear you out?” I crossed my arms over my chest.
“What do you want?” He flashed me his best smile.
“Is you dropping dead too much to ask?”
“Yes.” He stopped smiling.
“Then I guess I’ll settle for you leaving me alone.” I smiled at him.
“Deal.” He nodded and stepped closer. “I want to sneak an animal in as a prank on Principal Miller.”
“And?”
“And I need your help.” His cinnamon brown eyes twinkled with mischief.
This has to be a joke.
“You’re joking.”
“Nope.” He beamed.
“Fine, then I’m dreaming.” I shook my head and closed my eyes.
“C’mon, doll, word is you’re good with animals and have a goat.”
I opened my eyes, frowning. “You’re still around.
“Aw, look at you.” His voice was condescending. “You got jokes.”
“Ugh.” I turned and walked to catch up with my friends.
“Don’t be like that, Miranda.” He showed up beside me again.
“Will the goat be harmed?”
“No.” He threw his arm over my shoulder like we were pals. “I just want to sneak it in before school.”
“You know it’s not that easy?” I side-eyed him.
“Why not?”
“You know they eat everything?”
“We’ll secure it.” He nodded excitedly. “Trust me.”
“No. I don’t trust you. But I think it could be funny.”
“So you’ll help me?” He blocked me from walking.
“Fine.” I sighed. “When?”
“Tomorrow morning.” He winked. “Come on, it’ll be the best senior prank ever!”
I glared at him. “Let me make sure I got it right.” I ticked everything on my fingers. “First, you want to borrow a goat. Then
you sneak it into the school.”
“Yep.”
“And then you’ll give me what for my help and silence.” I smiled again.
“You won’t see or hear from me for the rest of the school year.” He flashed another beautiful smile at me, making his dimple
show again.
Damn him and that dimple.
“Just you or all your cronies, too?”
“Um, all of us?” He gave me a mock pout.
“Deal.”
“Awesome.” He ran off to join his friends, and I walked over to mine.
 “What’d Henry want?” Edie asked as she cleaned her glasses.
“Tell ya later.” I shrugged.

Henry
Hell yeah! Miranda’s gonna help.
I didn’t think she would after all the flak we’ve given her and her friends, but she was smart enough to know a good prank
when she heard one.
“Hey, Henry.” Wally maneuvered his way to me. “She gonna help us?”
“Yup.” I smiled. “But we need to stop picking on her.”
“Why?” He looked offended.
“That’s the deal.”
Ethan, Dexter and Richard joined us.
“What’s the deal?” Ethan stretched his arms and then popped his neck.
“No more picking on Miranda.” I shrugged. “And she’ll let us borrow her goat.”
“How did you know she had a goat?” Ethan laughed.
Richard chuckled. “She’s friends with Jeremy. He talks about the goats.”
I remembered Miranda from middle school and the kisses we shared. Her lips were the only ones I’d ever kissed without
something on them. I tried suggesting natural lips to Victoria, and she laughed in my face.
Coach hollered for us to join the class. Jogging over, we moved closer while he chose team captains, and then it was time to
play some touch football. The game went smoothly until Ethan tackled Vivian, sending her to the nurse.
I leaned over to Wally. “What class are you in with her?”
“Who?” He looked confused.
“Duh.” Rolling my eyes, I looked over at him. “Miranda.”
“Oh. English.” Wally waved at the coach. “Why?”
“Tell her to meet me after school under the bleachers so we can get our plans down.”
“Good idea.” He gave me thumbs up. “Don’t be seen with the help.”
“Gentlemen?” Coach looked over at us. “Are you ready to play? Or are you still having a private tea party?”
We laughed and joined the huddle with the rest of our team. School wasn’t my favorite place to be, but it was better than
being home with my mom.
After almost an hour of flag football, we were back in the locker room. Most of us were showered and ready to head to
lunch, but Ethan was lagging behind.
“What’s up?” I leaned against the lockers.
“Nothing. Go on without me.” He motioned with his head. “I’ll catch up.”
I narrowed my eyes. “You’re up to something.”
“Fine.” He rolled his eyes. “Keep coach busy?”
“Sure.” I went to find Coach. “You brown baggin’?”
“I am.” Coach held his lunch up.
I motioned to the back door. “Wanna head out to the track?”
“Yeah.” He nodded and got up from his desk.
Coach and I went out the back doors talking about the track meet on Friday. This was something I missed from my dad.
Shootin’ the shit for the hell of it.
The rest of my day went by fast, and I couldn’t wait until after school. My locker wasn’t far from Miranda’s. The school kept
things in alphabetical order. Reaching onto my top shelf, I snagged a rubber band and took aim at Miranda.
She snapped her head around and felt all over her head, making me laugh. I grabbed another one and shot it across the hall at
her again, laughing harder when she slammed her locker.
“What’s so funny?” Victoria wrapped her arms around me.
“Nothing.” I tried to get out of her embrace.
“Wanna come over?” Her hand slid down and cupped my erection. “I could take care of this for you.”
I shoved her hand away. “Not now.”
“Why are you being mean…” Her eyes zeroed in on Miranda and she let go of me.
Miranda looked at us and walked away.
“Why are you looking at her?” Victoria glared at me.
“No reason.”
 “But you keep looking at her.”
“No. I don’t.” I slammed my locker shut and walked down the hall.
“Every time I turn around, you’re looking at her.” She stomped her foot. “Do you prefer that white trash bitch over me?”
A small crowd gathered around us.
“Well, Henry?” Her hand went to her hips and people moved in closer.
“No.” I huffed out a hard breath in frustration. “I don’t even like her!” Looking over Victoria’s head, I saw Miranda standing
there shaking her head before she turned and ran down the hall.
It took another fifteen minutes to calm Victoria down. What I should’ve done was tell her I wanted to break-up.
She finally left with her friends and I ran down to the gym and out the doors to see if Miranda was waiting for me under the
bleachers.
Making sure no one else was around, I slipped under them and looked around for Miranda. When I didn’t see her anywhere, I
went back inside the school, got my backpack and ran to my car. If she wouldn’t meet me here, I’d go to her.
There was an old farm not far from the school. I turned on the dirt road that led there and pulled into the driveway. I watched
as three huge dogs trotted into the barn.
Opening my door, I slid out of the car and jumped when someone yelled at me.
“Aaaaaarrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrgh!”
I fell back against the car and slumped to the ground, staring at a goat. “What the fuck?”
“What’re you doing?” Her voice came from the other side of my car.
Jumping up, I looked at her and could tell she’d been crying. “You weren’t under the bleachers.”
“That’s because I’m not your friend.” She sneered at me and walked towards the barn.
“I didn’t say that!”
“You don’t even like me. Ring a bell?” She spun and looked at me as she walked backwards. “Oh! and let’s not forget white
trash bitch.”
I stood there like a moron, watching her walk away and felt something ram against my thigh.
“Aaaaaarrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrgh!”
“Damn, are you noisy!” I looked down at the goat, who backed up and lunged for me again. I stepped out of the way in time
for his thick head to hit my car and dent my door. “Jesus!”
He backed up again, and I ran towards the barn. “Mirrrrraaaaaaaaaanda!”
“Aaaaaarrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrgh!”
I heard his hoofs pounding the ground behind me. “Shit. Shit. Shit. Shit. Shit. Shit.”
The dogs barked and a smaller goat came running towards me from the front.
“Maaaaaaaaaaah!”
“Fuck!” I jumped over the small gate in front of a stall and heard laughter. “This isn’t funny, Miranda.”
“I disagree.” Her head hung down from the loft. “This is hilarious!”
The goats wandered off with the dogs, and I hopped back over the gate. Along the wall, I saw a ladder that went up to the
loft and I went over and climbed up.
Miranda
I sat back against a block of hay and watched Henry climb into the loft.
“Miranda.” His dark eyes looked serious.
My head fell back as I roared with laughter. “Looked like Stanley doesn’t like you much.”
“He’s a demon.” He dropped to the floor.
“He’s a goat.” I laughed harder. “They’re their own people.”
His laughter joined mine as he looked around the loft. “This place seems cool.”
Shrugging, I got up and climbed over the bales to grab the rope. “I like it.”
“I’m…” His laughter died off and he sighed.
“You’re what?” I swung out across the loft. “Sorry that your girlfriend called me a white trash bitch? Or that you didn’t stop
her?”
“It doesn’t matter what I say. You won’t believe me.” He ran a hand through his hair. “I don’t get why you’re so mad at me.
You didn’t want me back in middle school, and I gave you space.”
I swung back to my starting point. “Try again, rich boy.”
“Why do you hate me?”
“I thought you liked me, especially after pulling me into the cleaning closet at the restaurant.” I swung around again. “Then
you got with Victoria.”
“Oof.” He tried to catch me and went flying. “Are you talking about when you got back?”
“Yeah.”
He wrapped his hands around my waist. “Let go.” A smile spread across his face, making his dimple show, and I felt my
brain shut off.
Then I surprised myself by listening.
“I still remember kissing you.” His hands spanned around my waist, and he brought me down, keeping me against his body.
“Victoria told me you didn’t want me around.”
“I’m sure she did.”
His lips brushed against mine. “She said she heard your friends talking and when she asked your friend, he said that you
would’ve told me when you were ready.”
“I had a crush on you.”
He leaned in and rubbed his nose with mine. “And now?”
“I thought we agreed you’d leave me alone.”
“Is that what you want?” His voice deepened, and goosebumps swept across my skin.
The air felt suctioned out of the barn and I found it hard to breathe. His eyes darkened, and I felt his erection press against
me.
I watched his Adam’s apple bob in his throat as he licked his lips. Henry’s voice dropped low when he spoke. “What is it
you want?”
I closed my eyes, trying not to look into his. “For you to leave me alone.”
His arms tightened around me. “No.”
Henry’s tongue licked my bottom lip, and my hands grabbed his head as I pressed my lips against his.
His groan rumbled against my chest and I felt my nipple tighten. My legs wrapped around his waist and I felt his hands cup
my ass.
I could feel my body respond to his, and I hated myself for it. Breaking our kiss, I swallowed and asked. “What about…”
“Shhh.” His lips slammed over mine again.
 I moved my body, grinding against him, moaning from the stimulation.
He broke the kiss and set me down. His large hands grabbed my face. “Tell me you don’t want me.”
“I don’t want you.” My hands moved up to his chest and shoved him back.
Henry stood there looking at me for a brief moment before he reached out and grabbed the waist of my jeans, yanking me to
him. “I’ve waited too long for this moment.”
I felt his hands slide under my shirt and I raised my arms so he could take off my shirt. Tossing it aside, he ran his index
finger down the side of my face, to my chest, and down between my breasts.
“I think about you all the time.” He groaned.
My hands moved under his shirt, and he lifted his arms for me to remove it. Being shorter than him, I left it on his arms to
finish removing and he tossed it on top of mine.
His hands came back to my waist, and he lifted me to sit on the hay bale, moving between my legs. His hair tickled my chest
as he bent his head to kiss the tops of my breasts.
Reaching behind me, I unbuttoned my bra, letting it hang loosely for him to slide it off. His lips scorched my skin with each
kiss and he yanked it from my body, letting it fly behind him.
Henry’s mouth wrapped around a nipple, sucking and nibbling it, making my pussy wetter.
“Stop that.” I groaned as my head fell back.
He pulled off with a pop and moved over to my other breast, giving it the same treatment. His body wiggled as he moved
around, then I felt his hands pushing my shoes off.
This time, when he pulled off, he stepped back and unbuttoned the top of his jeans. I felt the smile grow on my face as he
took his time unzipping them. Mimicking him, I did the same to my jeans.
“Tell me you don’t want me.” I demanded as I stared into his eyes.
He shook his head.
I jumped off the hay bale and walked over to him. “Tell me.”
He dropped to his knees, pulling me close to kiss my belly. His hands pushed my jeans and underwear down as he moved his
kisses lower. My hand fisted in his hair and yanked his head back.
“No.”
Henry held his hands up. “Walk away.”
“I hate you.” I snarled before jumping at him.
He caught me and our lips slammed together as we fell back on the floor. Rolling around in each other’s arms, our fingers
explored and caused goosebumps as we teased each other. Somehow, we worked our way out of our jeans. Our bodies were
naked, except for our socks.
Soft moans mixed with the goats screaming below us as we fought for dominance until he won and pinned me to the floor.

Henry
I looked into her eyes and saw the storms moving in them. “Your fucking eyes.” I groaned and slammed my lips over hers
again.
She groaned, and I moved my body against hers, letting my dick play in the valley of her thighs.
Her fingers traced my ear and then got lost in my hair. She smelled like soap and something earthy. No harsh chemicals or
perfumes, and her skin was soft.
My hand moved up her side and cupped her breast as she arched up into my touch. Her hands moved down my body, and I
felt her fingertips against my back, just before her nails bit into my skin.
“Yes-s-s-s.” I hissed against her lips as I moved my kisses to her jawline and the hollow of her neck.
She wiggled and fought to roll us again, and I let her roll us to our sides. Her hand wasted no time slipping between our
sweaty bodies to grasp my erection.
Her thumb circled my head and spread my precum, giving me goosebumps all over.
She threw her leg up over my hip, giving me room to play, and I plunged a finger inside her warm honey pot, making her
gasp, then I added another. Her head fell back, and she moaned while tightening her grip on me.
I plunged my tongue deeper into her mouth and she matched her pace, stroking me to how I fingered her. Her response to my
touch had me on edge.
Breaking our kiss, I moaned. “Fuck.” My head fell back. “Tell me you don’t want me.”
“I can’t.” She moaned again, and I felt desire race through me as her hips moved with me.
“Tell me you want me to stop.” I panted and dropped my head against hers.
“Say my name.” She panted into my ear.
 I ran my tongue up her neck to her ear. “Miranda.”
“Mm, Henry.” She pulled me to be on top of her, and I pulled my fingers free.
“I don’t have…” I panted.
“Have you ever fucked without one?” She flicked her tongue at my chin.
“No.”
She lifted her hips up and my body responded to her offer as I pushed inside her. I could feel her velvet softness gripping me,
and I had to hold steady.
I didn’t know this is what it felt like. No wonder Richard said it’s better.
“On top.” I panted and rolled us. Her blue eyes looked down, and I trembled seeing the desire in them. My hands gripped her
hips and moved her faster, fascinated by her breasts bouncing. She panted and braced her hands on my chest.
Her lips parted, and I wanted to taste them again. I pulled her down to me, and we rolled back over. My lips slammed
against hers and I felt her lift her legs to let me drive deeper. Bucking my hips faster, I chased my orgasm as I felt her pussy
tighten around me.
Our kisses went through a gamut of licking, biting, sucking until we both cried out.
I dropped against her, holding myself up so I didn’t crush her. The smile on her face made me want to go again.
“Miranda?” a voice yelled into the barn.
“Yeah, grandpa?”
I felt the blood drain out of my face.
“I’m home.”
“Okay.” She looked up at me.
“I’ll be inside.” I could vaguely hear him shuffle away and she looked nonplussed.
“Miranda…” I whispered against her lips. “This…”
“Shh.” Her lips pressed against mine.
She gave me a gentle nudge, and I rolled to the side of her. I watched her stretch before she looked at me. “If I were you?
Tomorrow morning, I’d coax Sophie with some apples. She’s the smaller goat.”
“She didn’t seem to hate me.” I chuckled.
“I need to get inside and get started on dinner.” She smiled at me, and I leaned over to kiss her.
This kiss made my toes curl, and when it ended, she pushed me away and got up.
We both darted around, collecting our clothes and getting dressed. She went down the ladder first and I followed her.
“Thanks.”
Her eyes narrowed. “For upstairs? Or?”
“The goat.” I smiled. “I’ll see you tomorrow in school?
“Sure.” She bit her bottom lip and left me standing alone in her barn.
Miranda
Henry Walsh likes me.
My back was to the wall in the mudroom, and I still smelled him around me. It shouldn’t matter if one of the hot, popular
guys liked me, but it did.
“Hey, punkin, how was your day?” My grandpa called out from the living room.
I kicked off my shoes and went to sit on the couch. “It was good.”
“Whose car was that?” He narrowed his eyes playfully.
“A kid from school.”
“Do they have a name?” He kicked back in his recliner.
“Henry Walsh.”
Grandpa’s eyes turned dark. “Is his dad an attorney?”
“Yeah, I think so.”
He shook his head. “Stay away from him.”
“What?” I sat forward. “Why?”
“That family’s no good. Money can buy a lot, but not class.”
“Grandpa?”
He slammed the footrest down and stormed from the room. “His mother is rotten to the core. And apples don’t fall far from
the tree.” He went into his bedroom and slammed the door, leaving me sitting there in confusion.
Me
Henry came over to my house
Tara
Really? That’s ballsy
Me
He needs to borrow a goat for a prank
Tara
PLEASE tell me you told him to use Stanley
Me
Umm, no. Stanley was out for blood
Tara
Well at least the goat is smart
Me
What’s that supposed to mean?
Tara
I came by and you were busy
Me
=O
Tara
What about him dating Victoria?
Me
I don’t think he’s into her
 Tara
I don’t want to see you get hurt
Me
Maybe he’ll break up with her?
Tara
And if he doesn’t?
Me
After today? I’m pretty sure he will
Tara
I swear if he treats you like shit tomorrow at school I’m chucking my shoes at him
Me
If he treats me like shit he deserves what he gets
I sat back on the couch with a sigh.
Please let him be different.
After I cooked dinner, I locked up the goats and then showered before finishing my homework. My phone didn’t ring and no
other messages came in.
Grandpa came into my room and sat on the edge of my bed. “I know I didn’t give you any more to go on.”
“Why don’t you like them?” I closed up my books and put them back into my bag.
“Before grandma had her heart attack, Margaret Walsh was at the club waiting on an order. She said some really nasty things
and had no remorse. And she was encouraging Peggy to replace her.”
“Oh.” I cringed. “That’s really shitty.”
“It was.” He nodded. “The husband’s a drunk, and who knows how the boy is turning out?”
“I don’t know, Grandpa, maybe he’s different?” I shrugged.
My grandpa’s weathered old hand moved to my face, cupping my cheek. “I hope for your sake he is.”
He got up and waited for me to snuggle into my blankets, and set my alarm before he shut the light off.
I can’t wait for tomorrow.
Thoughts of Henry made it hard to sleep. His eyes were expressive and his kisses were soft and confident.
I clutched the spare pillow on my bed, pretending it was his chest, holding it close.
My alarm jarred me from my dreams and sounded much too soon. I stretched and crawled out from under the cozy nest of
blankets to get dressed before grabbing some breakfast.
Grandpa was already up and gone for his day, so after I ate, I cleaned up the kitchen and went out to my bus-stop.
When the bus stopped and the door opened, I saw Tara in our seat, waiting for me. “I brought an extra pair of shoes, just in
case.”
We giggled and sat back for the bumpy ride. All around us, conversations were happening, and no two were the same. It
made for some entertainment on the short ride to school.
But all I could think about was Henry.

Henry
I pulled up to my house and killed my engine. Miranda’s scent clung to my nose, and I reached down to adjust my erection.
Maybe she’ll be up when I get there in the morning?
My phone rang, jarring me from my thoughts, and I reached over to see who it was. My mom’s picture killed the happiness I
felt.
“Yeah?”
“Is that how you answer a call from your mom?” Her voice had an icy edge, letting me know she was pissed off about
something.
“Hello, mother.”
“Where are you?”
“In the driveway.” I opened my car door.
“Get inside now.” She sneered and ended the call.
Great. Who knows what she’s pissed about now?
I went inside and found her in the kitchen. “What’s up?”
“Where have you been?” Her eyes were narrowed.
Reaching for the fridge, I opened it and got a can of soda out and went to sit at the table. “At a friends.”
 My dad came into the kitchen and leaned against the counter, holding a glass of scotch. “Your girlfriend was here.”
“Victoria?” I cringed. “Why?”
“Were you cavorting with that trashy farm-girl?” Mom walked over and sniffed me. “Ugh. You stink like a pig.”
“Who cares where I was?” I got up and went to leave.
“Hear me now, Henry Charles, you are to stay away from that trash.”
“She’s not trash!”
“I see.” She crossed her arms over her chest. “You were there. If you had a tumble in the hay with her that’s one thing. But
she’s not in our class.”
“What?” I threw my hands up. “Humans are humans.”
“No they are not.” She sneered. “You were born to a better class, and you are expected to act as such!”
“Dad?!”
“Margaret, he can date…”
“Absolutely not!” She slammed her hands on the table. “You are dating Victoria.”
“I’m gonna break up with her.” I shrugged.
“The hell you are.”
“Margaret, really?” Dad shook his head.
“Thomas, go and drink somewhere else.” She waved him off and walked closer to me. “I will not have you wallowing in the
pigsty with trash. You know I have the means to make your life hell, so I suggest you listen.”
I hate you.
“Fine.” I snarled back at her and stormed off.
I didn’t get control of my bank account until I turned eighteen, so until then I was fucked.
Storming through the house, I went up to my room and slammed the door.
I must’ve fallen asleep at some point, because my alarm was going off for school. Getting up, I showered and got clean
clothes on before heading over to Miranda’s to get Sophie.
She left a note for me on how to load her up and the smaller goat really seemed to like me, unlike her big buddy. I offered her
an apple slice, and she followed me to my car and hopped in.
On the drive to the school, I kept feeding her apple slices, and when we arrived, I saw Victoria walking towards my car.
“What are you doing here?”
“Helping you.” She smiled. “Isn’t that what girlfriends are for?”
I felt my eyes narrow. “How did you know I was doing this?”
She gave a small shrug. “Dexter told me.”
“Whatever.” I coaxed Sophie from the car. “I wanted to talk to you, anyway.”
“Your mom and I had a long talk last night.”
“I know.”
“She wasn’t happy to hear about you and Miranda.” She tisked.
“How?” I held the rope for the goat.
“I followed you, silly boy.” She took a couple steps away from me. “You know your mom loves me.”
“Unfortunately.” I sighed.
“You’re so cute when you joke around.” She turned back to me and booped my nose as if I were a puppy. “If you break up
with me, Henry, I’ll go to Principal Miller and tell him this was all Miranda’s idea and have her suspended.”
“You wouldn’t.”
“Try me.” She glared at me, and I knew she would.
I felt my nostrils flare as I leaned in and whispered. “What’ll it take for you to leave her alone?”
“Awww, trying to protect your white trash fuck buddy?” She whispered back.
“I’m serious, Vicki. What do you want?” I felt my jaw tightening.
“Ditch the bitch.” She smiled. “No hi, no in class chatting. You don’t speak to her again.”
My heart shattered into a million pieces.
“Done.”
She danced around, smiling triumphantly. “I love you.”
All I could do was nod as I fought to keep the bile from creeping up my throat.
“Come on, let’s get this smelly beast inside.” She took my hand.
We got Sophie into his office and managed to stay undetected. When Victoria’s friends arrived, she walked off with them and
I went with mine to hang out in the commons.
“Henry?” Ethan bumped me with his elbow. “You okay?”
“Not really.” My day was off to a less than stellar start and then, when I saw her, my heart dropped to my feet. “Vic’s got my
by the balls.” I grumbled.
 “Ah.” Ethan looked confused, but followed my gaze and nodded. “Guys. Henry needs interference.”
Miranda smiled at me and changed where she walked to come over to us.
“Shit.” I grumbled under my breath.
“Hey, Henry.” Her blue eyes shimmered.
I wanted to pull her into my arms and kiss her lips until they were numb.
Ethan turned around and looked at her. “Are you lost, little girl?”
“No. I came over here to talk to Henry.” She tried to lean around him, but Dexter moved into position.
“He’s not taking visitors at the moment.”
“Henry?” Her eyes narrowed as she pushed Dexter to the side. “What the fuck is going on?”
Wally came around and draped an arm over her shoulders. “See, we appreciate your help, but that’s where it ends, toots.”
“Did you just call me toots?”
“Yup. I did.”
She elbowed his gut, knocking the wind out of him, and then stepped away. The hurt in her eyes gutted me. “Henry. If you
don’t want to talk to me. Tell me that. Stop hiding behind your friends.”
Fake it.
“I got what I needed, and now we’ll leave you alone.” I hoped the smile on my face was believable as I bowed. “As per the
agreement.”
I knew it was when her eyes shimmered with unshed tears, and her voice trembled. “I guess the apple doesn’t fall far from
the tree.”
I’m an asshole.
“There you are!” Victoria ran over to me.
I clapped my hands and yelled. “Let’s go find our classes and get this day started!”
With my arm around Victoria, I walked her to her first class of the day. She insisted on a kiss and then smiled at Miranda,
who stood with her friends outside the class.
“Vicki.” I tilted my head and gave her a glare.
“Sorry.” She pouted. “I just wanted her to know she lost.”
“You know what’s sad, Victoria?” Edie walked over. “You were never competition for Miranda.”
“No. You weren’t.” Vivian smiled.
“Aw, that’s sweet.” Victoria beamed.
“Yeah. She was always better than you.” Vivian winked and walked off with Edie.
Victoria’s face screwed up in an ugly look. “That bitch.”
“Hey. Let it go.” I tried reminding her, while I held in my laugh.
“Kiss me, again.”
I gave her another peck and walked off to my class.
The chatter in the halls was about the mysterious goat in school. While I should’ve been happy that the prank worked, I felt
numb.
I tried looking for Miranda throughout the day and couldn’t find her anywhere. She wasn’t in gym and Dexter said she wasn’t
in English either.
Towards the end of the school day, everyone seemed pumped for the end of school bash. Ethan and I were walking to our
lockers before heading to the parking lot and the closer we got to mine, we both noticed a foul odor.
“Ugh. What is that?” Ethan covered his nose.
“Beats me.” I pulled my shirt up to cover mine.
Someone taped a card on the outside of my locker. Reaching out, Ethan pulled it off and opened it while I spun the lock and
put in the combination.
“All it says is ‘since you lost yours’.”
“What?” I took it from him and didn’t recognize the writing.
Shrugging, I opened my locker and heard Ethan bust up laughing.
Hanging from the coat hook against my letterman’s jacket were a string of pig testicles.
Miranda
The bus turned into the parking lot and as the door opened, I couldn’t wait to get off the bus and get inside.
After someone urinated in my locker yesterday, I decided to switch to Edie’s. I rushed down the hall on the first floor,
following the numbers. My heart sank when I noticed Victoria and her crew near my new spot.
“Excuse me.” I looked at Grace. “I need to get to my locker.”
“No. Your locker is by Bubba’s.” She smiled and crossed her arms over her chest.
“Well, it was until someone peed in it.” I pointed behind her.
“Ew, why would they put you near us?” Victoria stepped up beside Grace. “This is an animal free zone.”
“Oh, well, I didn’t know that since you four heifers were here.”
“Did she just insult us?” Mariah’s face scrunched up in confusion.
Rolling my eyes back in my head, I pushed through them and tried her combination, then popped the locker open.
“You think you’re hot shit, but your time is coming.” Victoria sneered in my ear.
I closed the door after I hung up my backpack and left the bitch brigade behind as I went to find Tara. Walking through the
hall, I dodged the other students and headed for the commons. It was easier to walk through here and go up the other set of
stairs than go up and wander around.
Looking around the faces, I saw Henry leaning against the wall by a bench and I felt the smile spread across my face. Veering
off to the right, I walked over to where he stood with his friends.
“Hey, Henry.”
Ethan turned around and looked at me. “Are you lost, little girl?”
“No. I came over here to talk to Henry.” I tried to lean around him, but Dexter stood in the way.
“He’s not taking visitors at the moment.” Dexter winked at me.
“Henry?” I narrowed my eyes and pushed Dexter to the side. “What the fuck is going on?”
Wally came around and draped an arm over my shoulders. “See, we appreciate your help, but that’s where it ends, toots.”
“Did you just call me toots?”
“Yup. I did.”
I threw my elbow back into his gut, knocking the wind out of him, and then stepped away. “Henry. If you don’t want to talk to
me. Tell me that. Stop hiding behind your friends.”
He stepped forward, and a cruel smile crept along his face. “I got what I needed, and now we’ll leave you alone.”
Victoria’s words mockingly floated through my head.
Your time is coming.
My heart fell to my feet, and I shook my head. “I guess the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.”
I wasn’t going to give him the satisfaction of seeing me cry. Nor would he see me run away. I strolled away with my head up
and went to find my friends.
Edie, Elena, Vivi, and Tara were standing outside our first period Spanish class. As I walked over to join them, I saw Tara’s
eyes narrow.
“What did that asshat do?”
I shook my head, and Edie stepped closer, hugging me. “I’m sorry, Miranda.”
We went inside the classroom and took our seats in the back of the room and when the bitch brigade walked in, Victoria
smiled and flipped me off.
The bell rang and Senora Santos launched into the lesson when the PA crackled in the classroom.
“Mrs. Santos, we need Miranda in the office.”
She turned to me and motioned to the door. “Vámonos.”
 I nodded and slid from my desk, leaving the class with all eyes on me. The walk to the office gave me time to think about
what a colossal jackass Henry Walsh was.
Walking into the office, the secretary gave me a look that told me I wasn’t here for something good.
Jolynn sat a small desk working on schoolwork and when our eyes met, she cringed and mouthed “Sorry.”
“Miss Walker.” Principal Miller’s voice boomed through the office. “Please step inside.” He stood by his open door.
The first thing I noticed when I entered was the distinct smell of ammonia that slapped me, and then I saw Sophie chewing on
a book.
“Oh, no.” My heart sank.
“Maaaaaaaaaaaaaaah.”
“I’m gonna say you and my visitor know each other.”
My head nodded, and guilt flooded through my body. I didn’t think about the damage she could do when Henry asked me to
help him.
And my dumb ass believed him when he said he would make sure she was safe and wouldn’t get in trouble.
The rope they used to secure her looked like jute and she easily ate through that. She knocked over the coat stand and I saw a
pile of poop on the principal’s jackets. She pulled books off from various places and they all had chunks missing.
Sophie destroyed his office.
“I’m disappointed, Miranda.” His voice sounded sad.
My gaze moved from the destruction to him. I opened my mouth to say something, but no words came out as tears fell down
my cheeks.
“If you tell me who was behind this prank, it’ll be better for you.”
“What is the punishment?” I used the back of my hand to wipe my tears.
“They won’t be graduating with their class.” He jumped as Sophie bumped his leg.
I should rat him out. Let him and his friends go down. Screw him for breaking my heart.
“She’s mine.” I wiped my nose on my sleeve.
I really thought he cared and liked me. Because I really liked him.
“The goat needs to go home.” He sighed. “And I have to call your grandpa.”
“I understand.” My body rocked with a sob.
Why couldn’t I rat him out? Oh. Yeah. Because I’m an idiot.
“I’m giving you a one day out-of-school suspension. Followed by a week in school suspension. And during that week you
will help repair the damage. Understood?”
“Yes, sir.” I sniffled.
“I’m taking into consideration you’ve never been in trouble.” He pointed to Sophie. “We’ll see only you back on Monday.”
He opened the door and Jolynn was standing there, ready to knock. “Richard can give you and Sophie a ride home.”
“Thank you.” I shook my head as I grabbed the small piece of rope and led my goat from the room.
Behind me I heard Mr. Miller. “Mr. Parks, drive safe and hurry back.”
“Yes, sir.” He waved to Jo as we left the office. “Do you need to get anything?”
“Yeah.” I handed him the rope. “Can you take her?”
“I can. Will she stay in the bed of my truck?”
I nodded. “She likes going for rides.”
“Good deal. I’ll pull up to the music hall door.”
“Thanks, Richard.”
“Don’t sweat it.” He bumped me with his elbow, then led Sophie across the commons to the music hall.
Jogging to the stairs, I ran up to my classroom and slipped in quietly to gather my books and backpack.
“What happened?” Tara whispered.
“I got suspended.” I lifted my lip in a partial snarl.
“How did they know it was your goat?” She looked at me in confusion.
Victoria giggled, making me turn my head to see her. “Sucks to be you, farm-girl.”
“Miss Walker?” Senora Santos crossed her arms over her chest. “I don’t think being a disruption will help right now. Do
you?”
“No, ma’am.” I turned around and left the room.

Henry
The goat was the talk of the school. Sitting at the lunch table, my friends were chattering about the end of the school and the
big party our class would be throwing.
I didn’t care about that.
All I wanted was to see Miranda and make sure she was okay.
“Hey there, lover-boy.” Victoria sat beside me. “Miss me?”
“As much as I miss a boil.” I deadpanned.
She glared at me and linked our hands together. “Henry, I’m gonna need you to show me some happy love and attention.”
I sighed and took a drink of my water. “Why?”
“Here’s how this is going to work.” She leaned in. “The happier I am, the less likely I’ll make her life hell.”
“Why are you doing this?” Defeat tainted my voice.
“Because I love you and want to be with you.” She cracked open her diet soda.
“This isn’t love. This is blackmail.” I growled.
“Tomato. Tah-mah-toe.” She shrugged. “Henry, face it. We were always meant to be together. Our moms have been planning
our wedding since we were infants.”
“That doesn’t make it right.” I pulled my hand back and stood up to leave and she pulled her phone out, making a call.
“Mom, he’s being difficult, especially about the farm trash.”
I sat back down in defeat. “I’ll be good.”
“Oh, He understands now.” She bounced. “Bye mummy!”
Ethan
what’s going on?
Me
V promised she’d leave M alone if I wouldn’t see her anymore and now she’s threatening me if I don’t make
her happy
Ethan
Why would you make a deal with the devil?
Me
I didn’t think of it that way I just wanted to protect M she doesn’t deserve the crap V dishes
Ethan
You in love with her?
Me
V? Hell no!
A French fry flew over the table and bounced off my head.
Ethan
dipshit. M?
I lifted my head and looked over at my friend. Ethan tilted his head and shook it as he sent me another message.
Looking down at my phone, his message popped up and I let it fall from my hands, banging my head on the table.
Ethan
you’re fucked
I kicked my phone over where I could pick it back up, and then I gave Victoria a kiss on her cheek. “I need to pee.”
“Okay, baby.” She beamed up at me and gave me a little finger wave.
My strides were long as I almost sprinted to the gym locker room. I needed to get away from her and think.
There had to be a way out.
This is something I needed my dad for. I needed advice. He’s a lawyer and would know a way out. That’s what they do.
And if nothing else, he could reason with Victoria’s dad.
I slammed the door open as I ran in, dropping my backpack and running to the toilet to vomit. Heave after heave wracked my
body, and I felt tears mixing with the beads of sweat.
“Jesus!” Richard’s voice came from behind me. “I got you a bottle of water and one of lemon-lime.”
I blindly reached up and flushed the toilet, sitting back against the wall. He handed me the open bottle of water and then went
to the sink to wet some cloth, bringing that back to me.
He sat down quietly and just having him there helped. I didn’t feel so alone.
“I don’t know what to do.” I leaned my head back against the wall.
“What’s she got on you?”
“As long as we’re together and I stay away from Miranda, she’ll leave her alone.”
Richard barked out a laugh. “No, she won’t.”
I lifted my head and looked at him. “What do you mean?”
“She’s going to make her life hell until school’s out.” He half shrugged. “It isn’t going to matter what you do. Think about it,
man. Do any of her actions make you believe she’ll leave her alone?”
I shook my head. “No. But I think she’ll back off if I do what she wants.”
“I get it.” He shrugged. “We only have a couple weeks left of school.”
“Exactly. I can suck up being Vicki’s toy until graduation. I’ll break things off at the party, where I know she’ll be too drunk
to care.”
“Solid plan, bro.” He reached out, and I clapped my hand with his as we stood up together.
“Thanks.”
Miranda
After Richard dropped me and Sophie off, I got my chores done and sat at the table working on my schoolwork while
waiting for Grandpa to come home. I didn’t have to wait long; the dogs went nuts hearing his truck, and I braced myself for the
lecture.
“Miranda Rose Walker.” He growled my name.
“Yes, sir.” I sighed, looking up from the table.
“What the hell were you thinking, taking the goat to the school? First of all, that is traumatic for her to be taken from her
home and locked in a room on a small piece of rope. Second, you know they eat everything! Why? Why would you risk that?”
“It was just a prank.” I felt my bottom lip tremble.
Grandpa’s eyes narrowed. “That you came up with?”
I couldn’t lie to him, but I didn’t want to cause any more problems.
“Miranda.” He stepped closer to the table.
“No.” I let the tears fall. “Grandpa, I don’t want any more trouble. I’ll take the punishment since I was the dumb one who
said okay.”
He moved to the table and sat across from me. “Henry Walsh is behind this?”
My head bobbed as I shook it. “I don’t care.”
“Well, I do.” He slammed his fist on the table. “I may be an old man, but I know what he came by for.” He leaned over the
table. “And I know damn well that you wouldn’t have done anything unless you thought there were feelings.”
“I was wrong.” Snot dripped from my nose as my tears ramped up to a full sob. “He was so nice, and flirty, and made me
feel …” I waved my arms around. “And he’s just a bastard like the rest of them!”
My grandpa got up and came over to me, wrapping his arms around me. “Honey. Not all boys are jerks. But until you find out
who is good and who isn’t, you should protect yourself.”
“Grandpa, he wah … was so … so … so.” I hiccuped.
His large hand stroked the back of my head. “I know.”
I don’t know how long I sobbed, but eventually I took a deep breath and reached for a napkin to blow my nose.
“If they find out it was him, they’ll hold him back from graduating.” I looked up at Grandpa. “The sooner he graduates, the
sooner he’s out of Port Stella.”
He let out a sigh. “Fine. But I am having a talk with his father.”
“Grandpa!”
“Miranda.” He glowered down at me. “Someone needs to hold him accountable.”
Knowing there wasn’t a thing I could do to change his mind, I turned back to my work. He pressed a kiss to the top of my
head and went to the door.
“It goes without saying, you’re grounded.”
“I know.”
He nodded and left the house.
My phone pinged in my backpack, and I got it out to see a message from Henry.
Henry
M?You there?
Asshole.
I deleted the messages and blocked his number, then responded to Tara.
Tara
Henry’s been looking for you
Another random document with
no related content on Scribd:
 —Dans quel guêpier suis-je donc, s’écria-t-il? Tout s’embrouille autour
de moi; je n’y reconnais plus rien; jamais pareil fait ne s’est produit; jamais
aussi ce stupide règlement dépourvu de sanction ne m’a paru aussi ridicule
qu’aujourd’hui. Je ne veux dénoncer personne, mais je ne veux pas qu’on
me dénonce; cela n’en finirait plus. Continuez à jouer aux cartes, jouez
toute la journée, si le cœur vous en dit, mais laissez-nous la paix.
—Avant de vous en aller, voulez-vous me dire pourquoi la Compagnie a
imposé ce règlement? Pouvez-vous lui trouver une excuse, j’entends une
excuse rationnelle, plausible, et qui ne soit pas l’élucubration d’un cerveau
d’idiot?
—Certainement, je le puis; la raison en est bien simple. C’est pour ne
pas heurter les sentiments des autres voyageurs, de ceux qui ont des
principes religieux; ceux-ci ne supporteraient pas que le jour du Sabbat fût
profané en jouant aux cartes en wagon.
—C’est juste ce que je pensais. Ils ne regardent pas, eux, à voyager le
dimanche, mais ils ne veulent pas que les autres...
—Par Dieu! vous voyez juste! je n’y avais jamais pensé avant; au fond
quand on y réfléchit, ce règlement paraît stupide.
Sur ces entrefaites le surveillant du train arriva et fit mine de vouloir
faire cesser le jeu; mais le conducteur du wagon l’arrêta et le prit à part pour
lui expliquer la situation. Tout en resta là.
Pendant onze jours, je séjournai à Chicago, malade dans mon lit; je ne
vis donc rien de la foire et je dus retourner dans l’est, dès qu’il me fut
possible de voyager. Le major prit la précaution de retenir un wagon-salon
pour me donner plus de place et rendre mon voyage plus confortable; mais
quand nous arrivâmes à la gare, par suite d’une erreur, notre wagon n’était
pas attaché au train. Le conducteur nous avait bien réservé une section du
compartiment, mais, nous assura-t-il, il lui avait été impossible de faire
mieux. Le major déclara que rien ne nous pressait et que nous attendrions
jusqu’à ce qu’on ait accroché un wagon. Le conducteur lui répondit avec
une certaine ironie:
—Possible que vous ne soyez pas pressé, comme vous le dites, mais
nous n’avons pas de temps à perdre; veuillez monter, messieurs, et ne nous
faites pas attendre.
Mais le major refusa de monter en wagon et il m’engagea fort à l’imiter.
Il déclara qu’il voulait son wagon et qu’il l’aurait; le conducteur impatienté
s’écria:
—Nous ne pouvons mieux faire, nous ne sommes pas tenus à
l’impossible. Vous occuperez ces places réservées ou vous ne partirez pas.
On a commis une erreur qui ne peut être réparée au dernier moment. Le fait
se produit quelquefois et personne n’a jamais fait autant de difficultés que
vous.
—Ah! précisément; si tous les voyageurs savaient faire valoir leurs
droits, vous n’essaieriez pas aujourd’hui de trépigner les miens avec une
pareille désinvolture. Je ne tiens pas spécialement à vous causer des
désagréments, mais il est de mon devoir de protéger mon prochain contre
cette sorte d’empiètement. J’aurai mon wagon-salon ou bien j’attendrai à
Chicago et je poursuivrai la Compagnie pour violation de son contrat.
—Poursuivre la Compagnie pour une telle bagatelle?
—Certainement.
—Vous le feriez réellement?
—Oui.
Le conducteur regarda le major avec étonnement et ajouta:
—Décidément vous avez raison; j’y vois clair maintenant, je n’y avais
jamais songé auparavant. Tenez, je vais envoyer chercher le chef de gare.
Ce dernier arriva et parut plutôt ennuyé de la réclamation du major (mais
pas du tout de l’erreur commise).
Il accueillit la plainte du major avec brusquerie et sur le même ton que le
conducteur du train au début; mais il ne sut fléchir le major qui réclama
plus énergiquement que jamais son wagon-salon. Cependant le chef de gare
s’amadoua, chercha à plaisanter, et esquissa même un semblant d’excuses.
Cette bonne disposition facilitait un compromis, le major voulut bien faire
une concession. Il déclara qu’il renoncerait au wagon-salon retenu par lui à
l’avance, à condition qu’on lui en fournît un autre. Après des recherches
ardues on finit par trouver un voyageur de bonne composition qui consentit
à échanger son wagon-salon contre notre section de compartiment. Dans la
soirée, le surveillant du train vint nous trouver et, après une causerie très
courtoise, nous devînmes bons amis. Il souhaitait, nous déclara-t-il, que le
public fît plus souvent des protestations; cela produirait un très bon effet
d’après lui, les Compagnies de chemin de fer ne se décideraient à soigner
les voyageurs qu’autant que ces derniers défendraient eux-mêmes leurs
propres intérêts.
J’espérais que notre voyage s’effectuerait maintenant sans autres
«incidents réformateurs», mais il n’en fut rien.
Au wagon-restaurant, le matin, le major demanda du poulet grillé; le
garçon lui répondit:
—Ce plat ne figure pas sur le menu, monsieur, nous ne servons que ce
qui est sur le menu.
—Pourtant je vois là-bas un voyageur qui mange du poulet grillé.
—C’est possible, mais ce monsieur est un inspecteur de la Compagnie.
—Raison de plus pour que j’aie du poulet grillé; je n’aime pas ces
récriminations, dépêchez-vous et apportez-moi du poulet grillé.
Le garçon appela le maître d’hôtel qui expliqua très poliment que la
chose était impossible; des règlements très sévères s’y opposaient.
—Soit, mais alors vous devez appliquer impartialement ces règlements
ou les violer avec la même impartialité. Vous allez enlever à ce monsieur
son poulet ou m’en apporter un.
Le maître d’hôtel resta aussi ébahi qu’indécis. Il esquissait une
argumentation incohérente lorsque le conducteur survint et demanda de
quoi il s’agissait. Le maître d’hôtel expliqua qu’un voyageur s’obstinait à
avoir du poulet, tandis qu’il n’y en avait pas sur la carte et que le règlement
s’y opposait. Le conducteur répondit:
—Cramponnez-vous au règlement, vous n’avez pas autre chose à faire.
—Mais un instant, s’agit-il de ce voyageur? Dans ce cas, continua-t-il en
riant, croyez-moi, ne vous occupez plus du règlement; donnez-lui ce qu’il
demande et ne le laissez pas énumérer tous ses droits. Oui, donnez-lui tout
ce qu’il demande et si vous ne l’avez pas, arrêtez le train pour vous le
procurer.
Le major mangea son poulet, mais il avoua qu’il l’avait fait uniquement
par devoir, pour établir un principe, car il n’aimait pas le poulet.
J’ai manqué la foire, il est vrai, mais j’ai recueilli dans mon sac un
certain nombre de tours diplomatiques qui, plus tard, pourront m’être très
utiles; le lecteur les trouvera sans doute comme moi aussi pratiques que
subtils.
 UN VEINARD!
Ceci se passait à un banquet donné à Londres en l’honneur d’un des plus
illustres noms de l’armée anglaise de ce siècle. Pour des raisons que le
lecteur connaîtra plus tard, je préfère tenir secrets le nom et les titres de ce
héros, et je l’appellerai le lieutenant général Lord Arthur Scorosby V. C. K.
C. B. etc.... Quel prestige exerce un nom illustre! Là, devant moi, était assis
en chair et en os l’homme dont j’entendis parler plus d’un millier de fois,
depuis le jour où son nom, s’élevant d’un champ de bataille de Crimée,
monta jusqu’au zénith de la gloire. Je ne pouvais me rassasier de
contempler ce demi-dieu; j’étais en extase devant lui, je le buvais des yeux;
son calme, sa réserve, son attitude digne, la profonde honnêteté qui
s’exhalait de toute sa personne faisaient mon admiration; ce héros n’avait
pas conscience de sa valeur; il semblait ne pas se douter que des centaines
d’yeux admirateurs étaient fixés sur lui et que de toutes les poitrines des
assistants montait vers lui un culte profond d’adoration.
Le Clergyman assis à ma gauche était une de mes vieilles connaissances.
Clergyman aujourd’hui, il avait passé la première moitié de sa vie dans les
camps et sur les champs de bataille, comme instructeur à l’école militaire de
Woolwich.
A ce moment un éclair singulier illumina ses yeux, se penchant vers moi
il murmura confidentiellement à mon oreille, en désignant d’un geste
discret le héros du banquet:
—Entre nous, sa gloire est un pur accident; il la doit à un coup de veine
incroyable.
Cette déclaration me causa une grande surprise; s’il s’était agi de
Napoléon, de Socrate ou de Salomon, mon étonnement n’eût pas été plus
grand. Quelques jours plus tard, le Révérend me fournit l’explication
suivante de son étrange remarque:
—Il y a environ 40 ans j’étais instructeur à l’école militaire de
Woolwich; le hasard voulut que je me trouvasse là lorsque le jeune
Scorosby passa son examen préliminaire; sa nullité m’inspira une profonde
pitié: tandis que les autres élèves de sa section répondaient tous
brillamment, lui se montra d’une ignorance crasse. Il me fit évidemment
l’effet d’un brave garçon, doux et sans astuce, mais c’était navrant de le
voir planté debout comme un piquet et décocher des réponses d’une
stupidité et d’une ignorance prodigieuses. J’eus vraiment compassion de lui
et je me dis: «La prochaine fois qu’il passera un nouvel examen il sera
certainement renvoyé; aussi serait-il plus charitable d’adoucir sa chute
autant que possible.»
Je le pris à part et m’aperçus qu’il savait quelques mots de l’histoire de
César, mais c’était là tout son bagage; je me mis donc à l’œuvre et lui
rabâchai un certain stock de questions sur César, qui devaient
infailliblement être posées aux élèves. Vous me croirez si vous voulez: le
jour de l’examen il se montra transcendant dans ses réponses, si
transcendant qu’il recueillit force compliments pour ce «gavage» purement
superficiel; tandis que les autres, mille fois plus instruits que lui,
répondirent mal, et furent fruit-sec. Avec une veine fantastique qui ne se
reproduira peut-être pas deux fois dans un siècle, il n’eut pas à répondre à
d’autres questions. C’était stupéfiant. Pendant le temps que dura son
examen, je restai à côté de lui avec la sollicitude qu’éprouve une mère pour
son enfant estropié; il se tira toujours d’affaire comme par enchantement.
A n’en pas douter, les mathématiques allaient le couler et décider de son
sort; toujours par bonté d’âme pour adoucir sa chute, je le pris de nouveau à
part et je lui serinai un certain nombre de questions que l’examinateur ne
manquerait pas de poser; puis je l’abandonnai à son triste sort. Eh bien!
vous me croirez si vous voulez: à ma grande stupéfaction il mérita le
premier prix et reçut une véritable ovation de compliments.
Pendant une semaine il ne me fut plus possible de dormir: ma conscience
me torturait nuit et jour; par pure charité j’avais essayé de rendre moins
dure la déconfiture de cet infortuné jeune homme sans me douter du résultat
qui allait se produire. Je me sentais coupable et misérable: comment, par
mon fait, cette pauvre cervelle bornée allait se trouver en tête d’une
promotion et supporter de graves responsabilités! A n’en pas douter, à la
première occasion, un effondrement ne manquerait pas de se produire.
La guerre de Crimée venait d’être déclarée.
«Quel malheur, pensai-je, voici maintenant la guerre; ce pauvre âne va
avoir l’occasion d’étaler au grand jour sa nullité.» Je m’attendais à un
désastre: ce désastre se produisit: j’appris avec terreur que le jeune
Scorosby venait d’être nommé capitaine d’un régiment de marche. Qui eût
pu supposer qu’un tel poids de responsabilité dût peser sur des épaules aussi
faibles et aussi jeunes? J’aurais encore compris sa nomination au grade de
porte-étendard, mais à celui de capitaine, songez quelle folie! Je crus que
mes cheveux allaient en devenir blancs. Moi qui aime tant la tranquillité et
l’inaction, je me tins le triste raisonnement suivant: «Je suis responsable de
ce malheur vis-à-vis de ma patrie; j’accompagnerai donc cet incapable, je
resterai à ses côtés pour sauver ma patrie dans la mesure du possible.» Je
rassemblai le pauvre petit capital péniblement économisé pendant mes
années de dur labeur, je me mis en route avec un gros soupir et j’achetai un
grade de porte-étendard dans son régiment. Ainsi nous partîmes tous deux
pour la guerre.
Là, mon cher, quel spectacle effroyable! Il ne fit que des bévues, inepties
sur inepties; mais, voyez-vous, personne ne connaissait à fond cet individu,
personne n’avait mis au point ses capacités; aussi prit-on ses bévues
navrantes pour des traits de génie. Le spectacle de ses sottises me fit crier
de rage et délirer dans ma fureur; j’étais exaspéré de voir que chaque
nouvelle insanité de sa part augmentait sa réputation; je me disais: «Le jour
où les yeux de ses admirateurs s’ouvriront, sa chute sera aussi grande que
celle du soleil tombant du firmament.» Montant de grade en grade, il passa
par-dessus les cadavres de ses supérieurs; au plus chaud de la bataille, notre
colonel tomba frappé, et mon cœur se mit à battre affreusement, car
Scorosby allait prendre sa place. «Pour le coup, pensai-je, avant dix minutes
nous serons tous perdus.»
Le combat fut acharné; sur tous les points du champ de bataille les alliés
lâchaient pied. Notre régiment occupait une position de la plus haute
importance et la moindre bévue pouvait tout perdre. A ce moment critique,
notre fatal insensé fit quitter au régiment la position qu’il occupait, et le
lança à la charge contre la colline opposée où on ne voyait pas trace
d’ennemis.
«C’est la fin de tout, pensai-je cette fois. Le régiment s’ébranla; nous
avions franchi le faîte de la colline avant que ce mouvement insensé ait pu
être découvert et arrêté. Nous trouvâmes de l’autre côté une armée russe de
réserve au grand complet, dont personne ne soupçonnait l’existence.
Qu’arriva-t-il? Nous avions 95 chances sur 100 d’être massacrés. Mais non,
les Russes en conclurent que jamais un seul régiment ne se serait hasardé
dans une passe aussi dangereuse; ce devrait être l’armée anglaise tout
entière! Se croyant bloqués et découverts, les Russes firent demi-tour,
repassèrent la colline dans un affreux désordre. Nous les serrions de près
dans notre poursuite; arrivés sur le champ de bataille, ils se heurtèrent au
gros de l’armée ennemie; ce fut un chaos et une confusion épouvantables, et
la défaite des alliés se transforma en une éclatante victoire. Le maréchal
Canrobert contemplait ce spectacle avec ravissement, émerveillé, trépignant
de joie. Il fit appeler Scorosby, l’embrassa et le décora sur le champ de
bataille en présence de toutes les troupes.
Quelle avait donc été la fameuse bévue de Scorosby? Il avait tout
bonnement pris sa droite pour sa gauche, et rien de plus.
Il avait reçu l’ordre de se porter en arrière pour soutenir notre droite; au
lieu de cela, il chargea en avant et escalada la colline par la gauche. Il acquit
ce jour-là la réputation d’un grand génie militaire; la gloire de son nom
répandue dans tout le monde brillera dans les annales de l’histoire. Aux
yeux de tous, c’est un homme bon, doux, aimable et modeste, mais, en
réalité, il est au-dessous de tout comme incapacité. Une veine phénoménale
l’a servi jour par jour, année par année. Pendant un demi-siècle il a passé
pour un soldat des plus brillants; sa carrière militaire est émaillée d’un
nombre incalculable de bévues, cela ne l’a pas empêché de devenir
chevalier, baron, voire même lord; voyez plutôt sa poitrine, elle est
constellée de décorations. Eh! bien, monsieur, chacune de ces décorations
représente une gaffe colossale; prises dans leur ensemble, elles constituent
nettement la preuve qu’avant tout, pour réussir en ce monde, il faut être né
«veinard»!
 TABLE
LES PETERKINS 5
PERCE, MON AMI, PERCE 19
POURQUOI J’ÉTRANGLAI MA CONSCIENCE 29
LES AMOURS D’ALONZO FITZ CLARENCE ET DE ROSANNAH ETHELTON 59
LE CHAT DE DICK BAKER 95
LA FÊTE DISPENDIEUSE DU COLONEL MOSES GRICE 101
SUR LES BEBES 129
CONSIDERATIONS SUR LE TEMPS 135
UN SAUTEUR MEXICAIN_PUR-SANG 143
L’HOMME LE PLUS MÉCHANT ET LE PLUS STUPIDE DE TURQUIE 153
QUELQUES HÉROS D’OCCASION 165
A LA CURE D’APPÉTIT 179
EXTRAIT DU TIMES DE LONDRES EN 1904 201
NOS DIPLOMATES 223
EN VOYAGEANT AVEC UN RÉFORMATEUR 239
UN VEINARD 267

ACHEVÉ D’IMPRIMER

le vingt-deux mai mil neuf cent dix

PAR

BLAIS & ROY

A POITIERS

pour le

MERCVRE
 DE

FRANCE
 *** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK LES
PETERKINS ***

Updated editions will replace the previous one—the old editions will
be renamed.

Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S.

copyright law means that no one owns a United States copyright in
these works, so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it
in the United States without permission and without paying copyright
royalties. Special rules, set forth in the General Terms of Use part of
this license, apply to copying and distributing Project Gutenberg™
electronic works to protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG™ concept
and trademark. Project Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and
may not be used if you charge for an eBook, except by following the
terms of the trademark license, including paying royalties for use of
the Project Gutenberg trademark. If you do not charge anything for
copies of this eBook, complying with the trademark license is very
easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose such as
creation of derivative works, reports, performances and research.
Project Gutenberg eBooks may be modified and printed and given
away—you may do practically ANYTHING in the United States with
eBooks not protected by U.S. copyright law. Redistribution is subject
to the trademark license, especially commercial redistribution.

START: FULL LICENSE

THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE
 PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK

To protect the Project Gutenberg™ mission of promoting the free

distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work (or
any other work associated in any way with the phrase “Project
Gutenberg”), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full
Project Gutenberg™ License available with this file or online at
www.gutenberg.org/license.

Section 1. General Terms of Use and

Redistributing Project Gutenberg™
electronic works
1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg™
electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree
to and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property
(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all
the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or
destroy all copies of Project Gutenberg™ electronic works in your
possession. If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a
Project Gutenberg™ electronic work and you do not agree to be
bound by the terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from
the person or entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in
paragraph 1.E.8.

1.B. “Project Gutenberg” is a registered trademark. It may only be

used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people
who agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a
few things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg™ electronic
works even without complying with the full terms of this agreement.
See paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with
Project Gutenberg™ electronic works if you follow the terms of this
agreement and help preserve free future access to Project
Gutenberg™ electronic works. See paragraph 1.E below.
1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation (“the
Foundation” or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the
collection of Project Gutenberg™ electronic works. Nearly all the
individual works in the collection are in the public domain in the
United States. If an individual work is unprotected by copyright law in
the United States and you are located in the United States, we do
not claim a right to prevent you from copying, distributing,
performing, displaying or creating derivative works based on the
work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg are removed. Of
course, we hope that you will support the Project Gutenberg™
mission of promoting free access to electronic works by freely
sharing Project Gutenberg™ works in compliance with the terms of
this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg™ name
associated with the work. You can easily comply with the terms of
this agreement by keeping this work in the same format with its
attached full Project Gutenberg™ License when you share it without
charge with others.

1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also
govern what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most
countries are in a constant state of change. If you are outside the
United States, check the laws of your country in addition to the terms
of this agreement before downloading, copying, displaying,
performing, distributing or creating derivative works based on this
work or any other Project Gutenberg™ work. The Foundation makes
no representations concerning the copyright status of any work in
any country other than the United States.

1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg:

1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other

immediate access to, the full Project Gutenberg™ License must
appear prominently whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg™
work (any work on which the phrase “Project Gutenberg” appears, or
with which the phrase “Project Gutenberg” is associated) is
accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, copied or distributed:
 This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United
States and most other parts of the world at no cost and with
almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away
or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License
included with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org. If you
are not located in the United States, you will have to check the
laws of the country where you are located before using this
eBook.

1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg™ electronic work is derived

from texts not protected by U.S. copyright law (does not contain a
notice indicating that it is posted with permission of the copyright
holder), the work can be copied and distributed to anyone in the
United States without paying any fees or charges. If you are
redistributing or providing access to a work with the phrase “Project
Gutenberg” associated with or appearing on the work, you must
comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 through
1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the Project
Gutenberg™ trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or 1.E.9.

1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg™ electronic work is posted

with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution
must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any
additional terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms
will be linked to the Project Gutenberg™ License for all works posted
with the permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of
this work.

1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project

Gutenberg™ License terms from this work, or any files containing a
part of this work or any other work associated with Project
Gutenberg™.

1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this

electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without
prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with
active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project
Gutenberg™ License.
1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary,
compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form,
including any word processing or hypertext form. However, if you
provide access to or distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg™ work
in a format other than “Plain Vanilla ASCII” or other format used in
the official version posted on the official Project Gutenberg™ website
(www.gutenberg.org), you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense
to the user, provide a copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means
of obtaining a copy upon request, of the work in its original “Plain
Vanilla ASCII” or other form. Any alternate format must include the
full Project Gutenberg™ License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1.

1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying,

performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg™ works
unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9.

1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing

access to or distributing Project Gutenberg™ electronic works
provided that:

• You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from
the use of Project Gutenberg™ works calculated using the
method you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The
fee is owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg™ trademark,
but he has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to
the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty
payments must be paid within 60 days following each date on
which you prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your
periodic tax returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked
as such and sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive
Foundation at the address specified in Section 4, “Information
about donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive
Foundation.”

• You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who

notifies you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that
s/he does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg™
License. You must require such a user to return or destroy all
 copies of the works possessed in a physical medium and
discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of Project
Gutenberg™ works.

• You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of

any money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in
the electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90
days of receipt of the work.

• You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free
distribution of Project Gutenberg™ works.

1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg™

electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set
forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from
the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the manager of
the Project Gutenberg™ trademark. Contact the Foundation as set
forth in Section 3 below.

1.F.

1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend

considerable effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe
and proofread works not protected by U.S. copyright law in creating
the Project Gutenberg™ collection. Despite these efforts, Project
Gutenberg™ electronic works, and the medium on which they may
be stored, may contain “Defects,” such as, but not limited to,
incomplete, inaccurate or corrupt data, transcription errors, a
copyright or other intellectual property infringement, a defective or
damaged disk or other medium, a computer virus, or computer
codes that damage or cannot be read by your equipment.

1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except

for the “Right of Replacement or Refund” described in paragraph
1.F.3, the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner
of the Project Gutenberg™ trademark, and any other party
distributing a Project Gutenberg™ electronic work under this
agreement, disclaim all liability to you for damages, costs and
expenses, including legal fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO
REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT LIABILITY, BREACH OF
WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE
PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE
FOUNDATION, THE TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY
DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE LIABLE
TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL,
PUNITIVE OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE
NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE.

1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you

discover a defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it,
you can receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by
sending a written explanation to the person you received the work
from. If you received the work on a physical medium, you must
return the medium with your written explanation. The person or entity
that provided you with the defective work may elect to provide a
replacement copy in lieu of a refund. If you received the work
electronically, the person or entity providing it to you may choose to
give you a second opportunity to receive the work electronically in
lieu of a refund. If the second copy is also defective, you may
demand a refund in writing without further opportunities to fix the
problem.

1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth in
paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you ‘AS-IS’, WITH NO
OTHER WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED,
INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO WARRANTIES OF
MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE.

1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied

warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages.
If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the
law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be
interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted
by the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any
provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions.
1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the
Foundation, the trademark owner, any agent or employee of the
Foundation, anyone providing copies of Project Gutenberg™
electronic works in accordance with this agreement, and any
volunteers associated with the production, promotion and distribution
of Project Gutenberg™ electronic works, harmless from all liability,
costs and expenses, including legal fees, that arise directly or
indirectly from any of the following which you do or cause to occur:
(a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg™ work, (b)
alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any Project
Gutenberg™ work, and (c) any Defect you cause.

Section 2. Information about the Mission of

Project Gutenberg™
Project Gutenberg™ is synonymous with the free distribution of
electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of
computers including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers.
It exists because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and
donations from people in all walks of life.

Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the

assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg™’s
goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg™ collection will
remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project
Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a
secure and permanent future for Project Gutenberg™ and future
generations. To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary
Archive Foundation and how your efforts and donations can help,
see Sections 3 and 4 and the Foundation information page at
www.gutenberg.org.

Section 3. Information about the Project

Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation
The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non-profit
501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the
state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal
Revenue Service. The Foundation’s EIN or federal tax identification
number is 64-6221541. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg
Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent
permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state’s laws.

The Foundation’s business office is located at 809 North 1500 West,

Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887. Email contact links and up
to date contact information can be found at the Foundation’s website
and official page at www.gutenberg.org/contact

Section 4. Information about Donations to

the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive
Foundation
Project Gutenberg™ depends upon and cannot survive without
widespread public support and donations to carry out its mission of
increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can
be freely distributed in machine-readable form accessible by the
widest array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small
donations ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax
exempt status with the IRS.

The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating

charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United
States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a
considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and
keep up with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in
locations where we have not received written confirmation of
compliance. To SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of
compliance for any particular state visit www.gutenberg.org/donate.

While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where

we have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no
prohibition against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in
such states who approach us with offers to donate.

International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make

any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from
outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff.

Please check the Project Gutenberg web pages for current donation
methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of
other ways including checks, online payments and credit card
donations. To donate, please visit: www.gutenberg.org/donate.

Section 5. General Information About Project

Gutenberg™ electronic works
Professor Michael S. Hart was the originator of the Project
Gutenberg™ concept of a library of electronic works that could be
freely shared with anyone. For forty years, he produced and
distributed Project Gutenberg™ eBooks with only a loose network of
volunteer support.

Project Gutenberg™ eBooks are often created from several printed

editions, all of which are confirmed as not protected by copyright in
the U.S. unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not
necessarily keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper
edition.

Most people start at our website which has the main PG search
facility: www.gutenberg.org.

This website includes information about Project Gutenberg™,

including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary
Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how
to subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks.