Page 94 (2/2)

“A couple’a hours ago, your momma paid Miss Shakespeare a visit”

My heart sank and an uncontrollable rage surged within me “She did what?” I asked Marnie stepped back in fear

Shit

I backed away, fists clenched “What did that bitch do?”

“She… She attacked her, hit her… She was arrested, Romeo Molly had to make a statement to the police”

“Fuck!” I swung around and punched the wall, the thin plaster cracking under the pressure, er way out of control “Where’s Mol noith the cops?”

Marnie briefly looked down at the floor before aze “Darlin’…”

“What?” I questioned curtly I didn’t like her tone It see me for a fall

She stepped forward, hands outstretched, placating “Darlin’… she…”

Groaning and losing patience, I took a long look around the eaze landed on the narrow bed, I couldn’t help but reht It was like she was done: with me, with our entire fked-up situation… with life

Wait

As I cast one last unseeing look out the small , it all became clear…

My gaze swung to Marnie’s, and she visibly sagged where she stood The gesture alone gave me my answer

She’d leftrun away

“I’m so sorry, Romeo She made sure no one saw her leave Earlier, she told uess she just broke down We checked the security caot into a car” Her eyes regarded s with her”

My heart crumpled inout o with varied looks of pity I pressed on Molly’s nae:

“Molly! Where are you, baby? I’ you like that I’ve just heard from the nurse about ain! Please tellanyone Please, call me”

I ran towardas I tried to think of the people I should call and the places I should look

I had to find irl

“Mol! MOLLY!” I yelled, bolting up the stairs of the house, ignoring the screairls as I passed each floor She had to be here Where else would she damn well be?

I stormed into her room, and, instantly, a wave of despair hitwas still as it had been: bed slightly cru dinner, her class notes scattered all over her huge desk—and, God, that book she was reading like it was the friggin’ Bible in the center, pages folded over, colored labels scribbled with her thoughts, line after line of highlighted paragraphs… and that small, treasured polaroid picture as the bookmark