“Really?” He stopped to arch an eyebrow at her. “You never screwed up?”
“Not like that.” She gestured to the car, where Gemma had her forehead resting against the glass. “I never stayed out all night or got drunk. I maybe overslept for school once.”
“Oh, wow.” Daniel smirked and looked genuinely surprised. “That’s actually a little sad. I mean, good for you, not drinking. But a life without any mistakes? That doesn’t sound like any fun at all.”
“I’ve had fun.” Harper bristled, and Gemma groaned in the car, interrupting her argument with Daniel. “I should really get home, though.”
“Right, of course.” He gave her a small wave and backed away. “I won’t keep you from your duty.”
“Thanks.” Harper smiled at him.
As soon as she got in the car, her smile and any sense of happiness evaporated. Her relief at finding her sister alive had turned into full-blown anger.
“I don’t understand how you could do this,” Harper said as she put the car in drive and pulled away from the bay. “Dad almost called out of work to look for you. He could’ve lost his job over this.”
“I’m sorry.” Gemma squeezed her eyes shut and rubbed her forehead, as if she wished Harper would just stop talking.
“Sorry doesn’t cut it, Gemma!” Harper shouted. “You could’ve died! Do you understand that? You almost did die. I don’t even know what happened or how you’re still alive. How could you do that? How could you put yourself in that situation?”
“I don’t know!” Gemma lifted her head. “How many times do I have to tell you that I don’t know?”
“As many times as it takes until it starts making sense!” Harper shot back. “This isn’t like you. You hate those girls and you hate drinking. Why were you hanging out with them? Why would you risk yourself for people you don’t even like?”
“Harper!” Gemma snapped. “I don’t remember last night. I don’t have any answers, no matter how many times or how many different ways you ask me. I already told you everything I know!”
“You know you are so grounded, right?” Harper asked. “You’re never going to that bay at night again. You’ll be lucky if Dad even lets you go during the day.”
“I know.” Gemma sighed and rested her head against the window again.
“And I don’t know when you’ll be able to see Alex again,” Harper went on. “He was worried sick about you, too.”
“He was?” Gemma looked over at Harper and brightened a little. “How did he know I was missing?”
“I thought you might be with him, so I called and asked if he knew where you were. You’re supposed to call him when we get back.”
“Hmm.” Gemma closed her eyes. “Maybe you should call him. I don’t feel much like talking right now.”
Harper looked back over at her sister, softening with concern. If Gemma didn’t even feel up to talking to Alex, then something definitely had to be wrong.
“Are you sure you’re okay?” Harper asked. “I can take you to the hospital right now.”
“No, I’m just hungover and have some bruises. I’ll be fine.”
“Maybe you should get some X-rays,” Harper said. “Those bruises might be worse than they look. And I don’t even know how you got them.”
“I’m fine,” Gemma insisted. “Please take me home. I just want to sleep.”
Harper still wasn’t thrilled about it, but Gemma was probably right. Since Harper’d had the chance to release some of her anger, she decided to let it go. If Gemma was sick, she didn’t need Harper yelling at her. So for now Harper would just take care of her.
When they got home, Gemma went into the kitchen and got herself a glass of cold water from the tap. She proceeded to drink glass after glass, gulping it down so fast that water spilled down her chin.
“Are you sure you’re okay?” Harper asked, watching her sister uncertainly.
“Yeah.” Gemma nodded and wiped her mouth with the back of her hand. “I’m just really thirsty. But I’m better now.” She set the glass down in the sink and forced a smile at Harper.
“Sit down, then. You need to get cleaned up.”
Gemma pulled out a chair from the kitchen table and eased herself into it. Harper went into the bathroom and got a wet washcloth, antiseptic, and Band-Aids. When she came back, she knelt on the floor in front of Gemma, inspecting her cuts and scrapes.
None of them looked too deep, which was the only good part. When Harper washed off a gash on her thigh, Gemma winced. Harper gave her an apologetic look and dabbed more carefully at it.
“You don’t remember how you got any of these?” Harper looked up at Gemma, searching her expression for any clues about what had happened.
“No.”
“So you don’t know if the girls did this to you?” Harper asked, and Gemma shook her head. “Penn could’ve beat you up, then? And even if they didn’t, they left you to die in the bay, and you don’t even know why?”