Who was he? What was his purpose? He knew it once. Once, a long time ago, he decided to be a hero. He decided to avenge himself and all the other kids who were helpless against abuse. Once, a long time ago, he learned the difference between justice and mercy. He learned when justice was required. He learned when mercy was allowed. Once, a long time ago, he faced himself in the mirror and saw a stranger—a better boy than he could ever be. A boy with a mission. A boy with convictions. And he reached out to take hold of that boy, through the looking-glass, falling into a wonderland where righteousness ruled supreme and evil was destroyed with the pop pop! of a gun. The world made sense to him. Then.
He watched a single snowflake flutter from the sky, swirling and swaying in front of his eyes before disappearing to the ground. It was late October, too early for snow, and he thought he’d imagined it. But another descended from the heavens, dancing in front of his eyes before resting on the tip of his nose. He touched his face. Nothing. The miniscule dot of moisture wasn’t there.
“It’s not snowing,” he said aloud, as more flakes fell.
He placed his rifle gently on the ground and pulled his jacket tighter. He looked up once more and watched the precipitation ballet—the most beautiful dance he’d ever witnessed. Even better than Regan’s. Why? Because this dance was an invitation. He thought of the snowboard that lay tucked away under his bed, waiting patiently to emerge.
“Soon,” he whispered, and RSVPed to the invite inside his heart.
***
Eight odd inches fell—a tiny, freakish pre-winter storm—hardly enough to delay school, much less cancel it. He stood at his locker waiting for Regan. He wondered how she’d act today, fresh off of her school suspension. Her life was still suspended, though. No friends. No one to talk to. No normalcy to her schedule. Like starting at a brand new school—alone and likely desperate for a friend. She carried her soccer bag. Practice, with no permission to play. That had to suck hard.
She turned in his direction and smiled. He jumped.
Fucking idiot, he thought, instantly irritated that his body responded so spastically.
“So I guess it’s safe to talk to you now that I’m one of you,” she said flippantly, approaching him.
He scowled.
“Oh, lighten up,” she laughed, and then rolled her eyes. “Caroline wants to know when you’re coming over again.”
He snorted. “What?”
“I know, right? She’s got it in her head to teach you the ‘We’re All in This Together’ dance.”
He burst out laughing.
“I know, I know. I told her boys don’t do those dances unless they’re Zac Efron or Corbin Bleu.”
“Huh?”
Regan waved her hand. “Doesn’t matter. Anyway, she wants you to come over, and my mom wants you to come over, too.”
“Wha—?”
“She thinks if she keeps feeding you, you won’t have a change of heart about suing us,” Regan said.
“Um . . .”
She winked at him. “I’m kidding. She wants you to come over for dinner because you’re a new friend of mine. And one who happens to have piercings on his face. And a tattoo, though she doesn’t know about that.”
“She wants to make sure I’m not dangerous,” Jeremy said. He puffed up slightly at the implied compliment. She thinks I’m dangerous—that I look badass. That’s kind of fucking awesome.
“I told her there’s nothing dangerous about you,” he heard Regan say, and immediately deflated. “But whatever. She’s my mom. She said you need this, whatever that means.”
Jeremy remembered his lie—“My parents died”—and realized Mrs. Walters felt sorry for him. He should feel guilty for the fabrication, but the idea that Regan’s mother insisted he spend time with them was enough to erase any qualm. He would gladly have dinner with them again if it meant more time with Regan.
“What did she mean by that?” Regan asked, looking up at him.
He shrugged.
“I hate when people do that,” she muttered. “So not an answer.”
She glimpsed Casey at her locker, and her face fell.
“You okay?” Jeremy asked, following her gaze.
“I will be. As soon as I get some answers,” Regan replied.
Her words held a measure of intimidation, and Jeremy was glad he wasn’t the person on the other end of them.
“We eat at seven,” she said, and headed toward her ex-best friend.
Casey tensed but didn’t look Regan’s way.
“This is gonna be totally uncomfortable for the rest of the year,” Regan said coolly. “Side-by-side lockers and all.”
No reply.
“Maybe you oughta ask for a locker change,” Regan continued.
“I’m fine,” Casey said softly.
“Then maybe I should,” Regan replied. She pointed in Jeremy’s direction. “Right over there. With those people.”
“I didn’t make you change sides,” Casey said.
“Change sides? I don’t even know what that means,” Regan spat.
“You’re looking for an argument, and I’m not gonna give it to you,” Casey replied.
“I can’t believe you turned your back on me,” Regan said, unfazed. “We’ve been friends since kindergarten, and then you all of a sudden up and diss me hard because my ex-boyfriend told you to? Since when do you let anyone order you around? I mean, besides Ethan.”
“Watch it,” Casey warned.
Regan shook her head. “Whatever. I don’t even care about that. I care that my best friend in the entire universe dropped my ass like I matter for nothing!” She paused. “And why did you never give that note to Jeremy?”
“Huh?”
“Don’t ‘huh’ me,” Regan said. “The note. The note! The note I wrote to him in middle school asking him to be my friend.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Casey said, closing her locker door.
Regan whipped her hand out and grabbed Casey’s arm.
“Let. Go,” Casey warned. “Or I’ll get you suspended all over again.”
Regan threw up her hands. Did she want to sacrifice the rest of her soccer season and a potential scholarship?
“What’s happened to you?” she whispered. “You’re just evil now. An evil person.”
“I’m not evil. I just grew up.” Casey turned on her heel.
“Why didn’t you give him that note?” Regan screamed.
Casey ignored her and headed down the hall. Regan sprinted toward her, shoving herself between Casey and the classroom door.
“Move, Regan.”
“Why did you do that to me? Why did you lie about him? What was so awful about me wanting to be his friend?”
“Look at him! Why would you want to? I did you a freaking favor, bitch! Do you have any idea where you’d be right now had I not intervened? Soccer star? Pffsst!! Unlikely! You’d be a nobody!”