Honor scratched a spot next to her eye. “I don’t know. She’s okay, I guess. Kind of weird.” I raised my eyebrows, questioning. “Like dark, you know? She likes creepy music and sometimes colors her hair red and purple and blue.”
“You know where she lives? I actually keep forgetting to return this thing.” I gestured with the camcorder. My heart thumped in my neck and I tried not to look too hopeful. But I recalled how Liam found my number in the athletic directory. Maybe drama geeks had their own directory. I felt a spark of hope.
“She lives like five blocks over next to Kara on Oleander, near those apartments. Lena’s dad never mows their lawn and Kara’s mom is always complaining.” I had no idea who Kara was. I should probably pay attention to my sister more. “But I can just give it back to her for you tomorrow, if you want.”
I got to my feet. “That’s okay. I need to get out to run a few errands anyway and I could use some fresh air.”
I was jittery with something that felt equal parts excitement and panic. I would go to Lena. I would get answers. I would find out what was going on.
I used to be someone at Hollow Pines. Surely that ought to still carry some weight with someone like Lena.
One problem at a time. From a dresser, I grabbed an oversized sweatshirt that I’d stolen from one of the Billys back when I used to flirt. Back when I was happy. I threw it on over my sweaty tank.
“You’re going like that?” I pulled on a pair of sweats and flip-flops. “Cass, it’s still only, like, eight thirty.”
I checked the alarm clock on my vanity. “Yeah,” I said with a shrug. “I mean, I don’t think it matters what I look like.”
Honor stood blinking at me like I must be involved in some Freaky Friday moment, but she couldn’t figure out with whom I’d switched.
“Later.” I waved and grabbed my keys and left.
*
HOLLOW PINES WAS a small town, which meant there wasn’t much room to separate the good from the bad and the bad from the ugly. We lived in one of the nice neighborhoods with stone mailboxes and automated sprinkler systems, but five blocks from our home, the scenery changed. The houses shrank and grew closer together. I got Kara’s address from Honor. Her friend’s house was quaint but pleasant. It had a Texas flag hanging out front. It didn’t take me long to figure out which house was Lena’s.
Instead of picketed wood, the fence was made of chain link. Weeds crawled up the metal lattice. Grass grew ankle high and the white heads of dandelions speckled the yard. The closer I’d gotten to Oleander Avenue, the more restless my arms and legs had grown, like they were literally itching to get away from me.
I pulled into Lena’s driveway and parked behind an old truck with a rusted tailpipe. I could still turn back and pretend that nothing ever happened—or at least pretend that I didn’t know anything ever happened. But Lena was the last possible thread of a plan. Like a puzzle piece I hadn’t turned over yet because I was saving it, hoping that it would fit. I was desperate. And I was edging closer and closer to my Hail Mary.
I found myself unbuckling my seat belt and stepping out into the fresh morning sun. At the stoop, I rang the doorbell and waited. A dog barked from somewhere within the house. When no one answered, I knocked. This time I heard shuffling and then someone yell for the dog to can it.
I stepped a couple inches back. There was no welcome mat at 1120 Oleander Avenue. Just bare concrete. Someone fumbled with the lock on the other side of the door and I stood up straighter. The latch clicked and a man, still guarded by a screen door between us, appeared in front of me.
“No solicitors,” he said. “Unless you’re selling Girl Scout cookies.” His jowls were unshaven and he had swollen pouches under his eyes. “Are you selling Girl Scout cookies?”
My mouth dropped open and there was a pause before words came out. He must know I was too old for Girl Scouts. “No, sir. I’m looking for Lena,” I said. “Is she home?”
He scratched a spot behind his ear. “She do something wrong?” The man’s eyes weren’t unkind, just beaten down like those of an overworked carriage horse. I didn’t know what kind of trouble Lena would be in for which the authorities would send a teenage girl to reprimand her.
“No, sir,” I said again. “Just some questions for … yearbook. At school. That’s all.” This lie came even easier.
“Oh, okay then.” He didn’t quite smile, but I thought there was something close to one lurking under the surface of his features. “Lena!” he called over his shoulder. “Lena, come out here. Someone’s here to see you. She’ll be right here. Probably still sleeping. She’s like a vampire on the weekend, that one.” He shook his head, then disappeared into the dim house.
I clasped my hands behind my back and rocked onto my heels. The screen door still blocked me from entering. It was a minute or two before Lena came to the door. Her dark hair was pinned into a messy bun using two pencils. Her face was even paler without makeup. She stood blinking at me through the mesh.
“Hi,” I said. “Can I come in?”