When Rivals Fall (Bayshore Rivals 1)

My father made sure of it. He kept our name out of the whole incident not wanting to be tarnished and the Bishops didn’t dare accuse me of planting the bag even though they knew it was me. Still, at this moment, I can’t help but release my anger on her.

Her hazel—more green than brown in this light—eyes go wide, and she holds a hand to her chest.

“You’re supposed to be my friend. How could you do this to me?” Shock and confusion are written all over my best friend’s face as I scream the words at her. She has no idea what she’s done wrong, and truthfully, I can’t blame her.

Right now, I just need to leave. To get away.

Turning around I start to walk away from her, the house, and most importantly away from the Bishops. Everything is ruined now. They’ve come for their revenge and there isn’t a damn thing I can do to stop them. I have no one to protect me now. After all I did for my father, I have no one to blame but myself. I’m the one who needs to suffer the consequences. Tears start to fall and I swipe at them with the back of my hand. I knew coming to this party was a mistake.

“Harlow,” Shelby calls after me once, but I continue walking not paying her an ounce of attention. I’ll have to apologize later, but right now, I just can’t deal with it. Walking down the long driveway I kick at the dirt. Stupid. I was so stupid to think that I could move away, and that my problems would never find me. A slight breeze blows off the ocean and whips my hair in a million different directions, chilling me to the bone. Wrapping my arms around myself I try and forget about all that’s lead me here.

All the mistakes I’ve made, the things I’ve done. I don’t know how long I walk but eventually, I reach the end of the long driveway, just as a car is pulling into it. I don’t look up from the ground and hope that the car will continue driving but I’m shocked when it comes to a halt a few feet from me.

To make matters worse the driver’s side window rolls down a moment later.

“Hey, you okay? Do you need a ride?” I look up to find a girl around the same age as me peering out the window, a smile on her lips. When she sees my face her smile turns into a frown.

Do I look that bad?

“I don’t know,” I say more to myself than her. Really, I don’t know. I thought coming here would save me, but it seems, it has only trapped me further.

“Come on, let me take you wherever it is that you’re walking.” I should say no, should just keep walking. I don’t know this girl. She could be a serial killer for all I know. But her offer is tempting, and I don’t want to overthink it. I’ll take my chances of being kidnapped or killed over staying here.

“Sure. I just need a ride to the dorms,” I tell her, walking over to the passenger side. She’s driving an older jeep, something that, in my old town, no one would be caught driving.

Opening the door I climb in, the small overhead light turning on, casting a yellow glow over both of us. I pull the door shut behind me and grab the seat belt clicking it into place.

“I’m Caroline.” She offers, as I get in the car and click the seat belt into place. She gives me another harmless smile that I can only make out because of the giant moon hanging in the sky.

Turning in my seat I take her in. She’s young, like me, with short brown hair, she almost reminds me of a brunette tinker bell.

“Harlow,” I say, trying to hide the sadness from my voice.

“Well, Harlow, you look like you could really use a drink. Everything okay?”

“Yeah, I’m fine. Just ran into some people from high school. Things didn’t end well between me and those people so…” I trail off, staring out of the window.

“Ah, I get it. An old high school flame? Did you see him with another chick?” I almost laugh at her words. I wish it was that simple.

“No nothing like that. It’s complicated,” I sigh.

“If you want to talk about it I’m a great listener. Hey, which dorms are you in, you never said?”

“South wing, freshmen dorms,” I mumble absentmindedly.

“I’m a freshman too. I live in the dorms across the street from you. I don’t really know anybody here yet, so seriously if you ever want to hang out, I’m your girl. No pressure though.”

“Thank you, I’ll keep that in mind,” I say when we pull up into the dorms parking lot. “Really, thanks, I appreciate it, and for the ride too.”