Hidden Pieces by Paula Stokes

Author:Paula Stokes
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: HarperCollinsPublishers
Published: 2018-07-29T16:00:00+00:00

Nineteen

“YOU WHAT?” Julia’s cocks her head to the side like she’s confused, like she honestly thinks she heard me wrong.

My legs go a bit weak and I lean back against the wall of her room. I wipe my sweaty palms on my jeans and then jam my hands into my pockets. I train my eyes on my shoes. “I went to school early, sneaked into the locker room while you were swimming, and took your purse.” My words get faster. “I’m sorry. I might be able to get it back for you, but if not I’ll give you the money to get a new one. It’ll take a couple of months, but—you know what, that’s not even the worst part. I’ve also been sleeping with Holden. I’m the girl in the video.” I take in a deep breath and keep going before Julia can interrupt. “I’m the girl he hooked up with this summer. While you were away, Holden and I started hanging out. I talked to him about everything that was going on with my mom. I never thought anything would happen. But then one night things got weird between us and we hooked up. And I’m sorry I didn’t tell you.”

Everything is sort of bleeding together now. I’m not even sure if she can understand what I’m saying, but I have to get it all out this time, every bit of it, before she gives me a reason or an opportunity to hold something back. “I lied to you repeatedly when you asked me if I knew who she was. I don’t expect you to forgive me for any of this.” My shoulders slump inward as I finish. It takes intense effort just to look at Julia. I’m so afraid of what I might see.

Her lips are pursed, but there’s no obvious anger in her expression. “Back up,” she says. “Why the hell would you steal my purse?”

“I didn’t want to do it. I’ve been being . . . blackmailed, I guess. I got this text message that said I had to steal it or else they were going to . . . get me in trouble. I’m the reason that video of Holden and me got sent out too.” Quickly I give Julia a rundown on the messages I’ve received from Unknown.

“But what does this guy have on you?” she asks. “I’m assuming it’s more than just hooking up with Holden.”

I hesitate. I want to tell her everything, but there’s still that natural urge to hide parts of me, the deepest, darkest inner pieces. Can you trust her?

“Whatever, don’t tell me if you don’t want to.” She hops up from the bed, considers her reflection in her dresser mirror. “But then why are you even telling me any of this right now?”

“A lot of reasons,” I say. “Mostly because I can finally see that Holden was right. Not telling you about me and him was stupid and selfish. I didn’t want to tell you over the phone,

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.