The Girl Before by Rena Olsen

Author:Rena Olsen
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Penguin Publishing Group
Published: 2016-07-20T15:28:28+00:00

Now

My stomach flutters as I walk down the hallway toward the group room. The doctor claims it is too early for me to feel Nut moving, but I think he’s telling me he is here for me. That he isn’t going anywhere. My tense muscles relax. Connor follows, silent. He has been strangely subdued lately. I want to ask him how the case is going, but I’m afraid of the answer. I am starting to feel guilty for being so unhelpful. It’s strange that I should want to help him when his goals and mine are polar opposites. Still, I wish there were a way for both of us to be happy. I have come to believe that he does want good things for me, that he does care about me. But I cannot help him.

The door is propped open, and a few of the girls are already there. I walk over to the refreshment table and grab a bottle of water.

“Hey.” I jump when I hear a voice close beside me. I turn to find Tori smiling at me.

“Hello.”

“Clara, right?”

I nod.

“I’m Tori.”

“I remember.”

My short answers do not discourage her. “I wanted to talk to you more last time, but you flew out of here pretty fast.”

“I wasn’t feeling well.”

She frowns. “I’m sorry. I hope you’re better now?”

“Much. Thank you.” I toy with my water bottle, wondering when it is appropriate to leave the conversation and find a seat.

“Well, listen,” Tori says. “I wanted to let you know that I’m here to talk if you need it. I mean, I know you’re in therapy and all, but if you ever want to talk to someone who’s been in kind of the same place as you, I’m here for you.”

I raise an eyebrow. “I’m not sure what you mean by being in the same place.”

Her brow furrows. “You know, why we’re all here.”

“No offense,” I say—fully aware that I will probably offend her; that’s why people say “no offense”—“but I really don’t have anything in common with you all. I don’t know what you’ve heard about me, or my husband, but we were happy until agents came and stole our lives. I’m only here because I am doing whatever I can to get out before my baby is born.”

I wait for the backlash, for the yelling, for the harsh words. Instead, Tori gives a small smile. “Yep,” she says. “I’ve been there, too.” I watch her walk to the circle, which is now almost full. I am more confused than ever.

Heather runs in late again, taking a seat next to a stick-thin girl with a dark, pixie-cut hairstyle. “Good afternoon, ladies,” she says. “I believe Erin is going to share today, unless there’s something pressing anyone else wants to bring up?” She looks at everyone, but I feel her gaze heavy on me. I avoid her eyes, staring at a spot over her shoulder instead. “Okay then, Erin, are you ready?”

The pixie girl clears her throat. Tattoos snake up her neck and down her arms, and a spike protrudes from her eyebrow.

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