Chapter 1

The fluorescent lights of Northwood High's auditorium hummed, a familiar sound.

It was Monday morning assembly, the last one before SATs.

Brittany Jones, head cheerleader, blonde hair swishing, took the microphone. Her voice, sugary sweet, echoed.

"Hey everyone! To celebrate our last big push before the SATs, and, like, our awesome senior year, I'm throwing a pre-party at my place tonight! Pool, music, fun! Be there!"

A cheer went up. The teachers at the side looked vaguely disapproving but said nothing. Seniors celebrating. A rite of passage.

My blood ran cold.

This exact moment. This exact announcement.

Last time, I stood up. I was Emily White, student council president, a nerd who cared too much.

I'd warned them. A party the night before the SATs? Alcohol? What if something went wrong?

"Don't be such a buzzkill, Emily!" Jake Miller, my then-boyfriend, star quarterback, had laughed. He was already half in Brittany's pocket.

They all called me a killjoy, jealous.

I'd spent that night calling everyone, begging them to stay home, to focus. I even went to the testing center early, making sure people arrived.

They did well on the SATs.

But Brittany, at her own party, alone after everyone else left because of my warnings, supposedly overdosed. It was a lie. She'd faked it to get out of the SATs she knew she'd fail, and to frame her drug-dealer ex.

She blamed me. Said I'd spread panic, prevented people from helping her.

Jake, fully brainwashed by then, led the charge. They cornered me on the bleachers. A push. A fall. Darkness.

My dad, Fire Captain David White, tried to find justice. He got too close. A hit-and-run, orchestrated by Brittany and Jake, silenced him forever.

My mom, Susan, a guidance counselor, crumbled.

I died in that hospital bed, watching them on the news, Brittany the victim, Jake her grieving supporter.

Then I saw them, a disembodied soul, celebrating. Brittany laughing about her perfect plan, how she'd fooled everyone, how she'd get into a good college without even taking the test. Jake, lapping it up.

The rage was a physical thing, even as a ghost.

And now...

The auditorium. Brittany's announcement. The same faces.

I blinked. Pinched my arm under the table. Pain. Real.

Tears welled. I wasn't crying from sadness. It was the shock, the impossible reality.

I was back.

This time, Brittany's voice grated. "It's gonna be epic!"

I looked at Jake. He was already gazing at Brittany, a dopey look on his face. My neighbor. My childhood friend. My betrayer.

I felt nothing for him now but a cold, hard knot in my stomach.

I took a deep breath.

Last time, I fought. This time, I wouldn't.

Let them party. Let them ruin their own futures.

I picked up my backpack. As the assembly dismissed and kids chattered excitedly about the party, I walked out.

My only goal: protect myself. Protect my family.

They could all go to hell.