Chapter 3

That evening, the phone rang. It was Karen Johnson, Kevin's mom. Her voice was tight with panic.

"Sarah? Is Kevin with you? Have you seen him?"

"No, Mrs. Johnson," I said calmly. "I haven't seen him since school."

A pause. "He said he was going to Tiff Rodriguez's party. He's not answering his phone. We're worried sick."

"I'm sure he's fine," I said, my voice devoid of sympathy.

An hour later, they were at our door. Bill and Karen Johnson, their faces etched with anxiety.

"Sarah, please," Bill pleaded. "Do you know where Tiff lives? Anything?"

My dad stepped forward. "Sarah already told you, Bill. She doesn't know."

They left, muttering about irresponsible teenagers and Tiff's bad influence. I watched them go, a cold knot in my stomach. This was just the beginning.

The next morning, the SAT testing center was a hive of nervous energy. I found my assigned seat, took a few deep breaths.

Just as the proctor started giving instructions, the doors burst open.

Bill and Karen Johnson stormed in, followed by the school principal, Mr. Harrison. They made a beeline for me.

"There she is!" Karen shrieked, pointing. "Sarah Miller, where is our son?"

Heads turned. Whispers erupted.

"I told you last night, Mrs. Johnson," I said, my voice loud enough for those nearby to hear. "I don't know where Kevin is."

"She's lying!" Bill boomed. "She's always been jealous of Kevin!"

Mr. Harrison tried to intervene. "Mr. and Mrs. Johnson, please. This is a testing environment."

Just as the proctor announced the first section was about to end, Kevin stumbled in.

He was a wreck. His clothes were rumpled, his hair a mess. He reeked of alcohol.

He swayed, then pointed a dramatic finger at me.

"It was her!" he yelled, his voice slurring. "She... she told me she loved me! I turned her down, and she freaked out! She drugged me, dragged me to some cheap motel! She ruined my SATs! My future!"

I stared, stunned into silence. The audacity, the sheer venom.

Bill Johnson lunged at me. "You little bitch!"

My father, David, jumped in front of me, trying to shield me. Bill's fist connected with Dad's jaw. Dad stumbled back.

Karen was screaming, "She did this! She ruined my boy!"

Other parents, aware of Kevin' s Ivy League ambitions, started shouting at me. "Shame on you!" "How could you?"

The room descended into chaos.

Amidst the yelling and accusations, I pulled out my phone. My hands were shaking, but I managed to find the video.

Tiff had drunkenly sent it to me last night, a taunting Snapchat.

I hit play. The volume was loud.

The video showed Tiff and Kevin at the party, music blaring. Tiff was leering at the camera, slurring, "Kevin's all mine tonight, bitches!"

Then, the camera panned to Kevin. He was clearly intoxicated, a goofy grin on his face, arm around Tiff. He yelled, "Tiff, this party is epic! Wooo!"

The crowd fell silent. The video played on, undeniable.

Kevin stared at the phone, his face turning pale.

I stood there, my cheek stinging where someone's stray hand had hit me in the scuffle. My father was holding his jaw, but he stood tall beside me.

"Kevin was with Tiff," I said, my voice clear and strong. "My parents and our home security cameras can prove I was home all night."

Karen Johnson whirled on Kevin. Crack. The sound of her hand hitting his face echoed in the sudden silence.

"You fool!" she hissed.

Onlookers murmured, their expressions shifting from outrage to disdain for Kevin.

Mr. Harrison stepped forward. "Mr. Johnson, perhaps you should try to complete the remaining sections of the test, if you feel up to it."

Kevin just stood there, looking utterly defeated.

As Dad and I left the testing center, him to get his jaw checked, me just wanting to escape, Kevin' s voice followed us, low and venomous.

"You'll regret this, Miller! You'll pay!"

I didn't look back. Let him threaten. I had chosen my path.