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Because she needed to find Sadie.

Forcing herself to casually walk out of the gym, Ellie looked around the parking lot for Sadie. She didn’t see her or her car. Ellie ran to the softball field: nothing. She even checked the nearby park with no success.

Since she rode to prom with friends, Ellie had no way to go after her. Calling her parents meant explaining what happened, which Ellie didn’t want to do. Not yet. And calling Mason would involve Chase, who was a former police officer, and Ellie didn’t know how well that would go over if Sadie hadn’t told her mom and Charlie what happened. Because, at the end of the day, that was Sadie’s story to tell. When and how and if she wanted to tell it.

There was only one person Ellie could think to call.

“Thanks for picking me up,” she said as she got into the passenger seat of Blake’s black SUV.

“Anytime.” Blake sympathetically smiled. “Everything okay?”

Despite not wanting to talk about it, Ellie found herself spilling the whole story to Blake as they sat in the parked SUV.

“I can’t believe Abigail would do that.”

“Girls can be so mean for no reason,” Blake sighed. “Women too. I don’t think there’s an age limit on being a bitch.”

Ellie smiled at the comment as Blake squeezed her shoulder.

“Do you want to come over to our house for a bit?”

“Actually, can you take me to Sadie’s house? I need to check on her.”

“Of course.”

The drive to Sadie’s house was quiet, with Blake’s hand staying on Ellie’s knee as they drove. It was more comforting than Blake probably realized. Ellie was so upset over how Abigail had treated Sadie. Sadie didn’t deserve that. Well, no one did. Butespeciallynot Sadie.

“Park here,” Ellie pointed to the gravel parking lot for the tree farm a few hundred yards from Sadie’s house. “I’ll be right back.”

“Take all the time you need. I’ll be here.”

“Thanks, Blake.”

Getting out of the car, Ellie hurriedly walked toward the back of the house. She could see Sadie’s bedroom light on upstairs, and she made her way over to the trellis. Ellie prayed it was sturdy enough as she began to make her ascent to the second story. Thankfully, she arrived on the slanted roof without issue and crept over to Sadie’s window.

I feel like a creep.

Ellie had wanted to avoid going to the front door, just in case Sadie hadn’t told Delaney and Charlie what had happened. There was no way Ellie wanted to be the way they found out. So creeping around felt like the next best thing.

Inside the bedroom window, Ellie could see Sadie lying on her bed. She tapped softly on the window, startling Sadie. She quickly jumped up from the bed and stared at the window, a look of fear on her face.

But as soon as Sadie saw Ellie, her eyes softened. Her fear was replaced by what seemed to be relief as she walked over to the window and opened it.

“Hey.”

“What are you doing here?”

“Oh, ya know,” Ellie laughed. “Just inspecting the roof.”

“Mhmm,” Sadie smiled, and it made Ellie feel better she was at least smiling a little. Sadie motioned for Ellie to move out of the way, which she did. Stepping out onto the roof, Sadie walked a few feet before sitting down. She patted the spot next to her, and Ellie eagerly joined. “I guess I know why you’re here.”

“I just had to make sure you were okay.”

“I honestly don’t know what I am.”

“I’m here if you want to talk about it.”

A silence settled between them, and Ellie suddenly felt nervous. What if Sadie didn’t want her there?No, she would have told you to go.What if she’s embarrassed about the picture?She shouldn’t be; it wasn’t her fault.Ellie’s brain didn’t know what to think, so instead she started talking.