Page 5 of Atone

The tent flaps open to usher people in, and we step forward.

“It’s not like I hid this on purpose. I said I traveled, and you assumed something easier to explain, so I let it go. I know what people think of this place. I’ve been called a freak for every reason you can imagine growing up.”

With each new town came new hordes of teenagers with unoriginal insults.

Circus freak.

Carnival girl.

It got worse when puberty hit, and my curves filled out my next-to-nothing sequined outfits. Their insults became nastier.

Freakandgirlbecameslutandwhore.

That was the only benefit of being homeschooled and constantly moving. The next town might not be any better, but at least the faces changed.

I brush my fingers down my right side, pausing at the lump hidden beneath my shorts. Reminding myself of the blade I keep secretly strapped there. A simple comfort that soothes me now.

I escaped this world.

I’m in control.

Patience sticks to my side as we push our way into the tent.

“Well, for the record, I think it’s amazing. I’ve barely been outside Bristal. Much less traveled with a carnival. So if anyone was mean, they were probably just jealous. Screw them.” She slows when we reach a bottleneck of people trying to get into the tent. “Where are your parents now?”

“Probably in Oregon. They circle back to the same spot every few summers.” Another reason I haven’t gone to see them since starting at Briar Academy. “We aren’t that close.”

Patience pushes through a cluster of people, and the space opens up, showing off the filling rows in the tent. She moves toward the front, like she does in class, and I grab her hand, diverting her to the back instead.

This late in the afternoon, the air inside the tent isbalmy. My legs stick to the metal seat. I’ll have grooves on the back of my thighs by the end of the show.

Patience settles on my left, her spine so straight I doubt she even notices the uncomfortable benches. Uptight even at a carnival.

“Has Teal said anything to you about what’s going on with her and Declan?” Patience’s gaze cuts to me.

“No.” I shrug. “Why?”

“Something’s off.”

“Something besides their constant fighting?”

She frowns. “It’s changed recently.”

Patience has noticed.

“I’m sure it’s nothing,” I lie for Teal’s sake. “Teal is probably just playing nice for Violet. Declan is Kole’s best friend.”

“Teal doesn’t play nice.”

“And you do?” I shake my head.

Patience rolls her eyes. “I’m serious. I’ve watched Teal and Declan fight since elementary school. Lately, it’s different. And they’ve been spending more time together. Something is going on between them.”

“Maybe he’s changed.”

“We’re talking about Declan Pierce.”

I sigh. “Is Declan the problem, or is this about Sigma House?”