Page 36 of I Despise You

“Yeah. According to some very believable sources, she was found with bruises on her neck. But since Campbell’s only son was involved, the cops concluded that she overdosed, and the case was closed. Chase’s name doesn’t come up in any reports of her death or in the press. I don’t think anyone even did a full investigation. His father bribed everyone, and it all went away. The Campbell’s family name is still squeaky clean.”

“Are you sure? I mean, rumors are sometimes just rumors.”

“He was with her that night, and I don’t think she just happened to overdose in his room. Yeah, she smoked some weed sometimes, but I don’t believe she was taking some stronger and overdosed, unless Chase somehow had his hands in it. I don’t know. All I’m saying is that you should be careful around him. If you asked me, I’d tell you to stay the hell away from him, but it’s your life, so all I can do is give you a warning.” She shrugs.

“Thanks for telling me. I didn’t know any of that.” And if it’s true and Chase really killed a girl, my problem has just become impossibly huge. “Is that why you said he gets away with everything? Why no one wants to stand up to him?”

She nods. “After he got away with murder, no one wants to try what he’s capable of next. Some people believe he’s not lying when he says he didn’t do it. His friends, mostly. They’re too dumb to see the truth, or they’re smart enough to pretend to stay in good graces so he doesn’t go after them. The school administration thinks he’s an angel, so of course they believe the cops’ report.”

“I have to go now.” I get to my feet. “Gotta grab something to eat before my next class.”

“Yeah, sure.” Vanessa offers me a smile.

As I make my way to the door, I wonder just what exactly Brittany has pushed me into. Maybe she’s hoping Chase will kill me like he did with Kayla, no matter how crazy that seems.

But he’d be a fool to try something like that again, right? Then no one would believe he’s innocent.

I’d be a little too dead to care in that case, but I don’t want to give up now. He can come after me even if I leave the school, and if I leave, I’ve got nothing. If he wants to sleep with me again, then he won’t hurt me.

I can use that, even if it’s totally messed up.

But first, I need some time so I don’t freak out every time I see him, and that means I have to switch all the class we have together.

Brittany and Chase are going down.

I’ll make sure of it.