Free Broken World by Chloe Adams, Lizzy Ford Page A

Gianna says it’s not my fault this happened. Sitting across from the latest victim, I know she’s wrong.
    This is all my fault . I text Dom.
    Chris texts to say the car is waiting for me. I don’t know where I find the strength, but I manage to stand. I approach the glass again and raise my phone, snapping a picture, before I leave. By the time I reach the first floor, I’m running. I fling myself into the car and curl up in back, crippled by memories and what I just saw.
    Number Eight has a name. Tanya. If she dies, I killed her.
    No, Mia, it’s not your fault. No matter how angry you are at me, I hope you can believe me. I’m being straight with you.
    Dom’s text comforts me. I don’t know why he doesn’t hate me. I don’t know why he’s kind to me. I’m a worse person than Robert Connor. If Robert Connor doesn’t rot in jail, I should.
    I’ve never hated myself more than I do right now.
     
     

Chapter Six
     
    I’m a zombie when I arrive to my first day of school Tuesday. It’s too early, and I slept like crap. The hallways are too crowded. After the morning assembly, I go to my locker and shove the stack of books into it.
    “What the hell?” Ari demands, appearing at my side. “I tried to call you a million times last night!”
    “I know,” I mumble.
    “You look awful.”
    “Yeah.” I grab the books I think I’ll need for the morning and close the locker. “Did you sign me up for cheer squad?”
    “Duh. Right after school. You sure you’re up for it?”
    “I need something to take my mind off things.”
    Ari studies me. I’m jealous of her cheerful expression. Make-up doesn’t cover the circles under my eyes, and the dark school uniform makes me look washed out.
    “Hi, Mia!”
    I look up at the familiar voice. Benji Allen, the boy I’ve had a crush on for a couple of years, is standing behind Ari. He has perfect teeth, blond hair and green eyes. Usually, when he talks to me, I feel butterflies in my stomach. I don’t today. He looks at Ari, as if hinting for her to leave.
    Ari doesn’t.
    “I saw your pic in the paper from the ball the other night. You looked great!” he says. “Thought I’d see if you’re, you know, interested in hanging out this weekend.”
    “I thought you and Jenna were still a thing?” Ari asks.
    “Nah. That’s been over since June.”
    Jenna and I are usually co-captains of the cheer squad. We’re frenemies. In the locker rooms, it’s war. In front of the school, we’re friends. I used to think the only reason she dated Benji was to piss me off, because everyone knows I’ve liked him forever.
    “Maybe,” I say.
    “Great. I’ll give you a call.” Benji flashes a smile and leaves.
    I watch him go. He’s got a body girls drool over and a smile that’s friendly and confident.
    “Maybe?” Ari whispers. “Maybe? The hottest guy in school asks you out, and you say maybe ?”
    I shrug. “I don’t feel like dating. I don’t think I ever will.”
    “This could be good. You can hook me up with him.”
    “Omigod, Ari! I just … I wonder how much everyone knows about my summer,” I say, grinding my teeth.
    “Anyone who can read the news or saw it on TV. Or online. Or knows someone who--”
    “I get the point, Ari!”
    “Come on. Let’s go to our first class.” Ari sounds as eager as I feel. “Did I tell you I’m thinking about graduating early?”
    “Can you do that?”
    “I can. I get good grades. You…probably not.”
    “If you do, I do, too,” I tell her, irritated. “You can’t leave me here alone.”
    “True.” Ari stops outside a classroom. “Good luck. See you at lunch.”
    I trudge into the classroom. Everyone except myself seems excited to be there and talk about their summers. I sit in back and pull out my phone to text Ari. A shadow crosses my desk, and I glance up.
    “We’re in the same class. We got a lame first period,” Benji says, winking at me. He slides into the seat beside mine.
    “Yep.” I return my