Free Unlocked by Margo Kelly Page A

full of legendary strength. Later, I got caught up in the excitement of being accepted by the popular group, and I only ever said hello to Eugene in passing after that.
    “Are you all right?” Eugene asked again.
    “You mean after my ridiculous outburst?”
    He nodded.
    “I’m fine,” I said. “Is Chelsea okay?”
    “Only a bruised ego.”
    “Thanks for checking on me,” I said.
    “Don’t let Chelsea’s antics mess with your mind.” Eugene tapped his forehead, and then he strolled out of the library.
    If only it were that easy. I rested my head on the table and waited for the bell.
    • • •
    When first period ended, I tromped back down the stairs to my literature class. Chelsea sat in the back row. I chewed on the inside of my cheek and debated what to do. I could apologize and work it out with her, or I could continue as an outcast all day.
    I took a seat next to her.
    “Sorry,” I said. “I’m really embarrassed I took a swing at you. This weekend’s been bad, and I’m not—”
    Chelsea took in a slow breath, stood, and then moved to the front row.
    I flashed back to a time in the park when Mom walked away from Dad in the middle of an apology. My throat tightened as I considered Dad’s perspective. He had sat alone on that park bench. At the time, instead of following Mom, I chose to sit and wait with Dad. After an hour we walked home together in continued silence.
    And now no one sat on either side of me or in front of me.
    Chelsea leaned across the aisle and whispered something to the girl next to her. She cocked an eyebrow at me. I bit down on my tongue and steeled myself against more tears. Not here. When the teacher started class, I faced straight ahead and used every ounce of energy to keep my composure. I needed the clock to move faster. Finally, the bell rang and everyone herded out.
    Last week, at our end-of-summer party, the student council had agreed to meet in the Commons for our open period and carpool to lunch. I needed to patch things up with my friends.
    “Chelsea, wait!” I hollered down the hall to her, but she kept going. I jogged to catch up to her. When I touched her back, she whipped around.
    “Go home, Hannah!” Her spittle hit me in the face. “At least you still can. Jordan can never go home again. His mom will never see him again. You drove like an idiot, and you killed him—”
    “I told him to wear his seat belt!”
    Chelsea shook her head. The disgust in her eyes made me cringe.
    “You hated Jordan all along. I don’t know what’s possessed you, but we want you off the student council. Drop off. And back off. Go rot in your own miserable little nightmare.”
    Stunned, I let her leave.
    After a minute of standing alone in the hallway, I made my way to the Commons, hoping the rest of the student council felt differently. But when I arrived, they were already heading out to the parking lot. No one even glanced back for me.
    My phone vibrated with an incoming text. I pulled it from my pocket and clicked on a message from Chelsea: Jordan’s dead because of you. I hope you rot a slow and painful death while evil minions pick your flesh to the bone. That’s what you deserve. Stop bothering me.
    Tears fell onto my phone. I wiped them away and slipped my phone back into my pocket. I would give anything to go back to Friday and make different choices, but that was impossible.
    The tardy bell rang, and the principal came up to me. “Hannah? Are you okay?”
    I nodded.
    “All right, then you need to get to class.”
    I had an open period but no car and no friends. So I went to the school counselor’s office to change my schedule. Five other students waited in line before me. Apparently, they had problems today, too.
    When my name was finally called, I sat next to Mr. Turney’s desk and passed him my class schedule.
    “What can I do for you, Hannah?” he asked, and his thick brown mustache twitched.
    “I’m resigning as senior class secretary,” I said, “so, I