The Thrashers

by Julie Soto

“Isn’t that at Lucy’s cabin last year?” Paige stepped up next to her. “I did your hair like that.” Jodi stared. The earrings. She’d lost one during that trip and never wore them again. Emily wasn’t there. Jodi’s eyes snapped to Hannah, wondering why she would edit together a picture that didn’t exist. “I guess maybe…” Jodi paused. “If there were no pictures of Emily with friends for the slideshow. It would make sense to edit one. For her parents.”

woah that's scary

The click of the cuffs was drowned out under: “Zackary Thrasher, you’re under arrest for the harassment and statutory rape of Emily Mills.”

WHATTTTT

“Hannah was just talking about you.” “Excuse me?” Her heart pounded. “She says you’re her only friend at school so far.” Ms. George winked. “That’s very kind of you to keep an eye on her.”

that is so strange!!! omg what is happening with these sisters!!!

“Is it weird?” he said. “That we were supposed to stay away from each other, and then the one time we all get together, we almost die?”

it was Emily????

I THINK I COULD BE HER IF I TRIED.

ummm scary

As soon as the door closed, Nan grabbed Jodi’s arm, nails sinking into her like claws. “Are you not safe?” Jodi stared at her, breath frozen in her chest. “What?” “Every single energy in this room wants to protect you, Jodi.” “Me?”

Omg

“Are you in danger in some way? Everyone here is very loud and no one likes each other, but they agree on you. Emily is…” Nan shook her head. “I don’t like her energy. She didn’t want to talk to Paige at all. She barely wanted to use me. She just wanted to be near you, Jodi.”

What the helly

She sniffed, wheezing and dry heaving. When she straightened, her gaze roved up a water polo team sweatshirt—Julian. “You okay? What did she say to you?” Jodi looked over her shoulder.

Does julian like her????

“Oliver, what’s going on? What happened?” A breathy laugh rumbled into her ear, quickly turning into a cough. “Your dad burned down half your house. It jumped over to mine just before the fire trucks arrived.”

“Oliver Burns tells us that Zackary Thrasher and Julian Hollister specifically kept him from speaking to you in freshman year.

Wuttttt

“Is there anything going on with you two?” Jodi swiveled her head to see Lucy studying her, a coy smile on her lips. “Who two?” “You two. You and Julian.” She blinked at her. “Sorry, what’s the question?” Lucy smiled slowly. “He was very worried about you.”

“He met me in the river. I was treading water, trying to keep Kiera’s head above the surface and swim for the shore, and he said, ‘Where’s Jodi?’”

“I tried to give him Kiera, but he just swam down for you. Wouldn’t let anyone else pump your chest on the river bank.” “He knew I couldn’t swim,” she said quickly. “That’s probably why.”

“She was trying to show off for the older kids. Herminia always tried to be older than she was.” Her fingers paused in their reach for an edge piece. “Who?” Jodi asked. “Herminia Josephina Rodriguez,” Grandma said. “She hated it, so she asked to be called Josephine.” “My mother’s first name was Herminia?” Grandma nodded.

“When I got to the car, your window was only half-down and your seat belt was still on.” She could tell him about Paige’s shoe to her face, or remind him about her inability to swim, but she just swiped a new line at a new window. “Did you give up when the car flooded,” he whispered, “or before it even left the bridge?”

“Maybe she did. But I don’t want you to,” he said. Like it was as simple as that.

And she wondered what it was they were doing, and if it was wise to let him crack her chest open a second time, just to see if he fit inside.

Zack stepped closer to Jodi and pointed at Julian. “He’s using you! You don’t see that?!” Jodi blinked at him, feeling Julian stiffen next to her. “He wants to be on your good side before it’s your turn to testify,” Zack hissed. Julian stepped forward, his eyes hard. “That’s not it at all—” “Jodi, think! He was never this friendly to you before you were subpoenaed.”

He looked down at her lips, and her heart stuttered a beat. She swallowed. “Um, before you kiss me again—” “Presumptuous.” “—I need to know what you said to Emily that day.”

“I met the real Emily Mills that day. She was fucking smiling at me. The whole time. No matter what I said or how much I invaded her space. And then…” He cracked his neck and blew out a laugh. “What?” she said. “She asked me if I liked you.” He looked at her quickly. “And I didn’t, just to clarify. Still don’t, really.” “Thanks,” she said drily. “Same to you.”

Jodi quirked a smile. “Is this how Emily Mills has been haunting you, Julian? She planted an idea in your head, and now you’re kissing me in the theater lab?” His eyes flashed to her, serious and anxious, before crinkling to return the smile. “I guess so.”

Jodi stood frozen. She’d called it the real journal. “I was thinking it might have been you,” Jodi said quietly. “You created the fake one?” Tears streamed down Hannah’s cheeks. “It took me weeks. I had her handwriting perfect. I rewrote the entire thing. I had every date correct, I swear.”

Wtffff

“Why were you so late?” There was ice in Jodi’s chest, a heavy weight in her stomach. Hannah didn’t “find” her sister’s body. She was there—in the bathroom. “Why did the police report say Emily’s dress was wet?” “Because she told me to turn the cold water on her every time she passed out. She said she had to stay awake until you came.”

Wtff