Page 1 of Mercy & Malice

1

BROOKE

“I don’t want to do this anymore,” Callie whines.

Same. “We’re almost done,” I lie for my benefit and hers. We’ve been decorating the gymnasium for hours, and the to-do list seems to be growing rather than dwindling.

When I feel eyes on me, I turn to find every set in the gym on me. Most are last-minute volunteers I recruited to help with the winter masquerade setup since Callie, Miss I’m Student Body President, failed to account for that minor detail. Which is how it always goes.

When Mom convinced me to run for VP and let someone else take the top spot, I knew it wasn’t the right decision. But my mother was more concerned with the optics of the principal’s daughter being elected president. She had the same theory with cheer, which is why I’m co-captain with Brittany while Callie holds the captain’s title. She holds the highest rank in each organization, but I pick up the responsibilities along with Brittany. And I swear Callie faked an ankle sprain just to get out of actually cheering during football season. But it was almost a relief when she bailed on a few practices and games.

Callie is always the first person ready to leave every student council meeting or activity—like right now. She nags, “Seriously, Brooke. It’s getting late. We’ll finish everything tomorrow. Surely your mom will let us work on it during school hours instead of sacrificing our entire night.”

No doubt she’ll let us, but I’d rather be here than at “home.” Because it’s not ours. Moving into Donald Montclair’s residence was the smart choice to get myself and my mother out of my father’s grip. However, every second I’m in that house, all it does is remind me that there’s still a key Montclair nowhere to be found.

Every so often, I feel like Micah is watching me. Is it crazy that I hope he is? Because then that would mean he was here. I could finally apologize. Beg for his forgiveness then maybe deck him in the nose for disappearing on me for the last two months.

He has to come back eventually, right?

Callie is still complaining, so I just tell everyone, “Fine. Go home. We’ll finish tomorrow.”

I have no intention of leaving anytime soon, so hopefully I can get the majority of it completed. And Ivy must realize that as she tells me, “Brooke, there’s nothing that can’t wait until tomorrow. The masquerade is still days away. We have plenty of time.”

Time, I have. The ability to stop moving and quiet my mind, not so much. I need something to focus on. It’s what I’ve done for the last eight weeks since my world imploded. “I just want to finish a little more, then I’ll head out.”

She lingers, watching me for a minute before declaring, “I can stay.”

The simple offer means more than it should. She has more right than most to hate Belgrave Academy and all of us who are here. All I’ve done for months is try to make up for the pain I’ve caused her too. Thankfully, she has forgiven me and become the best friend I’ve ever had. And since her house is right behind the Montclairs’, it makes living there much more appealing. Her place is a great escape whenever I need to clear my head. But even there, Micah’s twin brother is always around to remind me of the person who is nowhere to be found. And yes, I’m glad Ivy and Luca have found a way to be around each other after so much betrayal and seeing them together gives me hope that one day Micah and I can work through our issues.

“I’m good. Promise. I just want to make a little more headway.”

Ivy is the last to leave, then I focus back on my task until I get the sense I’m being watched again. Even after a glance around the gym to find it empty, I can’t shake the feeling. However, I continue setting up the tables and chairs, then check on the projector. Callie is the one who suggested having a snowflake-and-castle scene, yet she doesn’t know how to set it up or work the app because I always handle it.

Once it powers up, I upload the correct background and watch the snowflakes fall through stone pillars overlooking a dark forest landscape. But as I study it, red text morphs into view.

The Rules

One member of each duo must be an invitee.

If one fails, both fail.

“Mercy.” I gulp, staring at the rules for the game I failed. Micah was doomed from the start because I was his teammate.

“Brooke.”

I spin around and my phone falls from my hand as I press it against my chest where my heart is hammering. Even as I recognize my AP Calculus teacher, I can’t calm my accelerated pulse.

Glancing back at the wall with the projection, I see the words aren’t there, so I bend down and grab my phone as Mr. LeBlanc asks, “Where are all your helpers?”

The real question is where the heck did he come from? I’d just scanned around the gym, and no one was around, but I did zone out for a bit.

“Oh, they all were ready to call it quits. I just want to get a few more things marked off the list before I head out.”

“Let me lend you a hand then.” He gives me a warm smile, unhooking the buttons on his sleeves as he rolls them up. “Just tell me what to do.”

“No, that’s okay. You really don’t have to help.” He’s ruining my plan to put off going home as long as possible.

He finishes adjusting his sleeves, then claps his hands together. “I don’t mind. Besides, it’s finals week and you shouldn’t be here late and working all alone. There will be plenty of time to rest during winter break.”