Chapter 1 A Valentine's Mess

CARIS

"Caris, sweetheart, your dad and I... we have decided to get a divorce."

My mum reached across the table and covered my hand with hers. "We know this must be a shock, baby. But we want you to know that this has nothing to do with you-“

"I know," I said.

They exchanged a glance then my dad tried again.

"It's okay if you're upset. It's okay to cry. This is a lot to process and-"

"Dad." I looked up. "I'm fine."

I had been waiting for this conversation for three years.

My parents were never happy when they were together. I always found them arguing, cursing or ignoring each other.

And I had endured it for three years. If anything, I was relieved it finally had a name.

"I'm not upset," I said, and I pushed back my chair. "Can I go to my room?"

They shared another glance, like they couldn’t tell if I was masking my hurt.

"Of course," my mum said softly.

I walked upstairs, closed my bedroom door behind me, and sat down on my bed. And then, I wanted to cry.

I didn't even understand why. It wasn't like it was a surprise. But now my eyes were burning and my throat was tight and I hated it.

I pressed the heels of my hands against my eyes.

“Stop it, Caris,” I mumbled under my breath.

I was not going to do this. Not on Valentine's Day. I still had to go see Richard and I definitely did not want to go looking like a pufferfish.

I took a breath then I grabbed my jacket off the floor, checked my reflection in the mirror, carried my bag and walked back downstairs.

"I’m going to Richard’s," I called out, and I was already out the door before either of them could answer.

The neighbourhood was doing the most for Valentine's Day.

Every other house had a wreath or a banner or a little cluster of red balloons tied to the mailbox.

Kids were running around with candy hearts. Somebody's car stereo was playing something slow and romantic, and I caught the scent of roses from the flower stand three doors down.

It was kind of a lot but I didn't mind.

"Morning, Caris!" called Mr. Luther from his porch.

"Morning!" I waved.

A little further down, Mrs. Beverly was standing at the edge of her driveway, grocery bags at her feet, eyeing the curb like it had personally wronged her.

"Here, let me," I said, jogging over. I took her arm and helped her across to the other side, then handed her bags back.

"You're a good girl," she told me, patting my cheek.

I smiled. "Have a good day."

I was almost past the little corner park when I noticed the couple near the bench. The guy was proposing and a small crowd had gathered, chanting for them.

A smile formed on my lips. Love was actually a real thing that existed in the world and not just a concept from movies.

Although, my parents were poor representations of that. I wasn’t going to go down that path.

Richard and I have been together for two years, and I couldn’t love him any less. He was the perfect boyfriend, kind and the head of the soccer team.

I was the head cheerleader so when we got together, nobody was surprised. It was a match made in heaven, people would say.

I climbed the front steps of his door and I didn't knock. I never had to. His mum had given me a spare key months ago.

“Richard!” I called but there was no answer.

His bag was on the kitchen chair so he was definitely home. I headed upstairs to see that his bedroom door was half-open.

With a smile, I took a step forward but the sound that followed stopped me in my tracks.

“Oh, yes! Baby, I love you so much!” Richard was groaning, the familiar sound of the bed squealing followed his grunts.

My heart dropped then I started to tremble as another familiar voice cried out,

“Yes, Richie! You’re the best!” The girl moaned. “Don’t stop!”

I couldn’t take it anymore. I pushed the door open and the sight of my boyfriend and best friend on the bed destroyed me in more ways than one.

“What THE HELL!?” I screamed and they scrambled immediately.

Richard had the nerve to look annoyed. "Caris, what are you doing here?”

“Don’t you fucking ask me that!” I snapped, my entire body trembling, tears blurring my eyes. “How long have you been shagging my best friend?”

Zara smirked, wrapping the blanket around her large breasts. “Three months. Don’t be a bitch about it.”

I looked at her. I had known her since we were eleven. And this was how she treated me?

Something snapped inside me.

I grabbed his bedside lamp and hurled it towards her head. Zara screamed and ducked and Ricahrd stormed forward.

"You’re crazy, you know that?” he said. "This is exactly why."

I went still. "What?"

"You're exhausting, Caris. You're needy and you make everything into a thing." He snapped, glaring at me. "Zara actually appreciates me."

Zara wrapped her arm around him, and she was smiling. "Plus I give him sex whenever he wants. I’m not a prude like you.”

"We're done," Richard said. "We've been done. I just didn't know how to tell you."

I was trembling so much, I wondered how I was still standing upright. There was a lot I wanted to say but it wasn’t worth it.

They weren’t worth it.

“Go to hell.” I hissed. “Both of you.”

I stormed out of his house, the tears running down my face before I could help it. I was sniffling and full-on bawling by the time I reached my house.

What did I do to deserve this? I’ve been nothing but a loyal, loving girlfriend.

Thinking back, I realised Richard agreeing to stay celibate was a trick from the start.

He had probably been sleeping with other girls before Zara and that only made me feel worse.

I walked to my room, relieved that my parents weren’t home, and was about to slump on the bed when something made me jump backwards that I almost fell but I caught myself just in time.

There was a letter on my bed.

How did it even get there?

I wasn't expecting any mail… Did mum put it there? But if she had, she would have told me.

I moved to grab the letter when something caught my eye. There was a shadowed figure outside my window.

I gulped, my palms getting sweaty and my heart began to race as I walked cautiously towards it, grabbing my baseball bat and raising it in the air to attack.

I finally got to the window and pulled the curtains,

“Aha!” I yelled, but no one was there.

I looked outside the window and a cawing sound startled me.

A black crow was perched on a branch of the tree beside the house and it felt like… it was staring right at me.

It tilted its head, looked at the dark alleyway and flew away.

What was that all about?

Seeing the crow did not make me feel better about the letter, I couldn't just ignore it.

It was a thick, cream-coloured envelope with my name on the front in dark ink and there was no return address.

For a moment, I thought about throwing it away but curiosity got the best of me and with shaky hands and holding my breath, I opened it.

“Dear Caris Fisher,

You have been selected to attend ThornHeart Academy. The enclosed packet contains everything you need to know. If you choose to accept, call the number attached.”

My eyes widened and I finally let out the breath I was holding.

“What the fuck?” I whispered.