Chapter 43: Sam

Even though it feels like I've been put through the ringer today, I have one last stop to make before I can drag myself home for the night. No matter how bad I suspected it would go with my parents, it exceeded expectations and ended up being ten times worse. The idea that I'm what tarnishes my father's otherwise spotless political reputation makes me feel like a real piece of shit.

That's the first time I've ever skulked out of my own house. All I want to do is head back to the apartment, crawl into bed, and crash for a solid fifteen hours. I want to avoid everyone until this thing blows over.

But I can't do that.

I need to talk with Violet.

I need her to do the impossible and make what happened today-what she did-somehow okay.

Today has been the longest we've ever gone without speaking. What's worse is that Violet is the one person I turn to when I need sound advice or someone to listen. She's the one I wrap myself up in when I want to forget about the rest of the world.