Chapter 74
Nika
Thursday
Nika wakes very late on Thursday—it’s almost lunchtime—and at first, she doesn’t remember what happened yesterday afternoon.
Then it all slams back—finding Ms. O’Donnell going through her bag, realizing what she’d done to her lunch, processing the fact that this grown adult—this coach—had tried to kill her.
Maybe she wouldn’t have died, but Greta O’Donnell couldn’t have known that for sure.
What kind of person does this? Adults are supposed to be the calm ones, while teens are “impulsive.” It doesn’t make sense.
And on top of everything else, they can’t go to the police because Greta will no doubt tell them that Nika’s behind the online stuff with Maeve’s diary.
Nika wasn’t convinced at first that it’s really against the law, but Jess has been sending her links to the Harassment and Harmful Communications Act and, by the looks of it, she could actually be in trouble for the AWGoss account.
Jess says she should delete it, but she hasn’t yet.
If Maeve Khoury put her aunt up to trying to hurt Nika, she deserves to have that diary video up there for the rest of her life.
She slides up in bed so she’s half sitting and asks her Alexa to open her blinds.
Bright sunlight dazzles her and she shields her eyes, groping for her phone.
Fucking Maeve. She always was a loser. Nika is not one bit surprised she tried to get at her.
But Greta O’Donnell? It’s not the kind of thing adults do.
Nika sits up straighter.
Of course it’s not the kind of thing adults do.
It’s the kind of thing a teenager would do.
Someone like Maeve, out for revenge. So does that mean…
Greta was telling the truth? She was genuinely trying to stop Nika eating the food?
And that it was Maeve who actually put the ground almonds on the brownie?
Oh my god. That makes so much more sense.
Of course Greta O’Donnell, grown adult woman, head of PE, responsible citizen, did not try to send her into anaphylactic shock.
She was trying to stop Maeve. Trying to prevent Nika from getting sick and Maeve from getting caught.
Jesus Christ.
Maeve tried to kill her. For a bit of fucking online banter.
She tried to actually kill her. Her chest tightens and her heart is beating faster now.
Maeve Khoury tried to kill her. How dare she?
Her breath quickens and blood pounds in her ears.
That bitch. If she was here right now, Nika would grab her by her stupid throat and smash her head against a wall. She’s shaking, shaking with rage.
One thing’s for sure.
She’s not going to get away with it.