Side Chick by Force

The car jerked violently.

Felicity and I slammed forward, seatbelts yanking us back.

The driver had rear ended someone.

He jumped out, already screaming. The other guy shouted back. Full-blown yelling match. No chance to get a word in.

Felicity huffed, clearly ready to snap. But with both cars blocking the lane, we weren't going anywhere.

"So annoying. I swear, how'd this guy even get a license?" she muttered.

The driver, sharp-eared even mid-fight, spun around and stormed over. "What's that supposed to mean? I can't drive?

"Watch your mouth. If you hadn't booked the budget speed ride, I wouldn't be in this mess.

"You two are partly responsible. You're not leaving till you pay."

Already snapping, Felicity fired back, sleeves up. "You crashed, not us. Don't blame your crappy driving on the passengers."

He slammed the doors and locked us in.

Felicity smacked the window. He just yelled something about waiting for the cops—and coughing up cash before we left.

My head spun again. That same crushing dizziness hit like a wave.

I fumbled for my phone, but my fingers wouldn't cooperate. When I finally got it, Felicity yanked it away. "Lydia, you okay? You look wiped. Just rest. I'll handle it."

I pinched my thigh, stretched out my hand. "Give... it back... my phone..."

She ignored me, slipped it into her pocket like she didn't hear a thing. "Unreal. Locking us in like this. Cops'll deal with her."

Then she lowered my head onto her lap, patting my back. "Don't worry, I got you. You've been through hell. When this is done, I'm—"

Darkness crashed in before I caught the rest.

My body felt pinned, like something was pressing down on me.

I bit the inside of my cheek and forced myself up.

The second I could move, I bolted upright.

Sunlight.

That cold, sick feeling slammed into me.

Jake was beside me. Again.

I shot out of bed and sprinted for the door.

The second I yanked the door open, I ran straight into Felicity's furious face.

Her eyes blew wide—like she was hitting the same line in a script she'd recited for lifetimes.

"Lydia Lloyd! Seriously? You're my best friend, and you sneak around with my boyfriend? No wonder you kept telling me to chill—you're the side piece!"

She didn't even pause. She whipped out the knife and drove it straight for my chest.

In that flash of white hot clarity, everything clicked. And just like always, I dropped into a pool of blood.

When I opened my eyes, I was back in that same hallway. Felicity's voice kicked off its same tired line.

This time, I laughed.