Chapter 27

Heather’s Letters Blog Entry

Draft: October 12

Orchard Valley won its game. It was posted on the school’s website. The same webpage also praised quarterback Adam Hollowcast. Something about his uncanny ability to anticipate opponents’ moves. “Like he has a copy of their playbook in his mind,” the article said. And his near-record-breaking number of plays was mentioned, too.

His name is plastered all over the Internet now. All the social networks. Pictures and praise. Praise and pictures. And all I can think is: poor Adam. He doesn’t need praise. He needs pity. I can’t get those images out of my head—the bloody things in his closet. The torture he imposes on himself. And what did he go home to do to himself after that game? How did he punish himself for his success?

And I wonder what will happen tomorrow morning. I wonder what he wrote about in his journal. What is planned for six o’clock tomorrow morning in that awful auditorium?

What does he mean, END IT?

I agreed to tutor one of the volleyball players before school, but now I’ll have to go in extra early. I’m sure Mom will take me before her meeting. And if not, I’ll walk if I have to. Being an outcast has freed me. I’m more vocal in confronting Burton, I’m more active in figuring out how to help Adam, and I’m stricter in disciplining Ruby. And now, there’s something I have to do tomorrow. I have to look in on Adam. If not me, then who?

No one.

As popular as he is, Adam is truly alone.