“I didn’t.” She spits the words and steps up to my face. “She bullied me.”
I open my mouth.
Trinity continues. “You don’t believe that, do you? No one did. Obviously, the pretty, popular girl was the bully. That’s why you don’t even bother to name me in those comments. Everyone will presume it’s me. Geeky little Hannah wouldn’t bully anyone. But Trinity? Oh, yes, she’s just the type.”
“I know you and Vanessa stopped being friends?—”
“Because she was a nasty, viciousbitch, always putting me down to pull herself up. I made new friends, and Vanessacouldn’t handle that. She came at me all the harder, posting from anonymous accounts, telling people I was a slut, a two-faced bitch, anorexic, all the things that kids are quick to believe about someone who looks like me.”
“And then she…killed herself?”
Trinity laughs. It’s an ugly, raw laugh. “Oh, she didn’t mean to. That’s the irony. Vanessa was like you—a clever girl who always had a plan. She wrote a suicide note blaming me, and then she took just enough pills to be rushed to the hospital for a good stomach pumping. Except she passed out from the sleeping pills and choked to death on her own vomit. Joke’s on her. Only it wasn’t, because the school believed her suicide note. Zero tolerance for bullying. It didn’t matter that they had absolutely no proof. I had to go live with my aunt so I could attend a new school. I spent the rest of high school on depression meds and suicide watch. The fact I’m here—getting my PhD, no less—is a freaking miracle.”
“No,” I say. “It’s a sign of hard work and resilience. What happened to you was shitty, Trin, but?—”
“Oh, spare me your patronizing bullshit, Hannah. You’re gingerly patting me on the head like a rabid Rottweiler who has you cornered. I’m not going to hurt you. But I am going to make sure you don’t get away with this. I’ll prove you’re behind the orbs and the comments.”
“Sure. Go for it. You may find your efforts hampered by the small fact that I didn’t actually do anything but?—”
She wheels on me. “You aren’t going to give up, are you? You’re determined to make me look like a fool.”
“Nope, actually, right now, I’m just determined to end this conversation, go out and enjoy my Sunday while you dig for evidence you’re never going to find. I’ve tried to be reasonable, Trin, to pussyfoot around your paranoia. If anyone is behindthis, it’s you.” I start to step past her. “If this is a cry for attention, I’m not listening anymore.”
She grabs my arm. “Don’t you dare?—”
I wheel to throw her off, and she flings me. My stockinged feet slide on the hardwood. When I stumble, she shoves me with all her might. I fly backward, feet sailing out from under me, head striking the desk edge.
The last thing I see is Trinity, staring in wide-eyed horror as I crumple to the floor.
Iwake on the office floor, my head throbbing. I grab the chair, which of course wheels away, and I sprawl face-first onto the hardwood.
“Trin?” I manage to croak.
There’s no answer. I lift my head and peer around an empty office. There’s blood on the floor, and when I touch the back of my head, I feel sticky wet hair. I wince as my fingers brush a gash in my scalp.
Blinking hard, I grab the desk edge and pull myself up. I’m standing in front of the computer monitor. On the screen is Trinity with that orb behind her. Except, what was an orb is now changing into a very clear figure.
A ghostly figure standing behind Trinity.
Standing right where I am.
Below it, there’s a new comment.
gonegirl5:
You killed me, as surely as if you’d bashed my head into that desk.
No.
That’s not…
It can’t be. It makes no sense.
And yet…
I swallow hard. When I look at the figure again, I can make out long dark hair and what looks like a pale T-shirt. In the reflection of that screen, I see myself…with long dark hair and a gray tee.
I am the ghost behind Trinity.
