PROLOGUE
What’s that saying again? You know the one . . .
Everything happens for a reason.
Like life has a plan for everyone. A plan that plays out. Even if you try to change it, one way or another you’ll end up back on course. No changes. No choices. You just let life lead and hope for the best.
People live by that statement. You’re supposed to learn lessons, become a better person, whatever it may be. Ultimately, it’s supposed to teach you something; that’s the rule, anyway. You’re supposed to come away from it stronger, more powerful. Even if the lesson is cruel, you’ll grow from it, learn from it, become a better person. If you’re lucky enough to get a good lesson, you’ll feel lighter, free.
It’s all supposed to make sense to you, eventually, regardless of the lesson.
But what if it doesn’t?
What if life is just out to royally fuck you?
Does anyone consider that?
If everything happens for a reason, and everything is meant to lead you down the right path, then how, for the love of God, do you explain when things go bad? When things are so ugly, there is no possible way back from them? What if the path you’re on, is basically just paving the road to hell? It’s setting up a nice little track for you to follow into the fiery depths.
I’m not talking minor things here; I’m talking the worst of the worst. The things that make you want to die. The things that will forever destroy every little piece of who you were, and recreate you into someone new, someone so broken nobody can put you back together again.
Are you honestly telling me that’s how it’s supposed to go?
That’s the reason? The purpose?
If it isn’t, then what the hell is the purpose? Why do bad things happen? What if there is no lesson to be taught? What if the bad things that happen simply break you until you spiral out of control and eventually, crash and burn?
I call bullshit to that statement.
As if life has this wonderful path for you that all your lessons are going to lead you down, until you find the goddamned rainbow at the end.
There is no rainbow at the end.
The lessons are meaningless.
You’re not going to come out a better person.
You’re not going to suddenly wake up and have all the bad shit make sense.
No, that isn’t going to happen.
You want to know why?
Because life is a goddamned sadistic bitch with a dry, bitter sense of humor.
Life likes fucking you.
So get used to it.
1
EARLIER
I throw my head back, my long hair trailing down my neck as laughter flows out of my open mouth. My body is light, my spirit free. After all, who doesn’t feel like the world is their oyster when on a joyride with a car they stole from their mother? I feel pretty damned good right about now.
Some might say, invincible.
I don’t have my license, but I know how to drive. Dad taught me when I was just a girl, and honestly, how hard is it? You put it in drive, and you steer. It’s not rocket science.
“I can’t believe we stole your mother’s car while she’s away, Callie!” My best friend Joanne laughs, throwing her hands out the window, catching the breeze. “How did you even find the spare keys?”
I snort, one hand on the steering wheel, feeling a whole lot like nothing in the world can touch me right now. “It wasn’t hard. She leaves them in her safe, but I know the code. It’s my birthday.”
“Does she know you know the code?” Joanne asks.
“Nope, but honestly, she could have picked something less obvious!”
“We’re so dead for this,” Jessika says from the back seat, giggling as she and Sophie sip from the cans of vodka and orange soda we stole from the fridge.
She went away for the weekend. My older brother, Max, is supposed to be watching me, but he went out with some friends after I promised I’d stay in. I wasn’t going to, of course, but I don’t think he truly cares. He’s eighteen; he wants to live his life. He doesn’t want to be stuck with his little sister.
At sixteen, I’m more than ready to be living my life, too.
“We’re only going to ride to the lake, and then take it home. It’ll be fine. It’s not like I’m drinking.” I laugh reaching over and turning up the music.
“But we are!” Jessika squeals, laughing and waving her can of soda and vodka around.
At least I’m not stupid enough to drink and drive. I do have some sense, after all. I don’t want to die. Hell, no. I want to make it back to my bed later. This is just a little fun.
“Oh my God,” Jessika suddenly says, “Shit.”
“What?” I ask, glancing quickly behind me.
