- 2.
It was all too familiar.
Last time, I just stood there, watching Chad
and Brittany walk away.
I was as furious as Ashley was now, but felt
helpless.
く
Brittany had a rough time.
Her mom died when she was born, then her
dad, my Uncle Joe, took care of her. He died
in a car crash her senior year.
Brittany had a nervous breakdown.
My mom wanted to help, so she brought her
- in.
At first, I gave Brittany everything. My room,
my clothes… anything she wanted.
Then Chad came over.
He was the hottest guy in school, plus his
family was loaded. Brittany was instantly
obsessed.
<
“Reagan, can I just… have Chad?”
I told her no way. After that, she’d lose it
every time Chad was around.
She started saying Chad was her boyfriend,
and I was trying to steal him.
If she saw Chad and I on a date, she’d burst
into tears, even cutting herself.
Then one rainy night, Chad and I were at the movies. She called me, hysterical, saying she’d been kidnapped.
I freaked out and raced over there, and got
into a wreck.
While they were trying to save me, I felt like I
floated out of my body. I was standing
L
Brittany was crying in Chad’s arms.
“I was just kidding! I didn’t think she’d
actually believe me.
“Everyone will remember Reagan if she dies. I
just suffer, and nobody cares.”
Chad hugged her tighter. “That’s not true. I
care.”
After I died, Brittany got better.
She started calling my parents “Mom and
Dad.” She took my spot at Stanford and went
with Chad.
During my first memorial, she burned incense
for me and Uncle Joe.
“Thanks for making this happen for me.
“Without you guys, I wouldn’t even get into
community college.”
That’s when it hit me.
Brittany had been faking.
It was a setup.
I heard a clear voice, “Want a do–over?”
I didn’t hesitate. “Yes!”
Then I woke up, when Brittany came to
school.
As Chad started to carry Brittany away, I
L
walked over to them.
“Chad, we’re done.”
His eyes went wide. “Reagan, don’t do this.”
“I mean it.” I said flatly, “You want to take
care of Brittany? Go for it. But we’re over.”
I didn’t wait for a response and walked away.
