“It’s okay,” I say, just grateful he’s telling me at all.
On September 19th, Ryke’s birthday, I was at Lucky’s Diner. Talking to my mom. Afterwards, I texted Lo that I was going to spend the night at a hotel and probably just hang out there the next day. He replied about three hours after I sent the message, a lot slower than normal.
Loren Hale: Okay, let me know if you need anything. I’m always here.
“They didn’t steal anything,” he explains. “They just came inside with masks to scare us, as a prank. It’s not going to happen again, so I really don’t want you to be afraid of coming around. The guys who did this, they live in our neighborhood. They’re just rich pricks…or jerks.”
My lips faintly rise. It’s kind of funny when he tries to “censor” himself around me, like I’m a little kid. I’ve told him once that I don’t mind when he curses, but he just shrugged. I don’t know…I like more that he cares enough to try, even if it’s not necessary.
And then my smile fades completely and my brows knot. “They live in your neighborhood?”
“Not for fucking long,” Ryke says. He thinks I’m frightened by them being there—but that’s not what’s rolling around in my head.
If they live in that neighborhood, there’s a good chance those are the same guys I saw at that party. The same ones causing trouble in Superheroes & Scones. “What do you mean, not for long?”
“We called the cops,” Lo tells me. “We’ve let them off the hook a lot because…I know what a small charge can do to someone’s future. I didn’t want to get them written up for putting dog shit on our front porch.”
Ryke looks at his brother. “You did the right thing by waiting.”
Loren nods a couple times, looking as though he’s trying to believe it was the right course of action too.
“We fucking warned them,” Ryke adds.
“Yeah.” Loren nods again. “So we’re pressing charges this time around.” He motions to me. “I wanted to tell you sooner because I want to include you in my life, as much and as often as I can, okay?”
I smile. Wow. My eyes feel glassy, and I take a deep, strong breath and nod. “I’m glad.”
“Good.” Lo stands. “And you should know that some of these guys go to your new school. They shouldn’t be there anymore, but some of their friends might be. And if they give you shit, you let me know.”
I’m about to ask why they would “give me shit”—but then I realize…I’m Willow Hale to them. To everyone. To the world.
I’m the only relative of Loren Hale that will be walking the halls of Dalton Academy.
And Loren Hale possibly just sent their friends to jail.
the calloway sisters & their men – fan page
Followers: 18K
Big news! Loren Hale’s cousin has moved into town. There’s not much we know about Willow Hale—yet—but it will only be a short time before Redditors and paparazzi gather more information. Here’s what we know so far:
She’s seventeen.
That’s it. Seriously! We don’t even know where she came from. It’s like she materialized from thin air. Maybe those conspiracy theories are right and Loren Hale’s family all have superpowers. LOL!
But for real, Willow Hale is a mystery. Early reports were that she might have been Ryke’s new girlfriend but that’s been debunked now that we know Willow is a Hale. And not to mention Raisy is a ship that is clearly sailing into the sunset.
Until I get more information, check out the gif set of Willow’s epic tampon fumble!
Love you like Loren loves Lily,
xo Olive
7
garrison abbey
I pace outside of Superheroes & Scones at 6 a.m., my shit feelings causing me to linger. Only a few cars whiz by every minute, Philly beginning to wake—why am I awake?
It’s Saturday. I should be in bed sleeping off these shit feelings—I can’t sleep.
I stop and rest my arm on a parking meter for a second. An old gold Honda hugs the curb.
I parked my car a block away from here, needing the walk to think. Now that I’m outside the storefront, I’m still thinking apparently, and it’s not helping.
Nothing is helping.
I tug my hood over my head, the morning air cold. Everyone at Dalton knows what happened at Loren’s house, and most of them know that I was supposed to be there.
My mutual friends with Nathan—ones that weren’t there that night—think I’m disloyal and a shit friend for welching. Believing that I could’ve helped them escape before Loren caught them.
I can’t even hang out with the people that think Nathan is scum for what he did. I’m guilty by association. I passed Rachel in the hallway. She bristled at my presence and said, “You could’ve stopped your friends, you know. Why didn’t you do anything?”
Some mornings, I wish I’d just gone ahead and done it with them. Because I know I could never be strong enough to convince all of my friends to turn around with me. No one gets that.