I looked back up. "Poppy would've found another way."
There wasn't much doubt left in that conclusion anymore.
"She would've changed the story, changed the details, maybe even changed the people involved..." My voice grew quieter. "...but I think she still would've made sure I was the villain."
I frowned. "I just..." The sentence caught in my throat. "I don't understand why. We'd known each other for years."
I remembered sleepovers. Birthdays. Sharing notes before exams. Talking about stupid celebrity crushes. Somewhere between those memories and now...
"...Why now?"
The question barely came out above a whisper.
I blinked once. Twice. The sting returned to my eyes before I could stop it.
I immediately looked away. "No." I cleared my throat. "Not again."
I quickly brushed beneath m
