Jessa

Ridgeville High had been buzzing since the final whistle blew. The team won big, and that meant only one thing—there was going to be a party. A loud, chaotic, end-of-week victory bash.

By the time Mariah pulled into my driveway Friday night, the sound of bass and laughter was already drifting down the street from the Ridge Creek neighborhood.

I stood by my window, arms crossed, watching headlights flash and disappear, wondering why I agreed to this.

I didn’t want to go. Not ...