Tryst Six Venom by Penelope Douglas

doesn’t show. Where is she? Maybe she skipped for her birthday, but I feel
uneasy.
I fit my earbuds in and pretend to start music as I stalk her social media,
looking for a reason why she isn’t here. A dentist appointment. Suddenly
sick. Self-care day.
Sudden death?
But nothing. She hasn’t posted all morning.
“Conroy?” Coach calls, walking into the weight room with a tablet.
“Your time has come. I need you to take Jaeger’s position at midfield.”
Krisjen’s mouth falls open as she stops the treadmill. “You’re not
serious.”
That’s Liv’s position.
I step forward. “What’s going on? Where is Jaeger playing now?”
Coomer turns her eyes on me, looking almost hesitant. “She’s…
withdrawn from the team.”
“What?”
“Nothing’s wrong,” Coach assures. “Don’t worry.”
She starts to leave, but I jump off the treadmill, stopping her. “Hey, wait a
minute. She just…she just quit? You’re joking.”
Coach turns and looks around at the three of us, other girls faltering in
their workout to listen.
“She’s finishing the school year from home,” Coach announces.
My stomach drops. “What?” Like hell.
But Coach just looks at me, replying calmly, “Well, what did you expect,
Clay?”
And I fall silent, because my behavior hasn’t escaped anyone’s notice, it
seems. Coach looks like she’s surprised Olivia Jaeger lasted as long as she
did, under the circumstances.
She leaves, her question hanging in the air, and Amy rushes to my side.
“Oh my God.”
“She actually left school?” Krisjen joins in.
Amy’s eyes smile and a lump swells in my throat. I turn away, pretending
to look at my phone. The world spins in front of me, static in my vision, and
I’m going to scream if I don’t get out of here.
I don’t have anything to prove. I don’t know why I ever thought I did.
Especially to you. This is what she meant when she told me to take care of
myself. If it weren’t for me, she’d be here. She’d be happy.