SandScript 2023 [Digital Exclusive]

“I don’t know what’s gotten into you,” Mom says, looking at you with a concerned frown. “I
know having Brent a part of our lives is a change—especially with your father gone… Are you
jealous of him? He’s not taking your sister away from you.”
Maybe that is true; maybe it isn’t. It doesn’t matter. The only thing that matters is that you know
Brent stole Mom’s ring. He’s a thief, a criminal—and he can’t keep dating Lindsey. God, what if
he did something to her? If he’s willing to steal, who knows what else he’d do?
Lindsey is still screaming at you. Mom’s worried expression hasn’t changed. Why won’t
anyone believe you?
§
Brent comes to visit for a week over winter break. You both eye each other with careful distrust.
You know Lindsey must have told him your suspicions about him. At least you know Brent
doesn’t like you any more than you like him.
His first night here, Mom and Lindsey play Scrabble with him. You don’t join them; you’re tired
of dealing with his cheating. Mom tries to convince you to play with them and rolls her eyes
when you refuse. She thinks you’re still being a dramatic teenager about the whole situation.
Later that night, when you venture from your room to get a glass of water, you find him and
Lindsey curled up on the couch, watching some action movie. Brent must have picked it out;
Lindsey has always preferred rom-coms. His arm is wrapped around her shoulders, but rather
than being a loving gesture, it feels possessive. You stare at him, and he stares back over
Lindsey’s head. Don’t hurt my sister, you think. Don’t you dare hurt her. Brent smirks slightly.
“Can I join you?” you ask. You don’t want to leave Lindsey alone with Brent tonight. Lindsey
shrugs, looking a bit annoyed. “I guess if you want.”
You sit on the far side of the couch, away from Lindsey and Brent. You all sit in silence,
watching colorful superheroes beat each other up. After a while, Lindsey gets up to grab
more snacks, leaving you and Brent alone. Her empty spot between you and him gapes
open, feeling both infinite and minuscule. You can hear Lindsey in the kitchen, the microwave
whirring as she makes another bag of popcorn.
“So,” you say, eyes still focused on the TV screen. “How much did you get for Mom’s ring?”
Brent doesn’t reply. You glance over at him. He’s staring stoically at the action sequence onscreen,
almost as if he didn’t hear you. But you know he heard.
“No one believes you did it,” you continue, speaking quietly so Lindsey doesn’t hear. “But I know
you did. I guess you’re the type of person who’s okay with stealing from his girlfriend’s family.”
“You’ve got something wrong with you, Mindy,” Brent mutters, still not shifting his gaze.
“You’re making things up.”
“Am I? Or am I the only one who sees what you really are?” There’s a moment of silence.
Suddenly, Brent whips around to glare at you, leaning in close. There’s a crazed look in his
eyes. “No one’s ever going to believe you,” he hisses, and an ugly smile grows on his lips. “No
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