The Beginning of Blaine’s Betrayal

“Oh, look who it is, Jittery Jonathan,” Jonathan’s stomach dropped at the sound of the nickname he had tried to forget. As he quickly turned around, he knew that voice. It was Blaine, the reason he left school in the first place.

Suddenly it all came rushing back. There he was again, his freshman year at Big Sky High. He waited at the bus stop and sat in the seat that his best friend Blaine had reserved for him. Blaine was pretty much his only friend, he didn’t need anyone else. Although sometimes it was hard for Blaine to relate to his struggles, knowing they came from completely different backgrounds, Blaine was always there for him, until he wasn’t. 

Jonathan’s New Job

“Finally! Now that Iris is gone we don’t have to do this dumb homework stuff!” Poppy threw the book that Iris had given her at Johnathan. “Brie, I bet I could beat you at dodgeball! Come outside and play with me!”

“Come on Poppy, it’s barely been five minutes. Can you please try and do a little more reading?” Jonathan pleaded, he wanted to show Iris how responsible he could be. “This is a good book! The ABC’s of American History – I loved that one when I was in school. It’s a real page turner, Poppy. Let’s check out the Industrial Revolution chapter together.”

Iris is Intrigued

“Hey guys, just wanted to let you know I have to cover for Jesse today so I’ll be home a little later than usual. Don’t bother waiting for me for dinner,” Sam announced to the group before leaving for work. A few days had passed since Sam brought up the idea of the Huntley family losing their ownership of the Big Sky resort. The group had somewhat dismissed the idea and assumed the rumor had blown over, just like it always had. 

Sam’s Secret

“Ouch!” Poppy flinched, as the lock of hair slipped from Iris’ fingers. 

“Hold still, I’m almost finished. If you keep moving your head your braids will be uneven.” Iris tried to sound patient, but there was a tinge of irritation in her voice.

“Hurry up, Iris! I want to go play with the boys!” Poppy exclaimed eagerly. 

Iris twisted the elastic around the end of Poppy’s braid, as the young girl sprang from the wooden bench and sprinted as fast as she could—tripping over sticks and splashing through mud—towards the bonfire and her brothers playing beside it.