Copyright 2008 by Alloy Entertainment

All rights reserved.

Poppy
Little, Brown and Company
a!hette Boo" #ro$p
2%& Par" Aven$e, 'ew (or", '( )00)&
*or more o+ yo$r +avorite series, go towww.a!hetteBoo"#ro$p.!om
*irst eBoo" Edition, -$ne 2008
.he Poppy name and logo are trademar"s o+ a!hette Boo" #ro$p
.he !hara!ters and events in this boo" are +i!titio$s. Any similarity to real persons,
living or dead, is !oin!idental and not intended by the a$thor.
Cover design by Andrea C. /va
Cover photograph by 0oger 1oen"s
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2+ yo$ li"ethe it girl , yo$ may also enDoy,
Bass A!"wards and Belly /pby EliEabeth Cra+t and 3arah *ain
3e!rets o+ 1y ollywood Li+eby -en Calonita
atersby Alisa 9aldes50odrig$eE
BetwiFtby .ara Bray 3mith
Pose$rby 0a!hel 1a$de
2 !an resist everything b$t temptation.
>:s!ar 8ilde
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3.:01.
-enny $mphrey stepped !on+idently thro$gh the massive p$ddles in the long pebbled
drive leading away +rom the 8averly A!ademy !amp$s, water sloshing against her
st$rdy, three5seasons5ago h$nter green -. Crew wellies. 2t has been raining nearly
nonstop +or the past +ew wee"s, and 8averly?s sprawling green lawns were strewn with
brightly !olored oa" leaves that glistened with rain, +orming a brilliant mosai! a!ross the
eFpansive gro$nds.
C-ennyGH
-enny glan!ed to her le+t. A gro$p o+ three girls in maroon nylon short shorts over bla!"
leggings and mat!hing maroon 8averly waterproo+ windbrea"ers were Dogging in her
dire!tion, led by Celine Colista, the senior !o5!aptain o+ the +ield ho!"ey team. 3he was,
as always, $nerringly glamoro$s loo"ing, her bla!" hair p$lled into a slee" b$n. .he
girls pa$sed in+ront o+ -enny, Dogging in pla!e, their white snea"ers splattered with m$d.
C8hat?s $pI 8here?re yo$ r$shing o++ toIH Celine p$shed a wet strand o+ bla!" hair
behind her ear and smiled broadly at -enny.
-enny eyed the three girls and wondered i+ she, too, sho$ld start r$nning reg$larly to
"eep in shape now that the +ield ho!"ey season was almost over. /gh. C.own.H -enny
tilted her head in the dire!tion o+ 0hine!li++?s downtown, and a +at raindrop slid o++ the
tip o+ her +re!"led, slightly $pt$rned nose. C:+ !o$rse 2<ve waited till the last min$te to
thin" abo$t a !ost$me.H 8averly?s ann$al alloween ball was tomorrow night, and over
the past +ew days, !ost$me dis!$ssions had rea!hed a +ever pit!h.
Emmy 0osenbl$m, the willowy girl to Celine?s right, leaned +orward to stret!h o$t a
!al+ m$s!le, her dar", !$rly hair sliding into her +a!e. C2<m s$re yo$ !an +ind something
!ool at 'eFt5to5'ew.H .he se!ondhand store was eFa!tly where -enny was heading. 'ot
that she had too many !hoi!es in the two sJ$are blo!"s o+ 0hine!li++. er other options
were spending an obs!ene amo$nt o+ money on a designer dress at Pimpernel?s, or
wearing a plasti! .rans+ormers !ost$me +rom 0ite Aid. 8hen Emmy stood $p, her +a!e
was +l$shed bright red, tho$gh her hair managed to slide ba!" into pla!e per+e!tly.
C(eah, yo$?re so !$te and little>yo$ !o$ld probably +ind some "ind o+ +airy get$p or
something,H Celine o++ered, eyeing -enny $p and down.
C.in"erbell, maybeIH .he third girl, a tall redhead -enny didn?t re!ogniEe, p$t her hands
on her hips as she leaned ba!"ward to stret!h a hamstring.
C.hat?s a good idea.H -enny shi+ted the strap o+ her Le3portsa! messenger bag, whi!h
was $n!om+ortably !r$shing her large !hest, and t$gged at the hem o+ her short bla!"
K15b$t5loo"s5li"e51i!hael5=ors rain!oat. CB$t 2 don?t thin" piFies are s$pposed to,
yo$ "now, have boobs li"e thisIH
Celine, Emmy, and the girl -enny didn?t "now b$rst into la$ghter be+ore starting o++ in
the other dire!tion. C#ood l$!" with the !ost$me. And yo$ sho$ld totally !ome r$nning
with $s sometime,H Celine o++ered, over her sho$lder. C2t?s a bit!h, b$t still "ind o+ +$n.H
C.han"s +or the invite,H -enny !alled as she wat!hed their long legs dashing a!ross
!amp$s. 3he?d be abo$t eight miles behind, b$t still>it was ni!e to be invited.
-enny !ontin$ed down the soggy drive. 2t was really hard to believe that almost eFa!tly
two wee"s ago, she had been tr$dging down this very same path, d$++el bag st$++ed
haphaEardly with whatever !ontents o+ her dorm room hadn?t +it into the boFes ready to
be shipped ba!" to her apartment in 'ew (or". 'ow, everything was di++erent>
epitomiEed by the +a!t that Celine Colista wanted -enny to !ome r$nning with her.
All it had reJ$ired, she tho$ght wryly, wiping the rain o++ her +a!e with her already wet
hand, was !on+essing to a !rime she hadn?t !ommitted>and being willing to get
eFpelled +or it. 3he wasn?t s$re eFa!tly why she?d !on+essed to starting the +ire that had
b$rned down the 1iller +arm. B$t in the press$re o+ the moment, ba!" in ;ean
1arymo$nt?s o++i!e +$ll o+ the /s$al 3$spe!ts, it had +elt li"e everyone>.insley and
Callie, who were o$t to get her, o+ !o$rse, b$t really, more than that> had wanted her to
get eFpelled. 8hen -enny?s C!on+essionH had !ome spilling o$t o+ her lips, it had
seemed to her, at that moment, that the last pla!e on earth she belonged was 8averly
A!ademy, home o+ gorgeo$s tr$st5+$nd babies and e++ortlessly !ool people who hated
her.
B$t now>things had !hanged. -enny "new she !ertainly loo"ed li"e the eFa!t same
person she was two wee"s ago> short, b$t in pretty de!ent shape +rom +ield ho!"ey
drills, and a little too b$sty +or her own taste>and deep down shewas the same. B$t
everyone aro$nd her seemed to see her in a di++erent light, li"e she was some "ind o+
demigod +or es!aping eFp$lsion. 3he +elt "ind o+ li"e one o+ those people at death?s
door, who travel down a long hallway toward Cthe lightH only to get p$shed ba!" at the
last se!ond into their li+e.
And it was an even better li+e that it had been be+ore.
3he t$rned onto the main street o+ 0hine!li++, sidestepping a nanny h$rriedly p$shing
an overloaded stroller down the sidewal". As she D$mped o$t o+ the way, she !a$ght the
eye o+ a !$te, dar"5haired boy sitting on a stool in the window o+ Co++ee50oasters. e
gave her a !$rio$s hal+5grin as he too" a sip +rom his oversiEe !o++ee m$g, li"e he "new
a se!ret abo$t her.
-enny?s heart th$mped as she !ontin$ed down the sidewal". 8as thathimI Co$ld he
have been her se!ret admirerI *or the past +ew wee"s, all she?d really been able to thin"
abo$t was the +a!t thatsomeone had bribed 1rs. 1iller to tell ;ean 1ary5mo$nt that the
+ire had most de+initely not been started by one o+ the st$dents, b$t by one o+ her!ows.
1rs. 1iller had been spotted at the 0hine!li++ ban" that same day, !hatting abo$t her
eFtravagant plans to renovate the +arm and b$ild a brand5new g$estho$se where the
barn had been. And everyone "new no ins$ran!e settlement !o$ld have !ome that
J$i!"ly.
3o who on earth was it who wanted to ma"e s$re -enny stayed at 8averly so badlyI
3hehad to "now, and even tho$gh it was silly, she !o$ldn?t help sitting aro$nd with
Brett, giggling and Do"ing abo$t who her Cse!ret saviorH !o$ld possibly be.
As she wandered down the streets o+ 0hine!li++, she was s$ddenly reminded o+ a trip
here D$st a +ew wee"s ago, window5shopping with -$lian. A brie+ +lash o+>whatI
3omething between sadness and regret passed over her. 3he?d tried not to thin" abo$t
him lately, and she?d been so b$sy it had a!t$ally wor"ed. 2t D$st seemed li"e a million
years ago that they?d been A whatever it was they were. 2+ they?d been anything at all.
B$t be+ore she !o$ld thin" any more abo$t it, she shoved all tho$ghts o+ -$lian straight
o$t o+ her mind. 3he wanted to be one h$ndred per!ent +o!$sed on the Dob at hand>
+inding a !$te alloween !ost$me that wo$ldn?t brea" the ban" or ma"e her loo" li"e a
midget with stripper boobs.
A long string o+ !himes Dangled lo$dly as -enny p$shed open the door o+ 'eFt5to5'ew.
A yo$ng woman in a white tan" top and a red bandana tied aro$nd her hair loo"ed $p
+rom the beat5$p paperba!" she was reading behind the !o$nter and nodded
indi++erently at -enny. -enny wiped her r$bber boots on the s!raggly brown doormat,
trying to get every last drop o+ water o++. .he store was the eFa!t opposite o+
Pimpernel?s, the !hi!hi bo$tiJ$e whose !lothes were h$ng on the ra!"s a!!ording to
!olor, with only one o+ ea!h dress, $s$ally a siEe 0. 'eFt5to5'ew loo"ed li"e it had been
st$++ed with a tho$sand atti!s< worth o+ !lothing. 2t reminded -enny o+ wandering the
aisles o+ the #reenwi!h 9illage street +airs, whi!h hid all "inds o+ bargain treas$res>
and also tons o+ D$n".
-enny spotted a bright yellow5+eathered !hi!"en !ost$me hanging +rom the !eiling,
!omplete with orange strap5on bea". #reat. 8ith her l$!", she?d probably end $p
wearing that to her +irst big 8averly gala. 8hat wo$ld her se!ret admirer thin" o+thatI
Cl$!", !l$!". 3he giggled to hersel+.
Against the ba!" wall were ra!"s and ra!"s !ho!"5+$ll o+ long, vintage5loo"ing dresses,
worn on!e by 8averly :wls be+ore being abandoned +or the neFt great thing. -enny
made a beeline +or them. 3he ran her hands over the sil"y, deli!ate +abri!s, eFpertly
twisting the tags to s!an the siEe. A pale pin" +lapper dress with a pl$nging ne!"line
!a$ght her eye and she gently eFtra!ted it, holding it against her body and wondering i+
it wo$ld ma"e her boobs loo" inde!ent.
C.hat?s hot,H 0i+at -ones sJ$ealed as she stepped o$t o+ the tiny dressing room in a pair
o+ brown s$ede bell5bottoms and a spar"ly gold halter top that was straight o$t o+ 3t$dio
@7. C2s it +or the partyIH
-enny stared down at the pin" dress. 2t loo"ed li"e something a !otton !andy ma!hine
had spat o$t. C2 thin" it?s a little too A bright +or me.H 3he sJ$eeEed it ba!" onto the
ra!" and !ontin$ed to page thro$gh the dresses.
C2<m going +or the dis!o J$een loo".H 0i+at to$!hed her slim hips and loo"ed down at
the strip o+ +lat stoma!h that the halter top eFposed. CB$t it?s not li"e 2<m o$t to win or
anything.H
C8in whatIH .h$mbing thro$gh the ra!", -enny spotted a one5sho$ldered o++5white
dress, one o+ those dresses that loo"ed so per+e!t on a hanger, it was destined to loo"
terrible when yo$ tried it on. -enny had a s$dden +lash o+ hersel+ dressed as Cleopatra>
she?d a!t$ally been C!astH as Cleopatra when 1iss 0ose had as"ed all her st$dents to
read parts in 3ha"espeare?sAntony and Cleopatra. LAll the other +emale parts were
maids or p$shy wives while she got to be the seFpot>not bad.M .he dress was "ind o+
togali"e, and she !o$ld easily imagine the Egyptian J$een dressing $p in the latest
styles +rom 0ome. -enny s!ooted into the dressing room neFt to 0i+at?s, hoo"ing the
hanger over the door and "i!"ing her damp Le3portsa! to the !orner.
CBest !ost$me.H 0i+at?s voi!e dri+ted over the red +abri! divider as -enny J$i!"ly
stripped o++ her rain!oat and +l$ng her !lothes onto the stool. 3he held her breath,
hoping that her r$n o+ good l$!" wo$ld !ontin$e and the dress wo$ld +it per+e!tly.
C.hey do it at the end o+ the alloween party every year. 2t?s a pretty big deal>the
winner gets a !rown and everything.H
C*$nny.H -enny stepped thro$gh the dress with her bare +eet, and she slid her right arm
thro$gh the armhole, gingerly p$lling it $p. 3he Diggled the Eipper along the side a little,
trying not to snag the +abri!, !lasping it in pla!e at her armpit with the tiny hoo". .here
was no mirror inside the dressing room, so she drew ba!" the +abri! !$rtain and stepped
into the store.
0i+at had !hanged ba!" into dar" Deans and a thi!" marbled wool t$rtlene!". 3he stared
at -enny. C3hit, -enny.H
C8hat a hottieGH Alison N$entin appeared o$t o+ nowhere, arms loaded with swingy
prom5type dresses as she moved toward the dressing rooms. C(o$ loo" li"e a movie
star.H
-enny was too b$sy eFamining her image in the gold5rimmed three5way mirror to
register 0i+at?s and Alison?s words. .he dress +it li"e a dream. A thin braid o+ gold swept
right beneath -enny?s breasts, li+ting them slightly. Altho$gh the ne!"line was modest,
the dress swept down at the sides and was almost !ompletely ba!"less. -enny peered
over her sho$lder at her re+le!tion, trying to de!ide i+ she was the "ind o+ girl who !o$ld
wear a ba!"less dress. 3he p$t a hand on her hip and twirled aro$nd. 3he had to admit
that her bare sho$lder loo"ed, even with her pale, slightly +re!"led s"in, pretty seFy.
C;o yo$ thin" 2 !o$ld do a "ind o+ Egyptian5Cleopatra thingIH
C:h, totally,H 0i+at g$shed. C(o$ "now, 2<ve got this gold !obra arm bra!elet that
wo$ld loo" awesome with that.H
C0eallyIH -enny grinned and twisted her hair $p o++ her ne!", letting the !$rly tendrils
D$st s"im her bare sho$lder. 2t was almost too easy. A+ter all the stress and anFiety she?d
been thro$gh sin!e setting +oot on !amp$s, it +elt as tho$gh the boarding s!hool gods
had +inally smiled on her.
C(o$?re going to give .insley a r$n +or her money.H
3he t$rned abr$ptly ba!" to 0i+at. C8hat do yo$ meanIH -$st hearing the name !ast a
pall over her glowing mood. :ver the last two wee"s, the only downer had been the
tho$ght that .insley Carmi!hael hated her so m$!h she wo$ld a!t$ally s!heme to get her
"i!"ed o$t o+ 8averly. .he tho$ght that -$lian had hoo"ed $p with .insley didn?t help.
'or did the +a!t that Callie, -enny?s own roommate, had been in on the s!heme. Last
wee", a+ter Advan!ed Portrait$re, Easy 8alsh had p$lled her aside and told her, gently,
that he?d +o$nd o$t Callie had wor"ed with .insley to set -enny $p and ma"e her appear
g$ilty o+ starting the +ire. 2t was one thing to "now that .insley Carmi!hael hated her>
b$t even a+ter all their $ps and downs, -enny was !r$shed to "now that Callie had t$rned
against her so !ompletely.
Alison p$lled ba!" the !$rtain to the dressing room 0i+at had le+t and +l$ng her dresses
inside. 3he $nwrapped a thin +lowered s!ar+ +rom aro$nd her ne!". C.insley won the
!ost$me !ompetition last year>and the year be+ore, too. And +reshmennever win.H
0i+at nodded. C2t?s pretty m$!h a pop$larity !ontest. 3he?s always been "ind o+ a shoo5
in.H
Alison grinned and snapped her +lowered s!ar+ so that it hit -enny in the waist. C/ntil
now.H
-enny gave hersel+ one last, long loo" in the mirror. 'ormally, she wo$ld have
s$spe!ted it o+ being a s"inny mirror, that she !o$ldn?t possibly loo" as good in real li+e
as she did in its image. B$t she +elt li"e she !o$ld +inally tell her ever5present ne$roses
to sh$t $p. 3he loo"ed good. 3he +elt good.
And it wo$ld +eel even better to p$t .insley Carmi!hael in her pla!e.
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
:wl 'et 2nstant 1essage 2nboF
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
AlisonN$entin,#oing with gangsta or 'iFonI
Alan3t#irard,.o$gh !all. 8ho wo$ld / get na"ed wI
AlisoriN$entin,'iFon?s got the power thing going on A.
Alan3t#irard,.hen !all me 1r. President.
AlisonN$entin,-$st saw -<s !ost$me>totally hot.
Alan3t#irard,Poor -$lian>he really +$!"ed that $pG
AlisonN$entin,;id / hear what he didI -enny won?t tal".
Alan3t#irard,'ah, he D$st plays d$mb.
AlisonN$entin,1aybe that was the problem.
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
:wl 'et 2nstant 1essage 2nboF
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
-enny$mphrey,2<m thin"ing Cleopatra. .oo m$!hI
Brett1essers!hmitt,*la$nt it, babe. (o$r se!ret admirer will ta"e one loo" at yo$ and
+inally !ome o$t o+ hidingGstrong
-enny$mphrey,8e !an always hope A.
2
A 8A9E0L( A;923E0 A3 E0 :8L3< BE3. 2'.E0E3.3 A. EA0..
Brett 1essers!hmitt "i!"ed the pointy toe o+ her bla!" 3igerson 1orrison an"le boot
against the leg o+ 1rs. orniman?s des", trying not to be irritated that her adviser had
s$mmoned her to her o++i!e and then +ailed to be present. A steaming !$p o+ !o++ee sat
on the paper5!overed des", the only eviden!e o+ a re!ent h$man presen!e. Brett sl$n"
into an $n!om+ortable wooden !hair and pro!eeded to wait.
.he so$nd o+ heels !li!"ing e!hoed down the hallway, and 1rs. orniman?s pear5
shaped body appeared in the doorway, her salt5and5pepper gray bob swinging. C#ood
a+ternoon,H she said !o$rteo$sly as she plopped down behind her des", her wooden
!hair groaning $nder her weight. C3o sorry 2<m late.H 3he p$lled her white satin blo$se
away +rom her !hest and +anned it, indi!ating a large, !o++ee5tinted wet spot. CBeverage
mishap.H
C'o problem,H Brett answered a$tomati!ally, straightening in her !hair. 8averlies
!o$ldn?t resist the temptation to ma"e +$n o+ 1rs. orniman?s name, sometimes
spe!$lating as to what her maiden name had been>*$!"meister, 3!rewsalot>b$t in
reality, she was one o+ the best advisers. 3he also ta$ght all the mandatory !ollege prep
seminars, and "new eFa!tly how to get her st$dents into the most eF!l$sive !olleges.
And everyone li"ed her tell5it5li"e5it5is attit$de, even those who wondered o$t lo$d
whether her h$sband lived $p to his name in bed.
1rs. orniman p$shed her rolling des" !hair ba!"ward and twisted the rod hanging
+rom the blinds. 0ays o+ late5a+ternoon light slanted a!ross her des". Coware yo$IH she
as"ed earnestly, resting her elbows on her des" and leaning +orward to loo" at Brett. 3he
peered over the rims o+ her ro$nd red plasti! glasses that loo"ed li"e something an
eighties news an!hor wo$ld wear.
Brett +elt her tong$e loosening, and had to +ight the $rge to spill o$t everything that had
been going on with her, as i+ orniman were her therapist instead o+ her adviser.
2nstead, she nodded. C*ine, than" yo$.H 3he glan!ed a!ross the tea" boo"shelves +$ll o+
!ollege g$ides rendered o$tdated by the 2nternet, the pair o+ !rystal doves !ooing at ea!h
other on top o+ the des", the handmade globe in its hardwood !radle in the !orner. 1rs.
orniman was "nown to spin the globe d$ring her yo$5!an5go5anywhere5in5the5world
spee!h she re!ited with passion the +irst time she sat down with a new advisee.
1rs. orniman leaned ba!" in her !hair and p$shed her red5+ramed glasses $p on her
nose. C2 "now that yo$?ve A ah A r$n into somebad l$!" lately.H
Bad l$!"..hat was a ni!e way to p$t it. Brett?s whole D$nior year so +ar had been a
string o+ bad l$!">starting with +alling +or Eri! ;alton, ;C adviser and male bimbo,
d$mping her sweet boy+riend -eremiah 1ortimer, getting wrapped $p in a +ew too many
illi!it parties, gaining notoriety as the only biseF$al pre+e!t in 8averly history, being
present at the b$rning o+ a barn A Eep. :n!e Brett started to really thin" abo$t it, she
+elt pani! rising in her !hest. 8hat i+ 1rs. orniman told her that she?d made s$!h a
disaster o+ her D$nior year, there was no way she?d get into BrownI
Brett stared down at her !hipped pale bl$e ard Candy nail polish. C2 g$ess that?s a
+airly a!!$rate assessment.H
CB$t, other than that AH .he boFy bla!" phone on 1rs. orniman?s des" rang and she
pressed a b$tton to silen!e it. Cow is yo$r semester goingIH
Brett shr$gged, the pani! mo$nting. C:"ay, 2 g$ess.H 3he had +orgotten, apparently, that
as a D$nior, she was s$pposed to be thin"ing abo$t her !ollege appli!ations, preparing
+or her 3A.s, and eFpanding her repertoire o+ eFtra!$rri!$lars. 2+ she was serio$s abo$t
Brown>or Ber"eley or 3warthmore or any o+ her other top !hoi!es>she needed to get
her a!t together and stay o$t o+ tro$ble. And she needed 1rs. orniman on her side.
1rs. orniman +olded her hands on her des" and lo!"ed her motherly gaEe on Brett. C2
want yo$ to "now,H she started, tilting her head to the side, her gray5brown hair +alling
to her sho$lders, Cthat despite yo$r re!ent A es!apades A yo$?re still one o+ 8averly?s
best st$dents. .he +a!$lty here are always s$rprised to hear yo$r name asso!iated with
the low5level mayhem that inevitably o!!$rs when teenagers live together in !lose
J$arters.H
Brett smiled at that s$mmation o+ all the tro$blema"ing that went on at 8averly, and
smoothed o$t the !rease in her pinstripe wool .heory tro$sers, nodding a small than"s.
3he bl$shed at the tho$ght o+ tea!hers tal"ing abo$t her in private.
CLoo", 2 remember what it was li"e at yo$r age, tho$gh when 2 went to 8averly things
were less A !onspi!$o$s, let?s say.H 1rs. orniman leaned ba!" in her !hair and gaEed
+ondly at the pi!t$re +rame on her des". 2ts ba!" was +a!ing Brett. C8hat 2<m trying to
say is, everyone here, in!l$ding me, holds yo$ in high regard.H
Brett too" a deep breath, +eeling instantly soothed. :"ay, so she hadn?t messed her li+e
$p irreparably. .he last two wee"s at 8averly had been anFiety5ind$!ing>the whole
+ire drama wit!h h$nt +ollowed by -enny?s near eFp$lsion, !o$pled with her own
personal t$rmoil, had +raEEled Brett?s nerves. 3he was still getting $sed to g$ys she
hardly "new as"ing her to hang o$t D$st be!a$se they "new she?d "issed a girl>it was
weird. B$t Brett s$ddenly +elt sa+e and +ree in the !o!oon o+ 1rs. orniman?s o++i!e,
li"e things were going to start to !ome together +or her again.
C.han" yo$,H Brett said earnestly. C2 appre!iate yo$ saying that.H
C(o$?re wel!ome,H 1rs. orniman replied, smiling. Brett noti!ed a reddish lipsti!"
stain on her le+t in!isor. C0emember that 2<m always here. (o$ !an always !ome to me
with anything, be it s!hool5related or otherwise. ;on?t +orget that.H
C2 won?t,H Brett promised. 3he gripped the sides o+ the !hair, abo$t to stand $p and
ma"e her way ba!" to the library, +eeling ready to hit the 3A. prep boo"s now.
CAnd to prove that 2<m not D$st whistling ;iFie AH 1rs. orniman !ontin$ed. Brett
relaFed her arms and !overed the attempted eFit by r$bbing the sleeves o+ her pin"5and5
bla!" striped L.A.1.B. p$++5sleeve mo!" t$rtlene!". C2<m going to as" +or yo$r help.H
C3$re, anything.H Brett nodded eagerly, eF!ited at the tho$ght o+ wor"ing on some new
proDe!t +or 1rs. orniman that wo$ld bring her ba!" into the administration?s good
gra!es. elp o$t with the !ollege +airI 'ot a problem. elp design a new !ollege prep
!o$rse syllab$sI 3$re thing.
C:ne o+ my senior advisees is in danger o+ not grad$ating.H 1rs. orniman opened a
manila +older on her des" that had been sitting there thro$gho$t the meeting, and Brett
wondered i+ that was the whole reason she?d been !alled here. Ce?s a A well, 2 hate the
worldtro$bled >it?s so over$sed, espe!ially in my line o+ wor". Let?s D$st say that he
needs someone to get his st$dies on tra!". (o$ $p +or itIH
.$toringI Brett?s heart san". 3he?d always been one o+ the smarter "ids in !lass, and so
she was $sed to tea!hers relying on her to help o$t the other st$dents who weren?t
eFa!tly getting it. B$t she never $nderstood why it washer responsibility to tea!h
someone to !onD$gate *ren!h verbs, or whatever>it wasn?t li"e she was the one getting
paid. And nowI er adviser wanted her to save a laEy senior +rom +l$n"ing o$tI Brett
g$essed that the "id?s parents were o+ more !on!ern to 8averly than the senior himsel+
>she "new +rom eFperien!e that ri!h "ids !o$ldn?t +l$n" o$t o+ 8averly. .hey !o$ld be
"i!"ed o$t, +or s$re, and o!!asionally as"ed to ta"e leaves o+ absen!e, b$t they rarely
+l$n"ed o$t>and she g$essed that her new mentee m$st be in the s$per5loaded
!ategory.
B$t one loo" at the shelves +illed with !ollege !atalogs, many o+ them to pla!es Brett
had never heard o+, was eno$gh to remind Brett that a little "issing $p !o$ldn?t h$rt.
CAbsol$tely,H Brett replied, "nowing she had no !hoi!e. C.ell me what 2 !an do.H
C2 thin" he?ll really respond to yo$>yo$ both have, ah, similar ba!"gro$nds,H 1rs.
orniman added, sh$++ling a +ew papers in the +ile be+ore loo"ing $p at Brett.
Brett tried to parse the meaning o+ this !rypti! message and waited +or 1rs. orniman
to eFplain +$rther>maybe his +ather was a +ilthy ri!h plasti! s$rgeon, tooI is mother a
.ea!$p Chih$ah$a !olle!torI B$t she didn?t and Brett shr$gged it o++ as 1rs. orniman
D$st trying to sell her on the idea. 3he handed a robin?s egg bl$e indeF !ard to Brett
a!ross the table. 2t read 3EBA3.2A' 9ALE'.2, along with all o+ his !onta!t
in+ormation, in pen!il. As i+ he !o$ld be easily erased i+ he +ailed.
:r i+ Brett did. As she stood, she glimpsed the +ront o+ the pi!t$re on 1rs. orniman?s
des", the one she "ept glan!ing down at with a smile. 2t was a photo o+ 1r. orniman,
in his polo shirt and "ha"is, leaning on a gol+ !l$b on a l$s!io$s green lawn somewhere
with palm trees. .he pi!t$re !o$ld?ve been ta"en by anyone, she s$pposed, b$t somehow
she !o$ld tell it had been ta"en by 1rs. orniman. ow else to a!!o$nt +or the loo" on
her h$sband?s +a!e as she snapped the pi!t$reI 8as that what love loo"ed li"eI
Brett stared at the pi!t$re as she sw$ng the strap o+ her Prada ba!"pa!" over her
sho$lder, thin"ing o+ -eremiah. All o+ her betrayals l$nged at her at on!e, !heating on
-eremiah with 1r. ;alton, then d$mping -eremiah when she +o$nd o$t he?d slept with
EliEabeth>even tho$gh they?d been bro"en $p when it happened>and then the thing
with =ara, whi!h had !learly had more to do withher than with -eremiah. Brett r$bbed
her +ingertips against her temples. 3he wo$ldn?t ta"e hersel+ ba!" i+ she were -eremiah.
e?d have to be !raEy.
CAnd,H 1rs. orniman added, her green eyes twin"ling devio$sly, Cthe eFperien!e will
loo" great on yo$r rPs$mP.H
Brett nodded and +or!ed a smile as she let hersel+ o$t o+ 1rs. orniman?s o++i!e. At
least now she had a proDe!t, one that wo$ld help her +orget abo$t -eremiah and the
gaping hole he?d le+t in her li+e.
A proDe!t named 3ebastian 9alenti.
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
:wl 'et 2nstant 1essage 2nboF
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
*rom,'an!yornimanQwaverly.ed$
.o,AnitaAndrewsQwaveriy.ed$RBrandonB$!hananQwaverly.ed$
R1ay$r;eshm$"hQwaverly.ed$ Reath*erroQwaverly.ed$
R3age*ran!isQwaverly.ed$ R-ason#reenbergQwaverly.ed$ REmily-en"insQwaverly.ed$
R1atthew3peiserQwaverly.ed$ R=ara8halenQwaverly.ed$
;ate,8ednesday, :!tober %0, 7,7@ P.1.
3$bDe!tCollege Preparatory 3eminar
;ear st$dents,
As yo$ all "now, every !ollege appli!ation reJ$ires a re!ommendation +rom yo$r
g$idan!e !o$nselor. B$t be+ore 2 !an send yo$ o++ into the wild bl$e yonder with my
seal o+ approval, yo$ "now yo$ m$st !omplete my +o$r5wee" !ollege preparatory
seminar. .r$st me>it?s +or yo$r own good, as 2 will !oa!h yo$, prep yo$, g$ide yo$,
and steer yo$ in the right dire!tion>toward Prin!eton, arvard, the 3orbonne, or
wherever yo$?d li"e to go.
.hree P.1. tomorrow. 1y room in op"ins all. Come with open minds.
Best,
'..
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
:wl 'et 2nstant 1essage 2nboF
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
*rom,Brett1essers!hmittQwaverly.ed$
.o,3ebastian9alentiQwaverly.ed$
;ate,8ednesday, :!tober %0, @,)@ P.1.
3$bDe!t1eeting
3ebastian,
As yo$ may "now, 2<m !$rrently the D$nior !lass pre+e!t and 1rs. orniman gave me
yo$r e5mail and mentioned that yo$ !o$ld $se a little help with yo$r a!ademi!
per+orman!e. 2 wo$ld be happy to help yo$ o$t in whatever way 2 !an.
Are yo$ +ree to meet in the library a+ter !lass tomorrowI 1rs. orniman told me yo$
have a big Advan!ed Latin test neFt wee" and 2 !an help yo$ st$dy +or it. 2+ not, 2<ll be
at the 1onster 1ash Bash tomorrow night, dressed as ;aphne L+rom3!ooby5;oo M. *eel
+ree to !ome $p and introd$!e yo$rsel+, and we !an +ind a s$itable time to meet.
Best,
Brett
%
(:/ CA' .A=E .E P02'CE33 :/. :* .E BALL>B/. 3E?LL 3.2LL BE A
P02'CE33.
Callie 9ernon li+ted $p her ta++eta s"irt deli!ately with her mat!hing baby bl$e5gloved
hands as she made her way down the marble steps o+ ;$mbarton all to the +irst +loor.
3he too" ea!h step !are+$lly, so as not to dist$rb the pre!ario$s balan!e o+ her glass
slippers. 3he?d +allen in love with Cinderella when she +irst saw the ;isney movie at age
three, and had begged her mom to +or!e her to mop the +loors or mend their !lothes in
the atti!. Ler mother had, o+ !o$rse, re+$sed, saying, C.hat?s why we have a
ho$se"eeper, dear.HM B$t Callie had always dreamed abo$t being the girl who made it
thro$gh all that and !ame o$t>well, a prin!ess. .eetering +or balan!e on the deli!ate
heels, Callie wondered how the hell Cinderella had managed to r$n down the giant
stair!ase at midnight witho$t +alling on her ass.
er dress was a s"y bl$e strapless !on+e!tion made o+ ta++eta,with a tight bodi!e and a
+$ll, billowy s"irt. 3he?d +o$nd it at the giant shopping mall in Po$gh"eepsie, a+ter
s"ipping her a+ternoon bio !lass last wee" and hailing a !ab. 3he tho$ght she?d have
better l$!" +inding an appropriate Cinderella dress there, in one o+ the department
stores< D$niors< se!tion, or one o+ those tiny shops devoted eF!l$sively to proms. 3he?d
spent twi!e the !ost o+ the dress at the tailor, having him add the p$++ sleeves that made
it s!ream CCinderella,H instead o+ D$st Cs$b$rban5girl prom.H B$t it had been worth it.
.he glass slippers had been s$rprisingly easy to tra!" down online>there was a whole
ind$stry devoted to helping girls live o$t their Cinderella +antasies. .he o$t+it wo$ldn?t
have been the same witho$t them, tho$gh she !o$ld +eel new blisters popping $p ea!h
time she moved.
Callie patted her hair, trying to D$dge how well her wavy strawberry blond lo!"s were
managing to stay in her messier version o+ Cinderella?s $psweep. 3he wanted to get the
!ost$me right, down to the bla!" velvet !ho"er and the bl$e ribbon aro$nd her head.
.he tho$ght o+ winning the !ost$me !ompetition hadn?t !rossed her mind>she D$st
wanted to ma"e Easy smile.
And, yo$ "now, maybe starttal"ing to her again.
2n the two wee"s sin!e the ;C meeting that had "ind o+>b$t not really>de!ided
-enny $mphrey?s +ate, Easy had barely said two words to Callie. :n!e he?d opened her
phone and read an in!riminating teFt +rom .insley !ongrat$lating them on their s$!!ess
in pinning the blame on -enny, he?d !ompletely sh$t Callie o$t. 'o !alls, no e5mails, no
teFts. 2t "illed her that he was still, a+ter two whole wee"s, so +$rio$s he !o$ld barely
loo" at her.
B$t she "new he?d !ome ba!" to her soon. ope+$lly, tonight. 3he?d been waiting +or
him to !ome ba!" to her on his own, b$t at this rate, it wo$ld be Christmas brea" be+ore
that happened, and so it was time to ta"e a!tion. 3he?d been dying to eFplain something
to him>something that wo$ld ma"e him realiEe she wasn?t the horrible person he
!learly tho$ght she was. Besides, what was the point o+ doing something ni!e +or
someone i+ they didn?t realiEe yo$?d done itI
And her !on+ession wo$ld either wor" and send Easy ra!ing ba!" to her>or it
wo$ldn?t. And things wo$ld really be over. B$t she p$shed that tho$ght +rom her mind,
+antasiEing instead abo$t snea"ing away +rom the silly, overheated alloween party to
one o+ the dar" rooms in the Pres!ott b$ilding, 8averly?s +a!$lty !l$b, where the party
was being held this year. er "nees wea"ened D$st thin"ing abo$t it>it had been way
too long sin!e Easy had to$!hed her.
.he !ell phone in Callie?s bl$e satin p$rse Dingled to the tone she?d reserved +or her
mother, as i+ she !o$ld read Callie?s s!andalo$s tho$ghts and wanted to p$t an end to
them.
Ci, 1om,H Callie answered wearily, holding the phone to her ear with her sho$lder as
she str$ggled in the lobby o+ ;$mbarton to t$g on her long bla!" 0alph La$ren tren!h
!oat and a wide5brimmed -e++rey Campbell rain hat. 2t "illed her to r$in her o$t+it li"e
that, b$t the +rea"ing rain wo$ld not stop. 3he wo$ld D$st have to ta"e the things o++
be+ore ma"ing her entran!e. 3he stepped over an orange plasti! p$mp"in +illed with tiny
3ni!"ers bars, !o$rtesy o+ dorm mother Angeli!a Pardee, and opened the +ront door. A
!old, wet wind slapped her in the +a!e as she emerged +rom ;$mbarton and onto the
lea+5strewn J$ad. A gro$p o+ sophomore girls in short, revealing dresses and no Da!"ets
ran a!ross the J$ad with their high heels in their hands and Callie rolled her eyes. 8hy
was Calloween !ost$meH synonymo$s with Cs"an" gearH to so many girlsI C8hat?s
wrongIH
C8hy does something have to be wrongIH er mother?s voi!e was so+ter than $s$al,
li"e she was either ma"ing a strong e++ort to so$nd gentle or had had a glass o+ pinot
grigio with dinner. C2 D$st wanted to !he!" in with my baby girl.H
;e+initely wine. C/h, than"s.H Callie gingerly made her way down the wet steps o+ the
dorm. .he glass slippers had abo$t Eero tra!tion on them, despite the twenty min$tes
Callie had spent trying to s!$++ $p the bottoms on the +ire es!ape.
C2 "now things have been D$st !raEy $p there lately,H her mom !ontin$ed. Cow are yo$
holding $pIH
Callie s"idded on a pile o+ wet leaves, then straightened hersel+. 2n the distan!e, she
spotted a girl in a bla!" wit!h hat r$shing in the dire!tion o+ the Pres!ott ballroom slip
and !rash5land in the middle o+ the J$ad. C2<m +ine,H Callie answered distra!tedly.
C.hings aren?t that !raEy here.H 8ell, besides her +$!"ed5$p relationship with Easy, b$t
she didn?t want to get into that with her mom.
C8ell, listen, sweet$ms,H her mother started in an even so+ter voi!e.
Callie bristled at the wordlisten, "nowing that the real p$rpose o+ the governor?s !all
was abo$t to be revealed. :+ !o$rse she wo$ldn?t !all D$st to !hat. C2 "now that, despite
what yo$ say, yo$ really !o$ld $se a brea". 2<ve set $p a retreat +or yo$ $p in 1aine.
3ome o+ my sta++ have done itR it?s going to be a !ompletelytrans+ormative eFperien!e.H
Callie blin"ed her eyes. CA retreatIH
C(es, sweetie. 2t?s this wonder+$l health spa. 2t?ll do wonders +or yo$.H 8hen she
pa$sed, Callie !o$ld hear her mother biting her +ingernails, something she only did right
be+ore important state dinners. C2 "now yo$ have yo$r alloween party tonight, so 2<ve
arranged +or a !ar to pi!" yo$ $p a+terward o$tside the gate. 1idnightIH
As tempting as the o++er was>she !o$ld really $se a +a!ial, a 3wedish massage, a +$ll
pedi!$re, and some all5aro$nd pampering>all Callie !o$ld thin" abo$t was +iFing
things with Easy. 3he needed to be here right now, with him. C.han"s, 1om, that?s
really sweet.H As Callie approa!hed the +a!$lty !l$b and spotted the lights inside, her
heart started to beat +aster. CB$t 2 don?t need a spa trip right now. 1aybe be+ore +inals or
something.H
er mother !li!"ed her tong$e in disappointment. CAll right, darling A b$t i+ yo$
!hange yo$r mind, 2 !an have a !ar there in +i+teen min$tes. -$st say the word.H
A+ter eF!hanging pleasant goodbyes, Callie dropped the phone ba!" in her p$rse. 3he
!limbed the steps to Pres!ott> !o$ldn?t 8averly invest in some es!alatorsI>smoothed
her $pdo, and too" a deep breath be+ore p$shing open the door.
.he Pres!ott *a!$lty Cl$b was only opened to 8averly st$dents on very rare o!!asions,
s$!h as this year?s 1onster 1ash Bash, as the ann$al alloween gala was a++e!tionately
!alled +or reasons beyond Callie?s !omprehension. Callie had only been in the b$ilding
twi!e be+ore>on!e +or a +an!y +$nd5raising al$mni dinner with her mother when Callie
was twelve, and then d$ring +reshman year, +or 8averly?s winter +ormal. As she tossed
her !oat haphaEardly onto a hanger in the !oatroom and !rossed the marbled +loor o+ the
lobby toward the main ballroom, she glan!ed at the bla!"5and5white photographs o+
disting$ished +a!$lty members that lined the vestib$le walls and rolled her eyes. 3he
remembered going to winter +ormal with Brandon B$!hanan and pointing at all the
photos and whispering imagined seF$al pre+eren!es to ea!h other L!an only do it with
the lights o++, has to be wearing a di++erent5!olored wool so!" on ea!h +ootM. Altho$gh it
had "ind o+ impressed her that Brandon had gotten together with 3age *ran!is, she had
to admit she was also a teeny bit disappointed that he had +inally gotten over her. 'ot
that she wanted him to obsess over her +or the rest o+ his li+e or anything>b$t still, it
D$st "ind o+ +elt good to "now someone tho$ght she was +ab$lo$s. Espe!ially now that
Easy was so $ninterested. *or the moment.
Callie waved aside the dangling !$rtain o+ +a"e !obwebs hanging over the entran!e to
the ballroom>still gross, +a"e or not>and gaped at the s!ene in +ront o+ her. .he
disting$ished ballroom>.eddy 0oosevelt had held an enormo$s +$nd5raiser here a
h$ndred years ago>had been trans+ormed into a !reepily bea$ti+$l'ightmare Be+ore
Christmas "ind o+ wonderland. 'o !heesy orange and bla!" !ardboard !$to$ts in sight.
2nstead, the dar" ballroom was !overed with long strands o+ twin"ling silver lights and
yards and yards o+ glittering !obwebs that managed to loo" ethereal and bea$ti+$l. An
old5time proDe!tor showed grainy bla!"5and5white !lips o+ !lassi! s!ary movies>
Psy!ho, ;ra!$la, *ran"enstein>on a giant s!reen. A line had +ormed in a doorway on
the other side o+ the room, the sign above it reading in ghostly white letters, A/'.E;
:/3E.
3he s!anned the room +or Easy. People Callie hal+5re!ogniEed wore elaborate !ost$mes
or mas"s hiding their +a!es, or sported ma"e$p so +rea"y it was di++i!$lt to tell who was
beneath it. 8as that him over there, in the r$bber 'iFon mas"I 2t seemed li"e the "ind
o+ low5maintenan!e !ost$me he?d wear, b$t D$st as Callie too" a step toward him, the
boy t$rned and she saw a strip o+ blond hair sti!"ing o$t the ba!".
Benny C$nningham appeared +rom o$t o+ nowhere in a hot pin" sil"y #inger and -ava
minidress with a Deweled strap that h$ng aro$nd her ne!". An enormo$s white leather
*endi bag with an even more enormo$s gold b$!"le h$ng over one sho$lder, a tiny
st$++ed dog po"ing its head o$t.
C2 hope that thing?s not real.H Callie pointed her bl$e gloved +inger at the animal, whose
beady bla!" eyes loo"ed dist$rbingly li+eli"e.
Benny tossed her head, sending her sil"y platin$m wig !as!ading over her bare
sho$lders. 3he ar!hed her ba!" and +lashed Callie her best Paris ilton po$t. C2t was the
best 2 !o$ld do +rom the toy aisle at C93.H 3he twirled a lo!" o+ hair aro$nd one hot
pin"5polished +inger and s!anned the room. C2<m dying to +ind o$t i+ yo$ blondes really
do have more +$n.H
Callie nodded. C/h5oh. 2 thin" Emily -en"ins is a Paris, too.H A!ross the room, the
!$rvy senior, in a short plaid s"irt and tight white b$tton5down that revealed a bright red
bra beneath it, stood in the drin" line, +iFing her blond ponytails.
CAre yo$ on !ra!"IH Benny s!o++ed as she +$mbled thro$gh her giant bag. 3he p$lled
o$t a large bottle o+ Paris ilton per+$me. C3he?s Britney, !ir!a )444.H Benny glan!ed
over her sho$lder and handed the per+$me bottle to Callie. C2t?s vod"a> we !an share.H
Callie glan!ed aro$nd the room one more time +or Easy, then p$t the bottle to her lips
and too" a sip o+ badly s!ented vod"a.
3he D$st hoped her Prin!e Charming wo$ld show $p be+ore midnight, or she might lose
her slipperand the !ontents o+ her stoma!h, too.
7
A 8A9E0L( :8L =':83 E 3:/L; AL8A(3 BE 213EL*>/'LE33
.A. 3EL* 23 A C:1PLE.E ;:0=.
C8ait, are yo$ .ommy Lee -ones +rom1en in Bla!"I C C8hatIH Brandon B$!hanan?s
Daw dropped as 3age *ran!is strode thro$gh the entran!e o+ the Pres!ott *a!$lty Cl$b,
wrapped in a sophisti!ated tan belted tren!h !oat. Brandon to$!hed the sil"y lapel o+ his
bla!" Armani t$Fedo in pani!. C'o, -ames Bond, rememberIH e?d told 3age abo$t his
!ost$me a +ew days ago>was it so hard to imagine him as the $ltra5debonair
international spy that she had a!t$ally !on+$sed him with an old geeEer li"e .ommy Lee
-onesI
3age?s green5bl$e eyes, !overed in smo"y gray eye shadow, widened with am$sement.
Long diamond earrings dangled +rom her ears and glittered in the light o+ the lobby?s
!handelier. C2<m D$st teasing. :+ !o$rse 2 remember.H
C:h.H .he door behind her opened, letting in a g$st o+ !old air along with a pa!" o+
seniors wearing dor"y seventies !lothing and bl$e .5shirts that read.E B0A;(
B/'C. Brandon gently led 3age by the elbow over to the !oatroom at the side o+ the
lobby.
CB$t who?s Bond witho$t his Bond girlIH 3age started to $nwrap her long tren!h !oat,
and Brandon !o$ldn?t ta"e his eyes o++ her. er lips, painted a deep, movie star red,
!$rved into a mysterio$s grin, and her pale blond hair was p$lled ba!" into a long, sli!"
ponytail high on her head. Brandon helped her as she shr$gged the !oat o++ her
sho$lders, t$rning aro$nd to reveal a long, slin"y emerald green evening dress with a
pl$nging ne!"line.
Brandon?s mind s!rambled to !ome $p with a witty Bondism to !as$ally throw o$t to
let 3age "now how great she loo"ed, b$t he !o$ldn?t stop staring at how per+e!t her
simple diamond pendant ne!"la!e loo"ed nestled in the shadow o+ her st$nning
!leavage. e !o$ghed. C(o$ loo" A amaEing, darling.H
3age lowered her !hin and gave Brandon a long, devastating stare that t$rned his legs
to Delly. C8hy than" yo$, Bond,H she said in a deep, throaty voi!e.
C2 tho$ght yo$ were !oming as a #irl 3!o$t,H Brandon said, a+ter he?d st$++ed their
!oats into the over!rowded !oat5room. e pla!ed his hand on 3age?s lower ba!">a
Bond move, he hoped>and steered her toward the main entran!e to the ballroom.
3age?s stiletto heels !li!"ed against the polished hardwood +loors, a$dible even over the
th$mping m$si!. C2 tho$ght 9esper Lynd so$nded a little seFier.H
C8ell, here yo$ are, 9esper,H Brandon said grandly as he handed 3age a plasti! !$p
+illed to the brim with the sti!"y sweet orange p$n!h boiling in a !a$ldron $nder
the82.CE3 B0E8 sign in the !orner. e s$ppressed the dor"y $rge to point o$t the
sign?s in!orre!t p$n!t$ation. 2t didn?t seem very Bond. C-$st how yo$ li"e it>sha"en,
not stirred.H
C.han"s, -ames.H 3age too" the !$p and gave him another smoldering loo". Brandon
+ingered his bla!" ne!"tie, the "not r$bbing mer!ilessly against his Adam?s apple as he
swallowed a mo$th+$l o+ the aw+$l p$n!h.
*or reasons he !o$ldn?t totally !al!$late, Brandon really wanted it to wor" o$t>to"eep
wor"ing o$t>with 3age. 1aybe it was the s$rprise o+ the relationship, and possibly it
had to do with his +irst steps in moving on +rom Callie, b$t he +elt an eFtra Eip in his
step when he tho$ght o+ 3age, and when he "issed her, his heart th$dded in his ears. 3he
was pretty>m$!h prettier than he?d realiEed $ntil the +irst time she?d let him "iss her,
and he saw her long, pale lashes $p !lose, and the tiny spe!"s o+ brown in her aJ$a eyes.
C;$de, yo$ didn?t tell me yo$ were !oming as a waiter.H
Brandon t$rned !oolly, li"e ;aniel Craig might when !on+ronted by a parti!$larly
bothersome enemy, to +ind eath and =ara dressed in almost identi!al !aped o$t+its.
Batman and BatgirlI :r was it BatwomanI =ara did loo" "ind o+ hot in a bla!" vinyl
bodys$it, the yellow +ig$re o+ a bat eFtending a!ross her !$rvy !hest. 3he even had on
"nee5high yellow boots, yellow gloves that stret!hed to her elbows, and a yellow satin
pair o+ wings that hoo"ed to her wrists. eath?s s$it was similar>with a bla!" !ape and
witho$t the boots or boobs>and his tight5+itting bla!" s$it had some "ind o+ b$ilt5in
m$s!les. A slee" mas" !overed the top hal+ o+ his head, bat ears pointed toward the
!eiling.
C2t?s Bond.H Brandon shot eath a !ool stare, annoyed abo$t the waiter !ra!" b$t
grate+$l +or the !han!e to $se the line. C-ames Bond.H
C0iiiight. .hat m$st ma"eyo$H >eath +l$ng an arm o$t toward 3age, his bla!" !ape
+l$ttering dramati!ally>HP$ssy #alore.H
3age tossed her blond ponytail and gave eath a mo!"5stern glare, hand planted +irmly
on her ar!hed hip. C9esper Lynd. And don?t yo$ +orget it.H
=ara?s +a!e dissolved into a grin. C(o$ D$st wanted to say that word.H
C2t?s one o+ my +avorites.H eath held o$t the +amiliar silver +las" with a pony et!hed
onto the +a!e that he !onstantly replenished +rom the bottle o+ 3"yy vod"a d$!t5taped to
the $nderside o+ his bed. CCheers, everyone.H
At the sight o+ eath?s +las", 3age J$i!"ly drained her !$p and held it o$t. Cit me.H
eath po$red a healthy dose o+ vod"a into her !$p, and Brandon tried not to be
annoyed. e had a +las" himsel+>it seemed a Bondian thing to !arry>+illed with
Absol$t, b$t he?d been waiting +or the right moment to o++er it $p to 3age.
CCool !ost$mes,H 3age said as she wal"ed in a !ir!le aro$nd eath and =ara. 3he
to$!hed her +ingers against =ara?s !ape.
C#ra!ias,H =ara answered, loo"ing a little tipsy. C3ome !hi!" as"ed me i+ 2 was
someone +rom arry Potter. Can yo$ believe thatI 8hat "ind o+ morons go to this
s!hool, anywayIH
eath planted a wet "iss on her !hee". CAll "inds, sweetie,H he said. =ara giggled.
Brandon rolled his eyes and glan!ed at 3age, hoping she?d sni!"er along with him.
eath *erro !alling someone CsweetieHI B$t 3age was D$st smiling approvingly at the
amoro$s !o$ple. 3age was impressedI 8itheathI .he tho$ght made Brandon want to
p$"e, b$t he !o$ldn?t help rea!hing +or 3age?s hand and p$lling her !loser to him,
+eeling the instin!t$al need to "eep $p with his roommate. A new song !ame on, and
s$ddenly, the mirrored balls on the !eiling sprang spinning to li+e, sending tiny +le!"s o+
light rotating aro$nd the room.
eath handed the +las" to Brandon. C.han"s,H Brandon m$ttered, D$st as eath said,
Cold this.H
Brandon rolled his eyes and drained hal+ o+ it into his !$p o$t o+ spite while eath
rea!hed into a hidden po!"et on his !ost$me +or his iPhone. C3tand together, girls,H he
instr$!ted as he held $p the iPhone to ta"e a pi!t$re. C/h5oh,H eath said dramati!ally,
p$shing his bla!" pointed eye mas" $p onto his +orehead. C2 g$ess 2 didn?t erase those
pi!s a+ter all.H
=ara?s eyes grew wide and she sidled $p !lose to eath. C(o$?re a dirty little liar,H she
said play+$lly.
CLet $s see,H 3age said !$rio$sly. Brandon ran his hands thro$gh his hair in annoyan!e.
8hy was 3age so interested in eath and =ara?s es!apadesI 3omeone disg$ised as what
loo"ed li"e a giant roll o+ toilet paper ran past them, leaving a trail o+ Charmin in his
wa"e.
B$t Brandon !o$ldn?t help glan!ing over as eath s!rolled thro$gh a series o+ pi!t$res
o+ him and =ara on top o+ the old 8averly observatory, the ri!"ety str$!t$re lo!ated at
the very north end o+ !amp$s. At the beginning o+ ea!h year, ;ean 1arymo$nt sent o$t
a !amp$swide memo reminding st$dents, that anyone +o$nd !limbing the observatory>
an old, !r$mbling bri!" b$ilding allegedly in the pro!ess o+ being restored>wo$ld
immediately be eFpelled. And every year, several Lo+ten dr$n"M :wls attempted to !limb
it and spray5paint their names, or names o+ their !$rrent loved ones, on it.
.he pi!t$res o+ eath and =ara, tho$gh, showed the two o+ them, legs dangling over
the edge o+ the narrow wal"way aro$nd the tower. .hey loo"ed "ind o+A sweet. =ara,
pointing $p at the s"y, and the two o+ them with the sliver o+ a moon in the ba!"gro$nd.
3age absentmindedly +ingered her diamond pendant ne!"la!e. C.hat isso romanti!.H
C2 was a little terri+ied,H =ara !on+ided to 3age. 3he stro"ed eath?s +orearm. C2 was
s$re we were going to +all o++ and, yo$ "now, brea" o$r legs.H
CAnd get eFpelled,H Brandon !o$ldn?t help adding, glan!ing over eath?s sho$lder as
the large p$ll5down movie s!reen +illed with the opening s!ene o+3!ream, with ;rew
Barrymore r$nning aro$nd in a wig.
C2t m$st?ve been a r$sh,H 3age said, ta"ing another g$lp o+ her drin". er !ollarbone,
d$sted lightly with a shimmery powder, glinted in the light. Brandon ran his +ingers $p
her bare arm, hoping to enti!e her over to the dan!e +loor, where they !o$ld be alone +or
a while.
C2 said something abo$t wanting a great view +or the !omet last night, and eath
!onvin!ed me that wo$ld be the best pla!e to see it.H =ara sJ$eeEed eath so+tly on one
o+ his +a"e m$s!les. CEven tho$gh we had to !limb all these deadly stairs.H
Brandon patted his po!"et, sear!hing +or the tiny silver pen that do$bled as a sJ$irt
g$n. 2t was the !losest thing to a Bond gadget he?d been able to +ind online, a+ter
de!iding the !igarette lighterS+lare g$n wo$ld probably get him in some tro$ble. B$t
now it seemed in!redibly lame>eath *erro was ris"ing eFp$lsion to go stargaEing
with his girl+riend, and the best Brandon !o$ld do was a sJ$irt g$nI
eath shr$gged. C2 always wanted to do it $nder the stars. B$t there wasn?t really
eno$gh room +or that.H A horri+ied loo" !rossed =ara?s +a!e, b$t she J$i!"ly re!overed
and play+$lly slapped eath on the !hest.
C:h, remember this oneIH e !$pped his hand aro$nd the s!reen and showed it to
=ara, who immediately bl$shed.
C;elete it.H =ara grabbed +or the phone, b$t eath moved it beyond her rea!h.
C*or yo$, 2 will,H eath anno$n!ed gallantly. e t$!"ed the phone somewhere beneath
his bat5!ape. CLater.H
C8ant some more p$n!hIH Brandon as"ed 3age, immediately regretting the s$bservient
tone in his voi!e.
3age shoo" her head. C2 thin" it?s ma"ing me si!".H er s"in did loo" a little pale.
CBetter grab some +resh air,H Brandon said J$i!"ly, grabbing 3age?s wrist be+ore she
!o$ld resist and dragging her in the dire!tion o+ the lobby witho$t so m$!h as a goodbye
to eath and =ara.
C(o$ D$st wanted to get me alone, didn?t yo$IH 3age wrapped her arm thro$gh
Brandon?s as they stepped into the lobby. er aJ$a eyes gaEed $p at his impishly.
Brandon t$gged gently on her ponytail, p$lling her in !loser. e tried to !ome $p with
some witty, Bond5worthy remar", b$t be+ore he !o$ld say a thing, 3age stepped $p on
her tiptoes and pressed her lips to his +or a long, !r$shing "iss that made Brandon
wonder why he was wasting any time thin"ing abo$t his inner dor"dom, being $pstaged
by eath *erro, or anything other than the bea$ti+$l girl in +ront o+ him.
@
3:1E.21E3 .E EA32E3. 8A( *:0 A' :8L .: BE E03EL* 23 .: ;0E33
L2=E 3:1E:'E EL3E.
-enny and Brett stepped thro$gh the wide5ar!hed entran!eway to the Pres!ott ballroom.
.he warm air inside the room breeEed a!ross -enny?s bare sho$lders, and her stoma!h
!h$rned brie+ly as she +elt eyes t$rn toward her.
C.his loo"s amaEing,H -enny whispered. 3trings o+ !lear white Christmas lights were
draped aro$nd the room, and ga$Ey !obwebs h$ng +rom the !handeliers, giving the
whole room aPhantom o+ the :pera +eel. 3he?d seen the show on Broadway three times,
and had always been sort o+ in love with the mysterio$s, mas"ed phantom. .he stage at
the +ar end o+ the ballroom was !overed now by a drop5down movie s!reen that
reminded -enny o+ the Cinephiles party at the 1iller +arm, when2t appened :ne 'ight
had been proDe!ted onto the side o+ the barn. .he night -$lian +irst "issed her. 3he
!hased the tho$ght +rom her mind, instead r$nning her eyes over the throngs o+ 8averly
st$dents in all states o+ dress5$p. 1any o+ whom, -enny noti!ed s$ddenly, seemed to be
staring at her.
3he glan!ed over at Brett, who loo"ed totally hip in a p$rple Ameri!an Apparel
minidress and a lime green s!ar+ tied glamoro$sly aro$nd her ne!">she was ;aphne
+rom3!ooby5;oo. CAre yo$ s$re 2 loo" o"ayIH -enny whispered, glan!ing down to
ma"e s$re she didn?t have toilet paper st$!" to the bottom o+ one o+ her +lat gold la!e5$p
sandals. CEveryone?s staring.H
C.hat?s a good thing.H Brett twirled a lo!" o+ her bright red hair aro$nd a p$rple5
polished +inger. -enny had a!!ompanied her last wee"end on a tre" to Bergdor+?s +or a
re5dye. .hey?d gone shopping on the /pper East 3ide and eaten l$n!h at a hole5in5the5
wall .hai pla!e with -enny?s +ather, 0$+$s, who?d been so !ompletely enamored with
Brett, he?d promised to e5mail her his se!ret re!ipe +or his +amo$s s$n+lower5seed5and5
!aramel brownies.
C2 g$ess so.H -enny spotted a !$te g$y wearing a pair o+ striped paDamas and a satin
sleeping mas" p$shed $p on his +orehead staring intently at her. er heartbeat J$i!"ened
>!o$ld he be her se!ret admirerI B$t then he t$rned away, s!ribbling something on one
o+ the voting !ards that had been handed o$t by the door.
-enny and Brett had spent two ho$rs getting ready in ;$mbarton %0%>Callie was
prepping in .insley and Brett?s room>and Brett had done s$!h an impressive Dob with
-enny?s ma"e$p, she barely re!ogniEed hersel+ in the mirror. er normally inno!ent5
loo"ing brown eyes were lined heavily with gold, and dar" t$rJ$oise /rban ;e!ay eye
shadow !overed her lids, sweeping $p at the !orners o+ her eyes. .hey?d p$lled -enny?s
long !$rls into a messy $pdo and, with the help o+ some sa+ety pins, t$rned a +ive5dollar
+a"e5gold5and5sapphire ne!"la!e into a !onvin!ing5loo"ing hairpie!e. er lips, normally
only glossed, were !overed in Bene+it?s 1s. Behavin<, a l$s!io$s deep red. 3he?d even
lightly br$shed some gold shimmer a!ross her !hee"bones and !ollarbone, whi!h made
her s"in absol$tely glow against the white sil" o+ her one5sho$ldered gown. 8ith 0i+at?s
+a$F5gold sna"e bra!elet wo$nd aro$nd her bare le+t arm, she a!t$ally +elt "ind o+ s$n5
"issed and Egyptian.
C(o$r 1ar! Antony has to be here, rightIH Brett b$mped her hip into -enny?s as they
strode into the dimly lit ballroom. At least Brett had "nee5high lavender go5go boots to
"eep her warm on the way over>in her !ompletely weather5inappropriate sandals,
-enny had pra!ti!ally +roEen to death, the !old, wet grass ti!"ling her bare s"in on their
tre" a!ross the J$ad.
C3pea"ing o+.H -enny p$shed the one stray !$rl that re+$sed to stay in pla!e behind her
ear. 3he glan!ed at the long line in the beverage !orner. C8here?s yo$r, $h, 3!oobyIH
A!ross the room, she spotted Callie in a baby bl$e prin!ess gown, a glass o+ orange
p$n!h in one hand. -enny wasn?t even mad at Callie anymore>b$t she D$st !o$ldn?t
even imagine being +riends with anyone who wo$ld a!t$ally try to get her blamed +or
arson and "i!"ed o$t o+ s!hool.
C'oneFistent.H A gloomy loo" brie+ly !rossed Brett?s +a!e, and -enny !o$ld tell she was
thin"ing o+ -eremiah again.
C(o$ loo" great, -ennyG 2<m totally voting +or yo$GH a mas"ed girl with a +an o+
pea!o!" +eathers taped to her ba!" sJ$ealed be+ore disappearing into the !rowd o+
st$dents at the so$nd system, waiting to ma"e reJ$ests.
C8howas thatIH -enny as"ed, +eeling daEed.
C2 thin" it was that Emmy girl.H Brett shr$gged. CListen, 2 thin" 2<m going to go say hi
to Callie.H 3he to$!hed the tiny gold heart lo!"et aro$nd her ne!". C2 "now she?s been
pretty miserable abo$t the whole Easy thing.H
C:h, yeah. :+ !o$rse.H -enny bit her lip. 3he "new Brett had been trying to pat!h things
$p with Callie, and o+ !o$rse she had every right to>b$t it was still an aw"ward
sit$ation.
C2<ll be right ba!".H Brett sJ$eeEed -enny?s bare arm.
-enny wat!hed Brett disappear into the !rowd. C2 need a 3!ooby 3na!"GH a handsome
g$y dressed as a3opranos 5li"e gangster in a slo$!hy bla!" s$it and greased5ba!" hair
sho$ted approvingly in Brett?s dire!tion, and -enny giggled.
A!ross the room, she spotted Brandon B$!hanan and 3age *ran!is, loo"ing li"e they?d
stepped o++ the red !arpet, and de!ided to head their way. -enny stepped aro$nd a gaggle
o+ bee+y +ootball g$ys dressed as 8averly !heerleaders who shoo" their pom5poms at
her and hooted in appre!iation, and past a !o$ple o+ m$mmies who loo"ed li"e they?d
been toilet5papered ma"ing o$t on the dan!e +loor. A +ew +reshmen dressed as .re""ies
all made +ainting gest$res as -enny sashayed by them. L3he really, really hoped one o+
them wasn?t her se!ret admirer.M
Cey, -enny. (o$ want to dan!eIH -enny whirled aro$nd to see 3pider51an holding o$t
his hand. 3he pa$sed +or a moment, and he p$lled o++ his 3pider51an mas" to reveal
0yan 0eynolds, staring at her ne!"line.
C1aybe later.H -enny shoo" her head regally. C2<m not really in dan!ing mode yet.H
0yan nodded and r$bbed his lips. C8ell, $h A anytime yo$ are, D$st say the word.H e
p$lled his mas" ba!" on and pretended to shoot spiderwebbing a!ross the room.
A small smile played on -enny?s lips as she wal"ed away, and she !o$ldn?t help
wondering where .insley was and whatshe was wearing. 3age and Brandon had started
slow dan!ing, and it loo"ed li"e they were whispering in ea!h other?s ears, so -enny
t$rned instead toward the beverages.
.he white letter8 in the sign over the p$n!h table had been altered by some
enterprising :wls, and it now spelled o$tB2.CE3 B0E8. 'one o+ the +a!$lty had
done anything abo$t it yet, and -enny wondered i+ maybe they relaFed a little on
alloween. 2n +a!t, the only two ad$lts in sight were dan!ing on the ballroom +loor,
seFy Ameri!an history tea!her 1r. 8ilde, dressed as some "ind o+ eighties hair5band
star, with tight torn Deans and a shaggy, +rosted blond wig, and -enny?s English tea!her,
1iss 0ose, dressed as 1innie 1o$se.
A gaw"y +reshman loo"ing li"e something +rom.ales +rom the Crypt stepped toward
-enny. C8o$ld yo$ li"e a glass o+ p$n!hIH he as"ed, holding o$t the !$p to her. B$t
apparently bringing -enny a drin" had made him nervo$s, and he b$mped her arm,
sending a spray o+ p$n!h down toward the +loor, narrowly missing the hem o+ her white
dress. C:h, shit, sorry.H
C/m, no, than" yo$.H -enny bl$shed. Even tho$gh she was embarrassed +or the g$y, she
didn?t eFa!tly want to spend her evening with him. 3he glan!ed aro$nd the room,
loo"ing +oran es!ape ro$te, b$t Brett was still tal"ing to Callie. eath and =ara, in
mat!hing Batman and Batgirl !ost$mes, were ta"ing pi!t$res o+ themselves with an
iPhone on the dan!e +loor, neFt to Brandon and 3age. 8hen did everyone get all
!o$pled $pI
C8o$ld yo$ li"e to dan!e, thenIH the gee"y +rosh pressed, his Crypt5=eeper wig
sti!"ing o$t wildly in every dire!tion.
-enny too" a step away, m$mbling something abo$t needing to go to the bathroom. 3he
heard a deep voi!e to her le+t say, C2<ve been loo"ing +or yo$ all night.H
-enny t$rned her head slowly to +a!e the voi!e. 3he sJ$inted, trying to see past the
bla!" mas" that !overed its owner?s eyes. 3he didn?t re!ogniEe the sho!" o+ sandy blond
hair pee"ing o$t +rom $nder a wide5brimmed bla!" +edora, nor did she re!ogniEe the
m$s!$lar physiJ$e $nder a tight5+itting bla!" shirt and bla!" pants. 8hatever he was, he
loo"ed good. As he stepped !loser, the pleasant s!ent o+ Armani?s A!J$a di #io to$!hed
her nose.
CEF!$se meIH -enny as"ed, trying to play it !ool despite the rapid beating o+ her heart.
.he gaw"y +reshman sh$++led away, sensing he didn?t have a !han!e.
C(o$ loo" st$nning, Cleopatra,H the stranger said. e held o$t a !$p o+ orange p$n!h to
her, his brilliant green eyes +lashing +rom beneath his mas". C2 promise not to spill this
on yo$.H
C2 normally don?t ta"e drin"s +rom strangers,H -enny said !oolly. er own voi!e
so$nded, in her ears, li"e .insley?s. 8as it something with her o$t+it>was she a!t$ally
!hanneling mega>i!e J$een .insley Carmi!haelI 2t was "ind o+ +$n. CB$t 2<m willing
to ma"e an eF!eption +or yo$.H 3he too" the plasti! !$p o+ p$n!h, his hand br$shing
lightly against hers.
CA lot o+ people are tal"ing abo$t yo$,H the mas"ed boy m$rm$red !on+identially,
loo"ing aro$nd the room. Everyone seemed to be holding little white slips o+ paper and
Dotting down names with tiny miniat$re gol+5!o$rse pen!ils. C2 thin" yo$?re going to win
tonight.H
C8ho are yo$, eFa!tlyIH -enny vent$red. 3he was re+erring to his !ost$me, b$t she also
had no !l$e whohe was. 3he +ig$red he was dressed as one o+ those horror movie
villains, li"e -ason or *reddy. 3he?d never been able to wat!h s!ary movies growing $p
be!a$se they terri+ied her so m$!h. er brother, ;an, loved that she s!ared so easily,
and whenever he wanted her o$t o+ the room, he?d pop in.he EFor!ist.
CTorro,H the stranger replied, giving -enny a slight bow be+ore p$lling o$t a silver
sword +rom the s!abbard at his side and eFpertly drawing the +ig$re o+ a T in the air.
C.hat loo"s dangero$s.H -enny smiled appre!iatively.
Torro leaned toward her and whispered in her ear. C2t?s plasti!.H
-enny +or!ed hersel+ not to giggle>she do$bted Cleopatra giggled>and tried to
!hannel her inner .insley again. 3he too" a sip o+ the wea" p$n!h and let her eyes
wander aro$nd the party.
C2<m -enny, by the way,H she anno$n!ed, hoping the stranger wo$ld introd$!e himsel+
in ret$rn. .he s!ent o+ his !ologne set her senses tingling, and she was dying to +ind o$t
who eFa!tly this g$y was. 8as he a D$niorI A seniorI e had to be attra!tive beneath his
mas", be!a$se only hot g$ys were this bold.
C.onight, yo$?re Cleopatra,H the stranger said, his lips !$rling into a grin. e had the
tra!e o+ a s!ar on his +$ll bottom lip, and -enny wondered i+ that meant he?d been in a
+ight. 3he?d never "issed someone with a s!ar on his lip be+ore. CAnd 2<m Torro.H
C8hat are yo$ the other three h$ndred siFty5+o$r days o+ the yearIH -enny pa$sed,
waiting +or him to say his name. 3he raised an eyebrow eFpe!tantly, meeting his !at5
green eyes with her own brown ones. 8hen he didn?t blin", she said, C:"ay. 'i!e
meeting yo$, Torro.H 2t was totally a .insley move to wal" away in the middle o+ a
heated !onversation, and as -enny too" a step away, she +elt a s$rge o+ power.
3he +elt Torro?s gloved hand on her bare arm. C2<ll tell yo$ tomorrow, o"ayIH
-enny pressed her lips together, pretending to !onsider it, and enDoying the +eel o+ his
leather glove against her s"in. Cow do 2 "now 2<ll see yo$ tomorrowIH
C2<ll ma"e s$re yo$ do.H Torro smiled mysterio$sly, his per+e!t white teeth reminding
-enny o+ Chi!lets. C.hat is, i+ yo$ don?t almost get "i!"ed o$t again.H
C(eah, well, 2<m still here.H -enny too" a sip o+ her p$n!h. C*or now.H
Torro too" her glass and re+illed it witho$t as"ing. .he s$gary p$n!h was giving -enny
a stoma!ha!he, b$t she too" the glass nonetheless. C2<m glad it Awor"ed o$t.H e
win"ed at -enny and to$!hed the brim o+ his hat. C2<ll see yo$ aro$nd.H
-enny opened her mo$th to say something, b$t lost her train o+ tho$ght.#lad it wor"ed
o$t. 3omething abo$t the way Torro let the words slide +rom his "issable lips gave her a
!hill. Co$ld he be A her se!ret admirerI
3he wat!hed as he sa$ntered ba!" into the !rowd. 8hen he t$rned ba!" to smile
$nderneath his seFy bla!" mas", she J$i!"ly t$rned away, her !hee"s +l$shed. 3he didn?t
really "now the Torro story and wondered now whether the bla!"5!lad mas"ed
advent$rer was good or bad.
Either way, he was interesting.
6
A 0E3P:'32BLE :8L .A=E3 E0 ;/.2E3 3E02:/3L( A E3PEC2ALL(
8E' ;:2'# 3: 82LL ELP E0 #E. 2'.: B0:8'.
.he +irst strains o+ 1i!hael -a!"son?s C.hrillerH blared over the spea"ers, and the so$nd
o+ a werewol+ howling +illed the ballroom. A mist o+ +og seeped o$t o+ the dry5i!e
ma!hine. Brett strode a!ross the middle o+ the dan!e +loor, her p$rple go5go boots
pin!hing her toes. 3he?d tried tal"ing to Callie, b$t it was impossible>while she loo"ed
li"e a per+e!t ;isney prin!ess, she insisted on ta"ing swigs o$t o+ some ghetto +las"
made +rom a per+$me bottle. 3he?d seemed distra!ted the whole time, her eyes sear!hing
the !rowd, probably +or Easy. Brett J$i!"ly gave $p and s!anned the !rowd +or -enny.
:r 3ebastian 9alenti. B$t sin!e she didn?t eFa!tly "now what he loo"ed li"e, she
+ig$red she was eF!$sed +rom her d$ties +or a night. Brett re!ogniEed 0$by Edmonds, a
senior in her advan!ed Latin !lass who was dressed as a n$rse>tho$gh not one Brett
wo$ld ever want pra!ti!ing medi!ine on her. 0$by wore a white minidress and white
"nee5high nylons, a !ap with a red !ross on it per!hed Da$ntily on her short brown !$rls.
*inally Brett !a$ght a glimpse o+ -enny. 3he was !hatting with 3age and Brandon over
by the so$nd system as they s!rawled their votes +or best !ost$me down on their little
white ballots. Angeli!a Pardee, in a dor"y ;orothy5+rom5.he58iEard5o+5:Eget$p, was
!olle!ting the ballots in a giant plasti! p$mp"in. Brett headed their way, almost getting
stepped on by a g$y doing the 1a!arena in a bla!" mas" and an orange shirt that
read,.23 23 1( C:3./1EG #29E 1E .E ;A1' CA';( .
C8at!h itGH she !ried, st$mbling ba!"ward and !rashing into someone else. 3he J$i!"ly
sp$n aro$nd.
2t was -eremiah, dressed $p li"e *red, ;aphne?s !o$nterpart on3!ooby5;oo, the "ing
and J$een o+ the !artoon prom. er eyes ran $p the !ost$me, whi!h was little more than
a tight5+itting white .5shirt p$lled over an old bl$e5!ollared shirt, bl$e Deans, and *red?s
signat$re as!ot Lwhi!h loo"ed s$spi!io$sly li"e an orange !loth nap"in.M B$t Brett
!o$ldn?t help grinning. C2 li"e yo$r !ost$me,H she said breathlessly.
C(o$rs is better,H he replied, standing ba!" to ta"e in the whole ensemble. As his
+amiliar green5bl$e eyes too" her in, Brett +elt an eJ$ally +amiliar !hill r$n down her
spine. C8ow. (o$ loo" even hotter in that !ost$me than 2 imagined yo$ wo$ld.H
Brett +elt her whole body +l$sh, and ineFpli!ably the memory o+ the wee"end she?d
spent with -eremiah and his +amily at their 'ant$!"et bea!h ho$se washed over her.
-eremiah had spent pra!ti!ally the whole wee"end in his navy and orange Aber!rombie
K *it!h swim tr$n"s, and Brett !o$ld !onD$re $p the image o+ his bronEed !hest
glistening with droplets o+ salt water, his long reddish hair wet +rom a re!ent pl$nge in
the Atlanti!. -$st standing near him, she s$ddenly +elt warm in the dra+ty ballroom.
Cow?d yo$ "nowIH she as"ed, stepping o$t o+ the way o+ the 9illage People La b$n!h
o+ sophomores on the !ross5!o$ntry teamM as they hooted a!ross the ballroom to the
opening beats o+ C(1CA.H C2 mean, what to wearIH
-eremiah pla!ed a hand on Brett?s elbow and steered her o++ to side o+ the room, o$t o+
the way o+ any other dor"y (1CA5ers. C2 got this teFt +rom eath telling me he saw
yo$ wal"ing aro$nd in p$rple go5go boots, and so 2 g$essed.H
CeathIH Brett glan!ed at the giant movie s!reen, where3!ream 22 was playing. A g$y
in a bla!" !loa" and white mas" D$mped o$t at someone. 8hy was eath trying to help
her and -eremiahI 3he +elt a wave o+ a++e!tion +or him. e was so happy with =ara>
maybe he D$st wanted her to be happy too. :r maybe he was nervo$s that a single Brett
was a threat to his own happiness. B$t it didn?t really matter.
CAh, he "new 2 !o$ldn?t stop thin"ing abo$t yo$,H -eremiah answered. Brett stared at
her toes, her heart beating lo$dly in her ears. C2 mean, 2 tried not to thin" abo$t yo$,H he
went on. Another !lo$d o+ +og +loated a!ross the room, partially obs!$ring his +a!e.
CBe!a$se whenever 2 wo$ld thin" abo$t yo$ 2<d wonder i+ yo$ were with =ara, and then
2<d start to wonder abo$t all those times we were together and yo$ said yo$ were
hanging o$t with yo$r girl+riends, and i+ there !o$ld have been more going onA .H
-eremiah?s words were !oming J$i!"ly, and Brett !o$ld hear his shallow breath thro$gh
the vanilla5s!ented +og. C2 mean, it sort o+ sent me into a tailspin.H
-eremiah p$shed a thi!" lo!" o+ red hair o$t o+ his pier!ing bl$e5green eyes and too" a
deep breath, staring straight into Brett?s eyes. CB$t the overwhelming thing was that 2
D$st wanted to be with yo$, and D$st had to "now i+ all that A =ara AH e !o$ghed,
saying her name. C.he st$++ 2 heard abo$t yo$ and =ara>was it tr$eIH
Brett s$ddenly +elt thirsty +or a glass o+ the sti!"y sweet p$n!h +loating aro$nd the
room in plasti! !$ps. 3he didn?t want to lie to -eremiah o$tright, b$t it was s$!h a little
thing, something that seemed +arther and +arther in the rearview mirror every new day.
-$st a +ew "isses. 3he !o$ld probably !o$nt them on one hand>or two. 2t wo$ld never
happen again.
3he !o$ld +eel -eremiah?s body tensing $p +or the answer, his m$s!les p$lsing $nder his
!ost$me, and she wanted to +eel his warm s"in pressed against hers. 3he "new how she
!o$ld ma"e her wish !ome tr$e.
C'o,H she said, sha"ing her head. C'othing ever happened between $s.H
A wave o+ relie+ passed over -eremiah?s +a!e. e p$t his strong hands on her waist and
p$lled her to him, and s$ddenly Brett +elt li"e they were ba!" on the 'ant$!"et bea!h
again, bare+oot, s$nb$rned, and hal+5na"ed. is lips tasted li"e warm beer and it wasn?t
long be+ore Brett +elt dr$n" too, her head spinning giddily li"e it hadn?t in a very, very
long time.
&
8A9E0L( :8L =':83 .A. .E .0/. /0.3, ': 1A..E0 :8 1/C
(:/?9E A; .: ;02'= 8E' (:/ EA0 2..
Benny?s per+$me bottle had emptied o$t long ago and Callie was nowhere near where
she needed to be to last m$!h longer at the 1onster 1ash Bash. .here was still no sign
o+ Easy, her $psweep was !ollapsing, and her insides were s!raped raw with
disappointment. 3he peered over a !rowd that had +ormed aro$nd a trio o+ seniors
dressed as the Powerp$++ #irls, trying to spot Benny, who had promised she?d +ind more
al!ohol. As the party dragged on, the partygoers had one by one dropped their !ost$me
a!!essories>Callie had p$t her !ho"er in her rain!oat po!"et when it started to it!h, and
was holding her baby bl$e gloves in her hands>and so the Pres!ott *a!$lty Cl$b was
starting to loo" li"e yo$r r$n5o+5the5mill amptons party, or, in Callie?s !ase, ilton
ead, girls in pretty, tight5+itting !lothes, and g$ys admiring them.
Angeli!a Pardee !limbed $p onstage, her ;orothy s"irt and petti!oats p$++ed o$t aro$nd
her. 3he tapped the mi!, sending a wave o+ +eedba!" thro$gh the ballroom. 3he waited
$ntil the groans and sni!"ers died down and the room was relatively J$iet. C2n thirty
min$tes, we?ll be tallying $p the votes +or best !ost$me, so please be s$re to hand in
yo$r ballotsGH
Callie rolled her eyes. 3he?d heard doEens o+ people oohing and ahhing abo$t how hot
-enny loo"ed, and how she was de+initely going to win best !ost$me. 3he spotted -enny
now, over by the ;- stand, loo"ing l$mino$s in a white dress with an elegantly deep5!$t
ba!". 3he !ertainly loo"ed good, b$t Callie wasn?t really in the mood to see her petite
roommate $p on stage in all her glory, not a+ter a disappointing night o+ waiting
desperately +or Easy to show $p. -enny was a !onstant reminder o+ Callie?s +a$lts, o+ the
mista"e that had driven Easy away. Every night when she and -enny got into bed in
silen!e a!ross the room +rom ea!h other, all Callie !o$ld thin" was,People who aren?t
spea"ing to me, two.
Callie shoo" her head, de!iding it was time to go home. 3he started wal"ing toward the
!oatroom, then pa$sed. 3he spied Easy?s mop o+ dar" !$rls in the doorway to the
ballroom and J$i!"ly moved in his dire!tion, the glass slippers ma"ing any sort o+
elegant sashay impossible. 3he?d settle +or not tripping.
Easy, however, wasn?t so l$!"y. 0ight a+ter wal"ing thro$gh the door, he tripped,
st$mbling over an abandoned wit!h?s broom. e !a$ght his balan!e at the last min$te.
As Callie p$shed thro$gh the !rowd, eager to rea!h him, she saw that the broom was
only part o+ the problem. is eyes were glassyas he s!anned the room, and she !o$ld tell
he was trashed. e sJ$inted, his eyes adD$sting to the dimness.
Callie to$!hed her messy $pdo, wondering i+ it still loo"ed o"ay. 3he tried to meet
Easy?s eyes, hoping he?d noti!e her and she?d be li"e a bea!on o+ light in an otherwise
+oggy sea. B$t he didn?t see her $ntil she was pra!ti!ally standing on top o+ him.
Cey,H she said, resisting the $rge to throw her arms aro$nd him and +eel the warmth o+
his body against hers. Easy?s o$t+it loo"ed li"e some sort o+ sla!"er !owboy !ost$me>
he?d paired his dirty Levi?s with his !l$n"y ;o! 1artens, and one o+ his +lannel shirts
that loo"ed as i+ one more r$n thro$gh the washer wo$ld ma"e it disintegrate. 3he
longed to r$b her !hee" against the so+t +abri!.
C'i!e !ost$me.H Easy?s words so$nded thi!" on his tong$e. e barely glan!ed at her,
!hoosing instead to +o!$s on the mesh o+ !obwebs str$ng over the doorway.
Callie !$rtsied. C.han"s.H
C8hat are yo$ s$pposed to beIH he as"ed, still not loo"ing at her.
CCinderella, d$mmy,H Callie answered play+$lly. 3he sensed Easy was in one o+ his
moods and desperately wanted to t$rn the tide>b$t at least he was tal"ing to her. .hat
had to be a good sign.
C8ell, yo$are a prin!ess,H Easy answered, his eyes wandering aro$nd the room. e
sighed heavily, a long, booEy breath that +ogged the air.
CCinderella?s not really a prin!ess,H Callie !orre!ted him, realiEing her mista"e right
away. Easy seemed to be smir"ing> Easy never smir"ed, not at her>and Callie
withered $nder his glare. 3he +elt people aro$nd them n$dging and t$rning to loo".
CCan we go somewhere privateI And tal"IH she s$ggested J$ietly. 3he to$!hed his
+lannel sleeve, b$t he p$lled it away.
C2 D$st got here.H
:$t o+ the !orner o+ her eye, Callie saw Benny and Celine, p$n!h !$ps in hand,
pretending not to stare at the !onversation $n+olding between her and Easy. CLoo".H
Callie pressed her lips together. C(o$ have to give me a !han!e to eFplain.H
C2 don?thave to do anything.H Easy stared down at her, his dar" bl$e eyes meeting her
haEel ones +or the +irst time in wee"s. B$t instead o+ the +amiliar, loving gaEe she was
$sed to, his eyes were !old and $n+amiliar. C(o$ don?t always get yo$r way, prin!ess.H
C(o$?re dr$n".H er tone was more a!!$satory than she wo$ld?ve wished, b$t Easy
hadn?t heard her. e was already p$shing into the !rowd, heading +or the p$n!h
!a$ldron.
C.he thing abo$t yo$ is that yo$ do whatever the +$!" yo$ want and don?t even !are i+
other people get h$rt in the pro!ess,H Easy snarled over his sho$lder, barely glan!ing
ba!". C-$st as long as yo$?re happy.H
C8o$ld yo$ D$st A wait a se!ondIH Callie said desperately, drawing more eyes to
them. A string o+ silver lights +ell +rom the wall, landing in a big tangled mess on the
+loor, b$t no one seemed to noti!e. .he last thing she wanted was to get into a h$ge +ight
in +ront o+ everyone, b$t she !o$ldn?t let Easy D$st wal" away +rom her. ;id he really
thin" she washappyI
Easy t$rned aro$nd and +inally seemed to noti!e that people were staring. An
embarrassed loo" !rossed his +a!e, and Callie +o$ght the $rge to press her +a!e into his
!hest.
Easy st$!" his hands in the po!"ets o+ his Levi?s as he stared into Callie?s desperate
eyes. e "new +or s$re that he?d be si!" later, b$t +or now he !ho"ed ba!" the rising tide
o+ al!ohol. e?d told himsel+ he didn?t want to r$n into Callie at the alloween party, b$t
in tr$th, it was the tho$ght o+ seeing her that had propelled him o$t o+ his room and
away +rom the bottle o+ -a!" ;aniels nestled $nder his bed. e?d spent the last two
wee"s !$tting !lass to ride Credo $ntil the a+ternoon s$n +aded in the west, s"ipping
dinner in +avor o+ something in town, pi!"ing $p a +i+th o+ -.;. and holing $p in his
room. is anger abo$t -enny?s near eFp$lsion and Callie?s hand in it had made him want
to tear o$t his hair. 8hodid shit li"e thatI .ry and get yo$r inno!ent roommate eFpelled
be!a$se yo$ were Dealo$s o+ herI
Callie loo"ed bea$ti+$l in a +airy5tale prin!ess "ind o+ way>i+ yo$ li"ed that "ind o+
thing. Part o+ him wanted to s!oop her $p in his arms and whis" her away to the ball or
wherever the hell she wanted to go>anywhere b$t ba!" to the bo$rbon stin" o+ his
prisonli"e dorm room. B$t she !o$ldn?t D$st wave a magi! wand and ma"e everything go
away>tho$gh apparently, she tho$ght she !o$ld. 3he was the same old Callie. 8hy
!o$ldn?t she D$st let things beI e too" a step toward her and lowered his voi!e. C2 D$st
don?t $nderstand why yo$?re doing this to me again.H
C8hatam 2 doing againIH Callie as"ed indignantly, !rossing her thin arms de+ensively.
CCan?t yo$ see how m$!h 2>H Easy !o$ldn?t +inish the senten!e. 2t h$rt to be in love
with someone he wanted to hate.
C8hatIH Callie snapped. CCan?t 2 see whatIH
CN$it tort$ring me,H Easy pleaded angrily.
3omeone with a sheet over his head and two holes po"ed o$t +or eyes passed by. C2<m
$p +or some tort$re.H e meowed and s!rat!hed the air be+ore being swept ba!" into the
!rowd.
C2<m not doing anythingGH Callie !ried o$t. 3he waved the baby5bl$e glove in her hand
piti+$lly.
C(o$ D$st don?t get it, do yo$IH Easy t$rned on her, +eeling the dam holding ba!" the
anger inside him brea" !ompletely. C(o$?re abit!h, Callie. A spoiled little bit!h, and
there?s nothing 2 !an do to !hange that.H
Callie +elt her Daw drop. .he +a!t that doEens o+ people wat!hed as the s$pposed love o+
her li+e !alled her a bit!h wasn?t the most devastating part>it was the +a!t that Easy
8alsh, her Prin!e Charming, really tho$ght that abo$t her. e didn?t want to hear her
side o+ the story>he didn?t !are.
3he !lamped her hands over her ears and ran away +rom Easy, !$tting thro$gh the
!rowd, one side o+ her $psweep !ollapsing !ompletely. 3he +$mbled +or her Da!"et in the
!rowded !oatroom, her strawberry blond waves +alling messily in +ront o+ her +a!e so
that she !o$ld barely see. 3he "i!"ed her glass slippers against the wall o+ the +oyer and
bra!ed +or the !old night as she bo$nded o$t the door. B$t as she s"ipped down the steps
o+ the +a!$lty !l$b, the only thing she +elt was the sting o+ tears on her !hee".
3he rea!hed +or her !ell phone, her +ingers barely able to dial the n$mber as she stood
shivering in the dar"ness.
C1omIH Callie s$!"ed in her breath so that her mother !o$ldn?t tell she was !rying. C2
!hanged my mind. ow soon !an the !ar be hereIH
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
:wl 'et 2nstant 1essage 2nboF
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
.insleyCarmi!hael,Cinderella, how?s the partyI 0 / ready +or my grand entran!eI
.insleyCarmi!hael,elloI
8
A' :8L =':83 A LA.E E'.0A'CE 23 .E 1:3. #0A';>/'LE33 3E
1233E3 ALL .E */'.
.insley too" her sweet time !rossing !amp$s on the !hilly :!tober night, staring $p at
the trees as they stret!hed their nearly bare arms a!ross the in"y bla!" s"y. As she
wal"ed, she wondered what the hell had happened to the 8averly she "new and loved.
*or the past two wee"s, it had been downright boring. 8ell, she was abo$t to get it ba!"
tonight>the ann$al alloween ball washers, as it had been +or the past two years
r$nning. Be+ore .insley Carmi!hael, it had been $nheard5o+ +or a +reshman to win the
best5!ost$me priEe. B$t .insley, in her 3!arlett :?ara !ost$me, had st$nned
!onvention, managing to loo" both insanely hot and in!redibly !lassy. .hat was the
se!ret to the !ompetition, a+ter all, and something so many o+ the $nder!lass 8averlies
+ailed to !omprehend.
A h$ndred yards away she !o$ld +eel the bass booming +rom the +a!$lty !l$b, and
.insley pi!"ed $p her step, her vintage navy bl$e wool !apelet "eeping at least the top
o+ her warmish. A r$sh o+ !old, wintery air swept a!ross the open J$ad, !hilling her
sto!"inged legs, b$t the anti!ipation o+ a room+$l o+ people t$rning their heads in her
dire!tion was eno$gh to "eep her moving. 3he?d wanted to arrive +ashionably late and
had p$rposely spent the last hal+ an ho$r in her room, listening to the new Bla!" Eyed
Peas C; and wat!hing the !lo!" on her iPhone !li!" down to the appropriate ho$r. :nly
wannabes and try5hards arrived when a party started>everyone "new that. 3ome might
say the same abo$t going to parties alone, b$t there was a +ine line, .insley "new, and
she?d always been on the right side o+ it. 2t "illed her to arrive in a !rowd.
1ar!hing $p the empty steps to the +a!$lty !l$b b$ilding bro$ght ba!" a wave o+
pleasant memories. .he last time she?d been in the b$ilding had been +or the winter
+ormal her +reshman year, with -ohnny Pa", a tall Asian senior on the !rew team who
had an amaEingly toned body. e?d snea"ed her down to the +a!$lty wine !ellar in the
depths o+ Pres!ott, and the two o+ them had pro!eeded to empty the most eFpensive
bottle o+ !abernet available and tal" abo$t *ren!h !inema and "iss.
2n the tall glass windows o+ the +a!$lty !l$b lobby, .insley !a$ght a glimpse o+ hersel+
>her shimmery silver dress peeping o$t beneath her !apelet, her long lo!"s t$!"ed
neatly $nder a per+e!tly +itting blond bobbed wig, a real movie5J$ality one and not
something ordered o++ !ost$mes.!om or something li"e that. A silver band held the short
do in pla!e, a single violet +eather>to bring o$t the !olor o+ her eyes>st$!" in one side
o+ it. 3he loo"ed +ab$lo$s, a vintage +lapper, with ea!h pie!e o+ her !ost$me absol$tely
per+e!t, and !ompletely elegant in a way that she was s$re none o+ the people inside the
party !o$ld !laim. 2+ tradition held, they were all dressed as Playboy b$nnies or !artoon
!hara!ters. 3he too" o++ her Da!"et and h$ng it neatly at the +ront o+ the !oatroom and
was abo$t to p$sh open the h$ge oa" doors to the ballroom when they b$rst open
themselves, toward her.
Easy 8alsh, in a pair o+ dirty Levi?s and a worn plaid shirt that loo"ed li"e a dirty
hand"er!hie+, !harged past her.
C;on?t tell me>Bro"eba!" 1o$ntain,rightIH .insley !alled o$t to him, annoyed that he
hadn?t managed to appre!iate how in!redibly hot she loo"ed. e p$shed thro$gh the
+ront door with a lo$d !latter.
.insley stepped thro$gh the door, avoiding a +a"e spider5web draped over the entran!e,
and s$rveyed the s!ene. .o her approval, there was a s$rprisingly low n$mber o+
p$mp"ins and hay and other !heesy alloween dP!or. 2nstead, the room was dimly lit
and "ind o+ romanti! loo"ing, with bla!" and white lights, a spoo"y ha$nted ho$se o++
to the right, and slowly twirling dis!o balls. 'ot bad +or a .h$rsday night.
Celine Colista and Benny C$nningham immediately r$shed to .insley?s side. CLovely,
..H Celine, dressed in a red !orset and tight red hot pants as some "ind o+ she5devil,
+ingered .insley?s la!y to5the5elbow gloves. C(o$ loo" li"e ;aisy A what?s her nameI
.he airhead +rom the#atsby boo"IH
CB$!hanan,H Benny sl$rred, +$mbling thro$gh her bag +or something. 3he p$lled o$t a
hal+5empty pa!" o+ wintergreen Li+esavers and popped two in her mo$th, then held o$t
the pa!"age to .insley, who ignored it. Benny?s blond starlet wig had shi+ted to the le+t,
ma"ing it loo" li"e she was wearing a bad weave. CAnd don?t tell .insley she loo"s li"e
an airhead.H
Celine?s eyes widened. C2 didn?t mean it li"e that.H 3he glan!ed nervo$sly at .insley and
po"ed her three5pronged plasti! devil?s rod into the +loor. C.insley "nows that.H
Cow abo$t we stop tal"ing abo$t me li"e 2<m not hereIH .insley drawled, her eyes
already s!anning the room +or less dr$n" and more interesting people to tal" to. -$dging
by the J$ality o+ !ost$mes in the room>a go5go dan!er in a vinyl dress, Emily -en"ins
as the annoying !hi!" inarry Potter, hal+ a doEen hippies>winning the !ontest wo$ld
not be a problem.
C#ot any booEeIH Benny leaned toward .insley, her wintergreen breath hot in her ear.
C2<m o$t.H Benny prod$!ed an empty per+$me bottle as eviden!e, glan!ing $p to !he!"
on the lo!ations o+ vario$s !haperones.
.insley +elt the to$!h o+ the +las" she?d se!reted in her garter belt, !old against her s"in,
b$t shoo" her head no. C1e too.H 3he too" in the !rowd, heads bobbing to :ingo
Boingo?s C;ead 1an?s Party,H a gro$p o+ +reshmen dressed as the Bl$e 1an #ro$p
brea"5dan!ing in a !ir!le in the !orner while someone dressed improbably as a giant
toilet loo"ed on. .he brea" dan!ing notwithstanding, the party gave .insley a thrill. 3he
!o$ld +eel a m$ltit$de o+ eyes on her, wat!hing the way her silver dress shimmered
per+e!tly in the ghostly lighting. er do$ble5strand +reshwater pearl ne!"la!e +ell D$st
below her !hest, and ea!h time she !a$ght some g$y she hal+5re!ogniEed slide his eyes
$p her body in approval, she gave hersel+ an eFtra point.
.he last +ew wee"s had been s$!h a downer. .he "nowledge that Little51iss52nno!ent
-enny $mphrey had almost gotten eFpelled had been eno$gh to !ho"e the li+e o$t o+
any eFtra!$rri!$lar +$n at 8averly, the party s!ene !ompletely evaporating. Patheti!.
.insley made her way to the p$n!h bowl, b$t only the dregs were le+t. 3he lingered
near the empty vessel, +eeling the weight o+ her +ellow 8averlies< eyes on her !ost$me.
3he to$!hed her $ltra5thin +a"e !igarette holder to her lips, wat!hing o$t o+ the !orner o+
her eye as hal+ a doEen g$ys +rom the ho!"ey team glan!ed in her dire!tion>the trip to
'ew (or" +or the o$t+it had de+initely been worth it. 3he?d "nown eFa!tly what she
wanted and had also "nown it !o$ldn?t be +o$nd at the shitty thri+t stores in 0hine!li++.
3he?d had a mild pani! atta!" when she?d overheard 9erena Arneval saying she was
going to 'ew (or" to get her !ost$me, b$t was relieved to see 9erena dressed in +$ll
pirate regalia !o$rtesy o+ Abra!adabra on 8est .wenty5+irst, where .insley had bo$ght
an Ali!e in 8onderland !ost$me in the se!ond grade.
.he trip to 'ew (or" was s$pposed to be a bit o+ a getaway, too. .he somber mood on
!amp$s was almost too annoying to bear, so m$!h so that .insley +an!ied a wee"end
away with her parents, who she hoped wo$ld be s$rprised when she showed $p at their
#ramer!y Par" apartment. B$t they were gone, the message on her mother?s voi!e mail
saying they were in Amsterdam, and .insley had spent the evening wat!hing rer$ns
o+3eF and the City and drin"ing some o+ their most eFpensive wine.
.insley shoo" o++ the memory o+ her lonely wee"end in '(C, ret$rning her attention to
the party at hand. .he opening ri++ o+ 1etalli!a?s CEnter 3andmanH boomed and the
!rowd p$lsed at on!e. .insley slowly made her way ba!" toward the entran!e, se!retly
hoping that -$lian was spying on her. 3he didn?t even "now i+ he wasat the party>it was
the sort o+ thing he?d be too !ool +or, b$t it was also the sort o+ thing he?d be totally $p
+or, in an $nironi! way. e?d been avoiding her, and she "new why>the whole -enny
thing, o+ !o$rse. B$t she also "new he?d get over it event$ally. Besides, -ennyhadn?t
been "i!"ed o$t. And it didn?t loo" li"e -enny and -$lian were together anymore, either.
3o wasn?t it abo$t +$!"ing time +or -$lian to !ome ba!" toherI
3he wor"ed her way o$t onto the dan!e +loor, everyone moving to ma"e room +or her
as she swayed to the beat, dan!ing a +ew steps here and there with the vario$s hot g$ys
she !ame a!ross, gra!ing them ea!h with a +ew moments o+ her presen!e be+ore moving
on to the neFt one. B$t she !o$ldn?t stop thin"ing abo$t -$lian. 8here was heI 2t made
her +$rio$s that she !ared so m$!h, even tho$gh he?d had the nerve to drop her li"e she
was a leper. 3he tho$ght +or a moment the Civil 8ar soldier might be him, b$t he was
too tall. As she !a$ght a glimpse o+ blond hair po"ing o$t o+ his hat, she realiEed it was
a senior point g$ard who had notorio$sly odoro$s B:. *rodo was too short. .he -ames
;ean was too +at, and the g$y dressed $p li"e an 3olo was too A $gly. 3he J$it
s!anning the room, not wanting to really "now i+ -$lian was wat!hing her or not. 3he
!o$ld only imagine he was and with l$!" he was having se!ond tho$ghts. 3he?d been
inspiring se!ond tho$ghts her whole li+e.
.insley rea!hed +or her +las" and moved toward eath *erro and =ara 8halen, who
were standing o++ in a !orner, whispering annoyingly. L3e!ondarily annoying to -enny?s
s$dden !onversion to 8averly demigod was eath +$!"ing *erro dating a lesbo5
wannabe with no +ashion sense>how on earth hadthat happenedIM Angeli!a Pardee,
dressed as a not very !onvin!ing ;orothy +rom.he 8iEard o+ :E, as!ended the riser
neFt to the empty p$n!h bowl, a mi!rophone in hand. .he m$si! stopped and an eF!ited
m$rm$r r$shed thro$gh the !rowd.
CelloIH Pardee said into the mi!rophone, her +$ll5s"irted bl$e apron dress sti!"ing o$t
aro$nd her as i+ she had on a petti!oat. er reddish brown hair was p$lled into two low
ponytails at the sides o+ her head, both o+ whi!h had been hair5sprayed into sa$sage5
shaped !$rls. Cello.H
.insley?s heart beat +aster, and she s$rreptitio$sly slid her +las" ba!" into her garter belt.
3he moved !as$ally thro$gh the !rowd toward the +ront o+ the room, pretending to be
loo"ing +or someone. CEF!$se me,H she m$rm$red, splitting the Bl$e 1an #ro$p on her
way toward the stage.
C.here are a lot o+ great !ost$mes here tonight,H Pardee intoned serio$sly, as i+ worried
abo$t h$rting someone?s +eelings. C.his year?s !ontest was an eFtremely to$gh !all, 2 !an
tell, b$t everyone has !ast their ballot and the wait is over.H
As .insley approa!hed the stage, she to$!hed the +las" again to ma"e s$re it was se!$re
>she didn?t want it dropping o$t on the stage +or Pardee and the whole world to see.
CB$t tonight there?s only one winner.H Pardee pa$sed dramati!ally, waving a tiny white
envelope. .insley too" a deep breath, +eeling the eyes o+ the !rowd t$rn toward her,
waiting +or her to rise $p onstage and !laim her right+$l !rown. 3he stared $p at Pardee,
her heart beating J$i!"ly, +eeling, +inally, that things were ret$rning to normal.
C#ive me a hand, will yo$IH she as"ed Alan 3t. #irard, who was dressed as Eminem.
Alan held o$t his arm and .insley grabbed it, abo$t to hoist hersel+ $p on the stage as
Pardee pressed her lips to the mi!rophone.
CAnd the winner is AH .he a$dien!e was silent as Pardee +$mbled with the envelope,
p$lling o$t a small sJ$are o+ paper. .insley li+ted a silver art de!o 1anolo Blahni" o++
the gro$nd, ready +or appla$se. C-enny $mphrey.H
Pardee glan!ed down at .insley, p$EEled, as i+ she were a ro!" star and .insley were a
psy!hoti! +an abo$t to D$mp onstage and tear o++ her shirt. .insley st$mbled ba!" into
the !rowd as the room er$pted in appla$se and whistles>+or-ennyG .insley +elt her eyes
b$rn with anger. 8as thisreally happeningI
C(o$ loo" !$te, Eminem,H .insley whispered in her sed$!tive voi!e, hoping Alan was
dr$n" eno$gh to be !onvin!ed she was hitting on him>instead o+ being so arrogant to
thin" she?d won. CCat!h ya later.H
.insley tossed her short bobbed hair, longing +or the se!$rity o+ her long lo!"s +alling
down her ba!". 3he +elt +aint as she p$shed away +rom the stage and spotted -enny
$mphrey, +a!e plastered with an all5too5inno!ent grin, ma"ing her way toward the
stage in some "ind o+ 0oman slave girl get$p. 3he p$shed past Benny and Celine, who
were !lapping madly. .raitors.
/nbelievable.8hat happened to traditionI .o .insley Carmi!hael being !hosen J$een
o+ the alloween ballI
Apparently, there was a new J$een in town>and D$dging +rom the hoots +rom the
!rowd, .insley was the last to "now.
4
A 8A9E0L( :8L 0E3PEC.3 9232.A.2:' :/03 A'; ;:E3 ':., /';E0
A'( C20C/13.A'CE3, .0( .: B0EA= 2'.: .E #20L3< ;:01.
.he rain tasted li"e a!id on Easy?s tong$e as he dr$n"enly navigated his way to his
se!ret spot in the woods, $nable to stoma!h any more o+ the st$pid alloween party. is
hi"ing boots plodded a!ross the m$ddy gro$nd as he wove his way thro$gh the damp
bran!hes, wet leaves sma!"ing his +a!e. e le+t his shearling5lined Dean Da!"et
$nb$ttoned, enDoying the +eel o+ the !old wind thro$gh his shirt. 8hen he +inally made
it to his !learing, he st$mbled over to the large ro!" and sat down on it, instantly +eeling
dampness seep thro$gh his Deans. e was wet, !old, and $n!om+ortable, and somehow
that seemed appropriate. .elling Callie o++, a+ter wee"s o+ dreaming abo$t it, was
nothing li"e what he?d eFpe!ted. e?d read eno$gh poetry and loo"ed at eno$gh
paintings to "now that heartbrea" was s$pposed to be inspiring, and that getting over it
was s$pposed to be vindi!ating. B$t instead o+ inspired, Easy D$st +elt li"e shit.
e p$lled o$t the hal+5sJ$ashed Doint Alan 3t. #irard had given him earlier to !heer him
$p. B$t as he lit it and stared o$t at the wet !learing where he?d painted Callie?s portrait,
all he !o$ld thin" abo$t was that day when she?d !ome o$t here to pose +or him. 3he?d
been wearing her +an!y shoes and eFpensive sweater. er hair had gotten !a$ght in a
tree, and at that moment Easy had +elt li"e he wo$ldn?t be able to breathe anymore i+ he
didn?t "iss her right then.
-es$s..hat was the Callie he loved. .hat was the Callie he wanted so badly his palms
started to sweat when he waited +or her to appear at the stables, or o$t in the woods, or
at the bl$++s.
B$t when he saw Callie dressed $p li"e a goddamn prin!ess, pran!ing aro$nd the
alloween party li"e the entitled little deb$tante she always pretended not to be A that
was the Callie he !o$ldn?tstand. All the anger he?d b$ilt $p over the last +ew wee"s, all
his +r$stration with her +or re+$sing to !are that she?d almost gotten an inno!ent girl
eFpelled, !ame boiling over.
2nstead o+ being +looded with relie+ at +inally saying what was on his mind, he had been
deprived o+ any sense o+ satis+a!tion by the h$rt loo" on Callie?s +a!e. 3omething in him
stirred, and he threw down the rest o+ the Doint and began to st$mble ba!" a!ross
!amp$s.
.he windows o+ the +a!$lty !l$b>tiny bl$rred sJ$ares o+ light in the dar"ness>!ame
ba!" into view. 8as she still thereI e tilted his +a!e $pward. .he !old rain +elt soothing
on his +a!e b$t didn?t help him +ig$re anything o$t. 8hy did Callie have to get s$!"ed in
by .insleyI 8hy was Callie so a+raid to be hersel+, the "ind and +$nny and genero$s
person Easy "new she really wasI e $nderstood the need to +it in>"ind o+>b$t why
was it so pathologi!al with CallieI 3he?d always been li"e that. :n!e, he?d shown $p at
her dorm room to ta"e her to the drama department?s prod$!tion o+.he #lass
1enagerie, and when he hadn?t instantly !omplimented her on her new little bla!" dress,
she pro!eeded to rip it o++ in +ront o+ him and start p$lling on a pair o+ Deans. 2t had been
"ind o+ hot, a!t$ally, now that he remembered her t$gging the dress over her head,
standing in her room in D$st her pin" la!y bra and panties. B$t !raEy, too. 8hat did
Callie have to be inse!$re abo$tI
Easy tripped over a dis!arded p$mp"in on the Commons and did a +a!e5plant in a pool
o+ !old rainwater, his !lothes instantly soa"ing thro$gh. *$!". e +elt the beginnings o+
a deep !hill stirring somewhere in his bones b$t shoo" it o++, slowly staggering to his
"nees and ma"ing his way to his +eet as a gale5+or!e wind swept thro$gh !amp$s.
.he lights in ;$mbarton !a$ght his attention, and he EigEagged a!ross the lawn toward
the dorm. ;$mbarton loo"ed li"e a !arved Da!"5o<5lantern, the dar"ened windows
standing o$t against the s!attering o+ lights in the rooms o+ those who had either
ret$rned early +rom the party or not gone at all. e wished that he and Callie had
s"ipped the party>they !o$ld?ve !$ddled $nder the !overs, na"ed maybe, and eaten
b$ttery mi!rowave pop!orn and alloween !andy. B$t he J$i!"ly !hased the tho$ght
+rom his mind. Callie probably wo$ld have whined abo$t staying home +rom a big
so!ial event.
e bra!ed himsel+ against the wall o+ ;$mbarton, willing himsel+ to be si!" and D$st
get it over with. e wanted the al!ohol o$t o+ his body, along with his +eelings +or
Callie. 3he wo$ld never !hange, and they wo$ld never be together, so what was the
pointI
e spotted the old oa" tree that swayed in the wind, the same tree he had on!e !limbed
to s$rprise Callie, who had been st$dying in her room on the third +loor. Easy gripped
the lowest bran!h, his hands slipping o++ the !ool, wet bar". e rea!hed $p again, this
time with both hands, and hoisted himsel+ $p. Be+ore he "new what he was doing, he
was !limbing. .he gro$nd began to re!ede as he slowly made his way $p the bran!hes
worn away by the +ootprints o+ vario$s male :wls hoping +or an eye+$l over the years.
e passed the initials -. ;. C. U 1. E. C. that someone had !arved in the tr$n" long ago,
the whole !arving li"e a prehistori! !ave drawing.
A light popped on in the window a!ross +rom Easy and he d$!"ed invol$ntarily.
3J$inting, he re!ogniEed a girl +rom his Ameri!an history !lass, dressed as .in"erbell.
Cello, .in"erbell,H Easy !alled, la$ghing. .he +arther $p he moved, the better he +elt.
e was in the middle o+ serio$sly !onsidering whether or not he !o$ld spend the night
!radled in one o+ the thi!"er bran!hes when the tree shoo" violently in the wind. Easy
+roEe, steadying himsel+. e leaned against the tr$n", bra!ing himsel+ on one o+ the
st$rdier middle bran!hes.
Another blast o+ wind shoo" the tree, its +ew leaves r$stling. Easy !losed his eyes, the
wind drying his damp !ost$me. .he tree swayed, bending toward ;$mbarton. e
mistoo" a !ra!"ing noise +or distant th$nder and realiEed only too late that the tree was
not bending in the wind>it was brea"ing $nder his weight. .he !ra!"ing eFploded into
a long, lo$d stati! so$nd as the windows o+ ;$mbarton !ame !loser and !loser. Easy
slipped o++ the bran!h, the gro$nd spiraling toward him. e rea!hed o$t +or one o+ the
lower bran!hes as the top o+ the tree !rashed into the dorm. .he so$nd o+ glass
shattering +illed the air and someone s!reamed as Easy th$dded to the gro$nd, landing
on the empty g$n holster he?d bo$ght at the dr$gstore in town in a wea" e++ort to loo"
li"e a !owboy, the rivets li"e ro!"s against his !old s"in.
Easy didn?t "now how long he?d been on the gro$nd be+ore the +lashlight shone in his
eyes. 2t !o$ld?ve been ho$rs, he g$essed, b$t he "new better when he saw 1r. N$art$llo,
the night se!$rity g$ard. 1r. N$art$llo had a well5earned rep$tation among the +a!$lty
and st$dents ali"e +or broo"ing no nonsense, and the sight o+ him meant Easy was really
in tro$ble.
C3hit,H Easy m$ttered.
C(es, 1r. 8alsh,H 1r. N$art$llo said. C2<d say so.H
.he +irst sirens o+ a +ire tr$!" !o$ld be heard in the distan!e, and Easy wondered i+ the
!ops wo$ld be !oming to es!ort him o++ !amp$s. is mind sp$n a tho$sand lies abo$t
how it wasn?t really his +a$lt, that it was the wind and the rain, that the tree was old.
.hen the opposite tho$ght o!!$rred to him. e wo$ld ta"e responsibility +or what he?d
done and +inally get "i!"ed o$t o+ 8averly.
B$t maybe that wo$ldn?t be the worst thing that !o$ld happen. #etting away +rom
8averly wo$ld get him away +rom Callie.
.wenty min$tes later, Easy waited in 1rs. orniman?s o++i!e, s$ddenly do$bting his
plan. e?d psy!hed himsel+ $p to +a!e ;ean 1arymo$nt and was a little !on+$sed when
1r. N$art$llo bro$ght him to his adviser?s o++i!e instead. .he g$idan!e !o$nselor had
always been on Easy?s side thro$gh all his tro$bles> she showed $p at the st$dent art
shows to admire his wor", and she "ept reminding them that 8averly was a mi!ro!osm
o+ the world and that he D$st had to grad$ate to see what it had to o++er. Coming to her
o++i!e, soa"ing wet, still a little dr$n" and slightly stoned, Easy +elt disappointed in
himsel+ in a way he hadn?t eFpe!ted.
.he door !rea"ed open and 1rs. orniman sh$++led in, her hair p$lled $p $nder a
maroon5and5bl$e 8averly :wl !ap. 3he yawned, !overing her mo$th with her dainty
hand. C.ri!" or treatIH she as"ed as she sat down.
Easy shi+ted $n!om+ortably in his !hair. is Deans were soa"ing wet, and he glan!ed
ba!" at the giant m$ddy +ootprints he?d le+t on the !lean +loor. C8ell,H he started, b$t he
didn?t "now what to say.
1rs. orniman sat ba!" in her !hair, +olding her hands in her lap. 3he was wearing a
thi!" !able5"nit !ardigan that she p$lled tightly aro$nd her waist, and Easy !o$ld see the
remnants o+ toothpaste at the !orners o+ her lips. C3in!e it?s late, 2<m D$st going to lay it
o$t +or yo$, o"ayIH
Easy nodded. e ran a hand thro$gh his wet hair, and a +ew leaves +ell to the gro$nd.
e +elt !ompletely disg$sting>he was a dr$n"en mess, abo$t to get "i!"ed o$t o+
s!hool +or good, all be!a$se he?d let Callie get to him. 3hit, what was hedoingI .he
heater in 1rs. orniman?s o++i!e "i!"ed in, and the warmth made Easy?s head +eel
!learer. 2t was ridi!$lo$s that everything had !ome to this>it had ta"en +alling o$t o+ a
tree +or him to realiEe that it was time to p$t Callie behind him +or good and get his shit
together on!e and +or all. .he only problem was, it was too late. 9isions o+ military
s!hool +illed Easy?s brain. is dad had threatened he?d be sent to one in 8est 9irginia i+
he !o$ldn?t ma"e it at 8averly. .here?d be no riding Credo, no art, no girls>D$st a
b$n!h o+ g$ys doing p$sh5$ps and trying to prove their manhood. 8hy hadn?t he
tho$ght o+ that be+oreI e +elt li"e he was abo$t to pass o$t.
C.his is yo$r +inal stri"e, Easy,H 1rs. orniman said. 3he leaned +orward, resting her
elbows on the des", her !hin on her hands. C2t wo$ld devastate me to see s$!h a yo$ng
and talented individ$al li"e yo$ eFpelled +rom 8averly. 3o 2<ve managed to sweet5tal"
;ean 1arymo$nt into agreeing that i+ yo$ !an maintain a B average or higher in yo$r
!lasses>H
C:"ay,H Easy said invol$ntarily, his heart po$nding in his !hest. e wasn?t going to get
"i!"ed o$tI 3$ddenly, the only thing he !o$ld thin" abo$t was his +ather?s promise that
i+ Easy grad$ated +rom 8averly in good standing, and made it into a rep$table !ollege,
he !o$ld ta"e a year o++ a+ter high s!hool and spend it, eFpenses paid, in Paris. Paris
wo$ld be so m$!h better than military s!hool. And it was even +arther away +rom Callie.
CAnd yo$ !an?t leave !amp$s,H she +inished.
Easy loo"ed $p at her. C0eallyIH he as"ed, r$bbing his hand over his !happed lips.
:"ay, that wasn?t so bad. e stared at the rain5splattered window behind 1rs.
orniman?s head. e probably !o$ld have died +alling +rom the top o+ that tree. :r at
least bro"en an an"le or something.
C0eally,H 1rs. orniman answered. CListen to what 2<m saying, Easy. .his is real. B<s
or better and stay on !amp$s. 2nde+initely.H 3he smiled at him. C.hat means no trips into
town witho$t my written permission, no long wal"s in the woods that happen to ta"e
yo$ o++ 8averly gro$nds>nothing.Capis!eIH
CCapis!e.HEasy leaned ba!" in his !hair, eager to get home and get o$t o+ his !lammy
!lothes.
CAnd i+ 2 were yo$, 2<d thin" abo$t ta"ing $p some eFtra!$rri!$lar a!tivities. (o$ "now
how m$!h the dean appre!iates eFtra!$rri!$lars>and +ran"ly, yo$r horseba!" riding
doesn?t J$ite !$t it. .ry something other than solitary a!tivities.H 1rs. orniman eyed
him with am$sement. 3he o+ all people "new o+ Easy?s la!" o+ enth$siasm +or all
$nreJ$ired a!tivities at 8averly. 1rs. orniman leaned ba!" in her !hair. C2 always
tho$ght yo$?d be per+e!t +or a !appella.H
2t too" a moment +or Easy to realiEe she was Do"ing, and then, +or the +irst time that
night, he smiled.
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
:wl 'et 2nstant 1essage 2nboF
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
-enny$mphrey,8hat was thatI
Brett1essers!hmitt,'o !l$e. 2 1 dr$n" and ready to pass o$t. And dream o+ -eremiah.
-enny$mphrey,Callie?s still not home. 3ho$ld 2 be worriedI
Brett1essers!hmitt,'ah. 3he and Easy are prob b$sy ma"ing $p a+ter that h$ge +ight.
-enny$mphrey,0ight.
)0
A B0A9E :8L ;:E3 ':. 0/' A8A( *0:1 E0 P0:BLE13>/'LE33 .E
0/''2'# .A=E3 E0 .: A L/B/0( 3PA.
Callie leaned her tired head against the +ogged5$p window o+ the bla!" Lin!oln .own
Car, her eyes still moist. 3he wiped the sleeve o+ her !ashmere pea!oat against her +a!e
and sti+led a yawn, Easy?s words e!hoing in her ears. 'othing he?d ever said had +elt so
!r$el>not even the time she?d worn a pin" 9era 8ang b$bble dress to the 3pring *ling
and he?d told her she loo"ed li"e a +rosted !$p!a"e. e hadn?t meant to be !r$el then>it
was D$st a !l$eless g$y "ind o+ thing to say. e?d spent the rest o+ the night trying to
!onvin!e her that he loved !$p!a"es.
3he pawed thro$gh the po!"et o+ her rain!oat +or a tiss$e. ow !o$ld he tal" to her li"e
thatI And in +ront o+ the entire worldI .he tho$ght that she and Easy had provided
+odder +or a million gossipy e5mails and teFts made her stoma!h !h$rn.e was sloshed,
o+ !o$rse, b$t Easy was normally a J$iet, melan!holy dr$n", $nli"e the eath *erros o+
the world, who only seemed to go into hyperdrive whenever they to$!hed al!ohol.ow
!o$ld he, how !o$ld he, how !o$ld heI repeated on a loop in her head.
.he only answer that made sense was that he didn?t love her anymore. er eyes +illed
$p again.
8hen she?d !alled her mom to ta"e her $p on the spa o++er, the governor had in+ormed
her the !ar was waiting at the gate as they spo"e>she?d !alled it D$st in !ase. 3he
insisted that Callie didn?t need to pa!" a thing>the spa wo$ld ta"e !are o+ everything.
*eeling a little li"e the a!t$al Cinderella, ta"en !are o+ by her +airy governor mother,
Callie r$shed right o$t to the waiting town !ar, grate+$l it hadn?t t$rned into a p$mp"in
at midnight.
:$tside the !ar, the dar" lands!ape r$shed by, tall pine trees silho$etted by the
alloween moon riding high in the night s"y. 3he p$t her hand on the !old window.
.hro$gh the tinted glass partition, the ba!" o+ the driver?s head was visible. .he driver
was a woman in her +i+ties with a D$mble o+ graying !$rls piled high on her head. Callie
!o$ld hear the +aint strains o+ !o$ntry m$si! thro$gh the partition, reminding her o+
every boy she?d ever "nown ba!" in #eorgia, and she wondered i+ the driver had driven
here all the way +rom Atlanta. 'o one $p here listened to !o$ntry. Ever.
.he tinted glass partition rolled down and the driver t$rned her head slightly, !o$ntry
m$si! +looding the !ar. CAre yo$ o"ay ba!" there, sweetheartIH
C(es, 2<m +ine.H Callie massaged her temples with her +ingers and swallowed heavily,
her mo$th dry +rom all the s$gary spi"ed p$n!h. C.han" yo$.H
.he woman !l$!"ed gently. C.here are bottles o+ water in the !ooler. And let me "now
i+ yo$ need to stop to $se the ladies<>it?s a long drive.H As soon as the partition slid
ba!" $p, Callie dove +or the hidden !ooler. 3he !ra!"ed open an i!y bottle o+ water and
too" an enormo$s swig.
A s$dden regret +illed Callie that she hadn?t had the !han!e to show Easy she wasn?t
s$!h a bad person a+ter all. B$t she !o$ldn?t eFplain everything in +ront o+ the Barbies
and the Powerp$++ #irls and the Bl$e 1an #ro$p. 3he wanted to wat!h Easy?s +a!e as
he absorbed the in+ormation, and then she wanted him to sweep her $p in his arms A
li"e the prin!ess she wasI 3he !o$ldn?t stop Easy?s h$rt+$l words +rom bleeding into
every tho$ght, and she !on!entrated on staring hard o$t the +ront window, wat!hing the
headlights +rom on!oming !ars be!ome +ewer and +ewer as the town !ar navigated the
roads li"e a sailboat o$t to sea.
8hen she opened her eyes neFt, the !ar had t$rned o++ the +reeway, the tires !r$n!hing
on the $npaved drive as they in!hed slowly thro$gh a stand o+ bir!h trees s$n"en in
+l$++y white snow. .he moonlight re+le!ted o++ the dri+ts, blinding Callie so that her tired
eyes !o$ld hardly ma"e o$t the spa gro$nds. Everything was gleaming and !overed in
white, as i+ she had stepped into some "ind o+ magi!al winter wonderland. 3he had the
strange>yet pleasant>sensation o+ wa"ing $p in 2!eland or somewhere eJ$ally +ar
+rom 8averly, Easy, and everything she "new. 3he?d never been more than"+$l +or her
mother?s inter+eren!e in her li+e.
.he !ar !ame to a stop at what loo"ed li"e a small s"i lodge with the words
823PE02'# P2'E3 et!hed into a wooden sign o$tside. Callie hopped o$t o+ the !ar,
the !old night air sha"ing her awa"e. er legs wobbled $nder her and she leaned on the
open !ar door +or s$pport. 3he hoped the "it!hen wo$ld still be open. All she?d had to
eat today was a t$na and !elery sandwi!h +or l$n!h, and a hand+$l o+ !andy !orn at the
alloween party. 3he imagined the spa "it!hen !o$ld whip $p all "inds o+ deli!a!ies,
and she s$ddenly !raved an egg white omelet with m$shrooms and pepper5Da!" !heese.
1aybe an English m$++in, too, with b$tter and Dam.
A yo$ng woman wrapped tight in an orange par"a des!ended the wooden steps o+ the
J$aint5loo"ing s"i lodge, snow hanging over its eaves. C#lad yo$ made it,H she said in a
low, soothing voi!e, blin"ing the sleep away +rom her eyes. C2<m Amanda.H 3he st$!"
o$t her hand and Callie shoo" it.
CCallie 9ernon,H she said be+ore st$++ing her hands J$i!"ly ba!" into her po!"ets. 3he
was s$ddenly grate+$l +or her long rain!oat, realiEing how abs$rd it m$st be to arrive at
a spa in the middle o+ the night wearing a baby bl$e Cinderella gown and +lip5+lops.
And she hadn?t bro$ght anything else.
CLet?s get yo$ settled.H Amanda nodded in the dire!tion o+ the s"i lodge.
Callie marveled at Amanda?s +lawless ivory s"in and to$!hed her own +a!e
invol$ntarily. 3he wondered i+ it was the 1aine air or some wonder+$l spa treatment
that gave Amanda her glow. A !ombination o+ both, she imagined.
Callie +ollowed Amanda into a dar"ened lobby. C(o$r room is this way,H Amanda said
over her sho$lder, her p$++y !oat ma"ing a sh$shing noise when she t$rned down the
long hallway o++ to the right. Callie?s stoma!h r$mbled, b$t she didn?t want to seem too
demanding or brea" the pea!e+$l silen!e o+ the lodge by as"ing abo$t the "it!hen.
1aybe her room wo$ld have a +r$it bas"et, or even some o+ those little mint !ho!olates
on the pillows.
.he +loor !rea"ed beneath their +eet as they made their way silently aro$nd a !orner and
down another long hallway. 3mall night5lights lined the walls at reg$lar intervals, their
tiny orbs o+ light revealing simple, o++5white walls with dar" wood trim. Callie !o$ld
already +eel hersel+ relaFing.
C.his is yo$.H Amanda pointed at a wooden door +$ll o+ pine "nots and painted white, a
Pottery Barn "ind o+ loo" that Callie loved. C2t?s pretty late, and we li"e to get started
early, so yo$ sho$ld rest $p.H
Callie glan!ed down at the ta++eta s"irt pee"ing o$t +rom beneath her !oat. C2, $h, +orgot
to pa!" anything.H 1aybe Amanda !o$ld lend her a pair o+ those sn$ggly shearling5
lined boots she was wearing.
Amanda waved her hand as i+ this were a silly worry. C8e re!ommend that all o$r
g$ests !ome witho$t any !$mbersome belongings.H 3he smiled. C8e provide yo$ with
everything yo$?ll need.H
C#reatGH Callie replied warmly. C2 g$ess 2<ll, $h, see yo$ in the morningIH 3he li"ed
Amanda?s J$iet $nobtr$siveness, and wondered i+ she?d get to do yoga with her
tomorrow or something. .he s"i lodge was a little dra+ty, and the !old air stirred Callie?s
senses.
Amanda pla!ed a hand on Callie?s +orearm. C2 promise, this eFperien!e is going to be
eFa!tly what yo$ need.H 3he waved a thin arm and p$lled her par"a $p aro$nd her ne!",
then disappeared down the hall. Callie p$shed open her door, ready to eFperien!e the
+$ll pl$shness o+ the spa. 3he?d ta"e a hot b$bble bath and !$rl $p in bed with the .9
on.
Callie +lipped on the light, ill$minating the single low5wattage lamp in the !orner, a
brass base with a simple white shade. Elegant simpli!ity was !learly the vibe here. A
dra+t whistled +rom $nder the windows, whi!h Callie was slow to realiEe didn?t have
!$rtains. 3he held hersel+ as she shivered, goose pimples r$nning $p and down her arms.
.he bed in the !orner was small, and the mattress seemed a little thin>in +a!t, there was
something monasti! abo$t this whole pla!e. Callie investigated the bathroom, swit!hing
on the +l$ores!ent light, a little horri+ied to see some toiletries already on the bathroom
sin". ad they given her the wrong roomI
.hen she noti!ed the door to the adDoining room and realiEed the spa?s mista"e>they?d
given her a room with a shared bathroom. 3he tho$ght o+ the time her mother too" them
to 1eFi!o, and they were p$t into a D$nior s$ite instead o+ the master s$ite they?d
boo"ed. 2t had been an absol$te nightmare to share a bathroom with her !o$nter5hog
mother. Callie t$rned o++ the bathroom light and traipsed over to the bed. 'o need to
+rea" o$t. 1aybe the old Callie wo$ld?ve r$stled Amanda o$t o+ bed to point o$t the
error, b$t Callie patted hersel+ on the ba!" +or being s$!h a tro$per. 3ee, Easy, she
wasn?t a prin!ess at all>everything !o$ld wait $ntil morning.
3he "i!"ed o++ her +lip5+lops and !rawled into bed +$lly !lothed, p$lling the woolly
blan"et over her head and b$rrowing her !old toes into the sheets. 2t was sort o+ li"e
!amping o$t. A little deprivation be+ore being spoiled rotten wo$ld D$st heighten the
sensations that awaited her in the morning, whi!h was only a +ew ho$rs o++ anyway. 3he
doEed o++ and dreamed o+ +l$++y !lo$ds +loating by $nder bright bl$e s"ies.
.he !lo$ds began sha"ing in the s"y, the s!ene t$rning bla!", Callie started awa"e to
+ind a large, Eastern E$ropean5loo"ing woman hovering over her bed. .he woman had a
tight grip on Callie?s arm and didn?t let $p even tho$gh Callie was !learly awa"e.
C3$nrise,H the woman said in her thi!" a!!ent. C.ime to get $p.H
Callie blin"ed her eyes. C$hIH
.he woman !lapped her strong5loo"ing hands together and didn?t move away +rom
Callie?s bed. 8hy hadn?t Amanda warned her abo$t the insane storm trooper who shared
the adDoining roomI
C8hat time is itIH Callie as"ed groggily. 3he hadn?t pa!"ed anything, and witho$t her
sleeping mas" or her portable alarm !lo!" she +elt !ompletely disoriented.
C.ime +or the morning mar!h,H the woman answered, grabbing the top o+ Callie?s
blan"et and tossing it at her +eet.
.he +irst light o+ day seeped into the room and Callie heard the omino$s +all o+
+ootsteps in the hallway.1orning mar!hI 8as there going to be weird !hanting
involvedI
And what had she gotten hersel+ intoI
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
:wl 'et 2nstant 1essage 2nboF
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
*rom,Angeli!aPardeeQwaverly.ed$
.o,;$mbarton 0esidents
;ate,*riday, 'ovember ), 6,2@A.1.
3$bDe!t,8ater ;amage
As some o+ yo$ m$st have noti!ed, the heavy rains led to an $n+ort$nate in!ident last
night. .he large oa" tree o$tside the dorm !rashed into the b$ilding, brea"ing several
windows, r$pt$ring a water pipe, and !a$sing +looding to several rooms. *or the neFt
+ew days, while the damaged rooms are $nder repair, we appre!iate whatever yo$ !an
do to a!!ommodate o$r displa!ed st$dents. 2<ll be ma"ing ro$nds to !he!" on these
st$dents and their hosts.
1any than"s +or yo$r !ooperation,
Angeli!a
))
A 8A9E0L( :8L AL8A(3 ELP3 A *02E'; 2' 'EE;>E9E' 2* 3E?3 A'
EB5#20L*02E';.
At the so$nd o+ the door to her room opening, Brett li+ted her head +rom the Latin boo"
she?d been doEing on. er hair +l$ttered dangero$sly !lose to the !o++ee5s!ented !andle
on her des". 2t was still early on *riday morning, and she?d been too laEy to get her
morning !$p +rom 1aFwell all, hoping instead to get some !a++eine vibes +rom the
!andle.
-enny po"ed her head into the room, her brown eyes wide with glee. C0eady +or the
re!apIH 3he s!ooted into the room, dressed in a white b$tton5down $nder a sleeveless
red sweaterdress and thi!" wool tights, loo"ing li"e a totally adorable #ap ad.
CAll in all, a pretty good night.H Brett smiled. ;espite the J$easiness in her stoma!h>
did -ennynever get h$ngoverI>she !o$ldn?t "eep the smile o++ her +a!e as she tho$ght,
+or the millionth time sin!e last night, abo$t how -eremiah had appeared o$t o+ nowhere
and swept her away. CAnd that?saside +rom the +a!t that yo$ won.H
-enny giggled and slid her oversiEe Le3portsa! tote to the +loor. 3he sat down on Brett?s
2ndian5print +$!hsia !om+orter. C.hat was !raEy, rightIH 3he loo"ed relaFed, her s"in
+l$shed a healthy pin".
C'ot at all>yo$ absol$tely glowed.H .he moment Brett had seen -enny in her seFy
white Cleopatra dress, she?d "nown it meant tro$ble +or .insley?s winning strea". 2t was
abo$t time someone made .insley realiEe everything wasn?t going to be handed to her
on a silver platter.
-enny?s bl$sh deepened as she leaned ba!" on an elbow. C.hat was D$st yo$r body
glitter.H 3he played with the miF o+ !h$n"y bra!elets on her wrist. CB$t it was "ind o+
!ool to be $p onstage.H
Brett smiled at her +riend and pi!"ed a +le!" o+ lint o++ her dar" bl$e Earl Deans. CB$t
yo$ "now 2 want to hear the D$i!y st$++.H
C8hat D$i!y st$++IH -enny as"ed inno!ently.
Brett tilted her head and loo"ed o$t the window. Even in the gray driEEle, 8averly
loo"ed bea$ti+$l to her. .he damp J$ad was !overed in brilliant leaves, and st$dents in
brightly !olored rain gear r$shed o++ to !lasses. C2 saw yo$ tal"ing to some mysterio$s
stranger.H
-enny bit her lip, li"e she was trying not to grin too m$!h. C(o$ mean Torro.H
Brett san" down on her bed, eager +or the details. Cas he been, yo$ "now,wat!hing
yo$ +rom a+arIH
C2 don?t "now.H A long !hestn$t !$rl +ell into -enny?s +a!e and she J$i!"ly br$shed it
away. 3he sJ$eeEed her small hands together, li"e she was trying to "eep her eF!itement
+rom b$bbling over. C2 mean, 2 don?t want to get too eF!ited or anything, b$t we had
thistotally !harged !onversation.H
C3o, who is heIH Be!a$se o+ his dar" !ost$me and mas", Brett hadn?t been able to tell
m$!h abo$t the boy>besides that he li"ed the loo"s o+ a !ertain Cleopatra.
Ce wo$ldn?t give me his real name.H -enny held her hands $p. Ce was totally
mysterio$s. Li"e the real Torro.H
CLi"e, a banditIH Brett ar!hed an eyebrow.
Ce D$st seemed so A per+e!t.H -enny, loo"ing li"e she?d had her +ill o+ tal"ing abo$t
hersel+, J$i!"ly swit!hed the +o!$s to Brett. CB$t what abo$t yo$, 1iss 3!ooby5;ooI
A 2 saw at least one personappre!iating yo$r o$t+it.H
Brett bl$shed. A+ter the party, she and -eremiah had wandered aro$nd the soggy
!amp$s, holding hands and tal"ing abo$t the billion things that had been going on sin!e
they?d last been together. *inally, the rain had started !oming down harder and they?d
managed to ta"e !over in the gaEebo, where they?d lain down and "issed ea!h other?s
wet lips and +a!es passionately, li"e they !o$ldn?t get eno$gh. 2t was a per+e!t night.
Ce loo"ed good.H -enny grinned wi!"edly.
Brett ran the pads o+ her +ingers over her lips, trying to "eep her grin $nder !ontrol. C2
had no idea he?d be there>2 tho$ght he was still $pset over the whole =ara thing.H
C(eah, b$t AH -enny sat $p straighter on the bed. C2t?s not li"e yo$ g$ys were together
then, rightIH
C2 "now.H Brett was starting to +eel less g$ilty abo$t her little white lie. 2t was +or
-eremiah?s own good, anyway. CB$t when he !ame ba!" +or me, a+ter everythingH>
Brett waved her hand in the air by way o+ eFplanation>Hit D$st made me realiEe how
m$!h 2 love him A and 2 want him to be the one, yo$ "now.H
-enny raised her eyebrows. C0eallyI ;o yo$ thin" yo$?re readyIH
Brett nodded. A month ago, she?d tho$ght she was ready to sleep with -eremiah>and
then o$t !ame the news that he?d already slept with someone else. B$t now she meant it.
.he +a!t that she?d +orgiven -eremiah +or sleeping with that s"an" EliEabeth, and that
he?d +orgiven her +or ;alton, m$st mean that they really, tr$ly loved ea!h other. 2t was
easy to thin" yo$ loved someone>b$t a+ter they h$rt yo$, intentionally or not, and yo$
!o$ld still ta"e them ba!", that was something m$!h deeper.
3he?d been hoping that this wee"end they?d have a !han!e to snea" away to some
romanti! hotel. B$t -eremiah was leaving +or an away game against Elrod College Prep,
and wo$ld be gone the whole wee"end, meaning no illi!it little Da$nts away +rom
!amp$s.
-enny stared at the !eiling. C8o$ldn?t it be great i+ Torro was the one +or meIH she
as"ed dreamily.
C(o$ don?t even "now his real nameGH Brett la$ghed, plopping down on the bed neFt to
-enny. 3he stared $p at the !eiling, where the remnants o+ a *laming Lips poster she?d
h$ng $p and then de!ided to ta"e down still !l$ng, two torn !orners taped de+iantly to
the white paint.
-enny !ra!"ed a smile. C8hat does hisname have to do with itIH
.heir la$ghter was !$t short by a ding +rom Brett?s laptop.C:h, maybe that?s CallieIH
-enny loo"ed over at the !omp$ter. C2t?s totally weird that she didn?t !ome home last
night>do yo$ thin" she and Easy made $pIH
Brett +$rrowed her brow as she !he!"ed her e5mail. C2t?s D$st (vonne 3tidder. 3he wants
to "now abo$t the neFt 8omen o+ 8averly meeting.H
C2sthere a neFt meetingIH -enny as"ed eF!itedly, sitting $p on Brett?s bed.
/neFpe!tedly, the image o+ her and =ara "issing at the +irst 8o8 meeting +looded
Brett?s brain. 3he !o$ld +eel =ara?s lips on hers, and she !o$ld almost taste her !herry lip
gloss. An enormo$s g$ilt +ell li"e a !$rtain over her happiness abo$t -eremiah. 3he?d
lied to him abo$t =ara, a+ter all.
.he door p$shed open s$ddenly and Brett was semi5relieved to see .insley in the
doorway and not Pardee. 3tanding behind .insley was =ara, peering into the room
$n!ertainly.
C8hat?s going onIH Brett as"ed. 8hat was .insley doing with =araI 3he tried to give a
hal+5smile to =ara and a hal+5s!owl to .insley. 3he probably ended $p loo"ing li"e a
mental patient.
C.he tree that !rashed on the roo+ !ra!"ed a pipe in the pl$mbing and +looded a b$n!h
o+ rooms downstairs, in !ase yo$ haven?t heard.H .insley leaned !as$ally against the
doorway, in a pair o+ high5waisted gray abit$al Deans and a red thermal tee. A pair o+
silver hoops h$ng +rom her earlobes.
CAnd now poor =ara doesn?t have any pla!e to live. Can she stay with $sIH
=ara smiled aw"wardly.
CAre yo$ the new dorm momIH Brett as"ed .insley, annoyed that she wo$ld throw this
on her so s$ddenly, espe!ially in +ront o+ =ara. -enny giggled, not noti!ing>or not
!aring>abo$t the loo" .insley shot her.
C-$st trying to help o$t my +ellow 8averlies.H .insley smiled +a"ely at Brett. C8hat do
yo$ sayI 2t?ll be li"e the good old days.H
2n the doorway, =ara toyed with the +rayed bottom o+ her vintage "elly green striped
polo shirt, !learly embarrassed. C2 !an +ind somewhere else i+ it?s>H
C'o, don?t be silly. 2t?s no tro$ble at all.H Brett nodded, not wanting .insley to sense
how in!redibly aw"ward the arrangement wo$ld be +or Brett>whi!h was what .insley
!learly wanted.
C.erri+i!,H .insley !ooed, !lapping her hands together glee+$lly, the glittery pin" polish
on her nails spar"ling in the morning s$nlight. C2 g$ess she !o$ld D$st share yo$r bed.H
3he pa$sed +or a rea!tion +rom Brett. C:r whatever.H
C8e?ll +ig$re it o$t, than"s.H Brett stood $p, digging her p$rple5polished nails into her
palms, +ighting the $rge to p$ll o$t .insley?s sil"y dar" hair in two giant +ist+$ls. -enny
stood, too.
C.han"s.H =ara?s so+t haEel eyes st$died Brett?s +a!e. C3orry i+ it?s an in!onvenien!e.H
C2t?s not,H Brett answered, trying to tell =ara with her eyes that.insley was the
in!onvenien!e.
C:+ !o$rse not,H .insley e!hoed. 3he grabbed her !ropped tweed 'anette Lepore Da!"et
+rom the ba!" o+ her des" !hair.C8ell, now that that?s settled, 2<m o++ to do more good.H
3he !$rtsied and disappeared down the hallway.
C2<ll go get my st$++,H =ara said timidly, +ollowing .insley?s lead.
C8hat a tremendo$s pain in the ass .insley !an be,H Brett h$++ed as soon as they were
gone
C2<m late +or !lass.H -enny grabbed her messenger bag +rom the +loor.
Brett loo"ed at her wat!h. C3hit. 1e too. 8ait $p.H 3he was +ranti!ally sear!hing her
room +or her boo" bag when the +irst beats o+ the *leetwood 1a! song C(o$ 1a"e
Lovin< *$nH blared +rom her phone on the des".
-eremiah. 3he held $p a +inger +or -enny to wait. CelloIH
Ciya, sweetness,H -eremiah?s deep voi!e boomed +rom the other end. C8hat are yo$
$p toIH Brett !o$ld hear the sh$++le o+ -eremiah pa!"ing his bag>probably his h$nter
green L.L. Bean d$++el with his +aded initials on it>+or the wee"end.
C-$st heading to !lass with -enny.H 3he was abo$t to bit!h abo$t .insley, b$t bit her
tong$e when she realiEed -eremiah wo$ld be less than thrilled to learn =ara was going
to be staying with them +or a night or two. e wo$ldn?t be ba!" +rom his game $ntil
3$nday night, and =ara wo$ld s$rely be gone by then, so what was even the pointI
C2 wish 2 didn?t have to go,H -eremiah lamented, his Boston a!!ent and the early ho$r
ma"ing his voi!e so$nd adorably s!rat!hy. C2t?s a st$pid game anyway. Elrod s$!"s.H
C2 wish yo$ didn?t, either,H Brett said breathlessly into the phone.
C2 wish it were Christmas brea".H -eremiah?s voi!e was wist+$l, and she !o$ld
pra!ti!ally hear in his voi!e the !ra!"le o+ the +ire at his winter ho$se in 3$n 9alley.
A+ter the alloween party, he?d invited her to spend the brea" s"iing with his +amily.
3he !o$ld D$st pi!t$re the two o+ them, !$ddled $p with some hot !ho!olate that
-eremiah?s parents had spi"ed with brandy, wat!hing the snow+la"es +all on the
windows.
Brett +elt her +a!e +l$sh, and wished -eremiah !o$ld "now what she was thin"ing. C1e
too.H
C2 gotta r$n, babe,H -eremiah said wist+$lly. C-$st wanted to hear yo$r voi!e.H
CCall me later,H Brett said. C2 love yo$.H
C1e too.H -eremiah?s voi!e was low and throaty. C2 hate to thin" o+ yo$ all by yo$r
lonesome this wee"end>do something +$n witho$t me, V"ayIH
C(o$ bet.H Brett !li!"ed the phone sh$t and stared at it, +roEen.
C8hat was that all abo$tIH -enny as"ed, her eyes J$estion mar"s.
B$t Brett s$ddenly +elt de+lated, the happy gossipy mood she?d been in earlier having
evaporated. 'ow the !reeping sensation that she was doing something wrong started to
settle over her, and the last thing she wanted to do was tal" abo$t it. C:h, nothing,H she
breeEed, st$++ing her eight5po$nd Latin teFt in her ba!"pa!". CLet?s D$st get o$t o+ here.H
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
:wl 'et 2nstant 1essage 2nboF
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
;rew#ately,.old yo$ 2<d +ind yo$. Torro never misses his mar".
-enny$mphrey,e !ertainly doesn?t. B$t it?s good to "now he has a real name. 8here
!an 2 +ind yo$I
;rew#ately,1eet me in the senior par"ing lot a+ter !lassI
-enny$mphrey,2 have +ield ho!"ey, b$t a+ter that 2<m all yo$rs.
;rew#ately,.hat?s what 2 li"e to hear. OM
)2
A 8A9E0L( :8L E'-:(3 A CALLE'#2'# A332#'1E'..
As Brandon stepped into 1rs. orniman?s !lassroom in op"ins all on *riday
a+ternoon, he +elt a strange sense o+ dPDW v$. .he last time he?d sat in this !lassroom, +or
1rs. orniman?s 2ntro to 8averly seminar as a +reshman, he and Callie had D$st gotten
together, his stepmonster had D$st given birth to the devil?s spawn twins, and he?d been
three in!hes shorter. 2t was li"e moving away +rom yo$r hometown as a "id and !oming
ba!" as an ad$lt> everything D$st seemed a little bit smaller than yo$ remembered.
Even 1rs. orniman seemed to have shr$n", or maybe it was those horrible +lat brown
loa+ers she was wearing.
Enormo$s plate glass windows lined the entire le+t side o+ the !lassroom. Brandon slid
into a seat toward the ba!". .he room was slowly +illing $p with h$ngover D$niors.
Benny C$nningham wore enormo$s bla!" 1ar! -a!obs s$nglasses, and eath and =ara
too" the only two seats neFt to ea!h other, a +ew rows in +ront o+ Brandon. e grinned
as 3age slipped into the room and made her way to the empty seat behind him.
:n!e everyone had ta"en their seats, 1rs. orniman stood $p behind her des" at the
+ront o+ the room. C.han" yo$ all +or showing $p today,H she intoned, playing on the
+a!t that their presen!e was mandatory. Altho$gh no one really wanted to be there, they
all realiEed how essential orniman?s approval was, and he wo$ldn?t have been
s$rprised to see apples and ershey?s "isses +rom all the D$nior brown5nosers lined $p
on her des".
3age?s pear5s!ented body lotion wa+ted over to him, and he was instantly reminded o+
their ma"e5o$t session the night be+ore. A+ter wal"ing her home to ;$mbarton, he?d
$n!hara!teristi!ally p$lled her behind the pine trees, and they?d "issed and "issed as the
other revelers tri!"led home. *or whatever reason, the Bond !ost$me had emboldened
him, b$t now, the morning a+ter>he was ba!" to J$estioning every single move he
made.
Brandon too" o$t his 2talian leather Do$rnal and wrote a note +or 3age with a single
J$estion>8here are yo$ applyingIe +olded it into a tight triangle and !$pped it in his
palm. 2t wasn?t the "ind o+ b$rning J$estion that warranted a s$rreptitio$s, over5the5
sho$lder note pass, and he hoped she wo$ldn?t thin" it was totally lame. B$t he !o$ldn?t
stand sitting so !lose to her witho$t some +orm o+ !onta!t. e passed the note behind
him, stealing a glan!e over his sho$lder at 3age. 3he loo"ed adorable, wearing a !andy
pin" .heory sweater with a train o+ b$ttons r$nning $p the +ront and wide5leg Paige
Deans, her long sil"y hair p$lled ba!" with tiny barrettes.
er deli!ate +ingers !leanly swiped the note +rom his palm, a per+e!t hando++. 3he wore
a ladyb$g ring on her right indeF +inger. 1aybe he?d tear another pie!e o+ paper +rom his
Do$rnal and write something abo$t how the ladyb$g was almost as !$te as she was. :r
was that even more lameI
C'ow, 2 want yo$ all to be !ompletely honest with me.H 1rs. orniman tapped the
edge o+ the he+ty vol$me o+#reat EFpe!tations she was holding in her hand, as i+ to
remind the st$dents o+ why they were here. 2ts gold lettering re+le!ted the a+ternoon
s$nshine. Cow many o+ yo$ !ame in here today thin"ing yo$?ll get into !ollege D$st
be!a$se yo$ grad$ated +rom 8averlyIH
A+ter a moment?s hesitation, a hal+5doEen hands shot $p in the air, two o+ them
belonging to eath *erro. C8ait, isn?t that the reason wego to 8averlyIH he as"ed in
mo!" inno!en!e. e straightened one o+ the rolled5$p sleeves o+ his +aded bl$e 0alph
La$ren oF+ord shirt.
Brandon rolled his eyes. eath?s +ather was the president o+ an ill$strio$s investment
ban"ing +irm in the !ity, and his mother was an art !riti! +or the'ew (or" .imes . Both
wo$ld probably shit a bri!" i+ eath didn?t get into Prin!eton.
1rs. orniman pointed her !opy o+#reat EFpe!tations in eath?s dire!tion. C.hat?s
what 2 tho$ght, too. B$t 2 was waitlisted at my top three !olleges, and yo$ "now whyIH
3he didn?t wait +or the answer. 2nstead she wal"ed aro$nd and per!hed on her des". 3he
p$lled the belt o+ her oversiEe +all lea+5embroidered sweater tight aro$nd her waist.
CBe!a$se 2 didn?t do any !ollege prep. .his seminar is all abo$t how yo$ present
yo$rsel+.H 3he lowered her !hin and stared down at the !lass over the rims o+ her
glasses, her gaEe +inally resting on Brandon. CAnd note5passing is not the best way to
ma"e a good +irst impression.H
Brandon sl$mped in his !hair. B$sted.
CLet?s have a loo", shall weIH 1rs. orniman wal"ed $p to 3age and held o$t her hand.
3age s!anned the room nervo$sly and Brandon was glad he hadn?t a!ted on the !$te5
ladyb$g imp$lse. A!t$ally, the J$estion in his note was so boring, it was almost more
embarrassing.
CLeave o$t the dirty parts,H eath yawned, +a!ing +orward. C2 don?t want to s$lly my
virgin ears.H
1rs. orniman lightly slapped eath on the ba!" o+ the head as she made her way to
the +ront o+ the room, note in hand. eath s!rewed $p his +a!e li"e a +ive5year5old who
wanted his mom.
1rs. orniman per!hed on her des" again and st$died the note. C9ery interesting,H she
eF!laimed. C2 apologiEe, 1r. B$!hanan. 2 had no idea this was !lass5related.H 3he
addressed the !lass. C.he J$estion is, V8here are yo$ applyingI< .he answer,
Bennington, '(/, Col$mbia, 3arah Lawren!e, and A arvard.H 1rs. orniman
loo"ed at 3age. C2 ass$me that?s yo$r sa+ety.H .he !lass er$pted in la$ghter and 3age
bl$shed. Brandon r$bbed the ba!" o+ his ne!" and stared at his titani$m ;ol!e K
#abbana wat!h.
C'ow,H 1rs. orniman anno$n!ed, Ctoday?s topi! is the !ollege essay. 2 will pair ea!h
o+ yo$ $p +or some brainstorming. (o$?ll interview ea!h other to sort o$t possible
topi!s.H
Brandon +elt his palms heat $p at the tho$ght o+ p$lling 3age over to the !orner and
spending the rest o+ the ho$r D$st tal"ing to her.
CLet?s +o!$s on essay topi!s today,H 1rs. orniman !ontin$ed. C'eFt wee" we?ll try to
shape o$r topi!s into something !oherent. 3o the brainstorming !an be spontaneo$s.
Even i+ yo$ thin" the topi! is too silly, or too small, write it down. Later 2<ll help yo$
whittle the list down. And remember that sometimes two seemingly disparate topi!s !an
really be related, one strengthening the point yo$?re trying to ma"e with the otherA .H
Everyone began to pair $p, !hairs dragging a!ross the !he!"ered tile +loor. Brandon
J$i!"ly t$rned his des" to pair $p with 3age.
C.han"s +or getting me b$sted.H 3age smiled. er aJ$a eyes were a little red5rimmed
and tired5loo"ing, b$t she still loo"ed gorgeo$s.
C3orry abo$t that.H Brandon shr$gged sheepishly.
C.rying to get her thrown o$t be+ore she even has a !han!e to apply to !ollegeIH eath
!h$!"led as he and =ara +a!ed o++, their des"s $n!om+ortably !lose to Brandon and
3age?s. Brandon ignored eath.
CLet?s brea" yo$ g$ys $p.H 1rs. orniman made a motion li"e she was parting the 0ed
3ea. C1r. B$!hanan, yo$ go with 1s. 8halen. 1r. *erro, pair $p with 1s. *ran!is, o$r
aspiring Benningtonite.H
Brandon gave 3age a wist+$l smile, and the +o$r o+ them resh$++led their des"s so that
=ara?s +a!ed Brandon?s, and eath?s +a!ed 3age?s. e !o$ldn?t help glan!ing nervo$sly
at eath, who was stret!hed ba!" in his !hair, his shirt rising to reveal the waistband o+
his +aded smiley5+a!e boFers.
C3o, 3age,H eath began, leaning +orward. e dr$mmed his +ingertips against the
wooden des". C8hat did yo$ wear on yo$r +irst day at 8averlyIH
C8hatIH 3age bl$shed. Brandon !len!hed his +ist, annoyed that o+ all the people in the
!lass, his girl+riend had been paired $p with his perpet$ally inappropriate roommate.
C2gnore him.H =ara leaned over toward 3age, rolling her eyes. Ce D$st wants
attention.H 3he t$rned ba!" to Brandon and p$lled a noteboo" o$t o+ her ba!"pa!".
CLet?s D$st try to !ome $p with some topi!s. 8hat abo$t AH er voi!e trailed o++ as she
+ingered her antiJ$e5loo"ing !oral drop earrings and tried not to glan!e over at eath.
Brandon tapped his pen against his noteboo" and stole a glan!e at 3age. 3he was
r$bbing her !hin. C2 thin" 2 wore my 1iss 3iFty !ord$roy bell5bottoms. 2 $sed to be
"ind o+ a hippie.H 3he giggled and met Brandon?s eye>he was already imagining her in
a pair o+ tight !ords, braless beneath a white peasant blo$se>be+ore she t$rned ba!" to
eath. C8hat abo$t yo$IH
C1y l$!"y AJ$aman .5shirt.H eath r$bbed his !hee" tho$ght+$lly, !learly +ond o+ the
memory. CAnd g$ess whatI 2t paid o++.H e batted his eyelashes at =ara.
=ara pressed her bare lips together, !learly trying to s$ppress a grin. 3he !lapped her
hands together to get Brandon?s attention. CAll right, Brandon. 8ho?s yo$r +avorite
s$perheroIH
C2<m not s$re there?s a !ollege essay there, 1s. 8halen.H 1rs. orniman appeared,
hovering behind Brandon?s des".er p$mp"in earrings Dangled as she shoo" her head.
CB$t 2<d li"e to hear the answer.H
3$perheroI Brandon +elt his +a!e +l$sh. Everyone?s eyes seemed to be on him as he
str$ggled to !ome $p with a name. B$t the only thing that !ame to mind was the
eF!r$!iating memory o+ himsel+ at +ive, wat!hing8onder 8oman !$rled $p with his
mother on the !o$!h while his dad wor"ed late. e even remembered r$nning aro$nd
the ho$se swinging a leather belt and pretending it was a golden lasso. .hat was
de+initelynot the "ind o+ story he wanted to share with anyone>eath was already
a!!$m$lating bits o+ eviden!e o+ Brandon?s gayness, and he didn?t need to give him any
more amm$nition. 8hat abo$t 3$permanI 'o, that was possibly even gayer. e +elt
3age wat!hing his +a!e, whi!h made it even harder to thin". C/h, -ames BondIH
eath let o$t what !o$ld only be des!ribed as a giggle, and even 3age and 1rs.
orniman !h$!"led a little.
C-ames Bond isn?t really a s$perhero,H =ara pointed o$t politely, her brow wrin"led as
i+ she were deep in tho$ght. C2n the !onventional sense, at least.H
C3$re, not in the !onventional sense,H Brandon h$++ed. CB$t he, $h, always gets the hot
girls.H eath held his hand $p +or a high +ive b$t Brandon ignored him, trying to !at!h
3age?s eye. 3he win"ed +lirtatio$sly at him>wait, did she a!t$ally li"e it when he said
st$pid ma!ho thingsI 8hen he so$nded li"e eathI
1rs. orniman planted her hand on Brandon?s sho$lder and gave him a sJ$eeEe. C'i!e
try, B$!hanan. -$st be grate+$l yo$ weren?t as"ed that J$estion by yo$r (ale interviewer,
or, 2 have to say, yo$ probably won?t be spending yo$r !ollege years in 'ew aven.H
3he patted him en!o$ragingly, then t$rned to +a!e the !lass. CEveryoneI 2<d li"e yo$ to
!hoose a topi! +rom the list yo$ brainstorm today, and write $p an essay to bring with
yo$ neFt wee". 8hi!h means no goo+ing o++ today,H she +inished, then moved away
+rom Brandon to another gro$p.
C-ames BondIH eath po"ed his +inger into Brandon?s ribs on!e she was gone. Ce?s a
+$!" o+ a lot smoother than yo$.H
Brandon ran his hand thro$gh his spi"y golden5brown hair and leaned ba!" in his !hair.
C3h$t $p. orniman was ma"ing me nervo$s.H
C1y brain is li"e a giant bri!" today.H =ara r$bbed her temples. C8e were $p way too
late last night.H
C8ell, 2 s$ggest we re!onvene this wee"end with a little in!entive.H eath bro$ght an
imaginary bottle to his mo$th and too" an invisible !h$g. C.he J$estions will +low more
+reely $nder those !ir!$mstan!es. And the answers, too.H
Cey, i+ it?ll help me get into arvard, how !o$ld 2 re+$seIH 3age tilted her head at
Brandon, her eyes already +lashing with eF!itement.
C(o$?re all right, hippie !hi!".H eath held o$t his +ist and 3age p$n!hed it. C;etails to
+ollow. B$!hanan, yo$ inIH
Brandon sighed, b$t nodded in agreement. e needed an essay topi!, and they !ertainly
weren?t going to get anything done today.
:ne thing -ames Bond didn?t have, a Da!"ass roommate.
)%
A 8A9E0L( :8L .A=E3 E9E0( :PP:0./'2.( .: LE. A' EB =':8
8A. E?3 12332'#.
.insley des!ended the steps o+ ;$mbarton, her white :liver Peoples aviators p$lled
over her eyes. .he s"ies were +illed with omino$s rain !lo$ds that threatened to b$rst at
any moment. 3he Eipped $p her bla!" ;iesel bomber Da!"et, +eeling low5"ey in a pair o+
gray - Brand slim5+it Deans and bla!" +lats.;em$re, she reminded hersel+ as she +o$ght
the $rge to t$rn ba!" inside and !rawl $nder the !overs.2ndi++erent. /npert$rbed .
-enny?s !rowning at the alloween party had been a +l$"e, o+ !o$rse>was there some
"ind o+ $ndergro$nd !ampaign among $nder!lassmen and other losers to p$t one o+
their own $p onstageI 2thad to have been rigged. B$t .insley was s$rprised at how
m$!h it still st$ng the morning a+ter. 3he?d slept badly, wa"ing $p in starts and then
+alling ba!" asleep only to +ind a sl$tty5loo"ing Cleopatra waiting +or her in her dreams.
3he !on!entrated on holding $p her !hin as she strolled a!ross !amp$s. 2t wasn?t li"e
she really !ared abo$t the st$pid !ost$me !ompetition, anyway. 3he was on her way to
1aFwell all to st$dy +or her intro to art history midterm, where she?d spread her boo"s
o$t on a !o++ee table and !$rl $p in one o+ the l$F$rio$s overst$++ed arm!hairs. 2n +$ll
p$bli! view, she?d show how !ompletely and $tterly $nbothered she was by the +a!t that
little -enny $mphrey had stolen her th$nder.
.insley?s phone b$EEed to li+e +rom inside her leather *endi messenger bag. As she
opened the bag to rea!h +or it, her entire sta!" o+ art history st$dy !ards t$mbled o$t,
s!attering a!ross the wet !on!rete sidewal" in +ront o+ 1aFwell. *$!".
3he bent down to start pi!"ing them $p, hoping they wo$ldn?t get !ompletely soa"ed
thro$gh. As she rea!hed +or a Botti!elli note !ard she noti!ed a tall, thin boy !oming
down the 1aFwell steps, headed dire!tly toward her. -$lian.
Cey.H .insley glan!ed $p at him only brie+ly as she t$!"ed the !ard into her bag,
praying that -$lian was too m$!h o+ a gentleman not to help her o$t, no matter how mad
abo$t the -enny thing he might still be. B$t really, sho$ldn?t.insley be the one harboring
a gr$dge, sin!e he?d gone behind her ba!" and started hoo"ing $p with the little
s"an"ette in the +irst pla!eI
3he heard the sh$++le o+ his snea"ers against the wet !on!rete.
Cey,H he said at last, and stepped toward her with a !$rt nod. .he sight o+ -$lian,
hesitating at the bottom o+ the steps in his olive5green hoodie and +aded brown & *or All
1an"ind !ords, his longish hair p$shed behind his ears, made her "nees wea". *inally
he bent down to rea!h +or some o+ the s!attered !ards.
C.han"s,H she said, !are+$l not to let her hands stray too !lose to his as he snat!hed the
!ards $p h$rriedly.
-$lian shr$gged and let o$t some "ind o+ a++irmative gr$nt. e handed her a
1i!helangelo !ard with a bright red oa" lea+ st$!" to the dates on the ba!".
.insley bit the inside o+ her !hee". A strand o+ hair slipped loose +rom her ponytail,
+alling in her +a!e. 3he stood $p slowly so that she was loo"ing down at him. C3o, $h,
where were yo$ last nightIH
-$lian didn?t loo" $p, instead handing her the last +ew damp !ards. e p$t his hands on
his thighs and then straightened $p. 3he?d +orgotten how tall he was>almost a head
taller than her. C2n my room,H he answered non!halantly.
CEveryone was loo"ing +or yo$ at the party,H .insley lied, sh$++ling the sta!" o+ indeF
!ards in her hands. 3he smoothed a strand o+ hair behind her ear.
C(eahI Li"e whoIH -$lian as"ed, his voi!e +lat. *inally, his brown eyes met hers. B$t
instead o+ the warm ones she "new, they were $tterly emotionless.
C8ell, me, +or one,H .insley said so+tly. 3he !o$ld +eel his resistan!e, b$t she !o$ldn?t
help hersel+. 3he wanted to grab him by his sho$lders and press her lips to his and ma"e
him remember how good it +elt. 3he too" a step toward him, her bla!" .ory B$r!h +lats
s!$++ing against the wet pavement.
C2 didn?t +eel li"e it,H -$lian said, as i+ that eFplained his absen!e. e st$++ed his hands
into the po!"ets o+ his !ords, !ompletely indi++erent to her a!"nowledgment that she?d
been the one loo"ing +or him. B$t at least he wasn?t wal"ing away.
2+ -$lian hadn?t gone to the party, he !learly hadn?t seen -enny?s tri$mphant as!ension to
the stage, a tho$ght that !heered .insley. .here had to be something le+t between them,
didn?t thereI 3he blin"ed her violet eyes and de!ided to tell him on!e and +or all how
she really +elt.
CB$t even i+ 2 had goneH>-$lian shi+ted his !anvas ba!"pa!" +rom one sho$lder to the
other>H2 wo$ldn?t have wanted to hang o$t withyo$ .H
.he words weren?t sho$ted, or spat o$t, or said with any overt !r$elty, whi!h made
them h$rt all the more. -$lian was simply telling her the absol$te tr$th>as i+ she had
"nown it already.
.he door to 1aFwell all opened and a !o$ple o+ girls in brightly !olored rain gear
!ame bo$nding down the steps, giggling and opening their mail.
C-$lieGH Alan 3t. #irard !alled o$t to -$lian +rom a!ross the J$ad, where he and 0yan
0eynolds were tossing aro$nd a *risbee. -$lian raised a hand to the g$ys, and with a
last, almost pitying glan!e in .insley?s dire!tion, he t$rned his ba!" on her and wal"ed
away witho$t +$rther response.
3he wat!hed as -$lian?s +ig$re re!eded in the distan!e. e !a$ght $p with Alan, and
soon they were Doined by a !r$sh o+ boys headed toward the dining hall.
8hat. .he. *$!"IEveryone wanted to be aro$nd .insley Carmi!hael>didn?t theyI A
si!" +eeling over!ame her as she grasped +or the mental roster o+ ni!e things she?d done
+or her +ellow 8averlies. 3he?d started !ool !l$bs li"e the Cinephiles to bring a little
!$lt$red +$n into their dreary lives. 3he?d helped Callie get over Easy, at least the +irst
time aro$nd. 3he?d thrown the party at the 1iller +arm, whi!h had ended $p even more
eF!iting than she?d planned. 3he A well, the list went on and on.
2 wo$ldn?t have wanted to hang o$t with yo$.
.he words !$t so deeply .insley !o$ldn?t remember where she was going, and she sat
down on the steps. 3he +olded $p her "nees and rested her !hin on her hands. :ne last
damp, hal+5r$ined art history st$dy !ard lay disintegrating on the wal"way, loo"ing a lot
li"e her heart +elt right now.
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
:wl 'et 2nstant 1essage 2nboF
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
*rom,Brett1essers!hmittQwaverly.ed$
.o,3ebastian9alentiQwaverly.ed$
;ate,*riday, 'ovember ), )2,%4P.1.
3$bDe!t,0e, 1eeting
3ebastian,
3in!e 2 didn?t hear +rom yo$ abo$t my previo$s e5mail, and yo$ didn?t get in to$!h with
me at the alloween party>perhaps that wasn?t the right pla!e to dis!$ss things,
anyway>2 tho$ght 2<d try again. Are yo$ +ree to get together sometime this wee"end
and pra!ti!e some LatinI 2<m +ree all wee"end, so please let me "now.
Best,
Brett
)7
A 8A9E0L( :8L 'E9E0 #E.3 2'.: A CA0 82. A 3.0A'#E0>/'LE33
E 23 9E0(, 9E0( C/.E.
-enny spotted Torro>a"a ;rew #ately>lingering aro$nd the ben!hes at the edge o+
the senior par"ing lot. e stood among a gro$p o+ senior g$ys in la!rosse windbrea"ers
and girls in p$++y Da!"ets and !hinos. 3he pa$sed in the rain and listened to the driEEle
sma!" against her bla!"5and5white 1arime""o $mbrella, readying hersel+ to in+iltrate
the !rowd o+ people. B$t instead, ;rew seemed to sense her presen!e, glan!ing in her
dire!tion. 8ith a !o$ple J$i!" words to his +riends, he stepped away +rom them and
headed straight toward her.
8earing slightly +rayed "ha"is and a bl$e Aber!rombie K *it!h b$tton5down $nder a
hooded navy Le .igre Da!"et, ;rew loo"ed li"e a prototypi!al boarding s!hool boy,
well5bred, la!rosse5playing, 2vy leag$e>headed, and devilishly seFy.
C'o pra!ti!e, h$hIH ;rew ran a hand thro$gh his short, sandy blond hair and grinned
down at -enny. e was taller than her>o+ !o$rse, he?d be a midget i+ he wasn?t>b$t
was probably only +ive5nine or so. At least -enny had gotten something right this time.
1aybe this wo$ld wor" o$t better than +alling +or ginormo$s g$ys li"e Easy and -$lian
and +eeling $nbearably silly in !omparison.
2t wo$ld !ertainly be easier to "iss him.
CCan!eled.H 3he twirled her $mbrella over her sho$lder, enDoying the +eel o+ ;rew?s
+riends wat!hing her. .here were some5+amiliar +a!es>a girl everyone !alled -inFy who
lived on the +irst +loor in ;$mbarton, a g$y she?d seen hanging aro$nd .insley a +ew
times>b$t mostly she didn?t re!ogniEe them. C.he monsoon ma"es it a little hard.H
;rew gave her a loopy grin and p$lled a +aded 1ets hat onto his head. e glan!ed
down at her beneath the low brim. C.hat?s too bad. .hose +ield ho!"ey s"irts are pretty
adorable.H
C'ot when they?re !overed in m$d.H -enny glan!ed over ;rew?s sho$lder at his +riends,
who were all wat!hing the two o+ them. 3he "ind o+ wished he?d invite her over to meet
them. 2n her wide5leg -ames Deans and ;o! 1artens, and a s$per5so+t gray angora
sweater, -enny +elt very boarding s!hool !hi! hersel+. As she opened her mo$th to
s$ggest getting a !$p o+ !o++ee o$t o+ the rain, ;rew spo"e again.
C8ant to go +or a rideIH
C(o$ have a !arIH -enny as"ed, s$rprised. 3he p$lled the belt o+ her rain!oat tighter
aro$nd her as the rain started to +all more heavily. C2 tho$ght they were D$st +or day
st$dents.H
C2t?s my roommate?s,H ;rew eFplained. Ce got his parents to write some "ind o+
b$llshit medi!al note that says he needs a !ar.H .hey started wal"ing toward the par"ing
lot, and -enny +o$ght o++ a wave o+ disappointment that she wasn?t going to meet his
+riends. 8ell, even i+ no one saw them, it wo$ld still be ni!e to spend some time alone
with ;rew. A+ter all, she had to +ind o$t i+ he was her se!ret admirer. ;rew $nlo!"ed the
doors o+ a bla!" 1$stang !onvertible and opened the passenger door +or her. e grinned
down at her, bl$shing irresistibly, li"e he?d been thin"ing abo$t "issing her.
3$ddenly, the memory o+ her and -$lian?s +irst "iss Dolted her li"e an ele!tri! sho!".
3itting on the tree st$mp, o$tside the barn, $nder the !lear night s"y +illed with stars li"e
diamonds. .heir "iss had been so $neFpe!ted, and yet so nat$ral, as i+ they?d both
"nown all along it was going to happen.
8ell, ithad been per+e!t A $ntil she +o$nd o$t he?d been +ooling aro$nd with .insley
Carmi!hael. .hose +irst +ew days a+ter he?d told her abo$t .insley had been terrible. All
she !o$ld thin" abo$t was -$lian !omparing her "isses to .insley?s. e?d sent her e5
mails, and teFts, all trying to eFplain, and as"ing her to please give him another !han!e.
B$t it was too late. 2t was impossible to thin" abo$t "issing -$lian again witho$t
thin"ing abo$t .insley Carmi!hael?s tong$e in his mo$th.Ew .
;rew slid into the driver?s seat as -enny eased into the passenger?s. C2, $h, don?t thin"
2<ve been in a 1$stang be+ore,H she noted, hoping he !o$ldn?t dete!t the hesitation in
her voi!e. .he !ar was pretty !heesy. 2ts all5bla!" leather interior gleamed as i+ it had
been re!ently polished with a so+t !loth diaper, and there were no signs o+ the normal
1!;onald?s wrappers or !r$shed !igarette b$tts. B$t the smell o+ ;ra""ar 'oir
permeated the interior and -enny !ra!"ed the a$tomati! window a tad, D$st eno$gh to let
in some +resh air witho$t soa"ing the !ar with rain. A giant platin$m3 en!r$sted with
what -enny hoped weren?t real diamonds dangled on a !hain +rom the rear5view mirror.
;rew bl$shed as he adD$sted the rearview mirror. CPretty !lassy, h$hIH e tra!ed the
spar"ling3 with a +ingertip. C2 g$ess 2<ll have to ma"e s$re yo$r +irst time in a 1$stang
is an eFperien!e.H e p$t the !ar in reverse and stepped on the gas. -enny +elt her
stoma!h drop a little as the wet gravel sp$n beneath the tires and they whirled o$t o+ the
par"ing lot. .he bare bran!hes o+ wet trees rea!hed +or the sides o+ the !ar as they sped
thro$gh the 8averly gates. -enny settled ba!" in her seat, not s$re where they were
going>or why, eFa!tly>b$t she was de+initely going to appre!iate it.
C*ind some m$si! i+ yo$ want.H ;rew wiped a slash in the +og on the windshield with
the sleeve o+ his Le .igre Da!"et.
-enny settled ba!" in her seat and +lipped thro$gh a worn C; wallet with a ;rop"i!"
1$rphys sti!"er plastered on the +ront. 3he wat!hed the tiny stores in 0hine!li++ +lash
by and wished it were s$nny o$t so they !o$ld wander aro$nd arm in arm.
C1y roommate?s +rom -ersey, and he?s got some "ind o+ g$ido tastes.H ;rew nodded
toward the C; !ase. Ce?s !ool, tho$gh.H
C8here areyo$ +romIH -enny as"ed. 3he wondered what her +ather wo$ld say abo$t her
going +or a ride with a boy she?d D$st met>well, she "new what he?d say. B$t somehow,
she +elt totally !om+ortable aro$nd ;rew. -enny +lipped past Bon -ovi and 1y Chemi!al
0oman!e, loo"ing +or something a little more A she didn?t "now. A little less -ersey,
maybe.
C2 moved aro$nd a lot as a "id,H ;rew answered, r$nning a hand thro$gh his short,
sandy hair as the other remained poised on the wheel. C3an *ran!is!o, Chi!ago,
9ermont, a !o$ple years in #$am, a little time in #ermany.H
C0eallyIH 3he had no idea where #$am was, b$t it so$nded eFoti!. C.hat m$st have
been interesting.H
C'ot really. 2 "ind o+ D$st wished 2 !o$ld, yo$ "now, have a less !ompli!ated answer
when someone as"s where 2<m +rom.H ;rew?s mo$th !$rled into a hal+5grin. C3o where
areyo$ +romIH
C'ew (or",H -enny pro!laimed, a little s$rprised at how pro$d she was o+ the +a!t. 3he
spotted a C; with a bla!"5and5white photograph o+ an elephant in a top hat. C:h, 2 love
the 0aves.H 3he slid the C; into the player and t$rned the vol$me $p. C1y brother
t$rned me on to them,H she added, not wanting to brag abo$t the +a!t that she?d a!t$ally
spent a lot o+ time hanging o$t with the band, part o+ the reason she?d been Cas"edH to
not ret$rn to Constan!e Billard last year.
C8here does yo$r brother goIH ;rew t$rned the vol$me $p a little, whi!h -enny too"
as ta!it approval o+ her !hoi!e in m$si!.
Ce?s at Evergreen,H she said. C:$t in 8ashington 3tate.H 3he missed ;an and hoped
he?d +orget the lame plan he?d e5mailed her abo$t last wee". e was thin"ing o+
spending .han"sgiving wor"ing on abitat +or $manity ho$ses in 3po"ane. Co$ldn?t
he +or on!e be normal and !ome home +or some o+ 0$+$s?s +amo$s over!oo"ed s$!"ling
pig, st$++ed t$r"ey, and !ranberry5marshmallow5yam pieI 3he smiled at the tho$ght.
C;o yo$ have any brothers or sistersIH
C8hat?s yo$r +avorite pla!e in 'ew (or"IH ;rew as"ed at the same time, his +ingers
dr$mming the steering wheel. .hey both la$ghed.
CCentral Par", probably,H -enny said, s$rprised at how J$i!"ly it !ame o$t. C.he
3trand, o+ !o$rse. .he little shops on 3t. 1ar"?s. .he 1et.H
C2 love Central Par",H ;rew o++ered.
e t$rned the !ar onto a heavily wooded street, the almost bare trees +orming a dar"
!anopy over their heads. Cave yo$ even been down here be+oreIH he as"ed, glan!ing at
-enny. C.his is where the 0hine!li++ elite live.H e slowed the !ar down as they passed
the +irst ho$se, a sprawling .$dor with a red Pors!he in the driveway.
C'ot bad.H -enny spotted a modern5loo"ing ho$se that was all glass and wood and
sharp angles. 2t loo"ed D$st li"e the ho$se Brett had said Eri! ;alton lived in. 3he
wondered i+ he was inside right now, hoo"ing $p with some other $nderage girl, or i+
he?d !leared o$t o+ the area altogether.
;rew rested his hand !as$ally on the sti!" shi+t as they passed a monstro$s #eorgian
with two $mmers in the driveway. C3o,H he as"ed s$ddenly, his voi!e low and
s$ggestive. CAre yo$ glad yo$ didn?t get "i!"ed o$tIHC;$h,H -enny answered play+$lly,
shi+ting in the leather seat to +a!e him. 3he tossed her !$rly brown hair ba!" over her
sho$lders. C:therwise 2 wo$ldn?t be riding in a 1$stang right now.H
;rew?s eyes !rin"led as he smiled. C.hat?d be my loss.H .hey t$rned o++ the wooded
street and headed ba!" toward the main drag, disappointment s$rging thro$gh -enny.
3he?d "ind o+ hoped ;rew wo$ld want to A she didn?t "now. Par" somewhereI 2t
so$nded s"et!hy when she tho$ght abo$t it.
C3omeone told me yo$ had yo$r bags pa!"ed and everything,H he added. C2s that tr$eIH
-enny remembered that aw+$l a+ternoon, randomly +linging !lothes and her personal
belongings into d$++el bags and s$it!ases, trying desperately to hold ba!" tears. 3he
sh$ddered and shi+ted in her seat. 3he wanted to play it !ool with ;rew. C2t wasn?t a big
deal.H 3he tra!ed her +inger in the +og +orming at the bottom o+ her window. C2 don?t
have that m$!h st$++.H
;rew !h$!"led. C8ell, 2<m glad it wor"ed o$t.H
.here it was again, the same thing he?d said to her at the alloween party. 8hat did he
mean by Cwor"ed o$tHI-$st say it, she tho$ght. 3he t$rned and smiled at him and he
smiled ba!". C(eahIH she as"ed, trying to prompt him to say more with her eyes. Co$ld
it really be ;rew who?d paid o++ 1rs. 1iller to say her !ows started the +ireI 2+ so, how
long had he been wat!hing her +rom a+arI ow !ome he?d never said anything be+oreI
C(eah,H ;rew replied easily. C2+ yo$?d le+t 8averly, we never wo$ld?ve met.H e
glan!ed at her as he p$lled o$t into 1ain 3treet tra++i!. CAnd 2 really wanted to meet
yo$.H
-enny giggled. C8ell, 2<d really li"e to meet whoever saved me.H
C8o$ld yo$IH
C(eah, o+ !o$rse.H -enny bit her lower lip play+$lly. 3he sear!hed ;rew?s +a!e +or some
$nmista"able sign, b$t he was !on!entrating on the road. An old lady stepped into the
!rosswal" in +ront o+ 'o!t$rne, the newish twenty5+o$r5ho$r diner that had J$i!"ly
be!ome a +avorite 8averly hango$t. 3he waved her !ane angrily in the air, as i+ ;rew
had !ome too !lose +or !om+ort.
C8hat wo$ld yo$ say to himIH ;rew as"ed, a devio$s loo" !oming over his +a!e. e
a!!elerated as the old lady !leared the !rosswal".
8itho$t missing a beat, and not really "nowing where it !ame +rom, -enny said,
C1aybe 2 wo$ldn?t say anything. 1aybe 2<d show him.H A ray o+ s$nshine blasted
thro$gh the rain !lo$ds momentarily and then disappeared. -enny wished that they !o$ld
ta"e the top down and that everyone !o$ld see her with ;rew as they rolled thro$gh the
streets o+ 0hine!li++.
;rew p$lled into the 8averly par"ing lot. e !ir!led the visitor par"ing lot, loo"ing +or
a spot among the 0ange 0overs and B18s. e slipped in between a bl$e 35Class
1er!edes and a beat5$p 9olvo with a b$mper sti!"er that read2. 1E (:/ CA'?.
/0. 1E . -enny rea!hed +or the door as ;rew t$rned o++ the !ar.
C3o,H he said.
C3o AH 3he trailed o++.
.heir eyes met, and they both moved their +a!es !loser. -enny noti!ed the sweet smile
on ;rew?s lips as his mo$th met hers. 3he +elt her body melt and relaF as he pressed
against her, his mo$th warm and syr$py and eFa!tly what she wanted. A -a!$EEi warmth
spread thro$gh her as she +elt her hand rea!h o$t to to$!h ;rew?s ne!".
A lo$d tapping behind her Dolted -enny o$t o+ her pleasant oblivion. 3he D$mped ba!"
+rom ;rew, her heart almost +lying o$t o+ her !hest.
;rew p$lled away slowly, smiling. C#$ess my roommate wants his !ar ba!".H -enny
whirled aro$nd to see a +a!e in the passenger5side window.
C:h,H -enny said, ta"ing a deep breath. C#$ess so.H
.he driver?s side door opened and his roommate st$!" his head inside. e too" in -enny
with s$rprise, as i+ he?d been eFpe!ting someone else. is dar" eyes smiled mysterio$sly
at her. CCleopatra, rightIH -enny re!ogniEed ;rew?s roommate +rom the alloween party
>he was the handsome dar"5haired g$y who was dressed li"e someone on the3opranos.
2neFpli!ably, he was still wearing his gangster !ost$me, his thin white .5shirt strangely
inappropriate +or the weather, the gold !hains still hanging aro$nd his ne!".
C2 g$ess so.H -enny stepped o$t o+ the !ar, her shoes sin"ing into the wet gravel lot.
C.his is 3eb,H ;rew said by way o+ introd$!tion. e leaned his elbows on top o+ the !ar
and tilted his head at -enny. e loo"ed li"e he was still thin"ing abo$t "issing her.
CAnd this is 3eb?s !ar,H 3eb added, grabbing the "eys +rom ;rew?s hand. CAnd he?s got
some shit to do, so than"s +or bringing it ba!".H
C'o problem,H -enny said, grinning at 3eb?s -ersey a!!ent. 3he +lashed ;rew a smile
and held her hand $p in a little wave. 3he !o$ld tell he wanted her to stay and hang o$t,
b$t she was +loating +rom his "iss and she wanted to save more +or later. 1aybe she?d go
get a !$p o+ hot !ho!olate in 1aFwell and pretend to read1$!h Ado Abo$t 'othing
while she replayed their per+e!tX "iss in her head.
3he was glad it had wor"ed o$t.
)@
A 8A9E0L( :8L =':83 EB.0AC/002C.-LA03 A0E A' 21P:0.A'. PA0.
:* CA1P/3 L2*E.
Easy waited $nder the eaves o+ the dining hall on *riday evening as the rain pi!"ed $p
in intensity. A spray o+ water +rom the g$tters overhead tri!"led onto his already wet
8averly blaEer, and he !$rsed himsel+ +or leaving his waterproo+ 'orth *a!e Da!"et ba!"
in his room. e !o$ldn?t help thin"ing that maybe i+ he started wearing his 8averly
blaEer aro$nd and loo"ing more li"e the model st$dent the dean wanted him to be,
1arymo$nt wo$ld be less li"ely to b$y him a one5way ti!"et to military s!hool.
.he rain eased momentarily and he stepped o$t +rom $nder the overhang, sloshing
bris"ly a!ross the J$ad toward the +ield ho$se. 1rs. orniman?s parting s$ggestion that
he get involved with some eFtra!$rri!$lars was less a s$ggestion than a dire!t order, one
he "new he !o$ldn?t a++ord to ignore. 2t was "ind o+ late to be Doining a sports team, b$t
what were his other optionsI -oin the drama !l$b and snag a role in one o+ their pse$do5
intelle!t$al minimalist plays where two !hara!ters sat on stage and tal"ed abo$t death in
pig latinI Besides, Coa!h Cadogan, the twentysomething so!!er !oa!h, had tried to
bribe Easy into !oming o$t +or the team a+ter seeing him and Alan 3t. #irard "eep a
a!"y 3a!" in the air last spring +or a 8averly re!ord two and a hal+ ho$rs. 1aybe he
!o$ld D$st sit on the ben!hI
e?d had a passing interest in girls< +ield ho!"ey when he +irst starred dating Callie, b$t
that probably wasn?t what orniman had in mind.
.he door to the +ield ho$se was !ra!"ed open, and a toFi! wind o+ sweat and
mentholated !reams permeated the air. e heard a symphony o+ metalli! weights
!lan"ing as he approa!hed the door. e pa$sed be+ore p$shing thro$gh to +ind eath
wor"ing o$t in the +ar !orner with his so!!er !ronies, Lan!e 9an Bra!hel and .eag$e
8illiams. Apparently, it too" three g$ys to ben!h5press>one to do the wor" and two to
stand aro$nd and !heer him on. Along the ba!" wall, beneath the giant maroon5and5bl$e
8averly banners, some other g$ys shot a game o+ horse on the hal+ bas"etball !o$rt.
.here was Brandon B$!hanan, in what loo"ed li"e tennis whites, 0yan 0eynolds, Lon
Bar$EEa, Eri" :lssen, and Alan, who was the "i!"er on the +ootball team and got ribbed
mer!ilessly +or it. e !laimed to love it be!a$se he was never on the +ield +or more than
two min$tes in any game, ever. :ther than that, the +ield ho$se was empty>no girls in
+ield ho!"ey s"irts stret!hing or doing gymnasti!s.
Easy too" a deep breath. 1aybe doing some sort o+ a!tivity wo$ld help him +o!$s and
get his mind o++ Callie, an obsession that had gotten him too many reprimands, hal+ a
doEen tea!her !on+eren!es, m$ltiple probations, and several near5eFp$lsions. e?d gone
thro$gh a 'ietEs!he phase last spring a+ter ta"ing ;r. 0osenberg?s 2ntro to Philosophy
!lass, and remembered a J$ote +rom one o+ the dog5eared library boo"s, CAh, women.
.hey ma"e the highs higher and the lows more +reJ$ent.H
C(o$ lost, 8alshIH eath panted as he li+ted himsel+ o++ the weight ben!h. is heather
gray312LE 2* (:/ 8A'. .: =233 1E .5shirt was dren!hed with sweat.
Easy tipped his !hin, the way he?d seen Do!"s a!"nowledge ea!h other on !amp$s. e
had nothing to say to eath, b$t he didn?t "now Lan!e or .eag$e that well and +elt li"e
he?d stepped into enemy territory.
C8here?s Coa!h CadoganIH Easy as"ed, s$ddenly sel+5!ons!io$s in his 8averly blaEer
when all the other g$ys wore sweaty shirts and shorts.
Lan!e, a senior with an eFtra5large head, Dammed his th$mb in the air. C:n his ba!" in
the o++i!e,H he said. C3ays the rain ma"es his ba!" a!he.H
Easy wasn?t s$re i+ he sho$ld bother Coa!h Cadogan, b$t he also wasn?t s$re i+ D$st
showing $p at the gym wo$ld !o$nt with 1rs. orniman. e loo"ed at the grease board
o$tside Coa!h Cadogan?s o++i!e and saw the noti!e,ALL 3P:0.3 CA'CELE;
.:;A( ;/E .: 0A2'. 8:0= :/. 2'3.EA;, (:/ B2# BAB2E3.
Brandon let o$t a howl as a wide D$mp shot bo$n!ed o++ the rim and rainbowed ba!"
toward the weight ben!h. Ceads $pGH he !alled o$t. .he bas"etball bo$n!ed o++ a sta!"
o+ worn bl$e eFer!ise mats and rolled toward eath.
C#irlsGH eath sho$ted as he booted the ball ba!" toward the !o$rt. C8e?re trying to
p$mp $p hereG =eep yo$r balls to yo$rsel+.H
Brandon pi!"ed $p the ball and bo$n!e5passed it to Easy. C(o$ want inIH he as"ed. is
normally gelled5to5per+e!tion hair was damp and to$sled, and he loo"ed m$!h more
relaFed than $s$al. Apparently, dating 3age *ran!is was treating him right.
Easy shr$gged and dropped his !anvas messenger ba!" on the +loor, sliding his wet
8averly blaEer down on top o+ it. C3$re.H e !arried the ball onto the !o$rt, his wet
shoes sJ$ea"ing.
C.raveling,H Alan Do"ed as he ran $p behind Easy and tried to steal the ball +rom him.
C(o$ g$ys playing horseI 8hat letter is everyone onIH Easy as"ed, bo$n!ing the ball in
+ront o+ him and holding Alan ba!" with an arm. is older brothers $sed to ma"e him
play bas"etball with them D$st so they !o$ld have someone to "no!" to the gro$nd. 'o
wonder he tho$ght Do!"s were assholes.
C/,H0yan !alled o$t, bo$n!ing in pla!e on the balls o+ his +eet. 3ome part o+ him was
always moving>he "ept tapping his +oot, snapping his +ingers, r$bbing his "nees>and
Easy wished he wo$ld either get some 9ali$m or get laid.
Easy eyed the bas"et. C.here?s no/ in orse.H
C8e?re playing B$llshit,H Lon answered, l$nging +or Easy in an e++ort to snat!h the ball.
C3o$nds li"e yo$ !an?t get horses o++ yo$r mind. 8hat do yo$ do with them o$t in the
stables all day, anywayIH e leered at Easy.
C3ame thing yo$ do with Benny.H Easy bo$n!ed the ball a +ew times in +ront o+ him. e
+elt the r$bber dimples in his !all$sed hands as he let the ball +ly. e opened his eyes in
time to see it bo$n!e hard o++ the ba!"stop and right to Lon, who was rep$tedly getting
nowhere with Benny C$nningham a+ter wee"s o+ snea"ing her o$t to the gaEebo.
C'othing.H
CCold,H 0yan sho$ted, th$mping his +ist against his !hest and la$ghing. e held his
arms o$t +or the ball. Lon passed it to him, then good5nat$redly +lipped o++ Easy. 0yan
bo$n!ed the ball and h$rled it toward the bas"et, the bottom strings o+ the net
whooshing as the ball +ell D$st short.
C2 haven?t seen yo$ +$!"tards ma"e a shot yet,H eath !alled o$t, tearing his shirt o++
and Dogging over to the !o$rt, apparently needing to be hal+5na"ed to shoot properly.
CBe o$r g$est,H Brandon said. e p$mped the ball in eath?s dire!tion. eath !a$ght it
and dribbled in pla!e.
C*$!", 2<m bored,H he said. e heaved the ball more at Brandon than the bas"et. Cow
long !an we stay !ooped $p in hereIH
C(eah, me too,H Lan!e said. C2<m going +or a Dog. 8ho?s inIH
C1e,H .eag$e said. C2t?s D$st a little rain.H
.he rest o+ them wat!hed as Lan!e and .eag$e donned their maroon 8averly
windbrea"ers and headed o$t into the rain. Easy s!rat!hed his head and tried to imagine
why anyone wo$ld want to r$n at all, m$!h less r$n in the rain. Lon pra!ti!ed his D$mp
shot while everyone else stood on the sidelines.
C(o$ "now what we need to doIH eath as"ed s$ddenly, staring $p at a large banner
that read8A9E0L( B:(3< 3:CCE0 ;29232:' CA1P3 )4&&. C8e need to
organiEe a1en o+ 8averly !l$b.H
CA whatIH Lon sho$ted +rom the !o$rt.
C(o$ heard me,H eath answered. C8e need something +or times li"e these, when
we?ve got nowhere to go and nothing to do. .he !hi!"s have their little !l$b, so why
sho$ldn?t weIH
C(o$ mean li"e a po"er !l$b or somethingIH 0yan as"ed, wiping drops o+ sweat o++ his
+orehead and loo"ing less5than5enth$sed abo$t spending time with a b$n!h o+ g$ys.
C3trippers, po"er, s$re, whatever.H eath r$bbed his hands over his bare !hest, deep in
tho$ght. C.he point is, there are eno$gh o+ $s that we sho$ld band together and give the
ladies a r$n +or their money.H
Easy laEily pi!"ed $p the bas"etball and rotated it in his hands. 2t was $nli"ely that
1rs. orniman wo$ld !onsider eath?s po"erSstrip !l$b a worthwhile eFtra!$rri!$lar
a!tivity> b$t i+ they did it on s!hool gro$nds, and sort o+ +$dged their mission
statement a little, maybe it !o$ld pass.
C2t?s not a bad idea,H Brandon agreed. Easy glan!ed at Brandon, s$rprised to hear him
side with eath.
C.han"s +or the vote, B$!hanan,H eath said. C8ho else is inIH e raised his hand li"e
a se!ond5grader, and it wasn?t long be+ore the others did the same, all staring at Easy,
who still had his hands at his sides.
Easy shr$gged. is +ather belonged to the Cent$ry Cl$b ba!" in LeFington, where
las!ivio$s old geeEers pretended to love gol+ and ra!J$etball so they !o$ld l$st over the
!$rvy !ollege girls who spent their s$mmers handing them !o!"tails.8henever Easy
tho$ght abo$t any sort o+ male bonding, he tho$ght o+ those Da!"asses.
B$t military s!hool had to be worse. C(eah, s$re, o"ay,H Easy responded +inally.
C#ood,H eath said. C.his?ll sha"e things $p a little aro$nd here.H .he veins aro$nd his
le+t eye p$lsed, and Easy !o$ldn?t tell whether it was +rom li+ting weights or +rom
whatever wild, slightly illegal plans he was hat!hing +or the 1en o+ 8averly !l$b.
At least itso$nded o++i!ial.
)6
P(32CAL AC.292.( 23 E33E'.2AL .: A' :8L?3 8ELL5BE2'#.
Asharp pain shot thro$gh Callie?s ba!" as she +eebly sw$ng the aF with both hands. .he
d$ll blade th$dded into the st$mp o+ wood, shaving a little bar" o++, b$t hardly !ra!"ing
it into +irewood.
CP$t some m$s!le into itGH 'atasha bar"ed, !lapping her thi!", m$s!$lar hands li"e a
satani! !heerleader. 'atasha wasn?t her !oa!h?s real name, b$t Callie hadn?t managed to
!at!h it when the old h$n had spat it o$t at the !ra!" o+ dawn. 2t didn?t even so$nd li"e
'atasha>it was more g$tt$ral and mean so$nding.
C2<m slippingGH Callie protested, pointing at the oversiEe wor" boots 'atasha had iss$ed
her. 3he?d been given standard5iss$e denim pants Lto !all them Deans wo$ld have been
+lattery they didn?t deserve>they were high5waisted and +elt li"e they were made o+
!ardboardM and a b$tton5down +lannel shirt. *lannelI And now !hopping woodI 3he
hadn?t worn +lannel sin!e her grandmother had given her a pair o+ pin" paDamas with
"ittens on them in third grade>and they?d +elt li"e satin !ompared to this nasty +abri!.
.his pla!e was not, in any sense o+ the word, a spa. .he se!ond 'atasha had le+t her
room a+ter the br$tal awa"ening that morning, Callie had immediately rea!hed +or her
silver 0aEr to !all her mother. 3he needed to LAM bit!h her o$t>she sho$ld be getting a
+a!ial, not !hopping woodG>and LBM get the hell o$t o+ here. B$t to Callie?s horror, she
+o$nd her !ell phone had been !on+is!ated. 3he threatened to !all the poli!e on 'atasha,
thrashing aro$nd her barren room. B$t o+ !o$rse, !alling the poli!e wo$ld also reJ$ire a
phone. *ig$ring this !o$ldn?t last +orever, she?d rel$!tantly slipped into the thi!" wor"
pants and la!ed $p the boots that were at least hal+ a siEe too big and loo"ed li"e they?d
been worn by abo$t a h$ndred people be+ore her.
C/se yo$r m$s!les,H 'atasha snapped, leaning toward Callie threateningly. Callie
glared at her and planted her boots more +irmly in the m$d. 3he t$rned her ba!" on
'atasha and blin"ed her eyes rapidly. 2t was positivelyar!ti! here>even her teeth were
!old>and she !o$ld +eel her hair +riEEing nastily witho$t her :s!ar Blandi intensive
repair !onditioner.
.he bran m$++in Callie had been +or!ed to wol+ down at brea"+ast in the !a+eteria
l$r"ed dangero$sly in her throat. .he !a+eteria was little more than a set o+ wooden
pi!ni! tables s!r$n!hed together in a tight, wood5paneled room, as i+ it were some sort
o+ prison !amp. 3he?d hoped to !ommiserate with the other g$ests>i.e., inmates>b$t
no one wo$ld loo" $p +rom their m$++ins, whi!h had appeared thro$gh a swinging door
in the !orner o+ the room, !arried on silver trays by two sti++5ba!"ed men dressed head
to toe in white. 3he +elt li"e she was in:ne *lew :ver the C$!"oo?s 'est, the totally
s!ary n$tho$se +li!" they?d wat!hed in +reshman English !lass.
1ore dist$rbing than the J$iet sma!"ing o+ lips and the barely a$dible swallowing was
the woman with her hair t$!"ed $nder one o+ those !aps with ear+laps who didn?t even
eat her meager brea"+ast, !hoosing instead to sti!" it into her po!"et. 8hat did that
mean abo$t l$n!hI Callie had never tho$ght she?d miss the 8averly dining hall so
m$!h. 3he?d give anything +or a toasted bagel slathered in b$tter.
.he !ampers whose Dob it was to ha$l away the splintered +irewood stood neFt to
'atasha with their hands on their hips. Callie gripped the aF handle tightly and li+ted the
aF over her head, swaying dangero$sly as it threatened to p$ll her ba!"ward and into the
siF5+oot snowdri+t. 3he eyed the +lat +a!e o+ the st$mp and mar"ed right where she
wanted to bring down the aF. 2t was D$st li"e +ield ho!"ey, she told hersel+. (o$ had to
"eep yo$r eye on the ball, or in this !ase, the spot. 3he bro$ght the aF down with all the
+or!e her tired body !o$ld s$mmon. .he aF ri!o!heted o++ the st$mp and +ell to the
gro$nd, twisting Callie?s wrist so that the pain in her ba!" s$ddenly had !ompany.
C:wGH she !ried o$t.
C'ever mind,H 'atasha growled and p$shed Callie aside. 3he pi!"ed $p the aF, and
Callie noti!ed she wasn?t even wearing gloves. 'atasha bro$ght the aF down with
a$thority and the st$mp shattered into pie!es. .he other !ampers s!rambled to !olle!t
the wood be+ore it !o$ld get wet in the snow.
Anger boiled in Callie?s brain. 8hy the +$!" had her 0ep$bli!an mom sent her on some
+as!ist retreatI ow had she let hersel+ be s$!"ered so easilyI 8asn?t anyone in her
*riday a+ternoon !al! !lass wondering where the hell she was by nowI
'atasha handed Callie the aF and propped $p another log on the st$mp, motioning +or
Callie to try again. Callie?s +ingertips were n$mb and her toes were well on their way to
+rostbite. 3he do$bted she?d still be alive !ome dinner>i+ they even served dinner in
this hellhole. A light snow began to +all, and Callie blin"ed away a pair o+ +la"es that
landed on her eyelashes. .welve ho$rs ago she?d been on the 8averly !amp$s>
miserable, o+ !o$rse, b$t at least there. 8here the hell was she nowI
CLet?s give it another whirl, prin!essGH 'atasha bar"ed at her, a gleam in her eye that
was pra!ti!ally begging Callie to +ail.
As Callie raised the aF, she realiEed she hadn?t tho$ght abo$t Easy on!e sin!e being so
r$dely awo"en at dawn. 1aybe this snowy hell was good +or something. 2+ all the pain
!o$ld ma"e her +orget abo$t Easy, it might be worth it.
2+ she ever made it o$t alive.
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
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OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
*rom,AnDeli!aPardeeQwaverly.ed$
.o,-enny$mphreyQwaverly.ed$
;ate,*riday, 'ovember ), 7,)@P.1 .
-enny,
Callie 9ernon?s mother D$st in+ormed me that she has arranged +or Callie to spend some
time at a private health spa in 1aine. 2 apologiEe +or not letting yo$ "now abo$t yo$r
roommate?s whereabo$ts earlier.
Best,
A.P.
)&
A 8A9E0L( :8L AL8A(3 ;0E33E3 APP0:P02A.EL(.
C;on?t tell me it was the maid?s wee" o++.H =ara stood in the doorway o+ ;$mbarton
)2) on *riday night, her greenish5brown eyes wide as she eFplored the spray o+ !lothing
!overing .insley?s hal+ o+ the room. =ara?s mattress, swathed in brightly !olored
3$perman sheets, leaned aw"wardly against the door +rame. ;ressed in a pair o+ bla!"
yoga pants and a loose5+itting gray Ameri!an Apparel .5shirt that loo"ed li"e it had been
thro$gh the wash a tho$sand times, =ara loo"ed !as$al and relaFed>everything Brett
wasn?t.
Brett "i!"ed a pile o+ .insley?s dirty la$ndry ba!" over to her i!e J$een roommate?s side
o+ the room with the toe o+ her -$i!y Co$t$re wedge5heeled boot. CLet me D$st !lear
some o+ this !rap o$t o+ the way +or yo$,H she gr$mbled, annoyed that .insley treated
the whole room li"e her own personal wal"5in !loset. 3he?d !ome home +rom !lass at
l$n!htime to +ind .insley tearing thro$gh her wardrobe, tossing !lothes onto every spare
s$r+a!e. 'ormally, she threw on the +irst thing she grabbed and loo"ed amaEing anyway.
B$t when Brett as"ed .insley what the hell she was doing, .insley D$st gave her a
withering glare and disappeared o$t the door, leaving the mess behind.
Another "i!" sent a deli!ate !ho!olate brown =ate 3pade p$mp !rashing into .insley?s
dresser. .iny glass bottles o+ per+$me and ma"e$p +ell in an avalan!he to the +loor.
=ara gave a little snort, and the +amiliar so$nd o+ her la$ghter lightened the mood in the
room. C:ops.H
C3he probably won?t even noti!e.H Brett p$shed a loose lo!" o+ +ire engine red hair
away +rom her +a!e, snagging it on the tiny gold earrings she wore at the top o+ her ear.
An aw"ward silen!e +ell. .hey !o$ld hear the so$nd o+Pretty 8oman playing on sad
3$Eanna #old+inger?s laptop neFt door, a movie she wat!hed at least on!e a wee". Brett
pl$!"ed a pair o+ her bla!" .r$e 0eligion Deans +rom .insley?s !lothing tornado. 2+ she
and =ara D$st "ept tal"ing, Brett told hersel+, things wo$ldn?t get $n!om+ortable. 3he
wo$ldn?t thin" abo$t how she?d blatantly lied to -eremiah, or how she?d "ind o+ betrayed
=ara by telling him that nothing had happened between themA .
C2 thin" my mattress got wet.H =ara patted the ba!" o+ her mattress, and Brett too" the
non seJ$it$r as a sign that =ara was nervo$s abo$t their temporary arrangement, too.
C.he +lood r$ined, li"e, hal+ my boo"s.H
C.hat?s terrible.H 2+ the sit$ation had been reversed, Brett "new that =ara wo$ldn?t have
tho$ght twi!e abo$t letting her !amp o$t in her room>whi!h made her +eel even worse.
C2<m s$re 8averly has some "ind o+ ins$ran!e poli!y that !overs that sort o+ thing.H
Brett ran a hand thro$gh her hair, disentangling it +rom her earrings. 8as she really
tal"ing abo$tins$ran!eI ow lame !o$ld she getI
C(eah, maybe.H =ara loo"ed do$bt+$l.
CLet me help with that.H Brett s!rambled to grab a !orner o+ =ara?s mattress. .ogether,
they t$gged it over to the !leared spa!e on the +loor.
C.imber AH =ara smiled as they let the mattress +all against Brett?s hand!ra+ted
bamboo r$g +rom a bo$tiJ$e in obo"en. .he mattress landed with a th$d that shoo"
the +loor. Almost immediately a small gray mo$se s!$rried o$t +rom $nderneath
.insley?s bed and s!ampered o$t the open door. Brett shrie"ed and hopped on her bed.
C*$!"GH =ara ba!"ed against the door, alarmed. C8as that amo$seIH
C:r aratIH Brett wheeEed and held her hand against her !hest. :n!e, in the 'ew (or"
s$bway, a rat had r$n a!ross the toes o+ her red s$ede *erragamo loa+ers as she waited
+or the C train, and she?d never re!overed. CApparently there?s a hole in the side o+ the
b$ilding.H
C2t was de+initely a mo$se.H =ara?s eyes s!anned the !orners o+ the room. CB$t who
"nows i+ he has any b$ddies.H
C#oddamn wild "ingdom,H Brett h$++ed, D$mping down o++ her bed. .he +loor +elt !old
to the to$!h and she s$ddenly +elt g$ilty +or ma"ing =ara sleep on a !old, wet mattress
with 1i!"ey and +riends.
.here was a "no!" on the door, and Angeli!a Pardee, wearing a m$!h too tight red
velo$r tra!"s$it, appeared in the doorway.
C2 D$st tho$ght 2<d !he!" $p on all my re+$gees be+ore lights o$t.H Pardee?s bland brown
hair had been blow5dried, and her +a!e was ni!ely made $p, as i+ she was ready to go o$t
and only needed to !hange into something more +lattering. C.he whole pla!e is $pside
down, topsy5t$rvy. 2<m so glad yo$ girls are ma"ing the best o+ it.H
Cow long will it be be+ore we !an all go ba!" to o$r roomsIH =ara as"ed impatiently.
C1aintenan!e is on it,H Pardee told =ara as she glan!ed at her wat!h. CB$t there are no
g$arantees. .here?s water, water everywhere A and not a drop to drin".H 3he la$ghed at
her own !heesy literary re+eren!e.
C;ays or wee"s or monthsIH =ara pressed, !rossing her arms over her !hest.
C;e+initely not months,H Pardee answered vag$ely. C;o yo$ girls need anything in the
way o+ eFtra bedding or pillows or towelsIH 3he ba!"ed o$t o+ the room, her mind
!learly somewhere else. Brett wondered i+ there was any tr$th to the r$mors that Pardee
and her h$bby>who?d been 12A +or the past +ew wee"s>had separated. e was
reportedly living at the oliday 2nn in town, and it loo"ed li"e Pardee was abo$t to
snea" o$t on a not so se!ret date. Brett tried to !at!h =ara?s eye, b$t she was staring
down d$bio$sly at her 3$perman mattress.
C8ell, sleep tight, as they say,H Pardee said. C:h, andH> she glan!ed at Brett>H2
really appre!iate yo$r letting =ara share yo$r room. 2n times o+ !risis, :wls have to
loo" o$t +or other :wls.H Pardee smiled, her bright pin" lipsti!" eFa!tly the wrong !olor
+or her pale !ompleFion. C2 $nderstand +rom 1rs. orniman that yo$?ve been doing a lot
o+ that lately. =eep it $p.H
Brett +or!ed a smile. 3he hated how everyone at 8averly tal"ed abo$t everything. 3he
!o$ld D$st hear 1rs. orniman meas$ring Brett?s progress with Pardee, with maybe
;ean 1arymo$nt listening in, nodding his balding head. Altho$gh she was pretty l$!"y
they hadn?t de!ided to remove her as D$nior !lass pre+e!t a+ter all the s!andals she?d been
involved in. 8ith a +inal wave, Pardee sh$t the door, and they !o$ld hear her h$rried
+ootsteps as she went ba!" to her own room down the hall.
C8hat did she mean by thatIH =ara "i!"ed her mattress with the toe o+ her brown /gg
mo!!asin so that it lay +lat on the +loor.
C'othing,H Brett said, waving a hand. 3he didn?t +eel li"e tal"ing abo$t her new
t$toring Dob. 3ebastian still hadn?t bothered to e5mail her ba!", whi!h Brett +o$nd
eFtremely r$de > and arrogant.
=ara ran a hand absentmindedly thro$gh her sho$lder5length brown hair. 3he loo"ed
stranded in the middle o+ the +loor, li"e a lost orphan. Brett !o$ldn?t help remembering
the not so long ago good times when she and =ara wo$ld br$sh ea!h other?s hair as one
o+ them read o$t lo$d +rom =ara?s !omi! boo"s. .hey?d spent one evening in =ara?s
single wat!hing.he ills and doing a shot o+ pea!h s!hnapps ea!h time someone said
Cli"e.H L.hey were trashed hal+way thro$gh the +irst episode.M
;espite what she?d told -eremiah, she and =ara had "issed and "issed that night.;on?t
thin" o+ that, Brett told hersel+. .hey were +riends now. =ara D$st needed a temporary
pla!e to sleep. And that was it.
C2<m going to !hange,H =ara anno$n!ed, grabbing her bag and heading toward the
bathroom. Brett too" the opport$nity o+ =ara?s absen!e to paw thro$gh her dresser
drawers. 3he eyed her +avorite bla!" :s!ar de la 0enta !hemise. .he sil"y so+tness
always l$lled her to sleep, no matter how stressed o$t she was. 3he p$shed it to the ba!"
o+ the drawer and instead grabbed an old pair o+ green5and5white plaid Calvin =lein
+lannels. 3he peeled o++ her !lothes and slipped into the $n!om+ortably warm paDamas.
=ara reappeared in the doorway, wearing drawstring !otton pants and a mat!hing long5
sleeve .5shirt. Apparently she shared Brett?s need to reveal as little s"in as possible.
2t was pretty ridi!$lo$s, and Brett wo$ld have la$ghed i+ the nagging +eeling that she
was still lying to -eremiah weren?t hanging over her. C;o yo$ thin" 1i!"ey will !ome
ba!"IH =ara loo"ed nervo$s. C8ith rein+or!ementsIH er haEel eyes s!anned the +loor,
sear!hing +or signs o+ their rodent +riend.
C2 hope not.H Brett glan!ed at .insley?s empty bed. 8here was sheI And what were the
!han!es that she?d stay o$t all nightI 3lim, she "new>.insley $s$ally got in sometime
a+ter midnight. 3he !o$ld D$st imagine the s!ene i+ .insley !ame home and +o$nd =ara
in her bed.
B$t she !o$ldn?t very well let her sleep on the +loor, either.
C(o$ !an b$n" with me,H Brett said !as$ally, as i+ the idea had D$st o!!$rred to her.
C.hat mattress loo"s $n!om+ortable.H
=ara wrin"led her nose and played with the drawstring o+ her pants. A tiny stripe o+
stoma!h showed, and she J$i!"ly t$gged down on her shirt. CAre yo$ s$reIH
Brett nodded. C'o biggie,H she said, be+ore she lost her nerve. 3he wal"ed over to the
bed and li+ted ba!" the +$!hsia 2ndian5print !om+orter, revealing her hot pin" Egyptian
!otton sheets. Cere, yo$ !an have the !om+orter>2<m "ind o+ hot already, anyway.H
Brett p$shed the !overs to one side o+ the $nreasonably s"inny bed>!learly designed to
dis!o$rage sharing>and t$gged the sheets toward her.
C:"ay.H =ara sat down gingerly on the other side o+ the bed. C.han"s.H
C'o problem.H Brett t$rned on the small +an on her nightstand, and it whirred to li+e.
3he glan!ed at =ara. C2s that o"ayIH
=ara nodded and started to +l$++ her pillow. 3he tilted her head slightly and gave Brett a
!$rio$s loo". C;id yo$, $h, !hange yo$r toothpasteIH
C8hatIH 3$ddenly, it seemed a little aw"ward that =ara wo$ld noti!e that Brett had r$n
o$t o+ her +avorite !innamon Close5/p and had been +or!ed to $se her ba!"$p,
spearmint Colgate. 2t meant that, well A =ara "new Brett?s mo$th. 8hat it smelled li"e
A and tasted li"e. C:h, yeah,H Brett m$mbled. C(eah, 2 did.H
An aw"ward silen!e +ell over the room as =ara !$rled $p $nder the !om+orter while
Brett lay sti++ly with a sheet on top o+ her. A tri!"le o+ sweat ran down Brett?s spine as
she lay still, trying to "eep her sho$lders +rom dri+ting dangero$sly toward =ara. =ara
in!hed over to the opposite side.
Brett tried not to thin" abo$t .insley?s empty bed mo!"ing her. A desert heat enveloped
her and she !losed her eyes, listening to the rain beating against the window, praying +or
sleep to !ome and p$t an end to her tort$re.
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OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
;rew#ately,#ood morning, bea$ti+$l.
-enny$mphrey,8hat?s $p, strangerI
;rew#ately,-$st thin"ing o+ /. 0 / in yo$r roomI
-enny$mphrey,Y2t?s 3at$rday morning A where else wo$ld 2 beII
;rew#ately,#ood. ;on?t move.
)8
A 8A9E0L( :8L 82LL 3A0E E0 823;:1 82. /';E0CLA331E'>
E9E' 2* .E( ;:'?. 8A'. .: EA0 2..
.he halls o+ ;$mbarton were eerily J$iet late 3at$rday morning as .insley made her
way to Callie?s room. 3he !lomped her 1i$ 1i$ sta!"ed5heel p$mps to see how +ar the
e!ho wo$ld !arry. 'ormally at this time, there?d be a +l$tter o+ doors opening and
!losing as girls got ready +or away games or shopping trips, a!!ompanied by a +l$rry o+
e5mails abo$t who had se!$red a s$pply o+ booEe and where they were going to meet $p
tonight. B$t .insley had heard nothing. 3in!e when had ;$mbarton t$rned into a
n$nneryI
.he +lood on the +irst +loor the night be+ore had t$rned the dorm into a roving sl$mber
party, re+$gees roaming the halls loo"ing +or an empty bed, or a pla!e to blow5dry their
hal+5wet mattress. 8ith Pardee?s help>and a little help +rom .insley, win", win">
everyone had a new temporary home. B$t the h$mor in b$n"ing =ara with Brett had
lost its Plan. Last night .insley had +allen asleep on the $pstairs !ommon5room so+a
wat!hing her +avorite *ren!h movie o+ all time,A bo$t de so$++le, wondering i+ they
were ma"ing o$t down there>and why she?d tho$ght it was so +$nny to p$t two eFes in
a room together. 1ore pre!isely, inher room.
Callie was probably still sleeping>she?d been lying low sin!e the alloween party, not
answering her phone or teFting ba!". 2t was beyond annoying. .insley pa$sed o$tside
the door to ;$mbarton %0%, staring at -enny?s note5+illed white board. 3he +o$ght the
$rge to wipe o++ all theCongrat$lations, CleopatraG (o$?re the J$eenG messages with the
sleeve o+ her beige #enerra sweaterdress. 2t wo$ldn?t be worth it>the dress was dry5
!lean only.
.he so$nd o+ giggling es!aped +rom beneath the !losed door and .insley +elt irritated
and le+t o$t. 8as Callie having some "ind o+ se!ret5se!ret party witho$t herI 3he
"no!"ed twi!e and then !harged into the room. 2t was +ogged with in!ense and the +aint
s!ent o+ smo"e. Callie?s $nmade bed loo"ed abandoned.
-enny?s bed, however, was not. Leaning against the headboard, -enny sat !$ddled with
ag$y . .insley narrowed her eyes at the sight o+ -enny, loo"ing her $s$al per"y, petite
sel+. 3he wore a pair o+ pin5striped pants that loo"ed designer b$t whi!h .insley
s$spe!ted were Banana 0ep$bli! with a peasant5y white shirt beneath a sn$g5+itting
Abbey 0oad .5shirt. ow annoyingly hipster. 3itting beside her was that too5good5
loo"ing senior trans+er st$dent who?d on!e tried to pi!" .insley $p in his 1$stang when
she was wal"ing ba!" to !amp$s +rom 0hine!li++. 3he?d told him to +$!" o++, not li"ing
his air o+ over!on+iden!e. ;rew. .hat was his name.
Cey,H -enny said, giving .insley a !old loo", tho$gh her voi!e so$nded almost play+$l.
3he?d !learly mastered the tone girls $sed when they were being bit!hy to ea!h other b$t
didn?t want g$ys to "now it. .insley hadinvented that tone. C.ry "no!"ing.H
C2 did "no!",H .insley said, a bit more de+ensively than she?d intended. 3he leaned
against the door +rame, trying to loo" !as$al, b$t her beige sweaterdress snagged on a
splinter. C8here?s CallieIH
C3he?s at some spa in 1aine,H -enny answered, leaning ba!" on her pillow.
;rew win"ed at .insley by way o+ hello, b$t .insley ignored him.
C8hat are yo$ tal"ing abo$tI 8hat spa in 1aineIH .insley p$t her hands on her hips
a!!$singly. Callie !o$ld be spontaneo$s, s$re, li"e the time she?d !a$ght $p with
everyone in Aspen over Christmas brea" +reshman year when she was s$pposed to be
attending a +an!y state dinner in Atlanta. B$t going to1aine on a whimI ;o$bt+$l. C;id
Easy drag her there or somethingIH .insley demanded. .he smell o+ in!ense was
overpowering and .insley !overed her nose.
C2 don?t thin" so.H -enny shoo" her head. 3he was sitting thigh5to5thigh with ;rew and
her lips were eFtra red. .hey?d !learly been "issing. C2t was something her mother
arranged.H -enny tilted her head inno!ently. C8hat, she didn?t tell yo$IH
.insley +ingered the menswear Carrier wat!h on her wrist, borrowed +rom an old,
+orgotten boy+riend and never ret$rned. 3omething was not right, she "new, b$t she
!o$ldn?t +ig$re o$t what. 3he needed to tal" to Callie more than ever. .insley didn?t !are
i+ -enny didn?t li"e her>in +a!t, shewanted it that way. B$t she missed the way she and
Callie and Brett $sed to r$le the s!hool. 3he needed Callie to help her +ig$re o$t how to
get it all ba!".
-enny stood $p and moved toward the door. C2s that allIH she as"ed, a +a"e smile on her
+a!e. C2 don?t want Pardee to smell the smo"e.H -enny p$t her hand on the door as i+ to
!lose it.
CCan 2 tal" to yo$ +or a se!IH .insley as"ed, lowering her voi!e. 3he loo"ed over
-enny?s sho$lder and saw ;rew +lipping thro$gh -enny?s iPod.
-enny sighed. C8hatIH
C2s everything o"ay hereIH she as"ed so+tly, nodding in ;rew?s dire!tion.
C8hat do yo$ meanIH -enny?s smile wavered. C:+ !o$rse.H
C-$st be !are+$l,H .insley warned. 8hy was she bothering to give -enny advi!e,
anywayI 2t wo$ld serve her right i+ ;rew s!rewed her over. B$t despite her disli"e +or
-enny, she didn?t want to see a Casanova li"e ;rew>she was D$sts$re he had a eath
*erro gene in him somewhere>get anything more than he deserved. C.hat g$y is bad
news.H
C:hIH -enny !rossed her arms over her h$ge !hest de+ensively.
C(eah, yo$ sho$ld wat!h o$t.H .insley !o$ld see her warning bo$n!ing o++ -enny?s
.e+lon smile. 3he so$nded li"e someone?s annoying mother, telling -enny to eat her
vegetables, or to wait a hal+ an ho$r be+ore swimming a+ter a meal.
C.han"s,H -enny said evenly, Cb$t yo$?re the last person in the world 2<d ta"e advi!e
+rom.H 3he stepped ba!" into ;$mbarton %0%>.insley?sold room>and !losed the door.
.insley stepped ba!" to avoid having her nose smashed. *$!" her, she tho$ght. 3he
t$rned and breathed deeply, the way she did be+ore serving in a tense tennis mat!h.
.insley made her way ba!" to her room, sh$++ling her 1i$ 1i$ sta!"ed5heel p$mps this
time instead o+ !lomping them. A door on the hall s$ddenly opened, and a girl she didn?t
re!ogniEe slipped down the hall toward the bathroom. .he hallway +illed with la$ghter
and shrie"ing, and .insley peered inside the room, !at!hing a glimpse o+ 3age and
Benny and a !o$ple o+ girls trying on vario$s dresses and modeling them in +ront o+ one
another. 3o ;$mbarton hadn?t t$rned into a n$nnery a+ter all>she was D$st totally o$t o+
it.
*$!",.insley tho$ght.2 wo$ldn?t ta"e my advi!e, either.
)4
:8L3 C:* .E :PP:32.E 3EB 1A( 9232. EAC :.E0?3 ;:01 0::13
;/02'# P0:PE0 9232.A.2:' :/03, B/. .0EE *EE. 1/3. 0E1A2' :'
.E *L::0 A. ALL .21E3.
.he smell o+ ;rew?s soap permeated the room, providing a ni!e mas!$line !omplement
to the girly smells o+ -enny and Callie?s hair prod$!ts and +ragran!e bottles. ;rew ran
his +ingers thro$gh -enny?s hair, her body tingling as his +ingertips br$shed her s!alp.
.hey both sat on the bed, leaning against the worn wooden headboard.
3he tho$ght abo$t how easy it had been to D$st sh$t the door in .insley?s +a!e. 8hy
hadn?t she done that +rom the beginningI 8hy had she ever let .insley get $nderneath
her s"inI A +ew wee"s ago -enny had been angrily pa!"ing her bags, ready to be
eFpelled. 'ow here she was, "i!"ing ba!" with her savior, a senior who was obvio$sly
totally in love with her. 1eanwhile, .insley sat atop the ash heap o+ the *ormerly
Pop$lar.
C(o$?re so pretty.H ;rew to$!hed -enny?s !hee", repeating the words +or at least the
doEenth time sin!e she?d met him.
-enny bl$shed +or the doEenth time, too, her rosy !hee"s always giving her away. C3o
yo$?ve said.H 3he li"ed the !ool way the words !ame o$t o+ her mo$th, li"e a smo"e ring
blown a!ross the room.
Cow !ome yo$ don?t have a boy+riendIH ;rew as"ed. e r$bbed his hand a!ross his
slightly st$bbled !hin. .he st$bble made his strong !hee"bones even more de+ined.
C8ho says 2 don?tIH -enny shi+ted a little on the bed, trying to straighten her sl$mping
ba!" against the headboard. er +ather>in an aw"ward attempt at having Cthe tal"H>
had told her that i+ she was ever going to be on a bed with a boy, she sho$ld never, ever
get anywhere !lose to lying down. -enny s!ooted o++ the bed to relight the in!ense sti!"
on her dresser. 8hen she !limbed ba!", she made s$re to sit !ross5legged.
2+ ;rew minded, he didn?t show it. C2 as"ed aro$nd abo$t yo$.H e leaned ba!", arms
!rossed over his !hest. is h$nter green wool sweater bro$ght o$t the brilliant green o+
his eyes. C2 did my homewor". 2<m a good st$dent.H
C:h, yeahIH 2t gave her a little thrill that someone wo$ld as" aro$nd abo$t her. 3he
imagined him in the Lasell lo!"er room, p$lling on his gym !lothes and saying !as$ally,
C3o, what do yo$ "now abo$t this -enny $mphrey girlIH 'ot that she wanted to be the
s$bDe!t o+ g$ys< lo!"er room tal", or at least, not the dirty "ind>the isn?t5she5!$te "ind,
i+ that even eFisted. C8ell, don?t believe everything yo$ hear,H she said !oyly. 3he
in!hed a little !loser to him, wondering eFa!tly what he had heard, and +rom whom.
;rew smiled again and p$t his arm aro$nd her. 3he waited +or the inevitable, the
gravity o+ his arm p$lling her into his orbit +or another "iss. B$t instead, ;rew?s hand
D$st rested loosely on her sho$lders, as i+ they were siFth5graders wal"ing home a+ter
s!hool. 2t was ni!e.
C8hy notIH ;rew as"ed, s!rat!hing the ba!" o+ his head with his +ree hand. A lo!" o+
sandy brown hair stood $p in the ba!". C2t was all very +lattering.H
-enny narrowed her brown eyes +lirtatio$sly. CLi"e whatIH she demanded, trying not to
so$nd too eager.
;rew?s arm tightened, p$lling -enny a little !loser. er whole body +elt ele!tri+ied.
CLi"e, not only are yo$ +$nny and !ool, b$t yo$ were de+initely voted to have the most
"issable lips.H
C0eallyIH -enny started to say, b$t then ;rew?s lips were on hers. 3he "issed him ba!",
his lips tasting o+ toothpaste. ;rew moved his +ree hand to her "nee. is grip was +irm,
and she +elt li"e his hand was b$rning thro$gh her wool tro$sers. .he thrill o+ Callie
being gone now made -enny slightly anFio$s>the sa+ety net o+ interr$ption was
s$ddenly gone.
Cey, 2 D$st remembered,H -enny p$lled ba!". 3he rea!hed o$t and la!ed her +ingers in
his, stalling his roaming hand. C.hey?re playingCasablan!a over at Ber"man.H Ber"man5
1eier, the m$si! b$ilding, had a small a$ditori$m where they sometimes played old
movies on wee"ends.
C3een it,H ;rew yawned, +lashing his rows o+ per+e!t teeth. -enny brie+ly wondered i+
his parents were orthodontists.
C(eah, b$t it?s a !lassi!,H -enny protested mildly as ;rew swept her long !$rls away
+rom her ne!" and "issed her right beneath the ear. 2t +elt so good she tho$ght she might
pass o$t. CAnd it?s in bla!" and white.H 3he almost added,8hi!h is so m$!h more
romanti!, b$t stopped hersel+.
;rew shr$gged. C2 never see movies twi!e.H is breath was hot on her ne!".
C'everIH -enny as"ed in!red$lo$sly, trying to thin" $nseFy tho$ghts>the smell o+ her
!at 1arF?s !anned !at +ood, the tapered mom Deans Angeli!a Pardee was wearing that
morning. 3he p$shed ;rew away lightly.
C'ever,H ;rew answered resol$tely, his eyes on -enny?s mo$th, li"e he !o$ldn?t stop
thin"ing abo$t "issing her even when he wasn?t "issing her. 2t was "ind o+ sweet.
C2<ve seenP$lp *i!tion, li"e, a h$ndred times,H -enny !on+essed. 3he rea!hed $p and
twisted her long hair into a "not at her ne!". CAnd.r$e 0oman!e abo$t a h$ndred and
+i+ty.H
CBrad Pitt is legendary in that movie,H ;rew agreed. e pretended to be smo"ing pot
+rom an invisible bong made o$t o+ an empty honey bear and did his best Brad5Pitt5as5
*loyd impression, C.hey, $h, went o$t +or !leaning s$pplies.H
C*ight Cl$bwas awesome,H -enny vent$red. 3he?d only seen it on!e, and had tried to
read the boo", b$t wasn?t s$re that she +$lly $nderstood what was going on. 3omeone
had tried to tell her that Brad Pitt and Edward 'orton were the same g$y, b$t that didn?t
ma"e any sense to her.
C;idn?t see it,H ;rew said. CAll that ma!ho g$y st$++ isn?t +or me.H e p$lled her ba!"
in !lose. C2<d rather spend time with the +airer seF.H
-enny giggled nervo$sly at the wordseF . 3he gave him a light pe!" on the lips be+ore
hopping o++ the bed. C.hen !ome on. (o$ !an?t get more romanti! thanCasablan!a on
the big s!reen, !an yo$IH
;rew shr$gged. C(eah, s$re, 2 g$ess.H e stood and sear!hed +or his shoes. 3he didn?t
even remember him ta"ing them o++. e +ollowed her to the door witho$t +$rther
resistan!e. 3he?d let him "iss her a+ter the movie, and maybe on!e d$ring. e was her
savior, a+ter all.
And the hero always gets a "iss.
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
ABC Amber L2. Converter v2.08
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
*rom,.insleyCarmi!haelQwaverly.ed$
.o,/ndis!losed 0e!ipients
;ate,3at$rday, 'ovember 2, 7,)@P.1.
3$bDe!t,1AZA'A>2mprompt$ 1:92E ;A(G
;ear all,
2<ve been l$!"y eno$gh to obtain>thro$gh vario$s ba!"5!hannel wheeling and dealing
>an advan!e !opy o+ the new 0yan #oslingS-enni+er Connelly movie. ;on?t as" how,
D$st !ome and !he!" it o$t. .omorrow a+ternoon at 2 P.1. in the Cinephiles s!reening
room. Ail are wel!ome>bring +riendsG *ree pop!orn and treats +or all.
3ee yo$ thenG
Fo,
.insley
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
ABC Amber L2. Converter v2.08
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
eath*erro,Bro, what $pI Come to o$r +irst 1E' :* 8A9E0L( meeting > D$st a
b$n!h o+ d$des getting together with some beer.
-eremiah1ortimer,3o$nds +$n, at least the beer part. B$t 2 don?t go to 8averly. OM
eath*erro,8e?re willing to overloo" it. .onite, +ield ho$se, 6 p.m.
-eremiah1ortimer,1an, st$!" on b$s home +rom 9.>won?t get in till late. B$t neFt
time.
eath*erro,All right. B$t yo$?ll miss the ti!"le5+ightsG
20
8A9E0L( 82LL .EAC B:(3 :8 .: BEC:1E 1E'.
C1en,H eath *erro intoned +rom his position atop a mo$ntain o+ bl$e +loor mats in the
ba!" !orner o+ the +ield ho$se. e stood right beneath a giant +aded maroon banner that
read ;29232:' 22 CA1P3, )4&8 and +eat$red a silho$ette o+ a la!rosse sti!". C3tart
yo$r enginesGH e li+ted his +orty5o$n!e glass bottle o+ =ing Cobra malt liJ$or into the
air and twisted o++ the !ap in tri$mph. 3!attered aro$nd him were Brandon, Lon, 0yan,
Alan, and .eag$e 8illiams, all in vario$s +orms o+ athleti! wear.
Easy rolled his eyes as he !rossed the green r$bber +loor in his Levi?s and bla!" +lee!e.
.he +ield ho$se smelled vag$ely o+ sweat and Do!" straps. e +elt li"e he was ba!" in
LeFington, where s$mmers were spent in the woods with !ontraband whis"ey snit!hed
+rom $ng$arded liJ$or !abinets, throwing empties at the +reight trains as they whiEEed
by. 8as sitting aro$nd with a b$n!h o+ prep s!hool g$ys in polo shirts and eFpensive
snea"ers in an $nderheated +ield ho$se any betterI
C8alsh.H eath nodded at Easy?s approa!h, hopping down +rom the mats li"e a
gymnast. e shoved Easy in the dire!tion o+ an open 8averly d$++el bag on the +loor.
C#rab a !old one.H
Easy leaned over and li+ted a relatively !lean maroon 8averly sweatshirt to reveal a
row o+ Cobras resting against an $nopened bag o+ !$bed i!e. e rea!hed in and p$lled
o$t a sweating beer.
.he +irst g$lp tasted li"e raw sewage, b$t the se!ond g$lp went down a little easier. e
hadn?t been able to !lear the mess in his head sin!e the night o+ the alloween party, and
Callie was still 12A. e?d teFted and e5mailed her with no response, wanting to
apologiEe +or his $nne!essarily harsh words. e was still pissed at her, b$t it was the
wrong way to end things, and he owed her an apology +or that. e?d glan!ed aro$nd the
noo"s in 1aFwell all, where she li"ed to lay o$t her homewor" and then read9og$e
instead, b$t there was no sign o+ her. 3he?d probably es!aped to the !ity to stay at a
+an!y hotel and ra!" $p some serio$s !redit !ard bills.
e too" another swig o+ beer, trying to drown o$t all tho$ghts o+ Callie.
CAre we all hereIH Brandon as"ed impatiently. e $ns!rewed the !ap on his +orty,
gingerly too" a sip, and then s!rewed it ba!" on.
C-eremiah, o$r honorary 3t. L$!i$s member, !o$ldn?t ma"e it,H eath said, loo"ing
aro$nd the !ir!le and nodding to all the g$ys, who all held their beers with eFpe!tant
loo"s on their +a!es. CB$t otherwise 2 thin" we?re all here. 8el!ome to the +irst meeting
o+ the 1en o+ 8averly !l$b.H eath raised his bottle, whi!h was hal+ +$ll, and the others
raised theirs, too.
A silen!e +ell a!ross the +ield ho$se as everyone sipped +rom their bottles, ea!h waiting
+or the other to say something.'ow whatI Easy wondered what 1rs. orniman wo$ld
thin" o+ his new eFtra!$rri!$lar.
CAnyone !at!h that s"irt -enny $mphrey was wearing at l$n!hIH Lon Bar$EEa as"ed.
C2t was li"e this.H e held a hand high on his thigh to demonstrate.
C3he?s hot,H Alan agreed, r$bbing his st$bbled !hin with his +ist. Easy?s roommate had
le+t the dorm hal+ an ho$r be+ore the meeting +or a little to"eage in the woods. e?d been
home in 9ermont last wee"end and had !ome ba!" with some o+ his hippie parents<
+reshly grown b$ds.
C3he loo"ed good at the alloween party, too,H Brandon added, ta"ing a sip o+ beer.
Easy +elt li"e he?d !ompletely lost to$!h with -enny. e still +elt oddly prote!tive o+ her,
and was $n!om+ortable hearing the g$ys tal" abo$t her li"e that. B$t sin!e she?d gotten
reinstated at 8averly, she was always s$rro$nded by a +lo!" o+ people. Brett and Alison,
nat$rally, b$t also a ton o+ other girls and g$ys whom Easy didn?t really re!ogniEe. 'ot
-$lian, tho$gh, he noted, thin"ing abo$t it +or the +irst time. 8hat had happened with
thatI
C;$de.H Lon pointed the mo$th o+ his beer at Brandon and leaned ba!" against a
weight ra!". C8hat wo$ld 3age thin" abo$t thatIH
C'othing.H Brandon shr$gged. e swit!hed his bottle +rom one hand to another. C8e?re
not married.H
C2<ll drin" to that,H eath said, ta"ing another giant swig. C#irl+riends are great>b$t it
doesn?t mean we !an?t still loo" at other girls.H
C2t also doesn?t mean they still !an?t loo" at other g$ys>or girls, i+ they pre+er,H 0yan
said !as$ally, leaning his head ba!" against the sta!" o+ mats. e wore a !able5"nit gray
!ardigan that loo"ed way too so+t +or a g$y to be wearing.
C'i!e try, 0eynolds.H A dreamy loo" !rossed over eath?s +a!e, whi!h seemed to
happen lately every time =ara was bro$ght $p. C=ara?s wel!ome to loo" at all the girls
she wants.H e leaned against the weight ben!h and !rossed his an"les over ea!h other.
C2<m the +$!"ing l$!"iest g$y in the world.H
Easy +elt a warmth settle on his !hee"s as he !ontin$ed to wor" on his beer. e?d never
been a h$ge drin"er>at least not $ntil re!ently>b$t he hoped that eath had bro$ght
eno$gh +or everyone to have a se!ond ro$nd. .he !onversation aro$nd him began to
seem +$EEy, and he !losed his eyes +or a moment, +eeling the b$EE !rawl into his brain.
C'o sleeping, 8alsh,H eath !alled o$t. C(o$ have to drin" i+ yo$ !lose yo$r eyes.H
Easy?s eyes popped open. C8hatIH
C.a"e a drin",H eath !ommanded. C0ight now. .hose are the r$les.H
C3o, are we, li"e, planning on doing anythingI :r is this !l$b D$st going to be an eF!$se
to get together and get dr$n"IH Brandon spo"e $p, yawning. e glan!ed at the silver
;ol!e K #abbana wat!h on his wrist, loo"ing li"e there was somepla!e he?d rather be.
Easy leaned +orward, elbows on his "nees, waiting +or eath?s answer.
C;on?t be s$!h a do$!he.H Alan got $p to stret!h his legs, then sat ba!" down on one o+
those bl$e r$bber ab balls that girls did !r$n!hes on. Callie $sed to have one in her
room, b$t she?d p$n!t$red it with a stiletto on!e when she was angry at Easy +or
showing $p late. Alan wobbled a little on the bo$n!y ball, then steadied himsel+ and
held his beer $p in tri$mph.
C1aybe Brandon !an tell $s abo$t his +irst period,H 0yan said, and everyone la$ghed.
C#entlemen, gentlemen.H eath stood, grasping the sta!" o+ bl$e mats to steady
himsel+. CA little de!or$m. .his is 8averly, a+ter all. Let?s leave that sort o+ tal" +or
p$bli! s!hool "ids.H e moved over to the grease board. CBrandon?s right. .his !l$b
sho$ld be abo$t something more than good !ompany and +orties.H
Brandon smir"ed at eath. C#ee, than"s.H
eath pi!"ed $p a bla!" mar"er. CLet?s brainstorm some !a$ses and then we?ll vote on
the ones we want this !l$b to stand +or. B$t +irstH>eath sa$ntered over to the gym bag
and repla!ed his empty +orty with a +resh one>Ha libation.H e $ns!rewed the !ap and
tossed it toward the garbage !an, the !ap +alling wide o+ the trash by abo$t a +oot.
C2 vote we stand +or re!y!ling,H 0yan !alled o$t. CEveryone?s going green these days.
And !hi!"s are always tal"ing abo$t re!y!ling.H
eath s!rawled the wordre!y!ling on the board. is !hi!"en5s!rat!h handwriting was
even wobblier than $s$al. C.hat?s good.H
C8hat abo$t planting treesIH Alan s!rat!hed his beard5s!r$++ed !hin. CChi!"s are
always tal"ing abo$t planting trees or something li"e that.H
eath addedplanting trees to the list.
C1ight as well add A2;3 awareness,H Brandon J$ipped. e set his mostly +$ll +orty
beside him on the mat.
C.here?s a sophomore !l$b that does that,H Lon !o$ntered.
Easy rea!hed +or another beer, !ontent to wat!h the lame game show play o$t. 2+
nothing else, it too" his mind o++ Callie
eath mar"eredsave the whales andanimal !r$elty on the board, his writing be!oming
sloppier and sloppier $ntil he dropped the mar"er, whi!h then rolled hal+way a!ross the
+loor.
C8alsh, let?s get the re!y!ling started now, o"ayIH eath pointed at the two empty
bottles $nder Easy?s !hair. Easy rea!hed down, his head beginning to spin, and retrieved
the bottles, passing them to Brandon, who loo"ed at them as i+ they were diseased
rodents. e too" them and dropped them into the gym bag.
.he door to the +ield ho$se !rea"ed open, revealing a silho$ette o+ dar" rain o$tside.
Easy sJ$inted in the dire!tion o+ the door, eFpe!ting to see -eremiah in his 3t. L$!i$s
letterman Da!"et. e was startled to see ;ean 1arymo$nt striding toward them. e
wore a tan rain!oat over a navy bl$e t$rtlene!", his sandy !omb5over wet +rom the rain.
Easy?s heart th$mped against his !hest in pani!. .he +irst night o+ his eFtra!$rri!$lar
a!tivity, and he was abo$t to get b$sted. eath J$i!"ly slid his beer bottle into the gym
bag be+ore ;ean 1arymo$nt got !lose eno$gh to noti!e it. .he others +ollowed s$it and
eath !as$ally Eipped $p his bag.
C2 heard there was a proa!tive gro$p o+ yo$ng men gathered in the +ield ho$se,H
1arymo$nt !h$!"led, his voi!e !arrying thro$gh the vast, empty b$ilding.
C.hat?s $s, sir.H eath st$!" his hands into the po!"ets o+ his sagging tan !ords.
1arymo$nt was on them in no time, sear!hing the +a!es o+ everyone in the !ir!le.
CAlan, 0yan, Lon, Brandon, Easy.H Everyone m$ttered a hi or hello, some !$pping their
hands over their mo$ths or s!rat!hing at phantom it!hes to prevent 1arymo$nt +rom
smelling the beer on their breath. C8hat?s thisIH e sidled $p neFt to the grease board,
loo"ing over the list o+ +a"e !a$ses the 1en o+ 8averly had Do"ed abo$t s$pporting.
1arymo$nt read the list to himsel+. C9ery impressive, gentlemen,H he said, nodding
sagely, hands !$pped behind his ba!".
eath *erro shot Brandon a Coly +$!"GH loo" behind 1ary5mo$nt?s ba!", then smiled
broadly. C.han" yo$, sirGH
C2<m impressed with this initiative.H 1arymo$nt nodded, smoothing his hand over his
balding head. C2<m glad yo$ !o$ld +ind something so !onstr$!tive to do in all this rain.H
e glan!ed at the list again and nodded, pleased. C2<m espe!ially glad to seeyo$ here,
1r. 8alsh.H
Easy had been wat!hing the s!ene $n+old as i+ it were an episode o+ his +avorite
television show, b$t hearing his name shoo" him o$t o+ his st$por. C.han"s,H he said,
!o$ghing into his +ist in an e++ort to hide his beer breath.
1arymo$nt strode over to Easy, planting his hand on his sho$lder. 2t +elt li"e a blo!" o+
!old i!e. Easy was relieved when he too" it away, still smiling +ondly at all the boys.
C8ell, !arry on, gentlemen. ;on?t let me impede yo$r J$est to do good deeds.H e
shoo" his head, still smiling. C2 wish we?d had a !l$b li"e this when2 was at 8averly.H
And with that 1arymo$nt was gone, ba!" o$t into the rain.
As soon as the door !losed behind him, eath slapped his "nee and let o$t a lo$d
g$++aw. Coly shit,H he said, !$pping hisX hand over his mo$th. C8as that brilliant or
whatIH
C:r what,H Brandon said so$rly. CChrist, we !o$ld?ve all been s$spended.H
eath ignored Brandon and s!ooped the mar"er o++ the +loor. 2t had made its way ba!"
toward the gym bag +$ll o+ empty beer bottles. e ran $p to the board and
s!ribbledsaving p$ppies at the bottom o+ the list. C.his is the best !over everG 8e !an
totally operate above the radar now A with 1arymo$nt?s blessing.H
C.o the 1en o+ 8averlyGH 0yan !alled o$t.
C'o, waitGH eath held $p his hand. Cow abo$t the Boys o+ 8averly. Bo8. #er itI
.hat?ll be o$r signal to ea!h other. Bow5wow. VCa$se we?re dogs.H
CBrilliant.H Brandon rolled his eyes. *or on!e, Easy was in agreement.
CBow5wow,H Alan said, trying it o$t.
3oon the room was +illed with woo+ing and howling, and it was all Easy !o$ld do to
"eep +rom +ollowing 1arymo$nt o$t the door.
B$t, li"e it or not, Easy realiEed, Bo8 was his ti!"et to staying on 1arymo$nt?s good
side>and at 8averly A!ademy>at least long eno$gh to resolve things on!e and +or all
with Callie.
2)
A 3C:LA0L( :8L =':83 .A. 3./;( #0:/P3 A0E A' EBCELLE'.
8A( .: 2'C0EA3E P0:;/C.292.(.
Brandon steadied himsel+ against the wro$ght iron railing o+ ;$mbarton?s +ront steps.
;espite his protests, eath had made him drin" one o+ the last two +orties le+t a+ter the
1en>er,Boys o+ 8averly meeting bro"e $p. eath had dis!overed the beer hiding at
the bottom o+ his gym bag a+ter everyone else le+t and !ried al!ohol ab$se, a !hildish
!hallenge that Brandon was nonetheless too wea" to over!ome. As m$!h as eath
pissed him o++, he wasn?t abo$t to ba!" down when +a!ed with a !hallenge li"e that.
3pite and shame were the two greatest motivators, he "new, tho$gh he never "new
whi!h was +$eling his de!isions when eath was involved.
C.hey?re not going to be here,H he said to eath. is roommate had his hand !$pped
against a window that loo"ed into the !ommon room on the +irst +loor to peer inside.
'either o+ them wanted to st$mble into ;$mbarton dr$n" i+ there was no reason to.
.han"+$lly, it had stopped raining an ho$r ago.
C;$de, !hill. 2t?s anassignment, rememberI 8e said we?d do it tonight>they?ll be
here,H eath reminded him. e +lipped open his Bla!"Berry and teFted away.
C8hen did yo$ tell themIH Brandon as"ed, gripping the railing tighter. is head +elt
li"e a heli$m balloon.
eath ignored him. C.here they areGH he said eF!itedly. e slapped his palm against the
window to !at!h 3age and =ara?s attention. .hey t$rned sim$ltaneo$sly and Brandon
+elt a r$bbery smile spread a!ross his +a!e.
Ciya, boys.H =ara p$shed open the +ront door and bo$nded down the +ew steps to
eath, wearing a pair o+ !igarette5leg bla!" Deans and a thi!" bla!" t$rtlene!". 3he
planted a wet "iss on eath. C8hat?s that toothpasteI B$dweiserIH
CCobra, baby,H eath growled, p$lling her ba!" in +or another "iss.
C(o$ g$ys !an !ome in>it?s still visiting, and Pardee?s $s$ally s$pervising drama !l$b
rehearsals on 3at$rday nights.H 3age stood D$st inside the door, r$bbing her hands on her
arms, her bla!" tights pee"ing o$t +rom beneath a royal bl$e s"irt. Brandon wobbled $p
to her and she wrapped her arms aro$nd him, smelling deli!io$sly li"e hot !o!oa and
pears. C(o$ br$sh yo$r teeth tooIH
C($p,H Brandon answered. e aimed a "iss +or her mo$th b$t ended $p sma!"ing her
smooth !hee" instead.
.he downstairs !ommon room was empty save +or some abandoned noteboo"s, a hot
pin" +lee!e, and one ho$ndstooth rain boot. 2t was similar to the 0i!hardson !ommon
room, b$t, not s$rprisingly, a lot more +eminine. .he dar" oa" trim had been painted
white, and the walls were a slate bl$e instead o+ a dar" +orest green, giving the room an
airy, 1artha 3tewart +eel. .he walls were de!orated with in" drawings o+ sailboats and
s"et!hes o+ wild+iowers, and the polished hardwood +loors were !overed with an!ient5
loo"ing navy :riental r$gs.
eath po"ed at the !old ashes in the +irepla!e. C2<m !old, man,H he said when Brandon
as"ed what he was doing.
C.he heat never stays in this room.H =ara dropped onto one o+ the velvety navy so+as
and wrapped her arms aro$nd her "nees. C.he +lood made it worse. 'ow it?s wetand
!old.H
Brandon +lopped down on the so+a opposite, and 3age +ell neFt to him nat$rally, her
short wool s"irt revealing a good stret!h o+ !$rvy, toned thigh. 2+ Brandon had been !old
be+ore, the warmth o+ 3age?s body>and his tho$ghts o+ 3age?s body>were eno$gh to
heat him $p. e +elt himsel+ smiling $n!ontrollably.
C:"ay.H eath r$bbed his !hin as i+ deep in tho$ght. CLet?s get started.H e pointed the
po"er in =ara?s dire!tion and grinned devilishly. C'ame all the seF$al positions yo$?ve
wanted to try b$t were too a+raid to as".H
C8hoa, whoa, whoa.H 3age held her hands $p li"e a re+eree, her short, neat nails
!overed in a pale pin" polish that made Brandon thin" o+ lollipops. CAs 1rs. orniman
wo$ld say, 2 don?t thin" there?s a !ollege essay in there.H
eath grinned. C(eah, b$t 2 tho$ght the point was to interview ea!h other abo$t vario$s
st$++ to +ind o$t what we sho$ld write abo$t in o$r essays,H he said, +eigning inno!en!e.
C2<m not applying to Playboy /niversity,H =ara protested mildly, s$ppressing a smile.
eath !lapped his hands together in mo!" prayer. C2+only there were a Playboy
/niversity.H
Brandon let o$t a lo$d la$gh. e?d been a little a+raid that 3age didn?t "now what "ind
o+ g$y eath was>she?d on!e said, Ce doesn?t seem so bad,H whi!h had !ha+ed
Brandon ever sin!e>b$t a dr$n"en evening with eath as"ing obnoFio$s J$estions was
all it wo$ld ta"e +or her to realiEe eath was not eFa!tly the romanti! hero she might
thin". 'o matter how to$!hy5+eely>and "ind o+ girly>he was with =ara, he was still
eath *erro, a+ter all.
CBe+ore yo$ even start tal"ing li"e that, eath, 2 thin" =ara and 2 need some o+ this.H
3age +$mbled thro$gh her oversiEe apple red (3L bag and p$lled o$t +o$r +rosted shot
glasses and an elegant +las" with a sepia5toned image o+ !herry trees on it. C(o$ g$ys
got a head start.H 3he po$red two !lear shots and handed one over to =ara, who !lin"ed
hers against 3age?s. C.hat?s better,H she said, sha"ing her b$tter5blond head as she
downed the vod"a shot. CLet?s start easy. *avorite band.H
C0adiohead,H eath and =ara said at the same time. .hey loo"ed at ea!h other and both
said, C-inF, b$y me a Co"e.H
CA gram or an o$n!eIH eath as"ed and =ara so!"ed him lightly in the g$t be+ore
passing her shot glass ba!" to 3age +or a re+ill.
C8hat abo$t yo$IH Brandon as"ed 3age, b$mping his "nee not so a!!identally against
her sto!"inged leg. is wool Ben 3herman tro$sers +elt s!rat!hy against her slee"
sto!"ings, and the +ri!tion was eno$gh to send his mind reeling with tho$ghts o+ tearing
o++ her !lothes. ad he always been this horny, or did 3age D$st bring it o$t in himI :r
maybe it was the !ombination o+ 3age and the +ortiesI
C2 don?t "nowA . .he Cowboy -$n"ies, probably,H she admitted.
A moment o+ silen!e passed and eath bl$rted o$t a la$gh li"e he?d been holding his
breath +or an ho$r. C8hatI 2<ve never heard o+ them.H =ara shot him a loo".
C2 li"e the Cowboy -$n"ies too,H Brandon lied. e wasn?t even s$re he "new any o+
their songs and hoped that 3age wo$ldn?t !all him on it. e then said that Lin"in Par"
was his +avorite band, whi!h wasn?t te!hni!ally tr$e. B$t i+ he admitted o$t lo$d that
sometimes he a!t$ally listened to X'3('C, and that 1adonna was sort o+ great to wor"
o$t to, 3age wo$ld probably have to d$mp him on the spot.
CAll right, how abo$t +avorite g$ilty pleas$re movieIH Brandon as"ed, leaning ba!"
against the so+a and enDoying the +eel o+ his arm pressed against 3age?s. e wished =ara
and eath wo$ld disappear and it wo$ld be D$st the two o+ them, tal"ing abo$t their
+avorite bands and movies and "issing, then "issing some moreA .
C/h, 2 don?t believe any pleas$res are g$ilty.H eath p$t his hand on =ara?s "nee and
she batted it away. Everyone else ignored him.
C3weet ome Alabama,H3age !ried o$t as i+ trying to b$EE in +irst on a game show. 3he
grinned sheepishly at Brandon, who already "new she loved any 0eese 8itherspoon
movie. C2t?s a d$mb movie, b$t every time 2 !at!h it on .9, 2 !an?t loo" away.H
C:h, good one,H =ara agreed, her !hee"s +l$shed +rom the vod"a. C2<d have to say)%
#oing on %0.H
C(o$ meanBig. C eath tried again to rest his hand on =ara?s leg. .his time she !rossed
her arms and stared him down $ntil he removed it. C.hat?s a rema"e o+Big with .om
an"s.H
C2 don?t thin" it?s a rema"e per se,H Brandon !orre!ted him.
C;$de,H eath said, Cit?s a rema"e.H
C8hat?s yo$rsIH =ara goaded eath, o++ering him a sip +rom her newly re+reshed shot
glass.
C8ee"end at Bernie?s,Hhe answered a$tomati!ally, downing the al!ohol witho$t ma"ing
a +a!e. C.ho$gh it?s really one o+ the greatest +ilms ever, and 2 don?t thin" 2 sho$ld +eel
g$ilty abo$t it.H
C8hat?s yo$rsIH =ara as"ed Brandon.
Brandon had to bite his lip to "eep +rom revealing the tr$th>his +avorite movie
wasLove, A!t$ally. B$t that seemed a little too metroseF$al to admit to. 2nstead, he
!o$ghed and said,C.he *ast and the *$rio$s.H
C.hat?s a boss movie,H eath said, holding $p his hand +or Brandon to swat him +ive.
Brandon st$!" his +ist o$t and eath b$mped it.
C.hin" 2 !an get into Bennington with an essay abo$t3weet ome AlabamaIH 3age
as"ed play+$lly. 3he giggled and n$EEled her +a!e into Brandon?s ne!".
C1ost embarrassing se!ret,H =ara said.
.he +ront door opened and a pair o+ girls in brightly !olored p$++y Da!"ets stamped
$pstairs in an orange and red bl$r. .he !old settled in the !ommon room and 3age
r$bbed her arms +or warmth, pressing her leg against Brandon?s.
C2 a!!identally let my sister?s p$ppy o$t when we were "ids and it got r$n over.H 3age
stared down at her "nees. 3he !overed her mo$th with her hand as i+ she regretted
letting the se!ret o$t. C8ow, 2<ve never admitted that o$t lo$d.H
C.hat?s terrible.H =ara leaned +orward, loo"ing li"e she wanted to give 3age a h$g.
C8hat happenedIH
C2 tho$ght it !o$ld go o$tside and 2 opened the door +or it and it too" o++. 2 !hased a+ter
it b$t it ran into the road in +ront o+ this garbage tr$!".H 3age?s +a!e had gone pale, and
Brandon had no idea what he sho$ld do. e p$t an arm aro$nd her sho$lder and she
eased against him grate+$lly.
C:hhGH eath win!ed. C3ma!".H
C2 lied and said the dog got o$t on its own. 2 even s!rat!hed $p the bottom o+ the
"it!hen door with a b$tter "ni+e to ma"e it loo" li"e 2 was telling the tr$th.H
C(eah, b$t yo$ didn?t "now,H Brandon said. e imagined 3age as a +ive5year5old with
her s$nlight blond hair in long sil"y ponytails. C.hat?s an honest mista"e.H
C2 do$bt 2<d tell my sister abo$t it even now,H 3age m$rm$red to Brandon. C3he loved
that dog. 3he still tal"s abo$t it li"e it?s a de!eased relative.H 3he b$ried her head in his
ne!" again.
C8hat?s yo$r dar" se!retIH eath as"ed =ara, t$rning to +a!e her.
C(o$ +irst.H =ara st$!" her tong$e o$t at him.
CLet?s see,H eath said, rolling his eyes toward the !eiling.C.here are so, so many.H e
+$rrowed his brow as i+ he was really trying to pi!" one, and Brandon shoo" his head,
annoyed. C.his one time my +riends and 2 threw a !$p o+ piss on this g$y riding a bi"e,H
he said. e smiled sheepishly when no one la$ghed and added, C2t wasn?tmy idea.H
Brandon wat!hed a loo" o+ horror !rawl over =ara?s +a!e. e glan!ed sideways at 3age,
who wore a similar loo". =ara !ontin$ed5to stare at eath while he went on and on
abo$t how he and his +riends had p$lled $p neFt to a g$y wearing a .a!o Bell $ni+orm
and pedaling a ten5speed.
Ce was probably on his way home +rom wor",H =ara said, a note o+ disg$st in her
voi!e.
C8ho "nows.H eath, his eyes reddened with al!ohol, was !ompletely oblivio$s to
=ara?s s!owl. C2t was pretty +$nny, tho$gh. 2 mean, it was a .a!o Bell !$p, i+ yo$ !an
believe that.H
C8hat a !oin!iden!e,H Brandon said, s$rprised at how satis+ying it was to see eath
+all in the girls< estimation.
CEw, don?t tal" abo$t it anymore.H 3age p$t her hands to her ears.
C8hat abo$t yo$, 1iss Per+e!tIH eath as"ed =ara.
C2 don?t "now abo$t 1iss Per+e!t,H =ara said, Cb$t 2 !an?t top that story.H 3he played
with a b$tton on her sleeve.
CC<mon,H eath egged her on.
C(o$ don?t want to hear it,H =ara told him.
C3$re we do,H eath said. e loo"ed at Brandon and 3age as i+ to !on+irm.
C(o$ don?t have to i+ yo$ don?t want to,H Brandon said, not be!a$se he didn?t want to
hear =ara?s se!ret>she did have this totally mysterio$s a$ra abo$t her>b$t be!a$se he
was in a !ontrarian groove, whatever eath said or did, he wo$ld do the opposite. 2t was
his new way o+ li+e.
C2 went on a !abbage so$p diet a+ter 2 le+t 8averly>whi!h 2 did, in no small part,
be!a$se o+ yo$r teasing.H =ara loo"ed at eath, who was trying to !omp$te what she
was saying. e s!rewed $p his +a!e and s!r$n!hed his brow. C2 ate !abbage so$p +or a
whole month>brea"+ast, l$n!h, and dinner.H
C1y mom tried that on!e,H 3age spo"e $p J$ietly. C3he lasted, li"e, a day.H
C2t?s pretty gross,H =ara said, her voi!e light and Do"ing again. CAnd it ma"es yo$ smell
li"e !abbage, too. B$t it wor"s.H
C2 don?t remember teasing yo$,H eath whispered to =ara, his eyes pleading. e p$t his
hand over his heart as i+ swearing the tr$th.
C(o$ were pretty br$tal,H =ara !on+essed.
CLi"e howI 8hat?d 2 sayIH eath as"ed. is hand dropped to his lap and the tenor in
the room !hanged. Brandon !o$ld +eel eath s ship sin"ing deeper and deeper.
=ara sighed. C2t doesn?t matter,H she said. C2 blo!"ed it all o$t anyway.H
C8ell, we?re glad yo$?re ba!",H Brandon said diplomati!ally. e smiled broadly as
eath sat m$te, $nable to !ome $p with anything to say.
C1e too,H 3age added.
.hey all loo"ed at eath, who was at a total loss +or words. *inally, =ara shi+ted her
greenish5brown eyes to Brandon. C3o, what?s yo$r se!retIH
Brandon wanted to stop the words be+ore they le+t his mo$th, b$t with all the beer he?d
had, topped with the shot o+ vod"a, his brain was two steps behind. C2 slept with my
baby blan"et $ntil 2 was eleven.H
A silen!e +ell and 3age loo"ed at him li"e he was a "inder5gartner who had dropped his
i!e !ream !one.
Brandon?s heart was po$nding, his temples throbbing with nerves and the hangover that
was s$re to !ome the neFt morning. ad he really D$st admitted his retarded5
development baby blan"et se!retI Co$ldn?t he have invented something seFier> and
more dangero$sI 2t hit him li"e a ton o+ bri!"s that all his hard wor" and !ool5+a"ing
had gone down the drain. 3age wo$ld never see him the same way again.
C.hat is so !$te,H 3age said s$ddenly, her words sl$rring slightly. 3he sJ$eeEed his
hand.
Brandon?s eyes widened. 8as it possible she was t$rned on by itI ad he been worried
+or nothingI
eath snorted. C;$de, what !olor was yo$r blan"ieIH he as"ed, r$bbing his +a!e with
his hand in an e++ort to !ontrol his sni!"ers.
CBl$e,H Brandon answered, not wanting to ba!" down. C2t had the logos o+ all the
baseball teams on one side, and it was bl$e on the other.H e shr$gged his sho$lders.
CB$t a+ter a +ew years, it was D$st "ind o+ gray.H
CBy the way,H =ara spo"e $p, almost imper!eptibly sliding away +rom eath, Cnone o+
this leaves this room.H
C0ight,H 3age agreed.
C;e+initely.H Brandon leaned ba!" into the pl$sh bl$e so+a, +eeling s$ddenly relaFed.
3age t$gged Brandon !loser to her. er breath was warm in his ear, and wisps o+ her
blond hair ti!"led his nose. C(o$?ll have to show me yo$r blan"et sometime.H
Brandon grinned st$pidly, +eeling lighter and happier than he had in wee"s. Apparently,
some se!rets were better when shared.
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
ABC Amber L2. Converter v2.08
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Brett1essers!hmitt,ey, did yo$ get my e5mailI
Brett1essers!hmitt,3ebastianI
Brett1essers!hmitt,2 "now yo$?re thereG
22
A 8A9E0L( :8L =':83 E0 ;E1:'3.
Callie s!ooted her !hair ba!" a little +rom the !ir!le o+ women h$ddled together against
the !old o+ the tiny, bare room. 3he swore she !o$ld see her breath. 'atasha glared at
her and she in!hed her !hair +orward again, sho$lder5to5sho$lder with the woman neFt
to her, who hadn?t said a word all day.
.he room smelled o+ b$rnt mat!hes, as i+ someone had desperately been trying to start
a +ire +or warmth b$t had +ailed. Callie h$gged hersel+, her oversiEe sweatshirt too
baggy to provide any real warmth. 3he pressed her !old hands into the armpits o+ her
sweatshirt and tried to remember the trip she and her +ather had ta"en to Egypt a +ew
years ago>she?d been miserable in the )205degree weather at the time, b$t now she
tho$ght +ondly o+ how the heat had enveloped their bodies.
CEveryone has an addi!tion, whether they "now it or not.H 'atasha spo"e $p witho$t
any sort o+ preamble. *or some reason, the sta++ at 8hispering Pines weren?t reJ$ired to
wear the same nasty $ni+orms as the !lients>or were they patientsI /nless the gray/
PE'' sweatshirt 'atasha had been wearing sin!e yesterdaywas some "ind o+ $ni+orm.
C3ome people eat the same +ood every day and don?t realiEe they?re addi!ted to it, not
be!a$se o+ how it tastes, b$t be!a$se it?s a !r$t!h so they don?t have to try di++erent
"inds o+ +oods. And i+ yo$ as" them abo$t it, they say,2 don?t even thin" abo$t it. B$t
yo$r addi!tions r$le yo$r s$b!ons!io$s world.H
C2 don?t have an addi!tion.H Callie D$mped at the so$nd o+ the woman neFt to her +inally
spea"ing. 3he was still wearing her !ap with the ear+laps, her arms over her !hest. 3he
stared down at the bare wood +loor.
'atasha a!t$ally smiled, +or the +irst time all day. er short blond hair was !$t !lose to
her s!alp, and her massive sho$lders made Callie s$spe!t she?d been some "ind o+
:lympi! swimmer. C8ell, that?s what 2<d li"e yo$ all to thin" abo$t. 8hat?s yo$r
addi!tionI 2<d li"e yo$ all to relaF, and 2<d li"e yo$ all to try spea"ing $p. .his is a sa+e
environment>no one "nows ea!h other.H
Callie !ertainly wasn?t going to be vol$nteering to spea" $p anytime soon. Abo$t +orty
se!onds o+ silen!e had passed sin!e 'atasha as"ed +or vol$nteers. .he other women
!rowded in the tight !ir!le o+ +olding !hairs sear!hed one another?s +a!es +or a sign o+
!on+ession. Callie !rossed her arms over her !hest indignantly. 3he was totally not
addi!ted to anything>what a lame J$estion. /h, there was a time when she?d been
addi!ted to !herry mil" sha"es and ;$ 8op lip venom, b$t those weren?t eFa!tly bad +or
yo$.
C2<ll go.H A slender girl who loo"ed li"e a warped version o+ Brett spo"e $p. 3he had
short, dar" red hair with two in!hes o+ brown roots, and a dingy gold hoop in her nose.
3he loo"ed li"e Brett might i+ she spent two years not washing her s"in and living on a
street. Callie wished she had her phone so she !o$ld snap a pi!t$re and send it to Brett,
begging +or help.
CEyes !losed,H 'atasha !ommanded. 2t was one o+ the r$les she had laid o$t at the
beginning o+ J$ote5$nJ$ote gro$p therapy, no la$ghing, no ins$lts, and no loo"ing.
Callie waited +or the others to !lose their eyes, some tilting their heads toward the
!eiling to tri!" themselves o$t o+ !heating. ow ridi!$lo$s, Callie tho$ght as she h$ng
her tired head, her !hin lolling against her !hest. .he s$dden dar"ness in!reased her
drowsiness, her m$s!les a!hing +rom !hopping wood, and she was worried she might
start to snore.
C2<m a !omp$lsive shopli+ter,H *a"e Brett admitted wea"ly. C2 !an?t help mysel+. 2 go
into a store and immediately 2 see three things 2 have to have.H Callie?s eyes popped
open be+ore she remembered where she was and !losed them again. 3he imagined
'atasha wat!hing over the whole gro$p with a garden hose, ready to give everyone a
shot o+ !old water in the +a!e i+ they opened their eyes.
*a"e Brett !ontin$ed. C1y parents don?t !are i+ 2 p$t it on their Cent$rion AmEF, b$t
that?s not the point. B$ying it wo$ld be too easy.H Callie snorted. 2+ *a"e Brett?s parents
had a Cent$rion AmEF that they let her $se sans J$estion, it so$nded li"e she had pretty
m$!h the per+e!t li+e. 8hat was she !omplaining abo$tI 8hy didn?t she hightail it o$t
o+ this d$mp and hit BarneysI C2t?s abo$t the danger, really>yo$?re a+raid yo$?ll get
!a$ght. (elled at. 0eprimanded. B$t yet the thrill yo$ get when yo$ slip that sil"y
ermes s!ar+ into yo$r bag is D$st pri!eless>yo$r "nees +eel wea", yo$r insides are all
sha"y, and it almost doesn?t matter i+ yo$ get !a$ght, be!a$se that?s all part o+ the
eF!itement.H
Callie sJ$inted thro$gh her eyelids at *a"e Brett>she was s$re everyone else in the
!ir!le was doing the same>and wat!hed as she gesti!$lated wildly with her hands, her
eyes !losed, as she rattled o++ the list o+ per+$mes and !lothes and shoes she?d stolen $p
and down *i+th Aven$e over the years.
-$st !harge the damn shoes, !raEy girl.Callie had always tho$ght shopli+ting was
in!redibly st$pid>she loved the +eel o+ handing a saleswoman her !redit !ard and
wat!hing as all the bea$ti+$l !lothes she?d pi!"ed o$t were wrapped $p in deli!ate tiss$e
paper and pla!ed in a st$rdy shopping bag with a braided sil" handle. 3he remembered
the time she and .insley had tried on doEens o+ dresses in the Bendel?s dressing room,
sear!hing +or grad$ation party>worthy o$t+its. Callie !o$ldn?t de!ide between a
strapless bla!" la!e 9era 8ang and a sil"y red A.B.3. slip dress>so .insley had dared
to slip one o+ them in her bag. As Callie stood at the !o$nter, paying +or the A.B.3., her
heart almost po$nded thro$gh her !hest and her "nees +elt all wobbly. B$t by the time
they made it thro$gh the +ront door and ba!" o$t onto the pavement, Callie was striding
down *i+th Aven$e neFt to .insley, with two gorgeo$s dresses, +eeling li"e she owned
the world. 2t was a heady r$sh>not $nli"e the one she $sed to get every time Easy
"issed her.
C2 "now what yo$ mean,H another voi!e so$nded, interr$pting Callie?s tho$ghts. 3he
inadvertently opened her eyes, +o!$sing on (vette, the woman who said she didn?t have
any goddamn addi!tions. A glare +rom 'atasha +or!ed Callie?s eyes !losed again. C2t?s
li"e, why do things the normal way, rightI 2+ everyone pays +or something, then that?s
boring. 1y +riends !all me a re+leFive !ontrarian, b$t that?s D$st them being a+raid, too
!hi!"en to spea" o$t against anything. .hey D$st swallow everything li"e damn
gold+ish.H Callie let a giggle es!ape +rom her lips b$t J$i!"ly started !o$ghing to !over
it. (vette didn?t seem to mind, her eyes still !losed. C3o, 2 D$st !an?t help it>2 +eel li"e i+
everyone does something one way, 2 have to do it another wayA . 2<m always
disagreeing with people>starting +ights, being a general pain in the ass.H
Callie wondered how re+leFive !ontrarianism wor"ed>i+ someone else started tal"ing,
wo$ld (vette sh$t $pI Christ, was everyone here a !omplete weirdoI er +orehead
b$rned when she tho$ght o+ her mother setting $p this little Da$nt. Callie "new she
sho$ld?ve tr$sted her +irst instin!t abo$t the alleged spa trip. ;id #overnor 9ernon "now
this was really the Land o+ the CraEy 8omenI .he whole therapy session wo$ldn?t have
been so bad i+ people had better stories>al!ohol, dr$gs, seF. B$t addi!ted to
shopli+tingI Being a pain in the assI 'ot so interesting.
C.hat?s an eF!ellent start.H 'atasha !lapped her hands together when (vette stopped
tal"ing. 'o one else spo"e $p. C8e?re going to do an eFer!ise to +ind o$t what yo$r
addi!tions are. And then we?re going to get rid o+ them.H
Callie rolled her eyes at the large woman sitting a!ross +rom her, b$t the woman D$st
s!owled at her in ret$rn.
C;o as 2 say and yo$r personal addi!tion will s$r+a!e in yo$r mind. (o$ !annot deal
with yo$r addi!tions $nless yo$ "now what they are.H
.he room +ell silent.1y #od, Callie tho$ght..his is really happening. 3at$rday evening
>right now, she sho$ld be !rawling $nder her sn$ggly !om+orter, resting $p +or a little
while be+ore getting dressed in some hot party !lothes and going o$t.
CClose yo$r eyes again,H 'atasha !ommanded. Callie let her eyelids +loat down,
wanting nothing more than to nestle her head into her own +l$++y pillow.
C2t?s important to sit still.H 'atasha?s voi!e so+tened so that her a!!ent was almost
entirely gone. CPay attention to yo$r +eet. Con!entrate on ea!h one o+ yo$r toes, then
+eel the +loor with the bottom o+ yo$r +eet. 1aybe it +eels li"e the +loor is p$shing ba!"
against yo$r +eet.H
Callie !o$ld hardly +eel her +eet, let alone her toes.
C.hin" o+ yo$r +avorite !olor,H 'atasha s$ggested. C(o$r +eet are soa"ing in a pool o+
that !olor.H
Callie imagined her +eet in a pool o+ pale yellow.
C'ow wat!h as that !olor starts to +low thro$gh yo$, moving its way gently $p to yo$r
an"les, toward yo$r "nees, thro$gh yo$r legs.H 'atasha wal"ed J$ietly aro$nd the
o$tside o+ the !ir!le, her voi!e !oming !lose and +ading away as her +oot+alls +ell against
the wooden +loor. CAs the !olor migrates, +eel the press$re o+ the !hair against yo$r
body. *eel the !olor +low into yo$r sho$lders. 2t?s ra!ing into yo$r +ingertips.H
Callie !o$ld +eel the !old metal o+ the !hair digging into her ba!", b$t a !almness +ell
over her and again she was a+raid she?d +all asleep. 3he imagined her +ingertips lit with
s$nlight, and +or the +irst time sin!e she?d arrived, she +elt warm.
CAs yo$r mind wanders, D$st +ollow it,H 'atasha said so+tly. CPay attention to where it
wanders, b$t then thin" abo$t yo$r !olor again.H
Callie was too +as!inated by the warmth that had enveloped her to pay attention to
'atasha?s instr$!tions. A smile !$rled on her lips as she bas"ed in the yellow glow. An
image o+ Easy riding Credo thro$gh a wheat +ield momentarily blo!"ed o$t the warmth,
the smile t$rning into a +rown.
C*o!$s on the !olor,H 'atasha reminded everyone.
Callie tried to !on!entrate on her !olor, b$t it was +aded now, not brilliant li"e the s$n,
b$t the !olor o+ wea" noodle so$p. .he time sophomore year she?d made !hi!"en so$p
in the s"et!hy ;$mbarton "it!hen to ta"e over to a +l$5ridden Easy popped into her
mind, leading to a s$!!ession o+ images o+ Easy 8alsh thro$gh the years as i+ she had a
giant slide show o+ him stored in her brain, whi!h, apparently, she did. .he +irst time
she?d seen Easy, +reshman year, when he?d slid into the seat behind her in algebra on the
+irst day o+ !lass and gotten the wire o+ his s"et!hboo" st$!" in her hair. A J$i!" Eip
thro$gh a +ew years o+ l$sting a+ter him, and then she was le+t with the image o+ the last
time she?d seen Easy>and he?d told her she was a bit!h.
Easy 8alsh. 3he was addi!ted to Easy.
C8hat?s trying to +ight the !olorIH 'atasha as"ed, in a lo$d whisper. C8hat?s getting in
the way o+ yo$r happinessI (o$ have the power to stop it. All o+ yo$ do.H
A bright yellow washed o$t the images o+ Easy, and Callie !o$ld +eel hersel+ sJ$inting,
as i+ s$mmoning her powers to erase the images o+ him. .he room seemed to h$m, and
right when Callie +elt li"e she was holding her breath $nderwater, 'atasha told them to
open their eyes.
C8ow.H .he large woman a!ross +rom Callie eFhaled. C8ow.H
Callie nodded, wide5awa"e now. er body +elt totally reD$venated, li"e it did a+ter a
really great Pilates session, her blood !o$rsing li"e a wild river. 3he remembered *a"e
Brett?s des!ription o+ shopli+ting>the nervo$s eF!itement, the +ear o+ getting !a$ght.
Being with Easy was eFa!tly li"e that. Ever sin!e they?d started dating, she got the !raEy
b$tter+lies whenever she tho$ght abo$t him, or saw him, or "issed him. 2t was an
addi!tion>one that she hadn?t been willing to let go o+, even when he d$mped her +or
-enny.
B$t the yellow brightness she?d eFperien!ed behind her eyes was the promise o+
something new>the light at the end o+ the t$nnel. 3he "new now that Easy was her
disease. 3he "new she had to get rid o+ him. 3he "new that she wo$ld never, ever let
hersel+ love him again.
*inally, it was over.
2%
A 8A9E0L( :8L 23 AL8A(3 P0EPA0E; *:0 .E 8:03.>E9E' 8E'
3LEEP2'#.
Brett dreamed she was in the desert, stranded witho$t water or shade. .he hot s$n beat
down on her head, her hair improbably done $p li"e that o+ a bea$ty pageant !ontestant.
3he traipsed thro$gh the desert, the sand b$rning her bare +eet, her toes mani!$red and
la!J$ered a bright red. 2n the distan!e, a +araway "no!"ing e!hoed a!ross the windswept
desert, the so$nd growing lo$der $ntil everything went bla!" and Brett sat $p in bed,
sweating.
C8hat is thatIH Brett hissed to no one in parti!$lar, the sheet hot against her bare s"in.
Earlier in the evening, when the maintenan!e sta++ was wor"ing to +iF the +lood damage,
they?d somehow managed to brea" the boiler, !a$sing the temperat$res in ;$mbarton to
s"yro!"et. .insley had insisted on only opening the windows a !ra!", as she apparently
+elt a !old !oming on. .hey?d all been +or!ed to strip down to pra!ti!ally their
$nderwear. Lying in bed neFt to =ara had been eFtra aw"ward, with =ara in her gray
!amisole and mat!hing Calvin =lein boFers.
C3ee who it is,H .insley !ommanded drowsily, diva5li"e even in her sleep.
C2t?s got to be Pardee.H #lad +or an eF!$se to D$mp o$t o+ bed, Brett !rept to the door,
t$gging down on the bottom o+ her Cosabella boy shorts and hoping her nipples weren?t
po"ing thro$gh her tiss$e5so+t !ropped .5shirt. 8hat the +$!" !o$ld she want nowI 3he
glan!ed at the alarm !lo!" neFt to her bed. .he red n$mbers read ),%7.
Brett opened the door D$st a !ra!", b$t instead o+ Pardee, -eremiah stood in the
doorway, a lo!" o+ reddish hair t$mbling over his +orehead. Cey,H he said J$ietly,
glan!ing over his sho$lder. C8e got ba!" +rom the game tonight instead o+ tomorrow,
and 2 really wanted to see yo$.H e peered into the dar"ness behind her. C2s .insley
o$tIH
C2<m in,H .insley answered, snapping on the light neFt to her bed. 3he sat $p, revealing
her bla!" bra top and toned abdomen. A!ross the room, =ara r$bbed the sleep +rom her
eyes. -eremiah?s bl$e5green eyes widened at the sight o+ her, hal+5dressed, lying in
Brett?s bed.
A loo" o+ horror passed over Brett?s +a!e as she wat!hed -eremiah?s eFpression so$r.
C8hat, are yo$living togetherIH he as"ed, a s$rge o+ pani! in his voi!e. C2 tho$ght yo$
said>H
C'o, no,H Brett said, trying to "eep her voi!e low so he wo$ld do the same and not
wa"e the entire dorm.
C8hy are yo$ sharing a bedIH -eremiah as"ed, the pani! in his voi!e repla!ed with
anger.
CCan 2 eFplainIH Brett as"ed plaintively. -eremiah !rossed his arms over his !hest, his
m$s!les +leFing beneath his Dersey as i+ he were abo$t to be sa!"ed. 3he !o$ld +eel him
thin"ing abo$t s!rambling away, too, li"e she?d seen him do a million times on the
+ootball +ield to avoid being hit.
C2 don?t "now, !an yo$IH he shot ba!". 2t was !lear that he had heard the +$ll r$mors
abo$t her and =ara and had simply ta"en Brett?s word +or it that they weren?t tr$e.
C.here was a +lood on the +irst +loor.H Brett la$n!hed into her de+ense. CA tree smashed
into one o+ the bathrooms on the se!ond +loor>H
C(o$ said the +irst +loor,H -eremiah interr$pted her. e smoothed ba!" the lo!" o+ hair
that had h$ng so tantaliEingly over his smooth s"in.
C.he bathroom is on the se!ond +loor, b$t the pipes b$rst and +looded the +irst +loor.
And =ara?s room got +looded.H Brett inDe!ted a note o+ pleading into her voi!e. 3he D$st
wanted a !han!e to eFplain everything>the mo$se, the bro"en boiler, how everyone at
8averly had blown whatever it was she had with =ara o$t o+ proportion +or their own
pleas$re, how she was in danger o+ being eFpelled i+ she didn?t toe the 8averly line, all
o+ whi!h helped eFplain what =ara was doing in her bed in the middle o+ the night, both
o+ them in their $nderwear.
C3he?s telling the tr$th,H =ara said mee"ly, sitting $p in the bed and p$lling the
!om+orter $p over her "nees. C.hey p$t me in here. 3he didn?t have a !hoi!e.H
Brett smiled over her sho$lder at =ara, grate+$l +or the ba!"$p. =ara sti+led her smile,
probably so -eremiah wo$ldn?t see, and Brett was do$bly grate+$l.
C.hey made yo$ sleep in the same bedIH -eremiah as"ed in!red$lo$sly. C8hat do yo$
thin" 2 am, st$pidI 8hy not on the +loorI :r with .insleyIH
.insley !o$ldn?t resist interDe!ting. C2 don?t share my bed withanyone, C she said !oolly,
eF!ited to see all the tro$ble she?d !a$sed. 2t was only +air>where did Brett get o++
thin"ing she !o$ld have an illi!it lesbian love a++air and still manage to get her hot
boy+riend ba!"I
.insley rolled over in her bed, b$rying her +a!e in her pillow to avoid the light. 8hile
she "new she sho$ld have been happy to see someone else get what was !oming to her,
her own words "ept ringing in her ears,2 don?t share my bed with anyone. 3he?d said it
as a !lever p$n!h line, b$t the moment the words le+t her mo$th she realiEed they were
tr$e. 'o one was interested, espe!ially not -$lian>the one person she !o$ld not, +or the
li+e o+ her, get o$t o+ her brain. 3he shivered $nder her sheet even tho$gh the room was
sweltering, an immense sadness enveloping her so that she !o$ld hardly hear the s!ene
that was playing o$t a +ew +eet away.
C-eremiah,please, C Brett pleaded, grabbing him by the arm and leading him o$t into
the dar"ened hallway. 3he listened +or so$nds o+ Pardee sh$++ling o$t o+ bed, b$t there
was only silen!e. C2 "now it loo"s weird, b$t really. 2t?s D$st this totally ridi!$lo$s set o+
!ir!$mstan!es that AH 3he trailed o++, r$nning a hand thro$gh her tangled red hair,
whi!h was probably all matted.
-eremiah t$gged at his !oat, his +a!e +l$shed red. C2tis really +$!"ing hot in here.H is
eyes s!anned down Brett?s body, ta"ing in her lithe torso, braless $nderneath her thin
tee, and her long, slender legs. C2 g$ess 2, $h, overrea!ted, didn?t 2I 2<m sorry,
sweetheart, b$t loo" at yo$. Can yo$ blame me +or wanting to be the only one in yo$r
bedIH
Brett?s "nees wea"ened as -eremiah p$lled her toward him and wrapped her in his
strong arms. C(o$ will be soon,H she promised with a sigh.
.he time +or them to be together, with no distra!tions, !o$ldn?t !ome soon eno$gh.
27
A 8A9E0L( :8L 3ELEC.3 E0 #/E3. L23. 82. CA0E>B/. =':83
.A. E9E' BE##A03 CA'?. BE C::3E03.
.he smell o+ b$ttery pop!orn +illed the Cinephiles s!reening room on 3$nday a+ternoon
as .insley rearranged the +ree sna!"s she?d p$t together +or her +ellow :wls. 2n addition
to bags o+ +reshly popped pop!orn, she?d laid o$t a bowl o+ bite5siEe 3ni!"ers, -$nior
1ints, a plasti! D$g o+ li!ori!e, and a pile o+ PiFie 3tiF +or those who li"ed to mainline
their s$gar. A !ooler +$ll o+ diet soda was i!ed and ready $nder the table, a !o$ple o+
wine !oolers b$ried all the way at the bottom, in !ase .insley was so inspired.
.he n$mber o+ +avors she?d had to !all in to lay her hands on the +ilm wo$ld never be
"nown by her +ellow :wls, tho$gh they?d all be impressed with the*:0 (:/0
C:'32;E0A.2:' tag at the bottom o+ the s!reen, revealing that the bootleg had !ome
+rom an A!ademy Award voter. 1$!h !ooler than i+ it had !ome +rom one o+ the
haw"ers on a nondes!ript !orner in Chinatown, whi!h was sort o+ li"e b$ying "no!"o++
per+$me or +a"e *endi bags.
.insley glan!ed at the wat!h on her le+t wrist. 2n her mid5thigh5length CitiEens o+
$manity denim s"irt, a sn$g5+itting yellow tee +rom /rban :$t+itters, and her vintage
#$!!i "nee5high boots, won in a +ier!e bidding war on eBay, she?d gone +or !as$al5seFy.
3he was trying not to get nervo$s A b$t wherewas everyoneI
.he door to the s!reening room !rea"ed open, and .insley almost sighed in relie+. A
+re!"le5+a!ed +reshman pee"ed in shyly. CAm 2 the +irstIH she as"ed. er !ropped dar"
hair was held ba!" +rom her +a!e with a red s!ar+. 3he wore a heather gray !able5"nit
sweater and a pair o+ tan !ords, and loo"ed as i+ she had stepped o$t o+ the pages o+ one
o+ the +ree -.Crew !atalogs that got st$++ed in .insley?s mailboF every wee". B$t not in a
good way.
2+ .insley were being honest with hersel+, she?d admit that it was -$lian she had hoped
to see sa$ntering thro$gh the +ront door. As improbable as it seemed, she?d wished all
night that he?d show $p and "iss her and everything wo$ld be right again. 'o more
wal"ing thro$gh !amp$s +eeling li"e she had !holera or some other gross disease they?d
learned abo$t in 1r. 0obinson?s world history !lass, no more paranoia abo$t people
whispering or pointing in her dire!tion. 3he "new a "iss +rom -$lian !o$ld t$rn all that
aro$nd.
3he s$ddenly remembered an $nderlined J$ote +rom a =$rt 9onneg$t boo" she?d
borrowed +rom Easy 8alsh +reshman year>H8e are what we pretend to be, so we m$st
be !are+$l what we pretend to be.H At the time, she +elt li"e he?d $nderlined it +or her,
right be+ore he lent it to her, as i+ he were trying to get inside her head. 3he?d been
wrong then, o+ !o$rse>he apparently didn?t !are who .insley was pretending to be, a
+a!t made !lear when he started dating Callie. B$t thin"ing abo$t it now made her A
really lonely. -$lian, she?d tho$ght, had seen thro$gh her, too. B$t she?d been wrong
abo$t that as well. :r, maybe hehad seen thro$gh her A and hadn?t li"ed what he saw.
Celp yo$rsel+,H .insley o++ered, her head spinning. .he +reshman sidled $p to the
pop!orn and pi!"ed a single pie!e to pop into her mo$th. 3he eyed the 3ni!"ers and
-$nior 1ints h$ngrily b$t didn?t rea!h +or one.
C2<m dying to see this movieGH the girl eF!laimed, loo"ing aro$nd the re!lining leather
seats o+ the s!reening room as i+ sear!hing +or other people. Cow did yo$ get itIH
C2 D$st did,H .insley said, the smell o+ pop!orn s$ddenly na$seating her.
CAre there A $h A going to be any boys hereIH -.Crew as"ed. 3he smiled at .insley
li"e they were sorority sisters.
.insley r$bbed her hand over her +a!e wearily. C2<m going to step o$tside +or a
!igarette. elp yo$rsel+ to anything.H
.insley sp$n on the heel o+ her !l$n"y boots and tr$dged o$t o+ the s!reening room and
into the gray +all a+ternoon, shielding her eyes +rom the rain to s$rvey the !amp$s +or
the drove o+ +ilmgoers she?d been eFpe!ting. A +ew g$ys in +lee!es !hased one another
aro$nd the J$ad in what loo"ed li"e a primitive mating rit$al. Assorted :wls with their
arms loaded down with boo"s r$shed o++ toward the library, h$rrying thro$gh the
downpo$r. B$t nobody was headed in the dire!tion o+ op"ins all. 8as she really
getting stood $p A by everybodyI -.Crew girl totally did not !o$nt.
3he "new how !ool it was to be late +or things, b$t this was 0yan #osling. 2llegal 0yan
#osling, i+ yo$ wanted to get te!hni!al. .insley lit a 1arlboro Light and too" a long
drag, !$pping the !igarette to "eep it dry.
.he door to the s!reening room popped open. C(o$ don?t have any al!ohol, do yo$IH
-.Crew as"ed.
.insley +elt hersel+ de+late even more. CBottom o+ the !ooler.H .his was what she had
be!ome>a lonely, +riendless D$nior peddling al!ohol to overEealo$s +reshmen.
C.han"s,H -.Crew sJ$ealed and disappeared ba!" into the dar"ness o+ the s!reening
room.
.he toba!!o !o$ldn?t obs!$re the taste o+ +ail$re that !oated .insley?s tong$e and
+ormed a l$mp in her throat. .his s$!"ed. 8as no one on her sideI Andwhere was
CallieI 3he was away +or the wee"end, o"ay, b$t why was her phone still o++I 'o teFts,
no messages, nothing. 2t was li"e she had died>a terrible, s!ary tho$ght .insley
!o$ldn?t J$ite sha"e no matter how $nli"ely it was. 3he h$gged hersel+ as a !hill wind
blew thro$gh !amp$s, rattling the trees overhead, a sprin"le o+ leaves +alling aro$nd her.
3he missed Callie more than she?d ever tho$ght she !o$ld, +eeling her absen!e all the
way down to her !ore. 3he !o$ldn?t remember the last time she?d +elt so alone. 3he
tossed the !igarette and stamped it o$t, !are+$l to pi!" $p the b$tt and ta"e it inside.
.he air inside the s!reening room smelled li"e a +o$l !ombination o+ wine !ooler and
b$tter, and it was all .insley !o$ld do to "eep +rom vomiting when the +rosh as"ed i+ she
wanted to hang o$t instead o+ wat!h the movie. C2<m good either way,H the girl said in
her best !ool voi!e, shr$gging and shoving her hands in the po!"ets o+ her dor"y tan
!ords.
CA!t$ally, something D$st !ame $p,H .insley m$ttered, t$rning on her heels and p$shing
thro$gh the +ront doors. Celp yo$rsel+ to the rest o+ the wine !oolers. And t$rn the
lights o++ behind yo$.H
;o people really bate me that m$!hI.insley wondered as she tr$dged ba!" toward
;$mbarton in the rain, not !aring eno$gh to open her $mbrella, the !old droplets
!oating her s"in in a wet sheen. And did they love that bit!h -enny so m$!h as to hold a
!olle!tive gr$dgeI 3he do$bted it>she "new she hadn?t +allen so +ar that people
a!tively hated her. 2nstead, it was li"e she had D$st +allen o++ their radar. 8hi!h was +ar,
+ar worse.
2@
A 8A9E0L( :8L ;:E3 ':. 3EA0C .0:/# E0 0::12E?3
/';E08EA0 ;0A8E0 /'LE33 3E?3 P0EPA0E; .: 3EE E0 ;A0=E3.
3EC0E.3.
AsJ$all o+ rain beat against the window o+ ;$mbarton %0% as ;rew po$red -enny
another glass o+ the deli!io$s red wine he?d bo$ght in town. 3he had no idea whether it
was eFpensive wine or !heap wine>she hadn?t dr$n" eno$gh o+ it in her li+etime to
"now the di++eren!e>b$t to her, it was l$s!io$s. 8hen ;rew had shown $p 3$nday
a+ternoon with a pi!ni! bas"et in one hand and a single red rose in the other, the weather
inside her dorm room had !hanged +rom dar" and stormy to s$nny bl$e s"ies.
C2 tho$ght we !o$ld have a +loor pi!ni!,H he?d said, s!anning the messy +loor. e loo"ed
his normal st$nning sel+ in a simple olive green !rew5ne!" sweater and a pair o+ dar"
wash .r$e 0eligion Deans. As he leaned in to "iss her !hee", the pleasant s!ent o+ aloe
shaving !ream hit her nose.
-enny had J$i!"ly shoved everything>random !lothes, stray shoes, s!ribbled5on
noteboo"s>$nder her and Callie?s beds to ma"e room +or the ri!h b$rg$ndy 0alph
La$ren !able5"nit throw that ;rew had spread a!ross the +loor. As she sat !ross5legged
in her stret!hy !har!oal gray BCB# "nit pants and bla!" Dersey wrap top, she +elt very
sophisti!ated. ere she was, having5a romanti! pi!ni! with a senior, on the +loor o+ her
dorm room, drin"ing probably eFpensive red wine.
3he !o$ld +eel the wine ti!"ling the ba!" o+ her throat, her stoma!h +$ll o+ the
!$!$mber5and5Brie sandwi!hes that seemed to "eep !oming +rom ;rew?s pi!ni! bas"et.
e prod$!ed a giant !ontainer o+ red grapes, seedless and washed, the dew still +resh on
their s"ins.
C:pen yo$r mo$th and !lose yo$r eyes,H ;rew said sed$!tively, raising a sandy brown
eyebrow at -enny. e leaned ba!" against the edge o+ -enny?s bed, her an!ient bl$e5and5
white +lowered J$ilt wrin"ling slightly.
C8hatIH 3he giggled as she t$gged at the top o+ her wrap shirt. 3he had a vision o+
Cleopatra lying ba!" on some "ind o+ gold5en!r$sted !haise lo$nge, a handsome
Egyptian in a toga +anning her with a palm +rond while another slipped grapes into her
mo$th. 2t was "ind o+ a +$n +antasy, b$t it didn?t eFa!tly +eel right +or a 3$nday
a+ternoon in $pstate 'ew (or". C2 don?t thin" so.(o$. C -enny heard the +lirtatio$s
!on+iden!e in her voi!e and wondered where the hell it !ame +rom.
1aybe it had something to do with having a gorgeo$s senior leaning ba!" against her
bed, obediently opening his mo$th and !losing his eyes. -enny gently lobbed a grape
toward his open lips. 2t missed, bo$n!ing o++ his nose.
;rew laEily opened one eyelid, revealing a spar"ling green eye. C(o$ s$!".H
CCome on. #ive me another !han!e,H -enny pleaded, aiming another grape at his
mo$th. As it le+t her +ingertips, he D$mped +orward and ta!"led her. .hey landed in a
pile on the bedspread.
C'o more grapes. (o$?re too dangero$s.H ;rew?s arms were aro$nd her, his magneti!
eyes staring dire!tly into hers. is lips were D$st in!hes away. *inally he sat $p and
leaned against the headboard again, smiling at her.
3at$rday had been a bl$r. .heir a+ternoon drive to 3leepy ollow to wander in and o$t
o+ the tiny $sed boo"stores that dotted the pi!t$resJ$e downtown had t$rned into a
!andlelit dinner in a resta$rant overloo"ing the ban"s o+ the $dson 0iver. ;inner had
melted into a midnight stroll aro$nd !amp$s. .hey held hands in the moonless dar",
;rew p$lling her into bla!"ened !orners to press his +irm body against hers, his lips
+$mbling +or hers in the dar". er body had been so ab$EE that she !o$ld hardly sleep
all night.
;rew to$!hed -enny?s !hee". C2<ve been having s$!h a great time with yo$, yo$ "now.H
.iny ele!tri! sho!"s shot thro$gh her body.
C(esterday was really +$n.H -enny win!ed at the so$nd o+ her voi!e saying something
so dor"y.*$nI 8hat was she, twelveI
C;o yo$ want to go wat!h the rain in the gaEeboIH ;rew as"ed sheepishly, grabbing
the bottle o+ wine. e glan!ed away when he said the wordgaEebo, a "nown hoo"$p
spot on !amp$s. 2n the se!ret lang$age o+ 8averlies, it was the word always s!ribbled
on notes and whispered ba!" and +orth. -enny had never been there. C8e don?t have to i+
yo$ don?t want to.H e gallantly po$red the rest o+ the bottle into -enny?s empty
wineglass.
3he smiled, +ingering the rim o+ her glass. er dar" !$rls !as!aded aro$nd her
sho$lders, and she +elt li"e they were playing o$t a s!ene in one o+ those romanti!
movies that le+t yo$ dreaming +or days a+terward. C2 might want to,H she answered
play+$lly.
;rew pi!"ed $p another grape and held it o$t +or her, b$t she shoo" her head no. Be+ore
they went any +$rther, she had to "now +or s$re i+ he was really her savior. 3he?d waited
+or him to bring it $p>and she?d !onsidered bringing it $p hersel+, tho$gh the moment
never seemed J$ite right>and it had been implied in everything they?d done, the
alloween party, the !ar rides aro$nd town, the trip to 3leepy ollow, the !$ddling
aro$nd !amp$s, and now the pi!ni!. B$t ;rew had never !ome !lean. -enny was willing
to>and wanted to>go to the gaEebo, b$t +irst she had to "now the tr$th.
CCan 2 as" yo$ somethingIH she as"ed, biting her lip. 0$+$s had always tried to tea!h
her to D$st as" a J$estion, instead o+ as"ing i+ she !o$ld as" a J$estion, b$t it was a habit
she?d been $nable to brea".
;rew popped a grape into his mo$th. C(o$ !an as" me anything,H he answered. is
green eyes spar"led with mis!hie+.
3he leaned +orward, partly be!a$se she was embarrassed to as" it o$t lo$d, and partly to
give him a +lattering glimpse o+ her ne!"line. C;id yo$ pay o++ 1rs. 1iller to save me
+rom getting eFpelledIH she as"ed so+tly.
;rew stopped !hewing and a +aintly p$EEled smile settled a!ross his +a!e. e loo"ed
her in the eyes and said, C:+ !o$rse, silly girl. 2 tho$ght yo$ "new.H e held her gaEe,
and she +elt li"e she really did "now. 3he s$ddenly +elt st$pid +or as"ing.
C8hy did yo$ do itIH -enny as"ed !$rio$sly. C2t?s not li"e yo$ "new me.H
C'o,H ;rew admitted, playing with the slightly +rayed edges o+ his olive green sweater.
CB$t 2 wanted to>2 didn?t want to lose my !han!e.H e loo"ed $p, and his eyes seemed
to drin" in -enny?s +a!e. C(o$?re so bea$ti+$l A and 2<ve been in love with yo$ +rom a+ar
sin!e 2 +irst saw yo$.H
-enny +elt the b$tter+lies in her stoma!h ta"e +light. ;rew was in love with her, and he?d
stood by her when no one else had. 'ot Easy, not -$lian. A +lood o+ emotion !ame ba!"
over her as she remembered how everyone had stared at her d$ring the meeting with
1arymo$nt, how no one had stood $p and said, C.hat?s insane. -enny didn?t start the
+ire.H People she tho$ght she "new did nothing>and ;rew, who didn?t "now her at all,
was willing to ta"e a !han!e be!a$se he was in love with her. 2t was the sweetest thing
she?d ever heard.
-enny stood $p. CC<mon.H 3he pressed her lips together. CLet?s go wat!h the rain be+ore
it stops.H A smile washed over his +a!e and he nodded.
3he moved over to Callie?s dresser and opened the top drawer while ;rew polished o++
the remaining swallow o+ wine. 2t was a !raEy imp$lse, really. (esterday grabbing a
!ondom might?ve seemed s$premely irrational, b$t today seF with ;rew didn?t seem li"e
s$!h a wild impossibility. 8hy not be preparedI Being aro$nd him D$st +elt so Aright.
3he was immensely grate+$l that he?d !ome along when he had. 3he sh$ddered when
she tho$ght abo$t how !lose she?d !ome to letting Easy be the +irst, at whi!h point he
wo$ld?ve d$mped her +or Callie, r$ining the memory +orever.
-enny?s +ingers +$mbled aro$nd in Callie?s sil"y Le 1ystPre nighties $ntil her +ingers
to$!hed !rin"led plasti!. 3he p$lled on the !orner o+ the !ondom wrapper, b$t when the
pa!"age emerged +rom the bottom o+ the drawer, it wasn?t a !ondom b$t an empty
envelope with a plasti! window. -enny noted the ret$rn address, the 3tate o+ #eorgia>a
!he!" +rom Callie?s mother, no do$bt. Probably her monthly allowan!e. 3he tossed the
envelope aside and rea!hed +arther into the drawer.
As -enny?s +ingers sear!hed the bottom o+ the drawer, she noti!ed the light bl$e !he!"
st$b pee"ing o$t +rom the !orner o+ the envelope +rom Callie?s mother. 3he had o+ten
wondered how m$!h Callie?s allowan!e was>she imagined everyone at 8averly b$t
her got tho$sands o+ dollars every month to blow on !lothes and m$si! and ma"e$p>
and now was her !han!e to +ind o$t.
3he !are+$lly $n+olded the envelope and the !he!" st$b +ell into the drawer. 2t wasn?t
the amo$nt that staggered her. 2t was the payee, .he 1iller *arm *o$ndation.
-enny blin"ed and loo"ed at the !he!" st$b again. 2t !o$ldn?t be.
Calliehad been her savior. 'ot ;rew.
3he trembled, +eeling li"e the heroine in a horror movie who?s s$ddenly realiEed that
the villain is not on the other end o+ the phone, b$t somewhere in the ho$se, ready to
po$n!e.
3he t$rned aro$nd slowly. ;rew was on his hands and "nees, nosing aro$nd $nder
Callie?s bed. C2 thin" 2 lost a grape,H he eFplained.
.he spell aro$nd ;rew had been bro"en by his lies, and an immense relie+ washed over
-enny that she hadn?t D$st made the biggest mista"e o+ her li+e. A s$rge o+ emotion
!o$rsed thro$gh her body>she wanted to yell at ;rew, to !all him o$t as a +ra$d. B$t
all she !o$ld thin" was that Callie wasn?t who she?d tho$ght she was.
C*o$nd it,H ;rew said with a boyish grin, prod$!ing the grape li"e a n$gget o+ gold.
is per+e!t white teeth s$ddenly loo"ed per+e!tly vile.
-enny t$rned and stormed o$t o+ the room, slamming the door behind her. 3omething
had been wrong +rom the beginning>per+e!t doesn?t eFist>and she +elt +oolish +or
being s$!"ed into what now seemed an obvio$s ploy to get her into bed.
.he only person she wanted to tal" to right now was her !ompletely 12A roommate.
3he needed to than" her not D$st +or saving her +rom eFp$lsion>b$t +or saving her +rom
ma"ing a h$ge mista"e. .he mas"s were o++, and the tr$th was o$t, Callie 9ernon wasn?t
evil. 3he was A a+riend.
26
A 8A9E0L( :8L =':83 .A. 2. 23 AL8A(3 BE3. .: BE :'E3. 2' A
0ELA.2:'32P.
Brett !losed the ba!"gammon board with a lo$d snap. Cow does it +eel to be !r$shed
in three straight gamesIH
-eremiah grinned and p$shed $p the sleeves o+ his dar" green henley. C(o$ "now 2 let
yo$ win.H er iPod was playing so+tly in the ba!"gro$nd, and the so$nd o+ Bob ;ylan
+iltered thro$gh the air.
C'ot tr$eGH Brett narrowed her eyes and leaned +orward to slap -eremiah lightly on his
!hest. C(o$ D$st s$!",H she teased. 3he pressed her lips together and tho$ght o+ how
-eremiah had told her he loved the !herry +lavor o+ her Balmshell lip gloss.
.he two o+ them had spent the laEy 3$nday a+ternoon together, st$dying on a !o$!h in a
deserted !orner o+ 1aFwell all. -eremiah made Brett read o$t lo$d to him +rom herLe
0o$ge et le 'oir be!a$se he Cloved the way her lips moved when she spo"e *ren!h.H
.hen they?d driven to the neFt town over to go to Chili?s, Brett?s +avorite g$ilty pleas$re
!hain resta$rant. .hey?d spent the last +ew ho$rs o+ visitation time in Brett?s room,
playing ba!"gammon. 2t was laid5ba!" and relaFed, and pretty m$!h per+e!t.
1aintenan!e had +iFed the +looded pipes early that morning, and tonight Brett wo$ld get
to sleep in her bed alone.
Best o+ all, it was only a matter o+ time be+ore she got to go to sleep with-eremiah.
.hey already had plans +or *riday night, -eremiah didn?t have a game, so they were
going to ta"e the train to 'ew (or", where he?d boo"ed a s$ite at the posh 3oho #rand.
A+ter all they?d been thro$gh, he wanted their +irst time to be per+e!t. .he only thing
"eeping Brett +rom tearing o++ -eremiah?s !lothes was the +a!t that her +irst time meant
so m$!h to him.
-eremiah gently t$!"ed a strand o+ Brett?s red hair behind her ear, and she +elt her "nees
tremble. 3he was ready to throw the 3oho #rand o$t the window and D$st do it right
there. B$t D$st as -eremiah?s lips were abo$t to to$!h hers +or another lingering "iss, the
door to her room p$shed open.
CBrett, !an 2 borrow>H =ara stood in the doorway, her brown hair still damp +rom a
shower. C:h, 2<m so sorry.H 3he stepped ba!"ward as soon as she saw Brett and
-eremiah lying +a!e5to5+a!e on Brett?s +$!hsia !om+orter. C'ever mind.H
C'o, don?t be silly.H Brett leaned $p on an elbow, trying not to wat!h -eremiah?s +a!e
+or a rea!tion. CCome in, really. 8hat did yo$ want to borrowIH
=ara p$shed a strand o+ wet hair behind her ear and slowly stepped into the room,
smiling shyly at -eremiah. C.hat !ropped Da!"et o+ yo$rsI .he one that loo"s li"e AH
C2<m going to a pea!e rallyIH Brett sw$ng her +eet to the +loor and headed to her !loset.
C.hat?s eFa!tly what 2 was going to say.H =ara?s Daw dropped and she giggled. Cow?d
yo$ "now whi!h one 2 meantI (o$ m$st have li"e eighty !ropped Da!"ets.H
Brett pawed thro$gh her !loset +or a moment be+ore +inding the vintage Ben 3herman
army Da!"et =ara was tal"ing abo$t. 3he?d +o$nd it in a thri+t shop in the East 9illage
over the s$mmer and had, in a +it o+ boredom, sewn vario$s +a"e army pat!hes and
pea!e signs on. 2t t$rned o$t great, b$t was more bohemian than Brett dared to go. 3he
handed the Da!"et to =ara. C2 !an see what yo$?re going +or with that o$t+it. 2t?ll loo"
great on yo$.H
As =ara modeled the Da!"et in Brett?s +$ll5length mirror, Brett glan!ed ba!" at
-eremiah.3eeI 8e?re girls and +riends and not girl+riends,and we tal" abo$t !lothes
together. ow m$!h more inno!ent !o$ld things beI B$t -eremiah?s +a!e was t$rned to
the ba!"gammon board.
Brett shot =ara a helpless loo". EF!ellent mind reader that she was, =ara spo"e $p as
she stepped ba!" toward the door. C3o A $h A what are yo$ two $p to tonightIH
Brett glan!ed at -eremiah, and the wary loo" on his +a!e revealed that his s$spi!ions
hadn?t totally been erased. 8altEing aro$nd !amp$s hand in hand today, it had +elt li"e
nothing had ever !ome between them. -eremiah hadn?t bro$ght =ara $p on!e.
B$t the moment she wal"ed into the room, it was li"e last night all over again.
C2<ve got to get going,H -eremiah said s$ddenly. C2<ve got a trig test tomorrow and 2
haven?t even loo"ed at the boo".H
Brett gave him her best C;on?t goH loo", b$t he was too b$sy wat!hing =ara !hew her
nails to see it.
C2<ve a!t$ally got to r$n, too,H =ara said h$rriedly, slipping on Brett?s Da!"et and
shooting her an apologeti! loo". C2<m meeting>H
eath *erro appeared in the doorway, o$t o+ breath. Cere yo$ are,H he said to =ara.
C2<ve been loo"ing everywhere +or yo$.H
C8hat?s the matterIH she as"ed, a loo" o+ !on!ern +loating a!ross her +a!e. C2 tho$ght 2
was meeting yo$ at 1aFwell at +ive +or open mi! nightIH
C'othing.H eath leaned +orward and "issed =ara?s !hee". C2 D$st A yo$ "now A was
thin"ing abo$t yo$now.H
Brett blin"ed her eyes. eathI 8as that really himI 3he !a$ght an in!red$lo$s loo"
+rom -eremiah that seemed to be saying the same thing>eath *erroI #oing to an open
mi! poetry readingI>and the two o+ them shared an intimate, sti+led5la$gh moment.
C8hat?s $p, broIH eath nodded to -eremiah. e draped an arm aro$nd =ara?s !$rvy
waist. C8e missed yo$ at the 1en o+ 8averly meeting.H
C(eah, sorry 2 !o$ldn?t ma"e it.H -eremiah sw$ng his +eet to the +loor and held o$t his
hand +or eath to high5+ive. Brett +o$nd their display o+ male a++e!tion !ompletely
dis!on!erting. 3he "new they were +riends A b$t how !lose were theyI 3he !o$ld tell
eath was totally in love with =ara, and that their relationship had so+tened him, b$t
Brett didnot tr$st him to "eep his big mo$th sh$t. er stoma!h l$r!hed nervo$sly.
C'o worries, d$de,H eath nodded. C1a"e the neFt meeting, tho$gh. 2t?s happening.H
C8hat eFa!tly do yo$ g$ys doIH =ara as"ed s"epti!ally, hoo"ing her th$mbs into the
po!"ets o+ Brett?s Da!"et. 3he loo"ed ready to go to a !on!ert in a !rowded bar in
Broo"lyn. C.al" abo$t yo$r +eelingsIH
eath answered slowly. C8e?re "ind o+ A into !harity and things li"e that.H e m$st
have realiEed how ridi!$lo$s the answer so$nded and la$ghed at himsel+. CAll right, so
basi!ally we dran" some +orties and tal"ed abo$t hot girls.H
C3o$nds li"e a great time,H =ara said dryly, b$ttoning $p her Da!"et. 3he didn?t loo" at
eath.
C(o$ ready to go, sweetheartIH eath to$!hed =ara?s ba!" tenderly, and she moved
almost imper!eptibly away +rom him.
C;e+initely. 3orry to interr$pt.H =ara waved her +ingers at Brett and smiled wea"ly, her
mind !learly elsewhere.
C;on?t wait $p, "ids>i+ yo$ "now what 2 mean,H eath !alled o$t as he and =ara
disappeared down the hall, the so$nd o+ their voi!es +ading $ntil the dorm was J$iet
again.
Brett +lopped ba!" down on her bed, relieved to be alone again with -eremiah. C.hose
!raEy "ids.H
-eremiah lay on his side neFt to Brett, p$tting his hand on her stoma!h and n$EEling her
ne!". C3eems li"e o$r man eath has been bitten by the love b$g,H he said. e
pretended to bite Brett?s ne!", and she shivered at the light +eel o+ his teeth against her
s"in.
C;id yo$ see them at the alloween partyIH Brett as"ed, her heart th$mping as
-eremiah?s hands ran along the top o+ her loose5+itting CitiEens Deans. C.hey were
pra!ti!ally gl$ed to ea!h other.H
C2<m sorry 2 overrea!ted be+ore, abo$t, yo$ "now, everything.H -eremiah leaned $p on
an elbow to p$ll ba!" and loo" her in the eyes. C2 sho$ldn?t have let st$pid r$mors get to
me. 2<m sorry.H
C2t doesn?t matter,H Brett said, !asting her glan!e aside. 3he "new now wo$ld be the
time to !ome totally !lean, b$t the loo" o+ !omplete relie+ on -eremiah?s +a!e>who
"new eath *erro !o$ld be good +or somethingI>tal"ed her o$t o+ it. .here was
nothing to tell, she de!ided, and even i+ there was, what was the point o+ tal"ing abo$t
the pastI -eremiah didn?t need a play5by5play o+ every single thing she?d done sin!e
they?d bro"en $p. 3ome things were hers alone.
3he pressed her lips against his, and he draped his m$s!$lar arms aro$nd her, the s!ent
o+ his s"in +illing her nose as she inhaled.
3he D$st had to ma"e it till *riday.
2&
A 8A9E0L( :8L *ACE3 'E8 CALLE'#E3 82. ;E.E012'A.2:' A';
E'E0#(.
Callie?s stoma!h r$mbled so lo$dly she was !ertain they !o$ld hear it ba!" at 8averly.
.wo days ago, she never wo$ld?ve g$essed that she?d a!t$ally be eager to s!ar+ down a
plate+$l o+ gray5brown por" !hops and r$nny applesa$!e, b$t her hands shoo" as she
held her tray and waited in line +or dinner on 3$nday night. 3he bra!ed hersel+ against
the metal r$nners o+ the serving station as she set her tray down to slide it li"e everyone
else, eFha$stion +rom the day?s labors gripping her body li"e the +l$.
3he smiled as the dining hall attendant set a plate heaped with $nappetiEing +ood on her
tray. 2t didn?t matter>it loo"ed deli!io$s to her, and Callie +elt the happiest she?d been
all wee"end. .he therapy session yesterday had a!t$ally been "ind o+ +$n. A+terward,
she and some o+ the other girls had h$ddled in a !orner and tho$ght o+ ways to get ba!"
at 'atasha +or being s$!h a slave driver>i+ only they !o$ld get their hands on some
ind$strial5strength hair remover to po$r into her shampoo, they?d have an eF!ellent
pran" on their hands.
Callie grabbed a !arton o+ s"im mil" and t$rned to +ind a seat in the !rowded dining
hall. *a"e Brett, whose name t$rned o$t to be 1eri, short +or 1eredith, nodded in
Callie?s dire!tion. 3he s!ooted over to ma"e room on the hard wooden ben!h.
C.han"s,H Callie $ttered, her voi!e barely a whisper. er tray !lan"ed against the table
as she +olded hersel+ between 1eri and a woman whom Callie had seen splitting wood
with one stri"e o+ the aF. er name was either -$lia or -$lie.
CCan yo$ believe this slopIH 1eri as"ed. 3he stabbed a pie!e o+ por" !hop and held it
in the air as eFhibit A. C2 g$ess they haven?t heard o+ vegetarianism in 1aine.H 3he
dropped it ba!" on her plate and woe+$lly stabbed a withered pea with her +or".
C.he applesa$!e is bland, too,H -$lieS-$lia added. C.astes li"e ba"ing soda.H
Callie la$ghed. CEw.H .he la$gh +elt good +iltering $p thro$gh her tired body. All
d$ring a+ternoon a!tivities, Callie had been +o!$sed on what she needed to do to eF!ise
Easy +rom her li+e. 2t !o$ldn?t be that hard>all she had to do was blo!" o$t all the good
memories she had o+ him and +o!$s on the bad ones. 2t was a!t$ally m$!h easier to do
when she was wearing someone else?s !lothes. 3he +elt li"e a !ompletely di++erent
person wearing the drab 8hispering Pines !lothes>abo$t as $nprin!ess5li"e as yo$
!o$ld get.
3he !hewed a large pie!e o+ por" !hop and washed it down with mil", the salty meat
setting her taste b$ds ab$EE. 3he +elt as i+ she?d D$st dis!overed them +or the +irst time.
er dinner !ompanions, po"ing at their +ood and ma"ing +$n o+ 'atasha, all seemed
more normal than they had yesterday, when they were all awash in their +avorite !olors,
tal"ing abo$t their addi!tions. 'ow she !o$ld pra!ti!ally imagine they were sitting at a
table in the 8averly dining hall, disse!ting a day o+ !lasses or some annoying senior?s
poor !hoi!e o+ o$t+it.
C3o, are yo$ ready +or yo$r soloIH .alia as"ed the table $nder her breath.
Everyone stopped !hewing at on!e.
C8hat soloIH Callie as"ed. er voi!e boomed thro$gh the s$dden silen!e.
C2 heard one woman went into the woods and never !ame ba!".H -$lieS-$lia widened
her eyes, s$btly lined with +orbidden eyeliner. ow had she managed thatI 1aybe i+
Callie hadn?t been so J$i!" to pass o$t that +irst night, she !o$ld have stashed some o+
her CliniJ$e mas!ara $nder her mattress. C.hey never +o$nd her.H
C2 overheard 'atasha tal"ing abo$t someone losing a toe to +rostbite,H 1eri said,
loo"ing as"an!e to ma"e s$re 'atasha wasn?t within earshot. L$!"ily, she was happily
s!ar+ing down two por" !hops at a table a!ross the room.
C8ait, what in hell are yo$ tal"ing abo$tIH Callie laid her +or" down a!ross her plate+$l
o+ $neaten +ood.
C(o$?re not s$pposed to tal" abo$t it,H -$liaS-$lie warned.
1eri nodded, +ingering the empty earring holes along the top o+ her le+t ear. Callie
s$ddenly +elt nervo$s again. C2+ they !at!h yo$ tal"ing abo$t it, they ma"e it worse. 2
+o$nd this.H 1eri glan!ed again at 'atasha and then do$ble5!he!"ed the dining hall
attendants be+ore prod$!ing a +olded pie!e o+ paper +rom inside her bra.
C8hat is itIH Callie as"ed, invol$ntarily lowering her voi!e to a whisper.
1eri $n+olded the pie!e o+ paper. 3omeone had s!rawled a !r$de map o+ the gro$nds,
adding a !ompass in a di++erent5!olored in". A giant B mar"ed a spot northwest o+ the
o$ter perimeter. C2 +o$nd it $nder one o+ the legs o+ my !ot,H 1eri said.
C8hat is itIH -$liaS-$lie as"ed. CA treas$re mapIH
C2 thin" whoever le+t this was trying to instr$!t $s>or warn $s,H 1eri said se!retively,
p$shing it toward Callie. C2 D$st wanted to share it with yo$ in !ase it !omes in handy
while yo$?re o$t there.H
C:$t whereIH Callie whispered. And why was 1eri p$shing the map toward herI
C2t?s a test. .hey +or!e yo$ o$t into the woods at night witho$t +ood or water or warm
!lothing and see i+ yo$ !an ma"e it.H 1eri re+olded the note. C(o$ $se it, Callie. .hen
give it ba!" to me or -$lia when yo$?re done.H
C(o$?re going tomorrow night,H -$lia>than" #od someone had +inally said her name
>eFplained to Callie. C2 wor" in Amanda?s o++i!e in the a+ternoons, and 2 saw the
s!hed$le.H
CAmanda?s o++i!eIH Callie as"ed, mentally salivating at the tho$ght o+ an 2nternet
!onne!tion. C8here is itIH
C0ight o++ the lobby. 8hen yo$ +irst !ome in.H -$lia leaned ba!" in her !hair, loo"ing
way more relaFed than Callie was +eeling.
C8hen am 2 goingIH 1eri as"ed, a to$!h o+ pani! in her voi!e.
-$lia shoo" her head. C2 only saw tomorrow,H she said, her eyes darting aro$nd the
dining hall, whi!h was starting to empty, !ampers heading o++ to their beds to rest their
weary heads. Callie wo$ld have given anything to !$rl $p on a +at so+a with her
!ashmere 0alph La$ren throw and a bag o+ b$rned pop!orn, doEing o++ while wat!hing
some .9. 2t was 3$nday night, and she was s$re the girls in ;$mbarton were doing
eFa!tly that right now, in their paDamas, +ighting over the remote. Callie +elt an intense
wave o+ longing.
CB$t it started snowing when we were +inishing $p a+ternoon a!tivities,H she protested.
C8hat i+ it snows +rom now $ntil thenI .hey wo$ldn?t ma"e me go then, rightIH
-$lia loo"ed at her warningly as i+ to say,;on?t !o$nt on it. CBy the way, yo$r mother
!alled today to !he!" on yo$.H
Callie narrowed her eyes. C3he !alled hereIH
C3he and 'atasha have been tal"ing every day,H -$lia answered, nodding. 3he p$shed
the p$ddle o+ applesa$!e aro$nd her plate with her +or" and glan!ed $p at Callie slyly.
C;id yo$ really $se a !he!" +rom yo$r mom to pay o++ yo$r dr$g dealerIH
Callie?s eye?s b$lged.er dr$g dealerI And then it !ame to her. 3he?d told her mother
she?d needed that giant !he!" to the 1iller *arm *o$ndation to help a +riend o$t o+ a
Dam. B$t that waseFa!tly what people said when they needed money to pay o++ their
dr$g dealersG 2t wasalways +or a +riend. er eyes s!anned the room, noti!ing +or the +irst
time all the anFio$s loo"s on the other women?s +a!es, their nervo$s ti!s. 3he tho$ght
ba!" to the therapy session with 'atasha, and to 1eri?s shopli+ting addi!tion. :hmigod.
8as she inrehabI
CLights o$t in +i+teen min$tes,H 'atasha bellowed, and the rest o+ the !ampers h$rried
to +inish their dinners and get ba!" to their rooms be+ore dar"ness des!ended.
Cere, ta"e this, too,H 1eri said, p$shing a rabbit?s +oot on a diamond5en!r$sted "ey
!hain a!ross the table.
C8hat?s this +orIH Callie as"ed, gathering $p her tray.
1eri hesitated. C*or l$!".H
C(eah, good l$!",H -$lia said as she stood $p +rom the table.
Callie stared at the rabbit?s +oot. 3he wanted to as" 1eri i+ she had stolen it, b$t that
seemed beside the point. 8averly seemed so +ar away, li"e maybe it had never
happened.
3he snat!hed $p the l$!"y !harm and slipped it into the po!"et o+ her overalls, praying
she wo$ldn?t really need it.
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*rom,eath*erroQwaverly.ed$
.o,BrandonB$!hananQwaverly.ed$RAlan3t#irardQwaverly.ed$
REasy8alshQwaverly.ed$R-eremiah1ortimerQstl$!i$s.ed$
R0yan0eynoldsQwaverly.ed$RLonBar$EEaQwaverly.ed$
;ate,1onday, 'ovember 7, )),)@A.1 .
3$bDe!t,ells yeahG
Attention all Bo8 members,
Let?s give o$rselves a big pat on the ba!" +or o$r s$!!ess+$l +irst meeting. Pat, patG 'i!e
Dob, everyone, o+ p$tting on a s$!!ess+$l sober a!t +or 1arymo$nt.
'eFt meeting .BA. 3omeone else ta"e responsibility +or the re+reshments, por +avor.
Be!a$se 2<d li"e o$r gro$p to provide a warm, sa+e setting +or tal"ing abo$t o$r
problems, 2 s$ggest that in honor o+ Brandon, everyone pretty5please bring their +avorite
baby blan"et to the neFt meeting. LAnd i+ anyone else slept with theirs $ntil they were
eleven too, let Brandon "now so he doesn?t +eel so aw"ward, "IM Bow5wow5wowG
(o$rs !on+identially,
.*.
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*rom,Brett1essers!hmittQwaverly.ed$
.o,3ebastian9alentiQwaverly.ed$
;ate,1onday, 'ovember 7, 2,)4P.1 .
3$bDe!t,Last 8arning
3ebastian,
.his is my +inal warning be+ore 2<m going to have to tell 1rs. orniman that yo$?ve
been $nwilling to !ooperate. 2 don?t "now why yo$?ve been avoiding me>2<ve D$st been
trying to help, b$t i+ yo$ have a problem with me, maybe yo$ sho$ld tal" to 1rs.
orniman yo$rsel+ and see i+ she !an set yo$ $p with a t$tor yo$ !an deal with.
:therwise, let me "now when wo$ld be a good time to meet this wee".
B.1.
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*rom,Callie9ernonQwaverly.ed$
.o,.insleyCarmi!haelQwaverly.ed$
;ate,1onday, 'ovember 7, %,%0P.1 .
3$bDe!t,3:3GGGGG
..
:hmigod, yo$ have to help me. 2 sn$!" into the main o++i!e here and only have a se!.
1om sent me to militant rehab !amp in 1aine[8hispering Pines or something. .hey
thin" 2<m a dr$ggieG .hey?re going to send me o$t into the woods in a snowstorm
tonight>2 !o$ld totally die. 3ave meGGG
C.
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Alan3t#irard,ey, is it tr$e what yo$r B* is saying abo$t his roomieI
=ara8halen,$hI 8hat?s he sayingI
Alan3t#irard,.hat Brandon slept with a blan"ie $ntil middle s!hoolG .hat?s so gay.
=ara8halen,e told yo$ thatI
Alan3t#irard,All the Bo8 brothers. #$ess there?s no se!rets between $sG
=ara8halen,Apparently not.
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3age*ran!is,/m, are people as"ing yo$ abo$t Brandon?s blan"ieI
=ara8halen,(esG .hree g$esses who tipped them o++.
3age*ran!is,Brandon?s going to =2LL himA.
=ara8halen,'ot i+ 2 do it +irst.
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=ara8halen,8e need to tal".
eath*erro,Anything +or yo$, sweets. Be+ore dinnerI
=ara8halen,1aFwell steps. 'ow.
eath*erro,Everything o"ayI
eath*erro,=I
28
A 8A9E0L( :8L 82LL 8:0= 82. .E E'E1( .: 3A9E A *02E';>
/'LE33 .E( =2LL EAC :.E0 *203..
-enny lingered in the !ommon room 1onday a+ter !lass, her eyelids heavy with sleep.
3he?d been avoiding her dorm room as m$!h as possible, not wanting to be reminded o+
her st$pid pi!ni! with ;rew yesterday. A+ter storming o$t o+ her room, she?d
seJ$estered hersel+ in the la$ndry room, sitting on a dryer reading a yellowing !opy
o+8$thering eights that had been abandoned there years ago. 3he stayed $ntil
visitation ho$rs were over, and she !o$ld hear ;rew?s heavy +ootsteps as he plodded
down the stairs and o$t the +ront door. 2t was !owardly o+ her not to !on+ront him, b$t
she didn?t want to start a s!ene, drawing ;$mbarton girls +rom their rooms to hear what
all the s!reaming was abo$t. Besides, it didn?t really matter what he had to say. A+ter all,
he was D$st an asshole. And she?d "ind o+ almost slept with him.
-enny shivered in the !ommon room, wondering why Pardee had to be so stingy with
the heat. 3he wrapped her CeCe marbled !otton !ardigan tighter aro$nd her and t$!"ed
her +eet $nder her on the bl$e velvet so+a. 'ever be+ore had she +elt li"e s$!h a giant
idiot>not when Easy had d$mped her to go ba!" to Callie, not when -$lian had told her
he?d been hoo"ing $p with .insley. ;isg$st swept over her body. Easy and -$lian>
whatever they?d done wrong, they !ertainly hadn?t meant her any harm. ;rew !learly
had only one thing on his mind.
3he !o$ldn?t wait to tal" to Callie, b$t Callie was who "new where. -enny had tho$ght
she?d be home last night, b$t she?d never !ome ba!" +rom her wee"end away. ;idn?t she
have to go to !lasses todayI -enny had never imagined she?d be eager to tal" to Callie
again, b$t the need to !lear the air and than" her pro+$sely +or saving her nearly
eFpelled ass overwhelmed her. 8hy hadn?t Callie said anythingI
CAre yo$ going to dinnerIH -enny loo"ed $p to see Alison N$entin standing in +ront o+
her in the middle o+ the !ommon room. 3he b$ttoned $p her long white pea!oat and
p$lled a red "nit !ap down over her sil"y bla!" hair. CCome on.H
;inner was the +$rthest thing +rom -enny?s mind. C/h, 2<m not +eeling too well. 2<ll go
to the sna!" bar later or something.H
Alison tilted her head in !on!ern. C2<ll bring ba!" an apple +or yo$.H 3he waved a red5
mittened hand as she disappeared o$t the door.
8ith a heavy sigh, -enny p$lled hersel+ $p +rom the !oEy !o$!h. 8hat was she doing,
getting all mopey be!a$se o+ a Der" li"e ;rewI Anger +lowed thro$gh her veins. 3he was
going to throw on something really !$te and go to the dining hall, she de!ided, and
hope+$lly b$mp into ;rew. 3he?d tell him o++ in +ront o+ the entire world. .he tho$ght
bro$ght a smile to her lips +or the +irst time that day.
-enny headed into the lobby and was startled to +ind .insley tr$dging toward the door,
b$ndled $p in a red Patagonia Da!"et and a pair o+ hi"ing boots. 3he wrapped a thi!"
!ream5!olored s!ar+ aro$nd her ne!", Eipping her !oat over it. -enny s$ddenly
remembered how .insley had tried to warn her abo$t ;rew> whi!h was ni!e, and
s$rprising, !onsidering how .insley had tried to get her "i!"ed o$t o+ s!hool.
Cey.H -enny st$++ed her hands in the po!"ets o+ her Deans and tried to loo"
$n!on!erned as .insley approa!hed. .insley?s dar" p$rple eyes +lashed ba!" at her. C(o$
haven?t heard +rom Callie, have yo$IH
C8hyIH .insley as"ed, a !old edge to her voi!e. 3he played with the remnants o+ a s"i5
li+t ti!"et on the Eipper o+ her Da!"et. er +amily reportedly had a ho$se in the 3wiss
Alps where they !o$ld D$st strap on their s"is, step o$t the +ront door, and Eip down the
mo$ntain.
C3he?s not ba!" yet.H -enny !rossed her arms over her too5big !hest, always sel+5
!ons!io$s abo$t it in +ront o+ the per+e!tly proportioned .insley.
.insley raised her dar" eyebrows and p$lled a t$be o+ B$rt?s Bees lip balm +rom her
po!"et. C8hat do yo$ !areIH she as"ed, r$nning the sti!" a!ross her lips.
C3he?s my roommate.H -enny blew a stray !$rl o$t o+ her eyes. 3he had a!t$ally been
"ind o+ grate+$l +or Callie?s absen!e all wee"end be!a$se it meant she !o$ld be alone
with ;rew, b$t now she D$st wanted her roommate ba!". C2 !are, all rightIH
.insley narrowed her violet eyes at -enny, ta"en aba!" by her earnest tone. 8ho did
this !hi!" thin" she wasI 3he stole Callie?s boy+riend, then stole.insley?s boy+riend,
then stoleeveryone >and then had the nerve to say she !ared abo$t CallieI Any other
time, .insley wo$ld?ve given -enny a !old stare to let her "now that she was abo$t as
signi+i!ant as a pie!e o+ lint in the po!"et o+ her 0o!" K 0ep$bli! Deans. B$t re!ent
events>!apped by the Dilting by her +ellow :wls at the Cinephiles s!reening>had
sha"en .insley?s !on+iden!e. 3he siEed -enny $p.
C2 D$st got a desperate e5mail +rom Callie,H .insley leveled with her. 3he p$shed her
hair behind her ears and wat!hed as -enny?s eyes grew wide.
C2s she o"ayIH -enny to$!hed her hands to her !$te little !hee"s worriedly.
C'o.H .insley eyed -enny?s +re!"led !hee"s. 3he wondered what Little 1iss 2nno!ent
had done with ;rew>or rather, what ;rew had done to her. C3he?s not at a spa. 2 D$st
got an 3:3 +rom the tort$re !amp in 1aine where she?s being held, and 2<m on my way
to get her.H 3he let this last bit sin" in. .hat?s right. Callie had rea!hed o$t to .insley,
and not -enny, +or help.
C2<ll !ome too,H -enny answered J$i!"ly, already heading toward the stairs. CLet me
grab my !oat.H
C/h, no.H .insley shoo" her head in!red$lo$sly. C(o$?re not !oming with me.H'o way
in hell, she wanted to add.
C8hy notIH -enny demanded, her hand on the banister.
.insley shr$gged. CBe!a$se 2 hate yo$. And 2<m pretty s$re yo$ hate me too.H
-enny?s small +a!e s!r$n!hed $p. Cow are yo$ getting to 1aineIH
9erena Arneval and Benny C$nningham ran down the stairs in a whirlwind o+ +lying
hair and s!arves. C(o$ g$ys !oming to dinnerIH Benny !alled breathlessly as she p$lled
open the +ront door, letting a b$rst o+ !old air in.
-enny and .insley D$st stared at ea!h other, -enny?s so+t brown eyes re+$sing to ba!"
down. C'o,H .insley !alled over her sho$lder to Benny. .he door !losed behind them.
C2<ll +ig$re it o$t,H .insley ass$red -enny, tho$gh she hadn?t yet. 3he?d #oogled
8hispering Pines and had +o$nd dire!rions>and a list o+ !$stomer reviews advising
never to go to this rehab +a!ility $nless yo$ "new how to b$ild a +ire +rom two sti!"s.
B$t she still had to !all a !ar servi!e or something in order to get there>and it was
$nli"ely that any !ar servi!e wo$ld ta"e her siF ho$rs away.
C2 "now someone who has a !ar,H -enny insisted.
.insley narrowed her eyes. C8hoIH
C2<ll tell yo$ all abo$t it on the way.H -enny dashed $p the stairs in tri$mph. C;ealIH she
!alled down, her voi!e e!hoing in the stairwell.
.he wordshell, no were on .insley?s lips, b$t all she !o$ld do was nod her head.
;e+eated by -enny again.
-enny reappeared in a min$te, this time in a bright red pea5!oat that loo"ed very :ld
'avy and a pair o+ tiny pin" =eds. CLet?s go.H .insley +ollowed -enny a!ross !amp$s to
the senior par"ing lot. C2t?s the bla!" 1$stang.H -enny pointed it o$t as they passed it.
CEw. ;rew?s !arIH .insley glan!ed at -enny.
C'o, his roommate?s.H -enny?s voi!e was bitter and angry, and +or a se!ond .insley
wondered i+ things had +allen apart with ;rew so J$i!"ly. 3he glan!ed over at the petite
sophomore as they strode $p to BaFter, one o+ the $pper!lass boys< dorms. A wave o+
tri$mph passed over her. 3he?d warned her abo$t ;rew, and as always, it +elt good to be
right. B$t what eFa!tly had he done to s!andaliEe Little 1iss 2nno!entI
.insley wat!hed as -enny strode $p the +ront steps to BaFter, threw open the door, and
waltEed down the hallway as i+ she belonged. .insley +ollowed, a little impressed.
-enny rapped her +ist against a plain oa" door on the +irst +loor. *or an aw"ward
moment .insley stared at the +aded green walls and tho$ght abo$t a g$y named -amie
she?d on!e made o$t with in this hallway. .he door opened, and an attra!tive g$y with a
mop o+ wet bla!" hair loo"ed groggily o$t o+ the dar"ened room, wearing nothing b$t a
towel. is eyes were rimmed with red>either +rom sleep or serio$s intoFi!ation>and
then the smell o+ stale mariD$ana smo"e hit .insley in the +a!e.
Cello, ladies.H Bed5head #$y sJ$inted at them thro$gh the dar"ness, his well5toned
!hest bare. .insley !o$ldn?t help ta"ing it in appre!iatively. 3he remembered this "id
now> a !o!"y senior tro$blema"er type who h$ng o$t mostly with his own !rowd, b$t
showed $p o!!asionally to !rash the better 8averly parties. C.his is li"e a dream !ome
tr$e.H
C2s ;rew with yo$IH -enny as"ed nervo$sly, peering aro$nd him. 3ebastian, .insley
remembered. 8ith a name li"e that, how !o$ld yo$ go wrongI .oo bad he was a little
too greasy +or her taste. B$t the !ar was a pl$s.
3eb sti+led a yawn and tightened the towel aro$nd his waist. C2<ve been meaning to tell
yo$>2 thin" yo$?re too good +or that do$!he bag.H
C.ell me something 2 don?t "now.H -enny rolled her eyes. CListen, we need a +avor.H
C2 do +avors.H 3eb eyed -enny, then t$rned to .insley, drin"ing her in +rom head to toe
so obvio$sly that she almost la$ghed. C8hy don?t yo$ two !ome inside and we !an tal"
abo$t it.H
CA!t$ally AH -enny bit her lip inno!ently, !learly trying to play the helpless5girl !ard.
C8e need to borrow yo$r !ar.H 3he shoo" her head ever so slightly, letting her dar" hair
ripple in the dim hallway lighting. .insley +$rrowed her brow in!red$lo$sly>had -enny
done that on p$rposeI Everything abo$t her seemed so $n!al!$lated. 2t pissed .insley
o++.
C'o way.H Apparently, it wasn?t eno$gh to move 3eb. e gripped the edge o+ the open
door with his hands and shoo" his head. CAs m$!h as 2 hate saying no to pretty girls
who show $p at my door in need, that 2 !annot do.H
C2t?s an emergen!y.H .insley stepped +orward, wishing she were wearing something
more all$ring than her p$++y s"i Da!"et. 3he hated to be red$!ed to begging, b$t witho$t
a !ar, there was no way they !o$ld get to 1aine on a 1onday night. .he last b$s had
le+t 0hine!li++ ho$rs ago, and there wo$ldn?t be another one $ntil morning. And how
eFa!tly was she going to res!$e Callie on a b$s, anywayI
C8hat are yo$ going to do +or meIH 3eb as"ed s$ggestively.
.insley smiled sweetly at him. C/h, how abo$t 2 don?t "i!" yo$r assIH she as"ed with
her lethal !ombination o+ honey and venom.
CAnd we?ll +ill $p the gas tan" when we?re done,H -enny o++ered, giggling. C.hat?s the
deal.H
3eb sighed, and .insley !o$ld tell he was torn. 3he lowered her voi!e and stared right
into his deep5set brown eyes. CLoo", we?ll D$st owe yo$ one A o"ayIH
C:h, Christ.H e ran a hand thro$gh his thi!" dar" hair, then let it +all ba!" over his
+orehead sed$!tively. e grinned ba!" at .insley, apparently thin"ing o+ all the ways
they !o$ld repay him. C2<ll meet yo$ at the !ar.H e sear!hed their +a!es one last time.
C/nless one o+ yo$ wants to help me get dressed.H
C8e?ll meet yo$ at the !ar.H .insley gave him a smir" and t$gged at -enny?s !oat.
.he door !losed behind 3eb, and the two girls made their way ba!" to the par"ing lot in
silen!e, their breath blowing !lo$ds o+ steam in the !hilly night air.
C2<m driving,H .insley said +or!e+$lly. 'o way in hell was she p$tting her li+e in -enny?s
hands.
-enny la$ghed and glan!ed sideways at .insley. C.hat?s !ool. 2 don?t really "now how.H
.he !on+ession !a$ght .insley o++ g$ard and she bl$rted o$t a la$gh. C2 g$ess that
settles that.H 3he pa$sed a beat. Cow !ome yo$ don?t "now how to driveIH
-enny smiled and shr$gged. C2<m only +i+teen,H she answered. CAnd 2 grew $p in 'ew
(or" City. 2 !an navigate, tho$gh. And 2<ll ;-.H
C'o b$bbleg$m pop,H .insley warned.
-enny wrin"led her nose in a smir" as 3eb approa!hed in a pair o+ bla!" Deans, a bla!"
+lee!e thrown over his bare !hest. e Dangled the "eys to his !ar.
C2+ there?s so m$!h as a s!rat!h A ,H he warned them.
C(eah, yeah,H -enny said. C8e "now.H
CAnd be s$re to tell yo$r +riend 0ed what a good g$y 2 am.H 3eb ba!"ed away,
wat!hing as the girls slid into the !ar. -enny blin"ed>did he "now Brett +rom
somewhereI 8as that why he was lending them his !arI
.he inside o+ the !ar smelled li"e !heap !ologne and greasy 1!;onald?s +ren!h +ries.
-enny !ra!"ed the window. 3he !o$ldn?t believe she?d agreed to spend ho$rs and ho$rs
trapped in a !ar>this !ar>with .insley. B$t it was +or Callie. -enny?s brain was still
ra!ing to !omprehend the +a!t that it was Callie who had saved her.
-enny settled into the passenger?s side, +lipping thro$gh the C; !ase D$st as she had
when ;rew had ta"en her on drives. .he memory o+ ;rew, !harting and la$ghing with
her and leading her to believe he was her savior when he was D$st a sleaEy g$y, made
her stoma!h a!he. 3he glan!ed over at .insley. er per+e!t por!elain pro+ile was intent
on the road, and -enny wondered +or the +irst time how .insley had +elt when she?d
+o$nd o$t abo$t her and -$lian. ad she D$st been pissed o++ and ins$lted that he
pre+erred a sophomore to her A or had she been h$rtI
As i+ sensing -enny?s gaEe, .insley shot her eyes over to -enny. C8hatIH she snapped
testily, dr$mming her neat, !lear nails against the steering wheel. Caving tro$ble
+ig$ring o$t the C; playerIH
8ell, here?s to new memories,-enny tho$ght, and t$rned on the radio instead.
And no boys>at least +or a +ew ho$rs.
24
A #::; :8L .A=E3 .E 2# 0:A;.
Brandon stared at his laptop, his hands poised over the "eyboard. e sho$ld?ve "nown
better than to tr$st eath with any se!ret>espe!ially one as embarrassing as the baby
blan"et. Even i+ 3age had tho$ght it was sweet, he didn?t need every single person on
!amp$s ma"ing Do"es abo$t it. 8hat i+ 3age got tired o+ +ielding J$estions abo$t
whether or not Brandon needed his blan"et with them when they hoo"ed $p, and
de!ided the relationship wasn?t worth the tro$bleI
Brandon shoo" o++ the $npleasant tho$ght and +o!$sed on the latest dra+t o+ his
retaliatory e5mail, his +o$rth o+ the morning,
Ar+, ar+, Bo8 members. /nless yo$ want yo$r ta!os with a side o+ pee A
Brandon hated the way he so$nded over e5mail>he always !ame o++ as bit!hy.
*r$strated, he held down the delete b$tton, wat!hing his words disappear. .he door
!rea"ed open behind him, and Brandon sp$n aro$nd, s$rprised to see eath himsel+
standing on Brandon?s dar" brown throw r$g. e was !ompletely dren!hed, a daEed
loo" on his +a!e, as i+ he?d lost his memory and wasn?t s$re who or where he was.
Cey,H Brandon gr$nted ne$trally be+ore t$rning ba!" to his !omp$ter. 2t was best not
to let eath "now when yo$ were pissed at him. 2t merely inspired him to piss yo$ o++
even more.
eath didn?t respond and plopped down on his bed, soa"ing !lothes and all. Brandon
glan!ed at him, !$rio$s. ;rops o+ water slid +rom his hair down his ne!". is s"in
loo"ed pasty, and his $s$al sm$g eFpression had been repla!ed by one o+ bewilderment.
Brandon s!rolled his e5mail down on the s!reen. C8hat?s $pIH he as"ed, not really
interested in the answer.
C;$de.H eath !ho"ed on his words. C=ara D$st bro"e $p with me.H
A !hill ran down Brandon?s ba!". C8hat are yo$ tal"ing abo$tIH he as"ed, wanting to
"now more b$t not wanting to appear eager.
C3he D$st bro"e $p with me,H eath repeated J$ietly. C-$st now. :$t on the steps o+
1aFwell.H
Brandon absorbed what eath was saying. e !o$ldn?t help b$t wonder i+ it were some
sort o+ elaborate Do"e, and he !o$ld +eel his body bra!ing +or the p$n!h line. C8hat did
she say eFa!tlyIH
eath gaEed o$t the window at the lawn, as i+ wat!hing the s!ene all over again. C3he
said 2 was AH e !o$ldn?t bring himsel+ to $tter the eFa!t words. C3he said my e5mail
abo$t yo$ and yo$r blan"et reminded her o+ when 2 $sed to tease her.H .he admission
apparently bro$ght no apology or sel+5re+le!tion. .he simple statement +loated aro$nd
the room and died on the stale air.
.hen why?d yo$ say itIBrandon wanted to as". e sensed eath?s wea"ness and was
abo$t to seiEe the opport$nity and lay into him abo$t his total disregard +or other
people?s +eelings. B$t one loo" at eath told him it wasn?t ne!essary. e?d never seen
his roommate so sha"en. .hey were in $n+amiliar territory, and anything !o$ld happen.
C.hat s$!"s,H was all Brandon, !o$ld thin" to say. e s!rat!hed his an"le with the toe o+
his -ohn 9arvatos loa+er.
eath ran his hands thro$gh his hair. C3he said she wasn?t that into me as a boy+riend.
3he said she tho$ght o+ me more as a +$nny +riend. Can yo$ believe thatIH
C8ow.H Brandon got $p +rom his des" and sat on his navy bl$e plaid 0alph La$ren
bedspread, bringing his laptop with him. eath with =ara hadn?t eFa!tly been the same
eath whom everyone at 8averly "new and loved>or hated. e?d been so sweet with
=ara, so a++e!tionate. B$t apparently, what with the $rine5throwing story and the baby
blan"et o$ting, there was still eno$gh o+ the old eath aro$nd to t$rn his girl+riend o++.
Brandon stared at the !r$mpled pairs o+ eath?s Calvin =lein boFer shorts that had
!olle!ted aro$nd his bed, thin"ing abo$t how +ive min$tes ago he?d been ready to throw
one in eath?s +a!e. .his was eath *erro, a+ter all, who tho$ght o+ no one b$t himsel+
>and his penis, whi!h Brandon s$spe!ted he had named Br$no, a+ter overhearing him
tal"ing in the shower. B$t eath now loo"ed li"e someone !ompletely di++erent.
Brandon sighed and !losed his laptop. e leaned ba!" on his bed, resting against the
wall. C1aybe she D$st means that she doesn?t want to go o$t with anyone right now,H he
o++ered, $nable to wat!h eath gen$inely in pain.
eath gave a hal+5smile>li"e he was trying to believe Brandon>b$t then his +a!e
!lo$ded over immediately. C3he didn?t say she didn?t want a boy+riend.H eath r$bbed
his hands over his +a!e. is voi!e was m$++led. C3he said 2 wasn?t boy+riend material.H
CBoy+riend materialIH Brandon s!rat!hed his head. .hat didn?t so$nd li"e anything a
girl wo$ld a!t$ally say>espe!ially not =ara.
CB$t that?s b$ll,H eath !ontin$ed. C2<m a great boy+riend. 2 mean, 2!o$ld be a great
boy+riend. 3$re 2<m not an artist li"e Easy or any o+ these other +$!"ers>H is voi!e
raised two o!taves and then bro"e.
C2 thin" wanting to be a better boy+riend is the right instin!t,H Brandon said, grabbing a
tiss$e +rom the =leeneF boF on his nightstand and wondering i+ it wo$ld embarrass
eath i+ he handed it to him. B$t he totally needed to blow his nose. C;id yo$ say that
to herIH
eath shoo" his head no. C2 didn?t "now what to say,H he admitted.
C2t?s o"ay to tell people what yo$?re +eeling,H Brandon !o$nseled him. e p$t the tiss$e
away, de!iding eath wasn?t ready +or that "ind o+ gest$re. CEspe!ially someone li"e
=ara. (o$ don?t always have to be on all the time.H
CPeople li"e me best when 2<m on,H eath said, letting his head drop into his hands.
C.hey always eFpe!t a show +rom me when 2<m aro$nd. 3o that?s what 2 give them.H
C(eah, well.H Brandon wo$ld have given his le+t testi!le to have eath stop p$tting on
a show all the +$!"ing time. e pi!"ed $p the 'i"e sJ$ash shirt by the +oot o+ his bed>
the only item on the +loor that belonged to him>and tossed it into his wi!"er Pottery
Barn hamper in one +l$id motion. CB$t yo$?ve got to miF it $p. Li"e anything else,
yo$?ve got to do it in moderation. 2t ma"es it +$nnier, don?t yo$ seeIH Brandon !o$ldn?t
believe the words es!aping his lips. B$t there was something abo$t this heart5to5heart
that was ma"ing him +eel better too.
C(eah, b$t she la$ghed at all my Do"es,H eath !omplained. *inally, he stood $p and
peeled o++ his wet 8averly sweatshirt, letting it +all in a heap on his side o+ the room. C2
tho$ght we were getting along so well.H
C.oo m$!h la$ghing ma"es yo$ !ry,H Brandon said, repeating something he?d heard on
a m$!h5!ir!$lated !lip o+;r. Phil on (o$.$be. C=ara?s sensitive,H he went on. C2 mean,
everyone has a sensitive side. Even yo$.H e didn?t eFa!tly "now where he was going
with this, b$t he wanted eath to admit that he had a sensitive side. A step in the right
dire!tion.
C8hat wo$ld yo$ doIH eath as"ed earnestly. C-$st +orget herIH
C8hat?s yo$r instin!tIH Brandon as"ed.
C2 D$st A li"e her so m$!h,H earh said, de+lated. .he air seemed to r$n o$t o+ him. C2
really have no idea. 2 really AH eath?s words +aded and the s$n o$tside the window
dipped below the !lo$ds, !asting a gray pallor over the silent room. .he +irst glistening
o+ tears appeared in the !orners o+ eath?s eyes, and Brandon rea!hed a!ross the room
and handed him a tiss$e. eath too" it grate+$lly.
C.hen A prove to her that yo$?re more than she thin"s yo$ are.H Brandon !o$ghed,
t$rning ba!" to his !omp$ter +or a se!ond. e p$lled $p his e5mail again and held down
the delete b$tton, wat!hing his attempt at a retaliatory e5mail disappear +rom the s!reen.
CAnd 2<ll help yo$ any way 2 !an,H he said, meaning it. CB$t no blan"ie Do"es.H
VH=ay,H eath spo"e $p. e held his pin"y $p in the air.
Brandon rea!hed o$t and wrapped his own pin"y aro$nd his roommate?s. .he
somewhat ridi!$lo$s gest$re made him +eel more manly than he ever had in his li+e.
%0
8A9E0L( :8L3 3.2C= .:#E.E0 .0:/# 3':8 A'; 2CE.
-enny t$rned the dial on the 1$stang?s so$nd system, loo"ing +or a good radio station.
'ow that they?d !rossed the state line it was impossible to +ind one that wasn?t tal" radio
or stati!. .he dar" night enveloped the !ar as .insley gripped the wheel, !on!entrating
on the road, the headlights !asting wide ar!s on the empty highway. .he dashboard
lights were bright red and p$rple, and -enny +elt li"e she was in some "ind o+ high5te!h
spa!e ship.
3he had a Latin test tomorrow, and the +lash !ards that she?d barely written o$t, let
alone had eno$gh time to +lip thro$gh, were in her po!"et. B$t none o+ that mattered
now. .hey were on their way to res!$e Callie. -enny still hadn?t pro!essed all that Callie
had done +or her>or why>b$t Callie had s$ddenly be!ome li"e a +amily member in
desperate need o+ help.
C#ive it $p,H .insley snapped, wa"ing -enny o$t o+ her reverie. 3he +lopped ba!" in her
leather seat, de+eated. A tra!tor5trailer passed them on the le+t, rattling 3eb?s !ar. A light
rain started to +all as they Eipped a!ross 0o$te 40 toward Boston. C.ry a C; or
something.H 8itho$t ta"ing her eyes o++ the road, .insley eFpertly slid a Pall 1all o$t
o+ her hal+5!r$shed pa!", lit it, and !ra!"ed the window, the smell o+ smo"e still
!lo$ding the inside o+ the !ar.
C:"ay, o"ay. Calm down.H -enny randomly sele!ted a C; and Dammed it into the
player. .he +irst strains o+ the 0aves "i!"ed in and .insley t$rned $p the vol$me,
tapping her +ree hand on the steering wheel.
C2 saw these g$ys at a ho$se party when they were +irst starting o$t,H .insley bragged.
C0eallyIH -enny as"ed +latly. 8hy did .insley thin" every little eFperien!e she?d had
was o+ vast interest to everyone elseI And why was she always the +irst to do this, or the
+irst to "now that, li"e have a new brand o+ !lothing, or see a band be+ore it be!ame
!oolI C2 a!t$ally h$ng o$t with them a lot when they were re!ording their last alb$m. 2
was even on a tra!" with them,H -enny bragged right ba!"..a"e that, .insley.
CCool.H .insley?s voi!e was indi++erent, li"e she !o$ldn?t even be bothered to be
s"epti!al abo$t -enny?s story. 2t irritated -enny even more.2t?s tr$eG she wanted to sho$t.
3he stared down at the 1apJ$est dire!tions in her lap, holding the page $p to her +a!e
in an e++ort to read it in the dar". 2t was so m$!h easier when yo$ lived in a pla!e where
the s$bway>or a taFi>!o$ld ta"e yo$ eFa!tly where yo$ wanted to go. Even when yo$
were wal"ing, yo$ always "new where yo$ were, be!a$se the streets were on a grid.
C;o yo$ thin" we?re still going the right wayIH
.insley snorted. C8ell, yo$?re the navigator, aren?t yo$IH
C(eah, well, it?s "ind o+ hard to read dire!tions in the dar",H -enny shot ba!". .insley
had s!reamed at her when she tried to t$rn on the overhead light earlier.
C3ee i+ there?s a +lashlight in the glove boF, then.H
;id she have to be a !onstant bit!hI-enny +lipped open the glove boF, revealing a
!ompartment st$++ed to the brim with D$n".
C3o that?s how he "eeps his !ar so neat,H -enny breathed as random obDe!ts t$mbled
o$t. 3he pi!"ed $p two identi!al t$bes and sJ$inted at them, trying to read the labels.
C8hat?s thatIH .insley as"ed !$rio$sly, alternately loo"ing at the road and glan!ing
down at -enny?s +eet. .he metalli!3 on a silver !hain hanging +rom the rearview mirror
swayed as they t$rned with the road.
Cair gel. .wo t$bes.H -enny giggled, holding $p a hal+5empty t$be with a pi!t$re o+ a
man in a pompado$r on it. C2 g$ess he never wants to get st$!" witho$t it.H
C#od, 2 !an smell it over here,H .insley !omplained. CP$t it away.H
-enny tossed the t$bes ba!" into the glove !ompartment, still sear!hing +or a +lashlight.
3he t$gged o$t a slightly !r$shed white boF that was in the way, sJ$inting to read the
embossed words, . C/.E 3.A.2:'E03. :"ay, sin!e she was already snooping A
3he li+ted the lid to +ind a pi!t$re o+ 3eb with his arms aro$nd an older woman, the two
o+ them standing on an eFpansive, s$n5dappled green lawn.
C3evered +ingerIH .insley as"ed. 3he too" a +inal drag on her !igarette and tossed the
b$tt o$t the !ra!"ed window.
C2 thin" it?s a pi!t$re o+ 3eb and his mom.H -enny +reed the silver pi!t$re +rame +rom its
resting pla!e. 3he almost dropped it when an ele!troni! whir so$nded and a +emale
voi!e said, C2<m pro$d o+ yo$, honey. 8e miss yo$.H
A moment o+ silen!e +ell on the !ar while both girls str$ggled with their $rge to la$gh.
C2t tal"s,H .insley sni!"ered.
C2t?s a tal"ing pi!t$re +rame.H -enny stared down at the pi!t$re again, thin"ing how
0$+$s wo$ld totally do something so sweet and !orny, altho$gh he?d probably have to
re!ord a m$!h !raEier statement, li"e C1y little pet$nia bottom, yo$ "now yo$?re the
sprin"les on my banana !ho!olate !hip m$++in. =eep on tr$!"in<.H 3eb?s mom?s
re!ording seemed sweetly normal to her. C.hat?s really !$te.H
C:r not,H .insley said dryly, so$nding bored. 3he hit replay on the C; de!" with her
middle +inger>that had to be +or -enny?s bene+it>and the song they?d D$st heard started
over again.
-enny repla!ed the +rame in its boF and +it the lid ba!" on top, nestling the pa!"age
ba!" in the glove !ompartment. .he rain had thi!"ened into snow, and +la"es "issed the
windshield, +lashing momentarily and then melting into tiny paw prints. .he trees o$t
the window grew sparser and sparser and then s$ddenly the shadow o+ thi!" +orests
appeared on both sides. -enny !o$ldn?t help b$t wonder i+ .insley was driving her into
some remote se!tion o+ the woods to "ill her, leaving her body to be +o$nd in the spring
a+ter the snow melted.
C.he tires are gripping the road +or shit,H .insley !omplained with a yawn, wishing
she?d tho$ght to stop +or !o++ee ba!" where there were rest stops, be+ore they?d
des!ended into the dar" wilderness o+ wherever the +$!" they were. C2 wish he wo$ld?ve
spent a little more money on tires and a little less on hair gel.H .he road really wasn?t
that bad, b$t she !o$ld tell +rom the way -enny "ept loo"ing at the map every +ive
se!onds that she was a nervo$s passenger. 2t wo$ld be good to p$t a little +ear ba!" into
her. 3he?d been a!ting too high and mighty these last +ew wee"s, and D$st be!a$se
.insley had deigned to allow her to !ome along didn?t mean they were B**s.
.insley glan!ed at the !lo!". .hey weren?t even hal+way there. A+ter the terrible day>
days>she?d been having, the last pla!e she wanted to be was sitting in a dar" !ar with
little -enny $mphrey, the so$r!e o+ at least hal+ her problems. B$t Callie needed her.
.he Cinephiles sn$b still st$ng, and it +elt good to be needed. 3he wasn?t going to let
Callie down, even i+ she had to drive all night with her annoyingly per"y little
sophomore boy+riend5stealing tagalong.
.insley glan!ed in the rearview mirror, moving into the right lane to let a speeding
Es!alade pass on the le+t. .he bla!" vehi!le moved li"e a shadow thro$gh the wintry
night, spraying a mist o+ rain and snow $p on the windshield as it passed by. -enny tilted
her head against the +oggy passenger window and seemed to doEe o++. .insley was
a!t$ally a little impressed that she?d wanted to !ome along. er reJ$est had !a$ght
.insley o++ g$ard, and while the idea o+ spending siF ho$rs in the !ar with -enny was
abo$t as pleasant as the idea o+ having a mani!$re with dirty nail +iles and b$++ers, she
was sort o+ glad -enny had insisted on !oming. .insley hated to drive at night, espe!ially
alone, tho$gh she?d never have admitted it to -enny.
.he snow +ell +aster and +aster, !oming at them li"e !on+etti, reminding her o+ the street
parades in -ohannesb$rg that Cheido wo$ld ta"e her to. 3he wished she were
somewhere warm, away +rom the perpet$al !old that seemed to grip 8averly at this
time o+ year. .hey were !limbing north, headed into !older terrain yet, she "new. 3he
t$rned $p the heat, br$shing the eight ball 3eb had installed in pla!e o+ the gear shi+t.
.he hot air blew on .insley?s +a!e and her eyelids +elt heavy. .he road +lashed by in
strea"s o+ bla!" asphalt and yellow paint. 3he tho$ght o+ Callie, trapped in the middle o+
snowy 1aine, at the weird three5step pla!e her mom had sent her to. 3he pressed the
a!!elerator, trying to bridge the distan!e between them, hoping to ma"e 1aine be+ore
daybrea".
C1aybe we !o$ld play a game or something,H Little 1iss Lamephrey s$ggested
per"ily, raising her head.
.insley rea!hed o$t and t$rned $p the vol$me on the stereo. C3h$t $p,H she sighed, her
eyes on the road.
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
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*ront,BrandonB$!hananQwaverly.ed$
.o,eath*erroQwaverly.ed$R Alan3t#irardQwaverly.ed$R
0yan0eynoldsQwaverly.ed$R LonBar$EEaQwaverly.ed$R
-eremiah1ortimerQst.l$!i$s.ed$R .eag$e8illiamsQwaverly.ed$R
Easy8alshQwaverly.ed$
;ate,1onday, 'ovember 7, 6,)&P.1.
3$bDe!t,B.:.8.
Bring booEe. Blan"ies not reJ$ired.
Bradon
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*rom,3ebastian9alentiQwaverly.ed$
.o,Brett1essers!hmittQwaverly.ed$
;ate,1onday, 'ovember 7, 6,27P.1.
3$bDe!t,:"ay Already
Brett,
;on?t get yo$r granny panties in a b$n!h. 2+ yo$ want me that badly, we?ll meet
tomorrow. *irst +loor o+ the library L2 "now where it isM.
'eFt time, D$st as" ni!ely.
3.9.
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-eremiah1ortimer,ey, babe. 2<m !oming to 8averly tonight +or a Bo8 meeting. (o$
sho$ld !ome.
Brett1essers!hmitt,eath?s boys !l$bI .hin" 2<m allowedI
-eremiah1ortimer,3eFy girls are always allowed.
Brett1essers!hmitt,ow !o$ld 2 re+$seI
-eremiah1ortimer,3weet. Let?s have dinner +irstI 1eet me at 'o!t$rneI
Brett1essers!hmitt,3o$nds good. 1aybe yo$ !an snea" into the dorm a+terward>
loo"s li"e .<s o$t +or a while.
-eremiah1ortimer,;on?t tease>we?re waiting +or the 3oho #rand A b$t 2<m willing to
let yo$ tryA.
%)
A 8A9E0L( :8L 'E9E0 #29E3 /P.
3now+la"es pelted Callie as she tr$mped thro$gh the woods, the moonlight p$rple as it
re+le!ted o++ the snow5!overed bran!hes and dri+ts. 3he was wearing her prison5iss$e
Deans and her hands were n$mb beyond +eeling. 3he r$bbed together the two relatively
dry sti!"s she?d +o$nd in the middle o+ a pile o+ +irewood someone had abandoned D$st
o$tside the perimeter o+ the rehab !enter. .he sti!"s s"idded against ea!h other
ine++e!t$ally, a +ew dry +la"es o+ bar" +loating into the small hole Callie had d$g $nder
one o+ the giant bare poplar trees. A wind howled, blowing snow down aro$nd her li"e
dandr$++. er eyeballs were so dry she tho$ght they?d !ra!" i+ she ever blin"ed again.
3he?d wasted !lose to an ho$r trying to +ind the B that mar"ed the spot on 1eri?s se!ret
map, hoping against hope that it was some "ind o+ shelter, or a b$s station. A dar"
shadow in the +all trees had misled her into thin"ing she?d +o$nd the spot, b$t the
shadow had t$rned o$t to be D$st that, a dar" de!eption that had !ost her time and most
o+ her hope.
3he s!raped the sti!"s together +ranti!ally.2t loo"s so easy on .9 and in movies, she
tho$ght, la$ghing mania!ally as the sti!"s !ontin$ed to do nothing. .hat was what
8hispering Pines had t$rned her into>a mania!. 3he hoped her mother wo$ld be
happy when they +o$nd her body a+ter the +irst thaw, her p$rple +ingers and toes
per+e!tly preserved li"e those o+ a !aveman +roEen in the a!t o+ trying to start a +ire.
;eath l$r"ed somewhere on the horiEon>she wasn?t s$re she !o$ld ma"e it $ntil
daybrea", when she "new she?d be res!$ed +rom her st$pid solo i+ she didn?t ret$rn.
*roEen tears made their way down her !hee"s. 3he +elt hersel+ begin to +loat above her
body, loo"ing down on the piti+$l s!ene, a silly girl on her "nees in the snow, trying
desperately to ma"e something happen that wo$ldn?t.
3he tho$ght o+ all the things shehad made happen, !heating on Brandon B$!hanan with
Easy, and totally brea"ing his heart. .rying to +or!e Easy to say he loved her, and being
so needy with him that she?d !hased him away +rom her !l$t!hing arms and into those o+
-enny $mphrey. 3he?d p$shed Brett away, blabbing her se!ret abo$t 1r. ;alton to
.insley, and then blabbing her se!ret abo$t =ara to the whole world.
Callie was too !old to +eel embarrassment or shame>she only +elt st$pid +or doing
s$!h terrible things to people who !ared abo$t .her. .hey didn?t deserve to be treated as
she?d treated them. -enny>even i+ shehad started dating Easy, it hadn?t been entirely her
+a$lt. Callie was the one who?d !hased him away in the +irst pla!e. And -enny had +elt
bad abo$t it. B$t instead o+ ma"ing $p with her, Callie had let .insley rope her into the
plan to get -enny eFpelled. #etting her mother to !over the +ire with a !he!", and bailing
o$t -enny was her great e++ort to ma"e $p +or it. 8ipe it all o$t>and get Easy ba!".
3he?d wanted so badly to share that se!ret with Easy, to have his eyes light $p when she
t$rned o$t not to be the girl he tho$ght she was. 'ot to be the spoiled prin!ess he was
!onvin!ed she was.
Callie tho$ght abo$t how she?d embra!ed the spa as a way to erase Easy +rom her li+e
+orever. 3he !o$ldn?t believe how +oolish she?d been. .ears welled $p in her eyes +rom
the !old, b$t she +$eled them with her longing +or Easy. 3he "new two things, she loved
Easy, and the way he?d treated her had bro"en her heart.
Callie dropped the sti!"s, "i!"ing them away in disg$st. 3he sat !ross5legged on the
hard, !old gro$nd, r$bbing her arms +or warmth. Another blast o+ ar!ti! air blew thro$gh
her and she sensed the end was near. 8ere they really going to let her die o$t hereI
3he !o$ld +eel her blood thi!"ening, slowing in its tra!"s as her heart started to beat
slower and slower. 3he p$t her head in her hands, her +ingers massaging her +roEen ears,
whi!h b$rned with the beginning o+ what Callie !o$ld only imagine was +rostbite.
.hey?d read this terrible -a!" London story in +reshman !omp abo$t a g$y tre""ing +or
gold $p in the ($"on or something>somewhere really !old li"e 1aine. e?d slowly
+roEen to death in the snowy t$ndra.
ow wo$ld Easy remember herI e?d be devastated by the things he?d said the last
time they saw ea!h other, she "new. 3he imagined him replaying his words to her over
and over again, $ntil they started to ha$nt him, day and night. e?d drop o$t o+ 8averly
and spend the neFt twenty5three years living in the small room above his parents<
garage, smo"ing !igarettes and eating Cheetos, $nable to ever say anything eF!ept her
name. .he tho$ght made her +eel a teeny bit better.
B$t she really wanted him to remember the good times. .heir +irst "iss in the rare
boo"s library, so sweet and deli!io$s. 3nowball +ights o$t on the J$ad, when Easy
wo$ld ta!"le her, all b$ndled $p in her p$++y !oat and thi!" !ashmere s!ar+ and mittens,
and "iss her !old, red lips.
A sob wor"ed its way $p +rom the bottom o+ her empty stoma!h, throbbing in her !hest.
2t mo!"ed her +or believing that she might ever be able to get over Easy. e was the
love o+ her short, sorrow+$l li+e. .he sob er$pted in her throat and she wailed into the
wind, straining her vo!al !ords, the image o+ !omplete sadness and longing, her heart
+$ll o+ poetry +or 8hat 1ight?ve Been and 8hat 8o$ld 'ever Be.
%2
8E' A B/;;( 23 ;:8', A #::; :8L 0A23E3 21 BAC= /P.
.he only time Brandon had been in the a!tivities room in the basement o+ 1aFwell
all was last spring. e?d Doined 8averly s *ren!h !l$b in order to spend a little more
time with Eloise 1i!ha$d, the gamine5loo"ing eF!hange st$dent +rom Paris. is
*ran!ophile phase had been brie+, it had ta"en a mere +ive min$tes o+ sitting neFt to
Eloise on one o+ the dilapidated so+as to realiEe that deodorant really was a prereJ$isite
+or a relationship. L$!"ily, on 1onday night, all Bo8 members !ame wearing
deodorant>or at least, !lose eno$gh.
Brandon s$rveyed the lands!ape. Alan 3t. #irard and Easy 8alsh were lo$nging on a
green polyester so+a, staring at the !eiling and loo"ing stoned. 0yan 0eynolds and Lon
Bar$EEa traded ins$lts over the massive pool table in the !orner. .he room was $sed
mostly +or vario$s !l$b meetings in the a+ternoons, where girls !o$ld arg$e abo$t
de!orations +or the dan!es and boys !o$ld try and snea" !loser to them on the so+a.
eath sat in a +aded bl$e polyester arm!hair o++ to the side, wearing a +ilthy ;artmo$th
sweatshirt with the sleeves !$t o++ at the elbows. e loo"ed li"e a despondent homeless
person.
eath tilted his head ba!" to empty his third !an o+ B$d while sim$ltaneo$sly opening
a +o$rth.
C;$de, slow it down a little,H Brandon !o$ldn?t help saying. Cr$shed tin !ans were
littered aro$nd eath?s +eet. e?d hoped, in desperation, that hanging o$t with the other
g$ys wo$ld help li+t eath?s mood>dis!$ssing the most Cdo5able,H to $se a *erro word,
$nder!lassmen always !heered eath $p>b$t he was beyond help tonight.
C.his st$++ is shit, anyway.H eath abandoned his beer !an and instead p$lled a +las"
+rom his green Patagonia ba!"pa!". e dis!reetly wiped his +a!e against the sho$lder o+
his sweatshirt. Brandon hoped none o+ the other g$ys had noti!ed. 2t was one thing +or
eath *erro to tear $p in the bedroom>b$t in +ront o+ a b$n!h o+ d$desI 'o one
wanted to see that.
CCheer $p, man.H 0yan, who?d never had a girl+riend +or more than hal+ an ho$r, stared
at eath +rom the pool table li"e he was an alien. 0yan +ingered the platin$m st$d in his
nose, whi!h loo"ed li"e an in+e!ted Eit, and twirled his pool !$e. CAnother b$s !omes
along every twenty min$tes.H
C.hat?s right,H Lon agreed, dropping his pool sti!" onto the green +elt o+ the table and
sl$mping onto an empty so+a. e li+ted his m$ddy boots onto the already dirty !o++ee
table. C2 mean, Benny and 2 brea" $p all the time, and it?s not a h$ge deal.H e grabbed a
beer !an +rom the gym bag on the +loor and +li!"ed the p$ll tab into a garbage !an a!ross
the room. e grinned slyly. C2+ yo$?ve got good st$++, she?ll !ome ba!" +or it.H
Brandon glan!ed in eath?s dire!tion to ga$ge his rea!tion. eath D$st stared over
everyone?s head at the giant b$lletin board against the wall, !l$ttered with +lyers abo$t
dan!e re!itals and play tryo$ts. C8e D$st had so m$!h +$n together.H e glan!ed at
Brandon, pleading with him to ba!" him $p. C;idn?t weIH
Brandon nodded sagely, ta"ing a sip o+ B$dweiser. .he so+as loo"ed li"e things might
be growing in them, so he leaned against the pool table instead.
C2 dated Emily -en"ins +reshman year,H 0yan spo"e $p s$ddenly, repla!ing his !$e in
the ra!" on the wall. CAnd she d$mped meon my birthday. H e loo"ed aro$nd to see i+
the room shared his in!red$lity at s$!h a !r$el, !r$el a!t. C2t was my birthday and she
was s$pposed to ta"e me o$t +or a mil" sha"e, and she brea"s $p with me. AndH>he
held $p his hands +or emphasis>Hshe did itin a teFt message. H
C;$de, that s$!"s.H Lon patted the so+a neFt to him, li"e he wanted 0yan to !ome over
+or a h$g or something. CB$t 2 dated this girl +or all o+ eighth grade, and we were
planning on going to 8averly together>it was, li"e, all we !o$ld tal" abo$t. (o$ "now,
hoo"ing $p in o$r dorm rooms, et !etera.H e glan!ed aro$nd sheepishly. CAnd then
when 2 hear 2 got in, she tells me she didn?t evenapply. H
Easy, sprawled on the opposite so+a and n$rsing his +irst !an o+ beer, !roo"ed his arm
$p on his "nee and gave Lon a sympatheti! loo". CA girl d$mped me on the top o+ a
*erris wheel at 3iF *lags when 2 was +o$rteen. .he st$pid thing went aro$nd li"e eight
more times be+ore we !o$ld get o++.H Easy shoo" his head, his +loppy dar" hair
!ompletely o$t o+ !ontrol and badly in need o+ a !$t. C8e D$st had to sit there, not
loo"ing at ea!h other.H
C8hy?d she d$mp yo$IH Brandon didn?t really !are, b$t there was something satis+ying
abo$t "nowing that Easy had been d$mped be+ore. e too" one o+ the balls still on the
table and tried to roll it into one o+ the !orner po$!hes.
Easy r$bbed his hand against the ba!" o+ his ne!" and grinned !roo"edly. C.hin" she
was "ind o+ annoyed that 2 didn?t have a !ar.H e shr$gged. C3he was eighteen.H
Brandon s$ppressed a groan. .hat was 8alsh?s most devastating brea"$p storyI .he
+a!t that he?d been dating an eighteen5year5old when he had barely hit p$berty !o$nted
as more o+ a tri$mph than a disappointment. Christ, Brandon had been d$mped by
Callie when she le+t a party to ma"e o$t with Easy..hat was a brea"$p story.
C.his is a good one,H eath said s$ddenly. .hey?d almost +orgotten him, sl$mped o++ to
the side, resigned to his misery. e held $p his iPhone so everyone !o$ld see a pi!t$re
o+ him and =ara dressed $p as !oordinated s$perheroes at the alloween party. Both o+
them had !ompletely $nsel+5!ons!io$s, tooth5baring, tr$ly happy grins on their +a!es.
.hey didn?t loo" li"e they?d be brea"ing $p in a +ew short days.
eath !radled the iPhone in his hand, s!rolling thro$gh a series o+ pi!t$res. e
o!!asionally too" a swig o+ beer +rom the !an on his lap in the arm!hair. Brandon
anti!ipated another sob. is body tensed as i+ he were wat!hing an impending !ar !rash,
$nable to do anything abo$t it. e wasn?t s$re what his responsibilities were. is
empathy +or eath was still +resh and he wasn?t entirely s$re that they wo$ldn?t be ba!"
on the same +ooting tomorrow, when eath sobered $p. Li"ely as not, eath wo$ld
probably go o$t o+ his way to be all ma!ho and Da!"ass5y, D$st to prove his sensitivity
had been +leeting.
A short "no!" so$nded at the door and everyone eF!ept eath s!rambled to hide their
beers. .he door opened a !ra!" and -eremiah st$!" his head in, his +a!e lighting $p with
his all5Ameri!an smile when he saw he had the right pla!e. C3orry 2<m late.H
CCome on in,H Brandon said, "ind o+ enDoying his position as the host o+ this in+ormal
evening. -eremiah p$shed the door open, and everyone?s mo$ths dropped when they
saw Brett standing behind him.
C'o girlsGH eath bellowed dr$n"enly, staggering to his +eet.
CLighten $p, man,H -eremiah la$ghed. C2 bro$ght eno$gh +or everyone.H e prod$!ed a
bottle o+ Absol$t +rom inside his b$l"y p$rple5and5yellow 3t. L$!i$s letterman?s Da!"et.
C3o this is yo$r little !l$bho$se, ehIH Brett said, s$rveying the room. 3he loo"ed
!ompletely o$t o+ pla!e in her green 'i!ole 1iller t$rtlene!" dress and $ltra5pointy
bla!" leather boots. All the g$ys sat $p a little straighter the se!ond she entered, and
Brandon !a$ght Lon doing a J$i!" breath5!he!" into his !$pped palm.
C.his is theBoys o+ 8averly,H eath stressed, a hint o+ desperation in his voi!e. e
t$rned to Brandon. C.ell her, Brandon. 'o girls allowed.H Brandon loo"ed +rom eath
to Brett and ba!" again, $ns$re o+ what to do.
CCalm down, eath.H Brett pla!ed her hands on her hips. C2 seem to remember yo$ at
all the 8omen o+ 8averly meetings.H 3he wanted to "eep a note o+ play+$lness in her
voi!e, mostly be!a$se she didn?t want what had started o$t as a per+e!t evening with
-eremiah>dinner at 'o!t$rne and a romanti! drive ba!" to !amp$s, -eremiah par"ing
his !ar D$st short o+ the gates so they !o$ld snea" ba!" onto !amp$s, d$!"ing behind the
library +or a serio$s ma"e5o$t session>to be r$ined by eath?s belligerent dr$n"enness.
Cow !ome it doesn?t wor" both waysIH
C2 wish 2 had never gone to those meetings,H eath moaned. e stared into his iPhone
while the others loo"ed aw"wardly on. Brett sensed that she and -eremiah had wal"ed
in right in the middle o+ something. C.hen none o+ this wo$ld?ve ever happened.H
C'one o+ whatIH -eremiah as"ed, staring at eath in !on+$sion. e opened the Absol$t
bottle and o++ered it to Brett, b$t she shoo" her head.
C=ara,Heath answered, ta"ing a swig o+ beer and pla!ing the empty !an at his +eet.
Brandon loo"ed at Brett as i+ abo$t to eFplain what the hell eath was tal"ing abo$t.
eath added, C.he only good thing that !ame o$t o+ those meetings were the pi!t$res.H
Brett +elt her stoma!h drop to the +loor. 8as he tal"ing abo$t what she tho$ght he was
tal"ing abo$tI
C8hat pi!t$resIH 0yan as"ed, his gossip5h$ngry ears immediately per"ing $p. e slid
o++ the pool table and too" a step toward eath.
C.he pi!t$res,H eath m$mbled again, barely !oherent. e p$t the iPhone $p !lose to
his +a!e.
Ceath.H Brett?s voi!e was a little sharper than she?d intended, b$t eath didn?t hear her.
3he dropped -eremiah?s hand. C(o$?re dr$n".H
C#ood idea,H eath answered, st$mbling to his +eet with di++i!$lty yet still managing to
operate his iPhone with s"ill.
C8hat pi!t$res are yo$ tal"ing abo$tIH Lon as"ed, r$bbing his hands together, leaning
+orward on the so+a. CLet me see.H
Brett trembled as she made her way a!ross the room. 3he had no idea what she wo$ld
do>ripping eath?s iPhone o$t o+ his hands was a possibility b$t wo$ld !ertainly !a$se
a s!andal in itsel+ and tip o++ -eremiah. 8hat she needed was +or him to sh$t the +$!"
$p, right now. 3he rea!hed o$t a hand toward him, hoping she !o$ld somehow pretend5
!om+ort him and delete the photos with her other hand.
Cere?s one.H eath held $p the iPhone, the s!reen large eno$gh and !lear eno$gh +or
everyone in the room to see the pi!t$re o+ two girls< lips pressed together. 2t was a !lose5
$p, and a little bl$rry, b$t the !orner o+ the pi!t$re was +illed with an $nmista"able lo!"
o+ +lame5red hair.
Brett?s s"in ignited and she +elt a d$ll th$mping in her ears, as i+ someone +ar o++ were
pra!ti!ing the dr$ms. 3he +elt the whole $gly room starting to spin.
.he so$nd o+ whistling +illed the a!tivities room, and a dr$n"en smile spread a!ross
eath?s +a!e. C2 got more. .hey?re all bea$ti+$l.H e set down his beer to +o!$s on his
iPhone.
C(o$ asshole,H Brett hissed at eath, trying to grab the phone +rom him. 3he glan!ed
ba!" at -eremiah. e stood poised in the doorway, mo$th open, eyes wide. e loo"ed
li"e he?d D$st seen his entire +amily m$rdered in +ront o+ him. e stared at Brett in horror
and too" a step ba!"ward.
C8ait,H she !ried, torn between stopping eath and stopping -eremiah.
Brandon stepped +orward and grabbed the phone +rom eath?s hand. C;$de, that?s not
!ool.H e p$shed down on a st$nned eath?s sho$lders, sending him ba!" into his !hair
with a th$d o+ deadweight. Brandon p$t the phone in his po!"et.
Brett barely had time to shoot Brandon a grate+$l loo" be+ore s!rambling a+ter
-eremiah. C8aitGH she !alled again, +ollowing him into the hallway. er heels !li!"ed
against the linole$m +loor. -eremiah whipped aro$nd, a loo" o+ total disg$st on his +a!e.
C3o it was tr$e,H he spit o$t, po$nding a +ist against a poster with a +rog on it that
read=233 1E, 2 ;:'?. 31:=E . is bl$e5green eyes +lashed in an anger she?d never
seen be+ore. C2 !an?t believe this whole time it was tr$e and yo$ were D$st a liar.Again. H
Brett?s +a!e b$rned. 3he +elt li"e he?d D$st !alled her a pie!e o+ -ersey trash. C2 !an
eFplain.H
C(o$always have an eFplanation.H e p$shed a reddish brown lo!" o+ hair away +rom
his +orehead and Eipped $p his Da!"et. C2<m tired o+ +$!"ing hearing them.H
C.hat?s not +air.H Brett !rossed her arms over her !hest, her de+enses rising. .here
alwayswas an eFplanation.
C2 !an?t believe a single word yo$ say anymore.H -eremiah?s voi!e lowered, and instead
o+ anger, a loo" o+ disg$st washed over his handsome +a!e. C2t?s over. *or good this
time.H e t$rned and po$nded $p the basement steps, the so$nd reverberating in Brett?s
ears.
Brett pressed her ba!" against the wall, her throat !ompletely dry. 3he stared at the
poster o+ the +rog and let hersel+ slide down the wall $ntil she was sitting on the !old,
dirty linole$m +loor. er lips trembled, b$t she didn?t !ry. 2t was over with -eremiah>
really and tr$ly over. .here wo$ld be no more ma"ing $p this time, no more bliss+$l
games o+ ba!"gammon, no more 3oho #rand, no more .han"sgiving in 3$n 9alley.
At least now she didn?t have to wonder what wo$ld happen when -eremiah +o$nd o$t
the tr$th.
%%
8E' 2' ;:/B., A 8A9E0L( :8L 82LL AL8A(3 3.:P A'; A3=
;20EC.2:'3.
-enny +elt the gro$nd $nderneath the 1$stang shi+t and she gripped the passenger5side
armrest, her +ingers slipping +rom the leather interior. 3he sJ$inted thro$gh the
windshield at the road disappearing in tiny in!rements, +lashing again thro$gh the snow,
and then disappearing again. All the rain they?d had at 8averly over the past +ew wee"s
had be!ome snow $p here, and the sides o+ the highway were bl$rs o+ white snowban"s.
.insley leaned +orward in her seat, wiping the inside o+ the windshield with her hand.
Cit the de+rost, please,H she demanded !ran"ily. C2 !an?t see shit.H
-$st the +a!t that .insley had a!t$ally said CpleaseH let -enny "now how nervo$s she
really was. -enny +iddled with the !ontrols and a whoosh o+ air blasted $p +rom the
dashboard, blowing hot and dry in their +a!es.
.insley?s hands were !l$t!hed aro$nd the wheel, her sho$lders h$n!hed, her eyes
sJ$inting at the road, and she loo"ed eFa!tly li"e one o+ those little old ladies who
re+$sed to stop driving even tho$gh they !o$ldn?t see above the steering wheel.
C3ho$ld we p$ll over and wait it o$tIH -enny as"ed tentatively, biting her lower lip. .he
station wagon they?d been +ollowing +li!"ed on its t$rn signal, the blin"ing yellow light
anno$n!ing that it was giving $p and p$lling o++.
.insley didn?t answer, b$t !ontin$ed to !on!entrate on the road. 3he wiped the
windshield again and then wiped her wet hand on her +aded Deans. C2 was in a sandstorm
on the +reeway in L.A. on!e,H she said distra!tedly. C2t was D$st li"e this, eF!ept it was
brown. (o$ !o$ldn?t even see two +eet in +ront o+ yo$. 2t too" them li"e two days to
!lean all the sand o++ the +reeway. People?s !ars were +$!"ed, +$ll o+ sand.H
.he story didn?t ease -enny?s +ear that they were abo$t to !rash into a !ar they !o$ldn?t
see in +ront o+ them, or veer o++ the road down a steep emban"ment. 3he s$ddenly
wondered i+ maybe .insley had a death wish. ad she inadvertently gotten into a !ar
with someone who didn?t have anything le+t to loseI -enny immediately regretted
lording her new 2t5girl stat$s over .insley these last +ew wee"sR it didn?t mean as m$!h
to her as her own li+e. 0ight now pop$larity seemed as remote as 8averly, somewhere
behind them, and Callie, lost somewhere ahead o+ them.
C2s this even the roadIH -enny as"ed.
C2 thin" so.H .insley wrin"led her per+e!t nose. CB$t 2 !an?t see the lines anymore.H
A rising pani! boiled in -enny?s brain and she was abo$t to s!ream +or .insley top$ll
over right this min$te when the !ar stalled. .he engine roared be+ore going totally silent.
.he !ar dri+ted toward the sho$lder as .insley tapped the a!!elerator.
C8hatI 8hat?s going onIH -enny wat!hed helplessly as the !ar slowed to a halt. C8hy
are we stoppingIH
C.he5+$!"ing !ar is dead.H .insley po$nded her small +ist on the top o+ the dash. .he
!ar made a smalloo+ noise as it wedged into the snowban". 3he t$rned the "ey a +ew
times, and the engine gave a hal+hearted !o$gh be+ore +alling silent.
C2t !an?t be dead>the radio still wor"sGH -enny !ried. .he last strains o+ -ames Bl$nt?s
new song +iltered thro$gh the spea"ers be+ore disappearing !ompletely. An odd silen!e
enveloped the !ar.
C'ow we !an?t even listen to m$si! while we +reeEe to death,H .insley said dryly. 3he
p$t the !ar in gear and twisted the "ey o$t o+ the ignition, rea!hing +or her Balen!iaga
bag. C8here is itIH she as"ed hersel+ while +ishing in her bag. CAha.H 3he p$lled o$t her
!ell, the orange light !asting an eerie glow inside the !ar. .insley stared at the phone,
sha"ing it in a vain attempt to get servi!e. C;amn it.H 3he opened the !ar door, letting in
a g$st o+ +rigid air, and D$mped o$t, the phone o$t in +ront o+ her li"e a divining rod.
-enny got o$t too, her +eet sin"ing into +o$r +eet o+ snow, instantly +reeEing in their
!anvas snea"ers. 3he +lipped open her !ell and saw the battery was +lashing, dying in
the dar" night. 2nstin!t too" over and she teFted Easy, telling him everything, her
th$mbs moving as +ast as they !o$ld against the +ading battery. 3he pressed send as her
phone beeped and wat!hed the teFt i!on wor" be+ore the phone powered down, dead in
her hands.
C2 !an?t get servi!e, !an yo$IH .insley as"ed, her teeth !hattering.
C1y phone D$st died,H -enny admitted. C2 got a teFt o++ to Easy, tho$gh.H
Cow did yo$ "now where to tell him we wereIH .insley as"ed sharply, holding her
arms o$t to indi!ate the vast, silent eFpanse aro$nd them. 2+ it hadn?t been the middle o+
the night, and their !ar hadn?t been bro"en, and she hadn?t been with .insley
Carmi!hael, -enny might have appre!iated the sight o+ the snow5+illed dar" night. er
brother, ;an, wo$ld probably have wanted to write a poem abo$t it.
C2 didn?t,H -enny replied, the snow seeping thro$gh her so!"s. 8hy had she worn =edsI
C2 told him abo$t Callie.H
.insley narrowed her eyes. C8hy didn?t yo$ !all nine5one5oneIH she snapped. C:r do
yo$want to die o$t hereIH
-enny shr$gged, more !as$ally than she +elt. C2<m getting ba!" inside the !ar.H
C*ine,H .insley said thro$gh gritted teeth, annoyed. 3he +ollowed -enny?s lead, opening
the driver?s side door. B$t serio$sly, was -enny mentally !hallengedI 2+ she?d !alled 4)),
they !o$ld have been res!$ed. 3he rattled her $seless phone again, trying to pi!" $p
servi!e. Even standing o$tside +or D$st two min$tes had !hilled her to the bone, and the
heat had, o+ !o$rse, disappeared too.
C1aybe it?ll stop soon,H -enny said hope+$lly, r$bbing her hands together.
1aybe.insley tho$ght, her anger s$bsiding. 3nowstorms didn?t last +orever, did theyI
And they were on or near the +reeway, rightI 3o maybe the sit$ation wasn?t as dire as
.insley had +irst tho$ght. er mind wandered and she tho$ght o+ -enny teFting Easy. 2t
was sort o+ sweet that -enny wo$ld do that +or Callie. .insley tho$ght o+ the old days,
be+ore -enny, when she and Brett and Callie wo$ld loo" o$t +or one another li"e that. 2t
wasn?t so long ago, b$t +elt li"e a million years ago. Ever sin!e they?d gotten b$sted +or
the whole E thing, their tight5"nit +riendships had dissolved. 3he wished she !o$ld erase
the last +ew months and go ba!" to when it was D$st the three o+ them, r$ling the
!amp$s, the envy o+ everyone else.
.he lights inside the !ar dimmed, and then there was a lo$d !li!". -enny loo"ed at
.insley, her brown eyes wide in pani!. .insley didn?t "now what to say. .he !ar had
died, simple as that. .hey hadn?t pa!"ed any !lothes, so there was no way to layer $p
against the !old.
-enny twisted aro$nd, rea!hing into the ba!"seat. Ce?s got to have a sweatshirt or
something ba!" here.H 3he emerged a moment later, t$gging $p a so+t, wine5!olored
blan"et.
C:h, gross.H .insley wrin"led her nose. C.hat?s !learly 3eb?s hoo"$p blan"et. 2 don?t
thin" 2 !an $se that.H
-enny gave a wry smile. C*$nny, it?s a!t$ally ;rew?s.H
C.hat doesn?t ma"e it any better>in +a!t, that ma"es it worse.H .insley tho$ght ba!" to
the snotty way -enny had responded to her when she?d tried to warn her abo$t ;rew.
C8ait, did yo$ g$ys do it on this thingIH
C'oGH -enny sJ$ealed, p$lling the blan"et away +rom .insley and h$ddling $nder it. C2
!an?t believe>H A pier!ing wail so$nded o$tside, and both girls loo"ed $p in terror.
C8hat was thatIH -enny as"ed.
.insley was abo$t to as" the same thing, b$t didn?t want to give -enny the satis+a!tion
o+ "nowing how s!ared she was. .hey were going to die. 3he?d !ome all this way to die
in a !ar with -enny $mphrey.
C8e sho$ld h$ddle $p. *or warmth.H -enny li+ted part o+ the blan"et $p. .insley
wrin"led her nose, b$t her !old body !o$ldn?t resist. 3he "new what -enny had
s$ggested was tr$e, that i+ they were going to ma"e it they?d have to wor" together. 3he
grabbed the blan"et and wrapped it aro$nd her, in!hing !loser to -enny $ntil their
sho$lders were pressed together beneath it.
C2 really do hate yo$,H -enny said, her voi!e J$ivering.
C2 hate yo$, too,H .insley shot ba!".
A !hor$s o+ howling +illed the air, and they held ea!h other even tighter.
%7
A 8A9E0L( :8L =':83 .A. ELP 23 AL8A(3 -/3. A .EB. 1E33A#E
A8A(.
Callie was imagining a layer o+ +rost on her bl$e s"in as she h$ddled in the !learing,
ro!"ing ba!" and +orth in a +$tile e++ort to generate heat. .he gro$nd was ro!" hard
beneath her. A+ter +ailing to start a +ire, she?d wandered aro$nd +or a little while be+ore
!ollapsing on the gro$nd. 1aybe the best thing wo$ld be to !onserve her energyI 2t
seemed li"e a good idea to h$ddle $p against a tree, t$!"ing her "nees $p inside her
Da!"et, her arms +olded a!ross them, hands in her armpits.
er empty stoma!h growled b$t was drowned o$t by the wind, whi!h !ontin$ed to
whip aro$nd her, blowing her strawberry blond hair aro$nd her head li"e she was
s$r+ing in a wind t$nnel. 3he?d long ago lost +eeling in her toes and +ingers. :+ all the
deaths she?d imagined +or hersel+>s"ydiving a!!identR tragi!ally wasting away +rom a
terribly eFoti! disease li"e s!arlet +everR +lying o++ a !li++,.helma K Lo$ise style, in a
speedy red !onvertible>+reeEing to death in the wilds o+ 1aine hadn?t been on the list.
8hat wo$ld she be remembered +orI 3he !o$ld already see the tabloid stories, the tr$th
twisted to +it everyone?s greedy imaginations>#:9E0':0?3 ;A/#.E0
1(3.E02:/3L( PE023E3 2' 3EC0E. 0EAB *AC2L2.(.
Callie tried to "eep her eyes open, b$t the snow +ell +aster, weighing down on her
lashes, ma"ing it hard to stay awa"e. 3he saw a light moving ba!" and +orth in the
distan!e and +elt her heart seiEe>it was the light at the end o+ the t$nnel, the one they
always tal"ed abo$t. 2t was real. Callie debated standing $p to meet it, b$t realiEed it
was moving toward her. Even more per+e!t. 3he didn?t have to do anything.-$st p$t me
o$t o+ my misery. 3he !losed her eyes.
8hen she opened them again, she was hall$!inating. Easy was standing over her,
tapping her +ranti!ally on the sho$lder. ow ni!e, she tho$ght. er heart +looded with
warmth>it +elt so right to have Easy be the one to $sher her into the light. Li"e her
9irgil>altho$gh she tried to p$sh away the $npleasant memory o+ reading ;ante?s.he
;ivine Comedy in sophomore world lit. 3he loo"ed $p into Easy?s sweet angel +a!e and
smiled, ready to give hersel+ over to the hall$!ination. 3he hoped he wo$ld be the +inal
thing she saw be+ore she died.
C2 +o$nd yo$,H the hall$!ination said. e smiled and Callie "new it was a dream. 3he
"new Easy was too angry with her to smile so sweetly at her, b$t she li"ed this new
Easy. 3he was remembering him be+ore he?d grown so tired o+ and angry with her.
C2<m glad,H she whispered. CAre yo$ here to ta"e me awayIH
Easy nodded. C(es,H he answered, his voi!e so$nding a million miles away. CAren?t yo$
!oldIH
C'ot anymore,H she said. 3he tried to stand b$t !o$ldn?t, +orgetting that her "nees were
Eipped $p $nder her par"a. 2nstead, she !losed her eyes, ready to be transported into the
blinding white light. 1aybe Easy !o$ld beam her $p or something. B$t nothing
happened. .he snow stopped and Callie opened her eyes. Easy was still standing in
+ront o+ her, b$t he?d lost his angeli! glow. 3he !o$ld smell the $nmista"able s!ent o+
horsiness that +ollowed him everywhere. As she stared at his beat5$p green Patagonia
+lee!e, she !o$ld even spot bits o+ hay st$!" in the +abri!. C:hmigodGH she breathed
s$ddenly. C2t?s really yo$GH 3he str$ggled to get $p and instead tipped over into the
snow.
C2t?s o"ay, it?s o"ay.H e leaned down and helped her $ntangle hersel+. All Callie !o$ld
do, tho$gh, was limply +ollow his movements, $nable to p$ll her nose away +rom his
ne!", whi!h smelled li"e the stables and t$rpentine and shaving !ream all rolled into
one. e li+ted her o++ the gro$nd as easily as pi!"ing $p a bi!y!le that had been "no!"ed
over.
CC<mon,H he said, p$lling her !lose to him and r$bbing his arms $p and down her ba!".
3he shivered. CLet?s get yo$ ba!". (o$ need to sit by the +ire. And have a !$p o+ hot
!ho!olate.H e too" o++ his thi!" bla!" wool s!ar+ and wo$nd it aro$nd her ne!"
tenderly.
Cow did yo$ +ind meIH she as"ed in amaEement, to$!hing his !hee" with her bare
+ingers. 3he needed to +eel the reality o+ Easy?s s"in against hers.
CLong story.H 8ith an arm tightly aro$nd her waist, li"e he wasn?t ever going to let go,
Easy led her thro$gh the snow. CB$t basi!ally A -enny told me the whole thing, abo$t
where the hell yo$ were. And abo$t the !he!", too.H is arm tightened aro$nd her.
C.hat was really A $h A sweet o+ yo$ to do.H
Callie smiled ba!", +eeling so happy she !o$ld !ry>and she probably wo$ld have, i+
her tear d$!ts hadn?t been +roEen. C.hat?s what 2 wanted to tell yo$ at the party,H she
eFplained, her tong$e still n$mb against her lips. CB$t yo$ didn?t give me the !han!e.H
Easy p$lled her even !loser. .he warmth +rom his body seemed to seep thro$gh her
!lothes. C2<m so sorry,H he m$rm$red, his hands r$nning over her hair.:h #od, my hair,
she tho$ght brie+ly. 2t was all "notty and tangled, her +a!e probably red with windb$rn.
e grinned. C2 "new yo$ had it in yo$.H
C'o, yo$ didn?t,H Callie said, !$rling her !happed lips into a po$t. 2n reality, the +eel o+
Easy?s arm aro$nd her erased all reservations or J$alms or worries she had abo$t their
relationship. 8ho !ared i+ she was addi!ted to Easy i+ it +elt this goodI
e ar!hed his eyebrows. C(eah, 2 did. 2 have a long memory. 2 missed the old Callie. 2
tho$ght abo$t her on the +light here.H
C8hat +lightIH she as"ed. A wind rattled against them and Easy shielded her.
C2 !hartered a plane to !ome get yo$.H
C8hatIH Callie?s head was spinning. A planeI EasyI C1y "night in shining armor,H
Callie said, smiling, even tho$gh her +a!e still +elt +roEen.HB$t wait, how did yo$ "now
where to +ind meIH
C2 told yo$.H Easy glan!ed down at her, a loo" o+ !on!ern dri+ting a!ross his +a!e.
C-enny told me.H
C'o.H Callie sJ$eeEed his arm. Cow did yo$ "now where to +ind me o$thereIH 3he
spread her arms wide, pointing at the trees aro$nd them, and $p toward the !old winter
s"y.
C.his is where they said they dropped yo$,H Easy said, !on+$sed. e loo"ed over his
sho$lder. C.he dining hall is D$st over that emban"ment.H
Callie peered into the dar"ness.Co$ld that possibly be tr$eI .hen she re!ogniEed the
+amiliar stand o+ bir!h trees she?d spotted when 'atasha had abandoned her +or her solo.
3he?d never +elt more +oolish>she?d a!t$ally been ready to die, and they?d probably
been peeping o$t the windows at her, pla!ing bets on when she?d !at!h the s!ent o+
boiled potatoes and realiEe she was abo$t +i+ty yards +rom the !amp. C.hat?s D$st
somean.H
Easy p$t his arms aro$nd Callie. er tiny body shoo" violently in the !old, and he
wondered what "ind o+ pla!e !o$ld do something li"e that. e?d heard abo$t boot !amps
in the desert where "ids died. 8asn?t this the same thingI 8hat the hell had !raEy old
#overnor 9ernon been thin"ingI e?d had horrible visions on the plane o+ arriving too
late, o+ +inding Callie?s bloodless body laid o$t +or him to ta"e home, her s"in !old to his
to$!h.
.he se!ond he?d gotten -enny?s message, he?d +lown into a!tion, ta"ing a !ab to the
lo!al !omm$ter airport and spending the balan!e o+ his ban" a!!o$nt on !hartering a
plane that !o$ld ta"e him to 1aine immediately. 2t was insane, really>leaving !amp$s
in the middle o+ the night. 2+ he got !a$ght A even 1rs. orniman wo$ldn?t be able to
save his sorry ass.
B$t he loved Callie. e "new that now. e remembered something he?d overheard one
o+ those !orny late5night prea!hers saying as he +lipped thro$gh the !hannels one
s$mmer when he was at home in LeFington,*orgiveness is a present yo$ give yo$rsel+.
2t started that way, s$re. e?d +elt the relie+ o+ letting go o+ all the gr$dges he?d held
against Callie and all that Callie had done. B$t when he saw her +a!e, he "new how
sorry she was abo$t the whole thing. 3he was a good person. e might be the only one
at 8averly who "new it>and #od "new sometimes Callie didn?t do anything to help
her !ase>b$t he "new it.
Easy bore Callie?s weight as they tr$dged ba!" toward the !enter?s b$ildings. A !ab was
waiting +or them in the driveway, ready to whis" them o++ to the airport. C8e really
need to get ba!". Can yo$ send +or yo$r thingsIH
Callie shr$gged her sho$lders and smiled brightly $p at him. er hair was a !omplete
mess>she?d probably die i+ she glan!ed in the mirror right now>b$t she loo"ed more
bea$ti+$l than he ever remembered seeing her. C2<ve got everything 2 need right here.H
Easy to$!hed her !hin. e +elt the same way.
%@
A 8A9E0L( :8L AL8A(3 =':83 .E BE3. .2'#3 A0E 3:1E.21E3
02#. /';E0 E0 ':3E.
-enny shivered and opened her eyes. 3he +elt disoriented at the sight o+ a slee" bla!"
dashboard in +ront o+ her>$ntil she saw the silver5and5diamond3 hanging +rom the
rearview mirror, and the whole night +lashed ba!". 2nsisting on Doining .insley +or the
Callie res!$e mission, borrowing 3eb?s !ar, the nightmare snowstorm that had +or!ed
them o++ the road. :$t the +ront window, the s$n was !reeping $p over the horiEon,
tinting the snow p$rple and yellow.
.he strong smell o+ strawberries hit her nose, and she realiEed .insley?s head was on
her sho$lder. .hey?d made it. .hey?d a!t$ally lived thro$gh the night. 3he wiggled her
pin" =eds, whi!h the snow had soa"ed thro$gh last night, and realiEed she !o$ld +eel
her toes. A good sign.
A tiny snore es!aped .insley?s lips, and -enny st$died her +a!e. er s"in reallywas
+lawless. *ive in!hes away and she !o$ldn?t spot a single pore. 8hat on earth did she
$seI 3ome rare s"in !ream +rom 3witEerland that only ri!h people "new abo$t,
probably. *$nny, b$t -enny hadn?t a!t$ally loo"ed hard at .insley all semester>she?d
always been t$rning in the opposite dire!tion whenever .insley appeared, in an e++ort
D$st to get o$t o+ her way. .here was something eFoti! abo$t eFamining .insley?s +a!e
$p !lose, li"e loo"ing thro$gh a teles!ope at a rare bird. Asleep, she seemed so A
pea!e+$l. 'ot at all li"e the viper -enny had !ome to thin" o+ her as.
3ho$ld she wa"e her $pI .hey?d +allen asleep trading stories a+ter -enny, trying to brea"
the aw"ward silen!e between them as they sat h$ddled $nder ;rew?s blan"et, had
spilled abo$t the whole ;rew saga. 2t was "ind o+ maso!histi! o+ her>she "new the
embarrassing way she?d been d$ped by a slimeball li"e ;rew wo$ld be spread a!ross
!amp$s in a matter o+ ho$rs a+ter their ret$rn. B$t she "ind o+ didn?t !are. .o -enny?s
immense s$rprise, instead o+ la$ghing at her, or telling her2 told yo$ so, .insley had
been sympatheti!. And even told a +ew stories o+ her own, !hanging the names, o+
!o$rse. 2t had been "ind o+ A +$n.
*inally, her ne!" !ramping $p +rom a night o+ sleeping against the headrest, she slid her
sho$lder o$t +rom $nder .insley?s head.
.insley opened her eyes and stared, not moving her head, as i+ trying to dis!ern where
she was and whether or not she was dreaming. er violet eyes, dar" with sleep, settled
on -enny. A slight smile>or was it a smir"I>!rossed her lips be+ore disappearing.
C1orning,H -enny said !as$ally, massaging the ba!" o+ her ne!".
.insley stret!hed her arms over the steering wheel and let o$t a long moan. C1orning.H
3he stared o$t at the winter wonderland aro$nd them. C2 !an?t believe we?re still here.H
C2+ 2 wo$ld?ve "nown we were going to live thro$gh the night, 2 wo$ld?ve pa!"ed a
toothbr$sh,H -enny said, testing the water. 3he J$i!"ly br$shed her hair down with her
hands and p$lled it into a ponytail with the elasti! she "ept aro$nd her wrist.
.insley !ra!"ed a smile. C(eah, 2 !o$ld go +or a toothbr$sh right abo$t now.H 3he d$g
aro$nd in her bag +or her !igarettes, prod$!ing the worn pa!" o+ Pall 1alls. 3he shoo"
one +ree and then pa$sed be+ore holding one o$t to -enny. C.his?ll have to do instead.H
3he t$rned the "ey in the ignition again, the $nlit !igarette dangling +rom her lips. 3he
loo"ed to -enny li"e one o+ those to$gh !hi!"s in bla!"5and5white movies that were on
late at night. .he !ar made a g$rgling so$nd when .insley t$rned it over, and she gave
$p, opening the !ar door instead as she lit her !igarette with her red Bi! lighter. 2t
seemed li"e a very $n5.insley5li"e gest$re to !are abo$t not +illing someone else?s !ar
with smo"e.
A r$sh o+ +resh air !hased the staleness +rom the 1$stang. .insley handed the lighter to
-enny, who lit her !igarette and passed it ba!". 3he?d never smo"ed be+ore, b$t she
wasn?t abo$t to re+$se the pea!e o++ering.
C.hin" they?ve sent the sear!h party +or $s yetIH -enny as"ed, drawing lightly on the
!igarette, trying not to inhale too m$!h and !o$gh. 3he !ra!"ed open her door, too, and
eFhaled.
C/h, the three !oolest "ids in s!hool are missing.H .insley leaned ba!" in her seat and
stared at the !eiling o+ the !ar. C2<ll bet the pla!e is in a state o+ +renEy.H
.hree !oolest "ids in s!hoolI ;id she mean to in!l$de -enny, or was she !o$nting
EasyI 0egardless, -enny smiled ba!". .here was something indes!ribably satis+ying
abo$t a !ompliment +rom .insley Carmi!hael. C8e?re not dead yet,H she said !heer+$lly,
thin"ing that it was a!t$ally "ind o+ ni!e to be s"ipping her .$esday morning algebra
!lass. 3he p$shed open her door and !limbed o$t. C2 have to stret!h my legs.H
C1aybe 2 !an get some re!eption,H .insley agreed, p$lling her t$rtlene!" $p over her
!hin.
-enny shielded her eyes as the s$n popped $p over the horiEon. .he snowdri+ts glinted
in the s$nlight, as i+ there were tiny diamonds spread a!ross the lands!ape. C8ell, that
has to be east.H
C.he !ar is pointed in the right dire!tion, then,H .insley s$rmised. C3o we got that
going +or $s.H
.hey both la$ghed. -enny?s mo$th tasted so$r +rom the !igarette and she tossed it into
the wind. 2t landed in the snow, +iEEling o$t. As she +ollowed the !igarette?s wind5blown
ar!, something !a$ght her eye. 3he loo"ed +or it again, b$t there was nothing. 3he stood
still and stared, waiting +or it to happen again.
C8hat is itIH .insley as"ed.
C.here?s something over there,H -enny said, pointing. .he !old air a!t$ally h$rt as it
to$!hed her bare s"in. 8hy hadn?t she tho$ght to bring glovesI 3he too" a +ew steps $p
the emban"ment and D$mped $p to see over the snow.
C8hat do yo$ seeIH .insley was s$ddenly at her side. 3he s!rambled past her $p the
emban"ment, and -enny +ollowed. .hey both stood in wonder, their mo$ths agape at the
Ameri!an +lag +l$ttering and snapping in the wind. .he +lag itsel+ was nothing
remar"able>b$t beneath it, a low wooden str$!t$re spread p$t as +ar as they !o$ld see,
tapering o++ into a thi!"et o+ pine trees. .he words CEL13*:0; C:/'.0( CL/B
were painted in elegant green5and5white s!ript on a sign o$t +ront. Even in the distan!e,
they !o$ld ma"e o$t a par"ing lot +$ll o+ +an!y !ars, shining in the s$nlight.
C(o$?re "idding me.H -enny?s Daw dropped. C8e?ve been pra!ti!ally on their +ront lawn
all night.H
CLet?s not waste any more time, then.H .insley ran ba!" to the !ar, grabbed the "eys,
and slammed the door behind her. 3he +elt li"e she?d !heated death, li"e that time in
#$atemala when she?d ta"en a !ab +rom the airport and the !abdriver had darted down
dar", $n+amiliar streets to what .insley !o$ld only imagine was her doom. 3he?d
imagined the !abdriver was ta"ing her to his ho$se, or to his +riends< ho$se, to go
thro$gh her bags and who "new what else. 3he?d !lawed mar"s on the inside o+ the
door, ready to D$mp o$t the moment the !ab slowed to a speed she tho$ght she !o$ld
s$rvive. 3he?d +elt +oolish when the !ab popped o$t o+ the neighborhood and merged
onto the b$sy +reeway, the !abdriver m$ttering something $nder his breath abo$t a
short!$t.
3he traipsed thro$gh the "nee5deep snow, -enny on her heels. .insley stepped into a
rise and san" all the way to her waist, soa"ing her Deans>b$t somehow, it didn?t matter.
3he la$ghed hysteri!ally as -enny tried vainly to p$ll her +ree. 3he grabbed -enny?s hand
and hoisted hersel+ $p, the snow +alling away li"e a se!ond s"in.
-enny patted her down, d$sting the snow +rom her ba!" and sho$lders. CAs long as it
doesn?t start melting, yo$?ll be o"ay,H she said help+$lly.
.insley stared at -enny?s $ltra5pin" !hee"s. 3he bit her lip, !happed +rom a !old, dry
night in the !ar. :"ay, this girl was sometimes a little annoyingly !hipper>b$t she
wasn?t as bad as .insley had tho$ght. 2n her short red pea!oat and her snow5!overed
=eds, her !raEy brown !$rls p$lled ba!" into a loose ponytail, she loo"ed sweet and
nat$ral and !ompletely nonthreatening. .his was the girl .insley had been so worried
abo$tI 3o what i+ she?d won the st$pid alloween !ost$me !ontestI 3o what i+ A well,
so what i+ -$lian had !hosen -enny over herI e was D$st a +reshman, a+ter all. 8hat the
hell did he "nowI
C1y parents $sed to belong to a !o$ntry !l$b on Long 2sland that had the best hot
t$bs,H .insley anno$n!ed, li+ting her +eet high in an e++ort to move J$i!"ly thro$gh the
snow. CAnd hot male masse$ses.H
-enny?s brown eyes lit $p. C2 !o$ld go +or one o+ ea!h,H she said. CAnd a !$p o+ hot
!ho!olate.H
CA plate o+ Belgian wa++les, dren!hed with syr$p.H .insley?s stoma!h r$mbled at the
tho$ght. *or dinner last night, she?d es!hewed the dining hall?s notorio$sly terrible
!hi!"en a la "ing +or a giant bowl o+ L$!"y Charms, and all night her stoma!h had
r$mbled angrily. -enny had pi!"ed $p a .wiF bar when they?d stopped +or gas
somewhere in 1assa!h$setts, b$t .insley had pretended she wasn?t interested. 'ow she
regretted playing it !ool.
CCho!olate !hip pan!a"es, with a little whipped !ream on top.H
C2<ll ra!e yo$,H .insley !hallenged her.
CLoser has to !ome $p with the per+e!t revenge on ;rew and all the evil boys at
8averly,H -enny said. 3he ar!hed her eyebrows.
C2<ve got a +ew ideas,H .insley said, already ta"ing o++ in a +$ll sprint toward the
!o$ntry !l$b. .he !old air r$shed into her l$ngs as she ran, her mind delirio$s with the
prospe!t o+ warmth.
3o maybe -enny $mphrey was o"ay a+ter all. B$t .insley wo$ld be damned i+ she
wo$ld let her beat her to the hot t$b.
%6
A 8A9E0L( :8L .A=E3 E0 0E3P:'32B2L2.2E3 3E02:/3L(>E9E' 8E'
3E?; 0A.E0 C:LLAP3E 2'.: .EA03.
Brett breeEed thro$gh the do$ble doors to the library on .$esday morning, her !anvas
3trand tote bag swinging +rom her arm. 3he?d mar!hed a!ross the lawn with p$rpose, as
i+ she were on her way to a Dob where everyone depended on her de!ision5ma"ing
powers, b$t in reality she had no idea i+ 3ebastian wo$ld a!t$ally show $p +or their
appointment.
Benny C$nningham waved at her thro$gh the glass o+ one o+ the st$dy rooms, the de
+a!to o++i!es o+Absinthe, the 8averly lit mag. Benny pointed a +inger at her own temple
and pretended to p$ll the trigger. Brett ass$med the gest$re had to do with the J$ality o+
wor" in the sta!"s o+ man$s!ripts piled on the table in +ront her.
EFtra!$rri!$lars. 3he !$rsed 1rs. orniman and the whole st$pid 8averly
administration>it wasn?t really +air o+ her to as" Brett to do something that she !o$ldn?t
very well re+$se to do. ;idn?t she do eno$gh at this s!hoolI 3he was the !lass pre+e!t.
3he had dis!iplinary !ommittee meetings every wee", and private !on+eren!es with
;ean 1arymo$nt and 1iss 0ose, the ;C adviser. 3he?d started the damn 8omen o+
8averly !l$b>wasn?t that somethingI 3he?d had a hellish so!ial li+e this year, and she
was still managing to get A<s. 0elatively spea"ing, Brett was valedi!torian material. :r
at least she tho$ght so.
Brett r$bbed the arms o+ her 8averly blaEer, whi!h she?d worn in an e++ort to establish
at least a tiny bit o+ a$thority with 3ebastian. 3he ro$nded the !orner, eFpe!ting to +ind
the glass5walled st$dy room she?d reserved to be dar" and empty. 2nstead, 3ebastian was
do$bled over the table, +ast asleep despite the blaEing +l$ores!ent lights. is dar" head
lay in his arms on top o+ an open teFtboo". A blast o+ !ologne blew in her +a!e as she
opened the door and her eyes watered slightly.
C=no!", "no!".H Brett !losed the door behind her. 3he !ringed at the so$nd o+ her voi!e
>did she have to tal" li"e a tea!herI And a dor"y one at thatI 3he smoothed the sides
o+ her s"inny bla!" abit$al Deans. 2t had been a str$ggle to get dressed this morning.
3he +elt li"e shit a+ter everything that had happened last night, and the last thing she
wanted to do was wal" aro$nd !amp$s loo"ing even worse than she +elt. 3o she?d
!ompromised on the bla!" Deans, her "nee5high bla!" .aryn 0ose boots, and a !har!oal
;esign istory ribbed t$rtlene!" that she "new set o++ her bright red hair.
3ebastian li+ted his head, blin"ing his eyes, and Brett too" him in +or the +irst time. e
had dar", almost Det5bla!" hair and an olive !ompleFion, and even sitting down she
!o$ld tell he was tall. is eyelashes were s$rprisingly long, loo"ing almost +eminine as
they opened and !losed over his deep brown eyes. Cey,H he said, his voi!e gravelly. 2n
his plain white .5shirt, a single gold !hain aro$nd his ne!", he loo"ed li"e all the boys
she?d grown $p with in -ersey>albeit one with per+e!tly !hiseled !hee"bones. 8as that
what orniman had meant when she said they had similar ba!"gro$ndsI ;id she thin"
Brett was ta!"y, tooI
C.han"s +or !oming,H she said sar!asti!ally, hoping to !over her s$rprise. C2<m, $h,
Brett,H she added, as i+ that weren?t obvio$s. 3he dropped her tote bag on the table and
p$lled o$t a !hair, sti+ling a yawn. A+ter the disastro$s Bo8 meeting last night, she?d
!ollapsed into bed, her "nees wea" +rom the "nowledge that it was really and tr$ly over
with -eremiah. .insley had never even !ome home, and the room had remained silent all
night. B$t even with her room all to hersel+, Brett !o$ldn?t sleep. 3he was ha$nted by
the image o+ -eremiah !alling her a liar. 3he didn?t even !are abo$t the +a!t that hal+ a
doEen 8averly g$ys had seen pi!t$res o+ her ma"ing o$t with =ara>it didn?t matter
now anyway.
C'o worries.H 3eb eyed her, sl$mping ba!" in his !hair. C.hese two !hi!"s stole my !ar
last night, so 2 didn?t have anything better to do anyway.H e smiled. C:r, i+ 2 did, 2
wo$ldn?t have any way to get there.H
C8hy don?t yo$ !all the !opsIH Brett said distra!tedly, +ishing in her bag +or her +lash
!ards. 3he?d spent an ho$r ma"ing them yesterday a+ternoon in the hope that they !o$ld
D$st r$n thro$gh them, and she wo$ldn?t need to do m$!h eFtra tal"ing. 3eb !learly
didn?t want to hear anything she had to say, anyway. B$t he had an advan!ed Latin eFam
this wee", and 1rs. orniman had stressed that he really needed tonot get a ; on this
one.
CCopsIH e stared at Brett as i+ she?d D$st s$ggested he !all his mom. C8hat wo$ld
they doIH
C/h, their DobIH 8hy was he so !ombativeI 3he was D$st trying to ma"e !onversation.
*inally, her sheer baby pin">painted nails lat!hed onto her +at, r$bber5banded wad o+
indeF !ards. 3he p$lled it o$t o+ the bag.
C8here 2<m +rom, yo$ don?t !all the !ops,H 3eb said dramati!ally.
C8here are yo$ +romIH Brett?s mind wandered as she made small tal". An image o+
-eremiah disappearing $p the 1aFwell stairs, gone +orever, his !ell phone t$rned o++ or
going straight to voi!e mail !lo$ded her mind. 8hat i+ he was A with A sl$tty rebo$nd
!hi!" EliEabeth againI
CPaterson,H 3eb answered, r$nning his hands thro$gh his shiny hair.
Brett tried to +o!$s. C2<ve been to Paterson.H 3o he was +rom -ersey>as i+ he !o$ld
have been +rom anywhere else. 3he grabbed a pen +rom her bag, not be!a$se she needed
to ta"e notes b$t be!a$se she always li"ed to have it as a prop. 2t made her +eel more in
!ontrol. 3he tho$ght o+ Bob ;ole, and how he $sed to always grip his pen d$ring
spee!hes. C2t?s not that bad.H
C.hey too" down the $rri!ane in Paterson,H 3eb said, eyeing her.
Brett stared ba!" at him. 3he !o$ld tell already that he was one o+ those annoying g$ys
who always spo"e in !rypti! hal+5Do"es, never able to say anything real. 2+ he was li"e
that with his tea!hers, no wonder he was +l$n"ing o$t. C8hat does that meanIH she
as"ed.
3eb raised his eyes to the !eiling, as i+ he were the one dealing with someone di++i!$lt.
C8hat?s thatIH he as"ed, pointing at the +lash !ards. e wore a wide silver ring on his
right indeF +inger, !learly not !aring that it !lashed with his gold ne!"la!e.
C2 tho$ght yo$ might want a vo!ab re+resher.H 3he +lipped thro$gh the !ards to ma"e
s$re they were all +a!e$p. 3he held $p the +irst !ard. .he wordaedi+i!i$m was s!rawled
in Brett?s neat penmanship a!ross the +ront.
C2 thin" my roommate had that on!e.H e smiled impishly.
C2 do$bt it.H Brett s!owled and sat $p straighter in her !hair. CLoo", 2<m not here +or my
health.H 3he !ringed as one o+ her mother?s +avorite sayings es!aped her lips. .he tr$th
was, Brett wel!omed the distra!tion and had se!retly been loo"ing +orward to the st$dy
session>she tho$ght she?d go !raEy i+ she spent another min$te alone, replaying the
s!ene with -eremiah. CLet?s D$st get thro$gh these !ards so we !an see where yo$ are.H
3he !ontin$ed to +lip thro$gh the !ards, not really listening to 3eb?s answers, her mind
$nable to +o!$s. 3he !o$ldn?t help b$t thin" that i+ she !o$ld D$st sit down and eFplain
everything to -eremiah that he wo$ld see that she hadn?t meant to de!eive him, that she
was really D$st trying to prote!t him. Besides, D$st be!a$se she?d "issed =ara>and
enDoyed it>wasn?t s$!h a h$ge deal. e?sslept with EliEabeth and she?d +orgiven him.
er mind ra!ed as she tho$ght o+ all the $ps and downs o+ their relationship>the last
+ew months seemed to be !ompletely !hara!teriEed by betrayals and +orgiveness, ba!"
and +orth between them.
Brett shivered invol$ntarily.
CAre yo$ !oldIH 3eb as"ed. C.hey?re so stingy with the heat in here. (o$ want my
Da!"etIH e nodded in the dire!tion o+ his worn bla!" leather Da!"ed draped over the
!hair neFt to him.
Brett was so to$!hed by the gest$re that she nearly bro"e down in tears. er lower lip
J$ivered as she sti+led the well o+ emotion she +elt p$shing $p +rom inside. C.hat?s
o"ay.H 3he to$!hed the b$tter+ly !lip holding ba!" a lo!" o+ her red hair. CB$t than"s.H
C8hat were yo$ thin"ing abo$tIH he as"ed, leaning his elbows on the table. is eyes
washed over her +a!e, and a hal+5smile played on his lips. CBe+ore, 2 mean.H
C8hat do yo$ meanIH she as"ed, startled. 3he set down the !ards.
is hal+5smile bro"e into a +$ll one, and Brett idly wondered how many girls< hearts
he?d bro"en be+ore. 8ith his leather Da!"et and attit$de problem, he de+initely had that
typi!al rebel appeal, b$t then he also had this really sweet smile that made him +eel "ind
o+ A sa+e. C2 mean yo$ weren?t paying attention,H he !hided her play+$lly. C(o$ held $p
a !ard that saidomnib$s and 2 said1$stang and yo$ D$st +lipped to the neFt !ard li"e it
was the right answer or something.H
Brett smiled aw"wardly, all the heat in her body r$shing to her +a!e. C3orry.H 3he
played with the !opper bangle bra!elets on her wrist. C8ant me to start overIH
C.hat?s !ool.H 3eb shoo" his head slightly. C2 "now what they mean>most o+ them. 2
was D$st playing yo$.H e "i!"ed his +eet $p on the table and Brett "new the st$dy
session was lost. is eyes wat!hed her eFpe!tantly, waiting +or A whatI
C(o$ really want to "nowI 8hat 2 was thin"ing abo$tIH Brett !len!hed her hands $nder
the table. 8as it totally insane to give $p so easily and, instead o+ helping 3eb, who?d
been avoiding her all wee", to $se him as her therapistI
C2<m dying to "now.H
C8ell, o"ay.H Brett tapped her nails on the table. C1y boy+riend bro"e $p with me.H
3eb raised an eyebrow, as i+ to say CAndIH Brett narrowed her eyes at him, +eeling the
need to show him she !o$ld be sho!"ing too. CBe!a$se he +o$nd o$t 2<d been ma"ing
o$t with a girl while we were bro"en $p the last time.H
3eb?s Daw dropped. C8ow, 0ed.H e ran his hand over his st$bbly !hin, waiting +or
more.
And so she spilled the entire story, all abo$t =ara, and the 8o8 meetings, and the
+lood, and -eremiah !oming ba!" +rom his game early, and the st$pid pi!t$res that she
and =ara had sent to eath to bribe his silen!e. .he words r$shed o$t o+ her and she +elt
hersel+ winding down physi!ally as she reena!ted the last s!ene with -eremiah +or 3eb,
her hands +l$ttering aro$nd her head li"e !aged birds. 3he leaned ba!" in her !hair,
winded, wondering where the ho$r had gone.
C8ow,H 3eb said so+tly. C.hat?s in!redible.H e loo"ed at her sympatheti!ally, and
where she?d tho$ght it might help to D$st tal" to someone, she realiEed saying everything
o$t lo$d had only made it worse. 3he missed -eremiah more than ever, and the hole in
her heart had only gotten bigger. C(o$ really are s!rewed.H
Brett had to la$gh. C.hat?s yo$r brilliant insightI 2 spill all my problems to yo$, and all
yo$ !an !ome $p with is that 2<m s!rewedIH
C8hat did yo$ eFpe!tIH 3eb as"ed, a strange twin"le in his eye as he wat!hed Brett
pa!" $p her things. 8hat, did he thin" she was !raEyI LameI A Do"eI B$t no, the loo"
wasn?t anything li"e that>it was li"e he was seeing her +or the +irst time, "ind o+. C2<m
+l$n"ing o$t.H
Cere.H 3he handed him the wad o+ +lash !ards. C8ill yo$ $se theseIH
e mo!"5sal$ted her. CAnything yo$ say.H e gave her one last, long loo" as she
disappeared o$t the door, m$ttering something abo$t meeting later in the wee" to do
more wor".
Brett was so $pset by the realiEation that things with -eremiah really were beyond
repair that 3eb?s loo" barely registered.
/ntil later, a+ter she?d gone ba!" to her room to lie down, when it was all she !o$ld
thin" abo$t.
%&
A 8A9E0L( :8L =':83 .A. (:/ AL8A(3 A9E .: 8A=E /P, E9E'
*0:1 .E 1:3. PLEA3A'. ;0EA1.
.he plane dri+ted thro$gh the winter s"y, ban"ing ba!" toward 8averly thro$gh a
pillow o+ gray !lo$ds. Callie gripped Easy?s hand tighter as the small plane +o$ght the
wind. .he plane?s !abin was small and a little o$tdated>the walls were !overed in a
thi!" beige !arpet5li"e material>b$t to Callie, it was heaven. 3he was !$rled $p in the
seat neFt to Easy, wrapped in a deli!io$sly warm blan"et they?d +o$nd +olded $p in the
overhead bin. 3he stared into Easy?s dar" bl$e eyes as he to$!hed her !hee" and ran his
hands over her hair. Easy?s to$!h was warm, and her grate+$l s"in soa"ed it $p.
3he?d tho$ght she?d never "now what it was to be warm again, b$t Easy had swooped in
and res!$ed her +rom !ertain +roEen death. 3o what i+ she?d been +i+ty +eet +rom the
st$pid !amp>shehadn?t "nown it. 8hat, was 'atasha planning on r$nning o$t there the
eFa!t se!ond be+ore +rostbite set inI Bit!hes, all o+ them. er mother sho$ld s$e the
pla!e o$t o+ b$siness.
C(o$ warm eno$ghIH Easy m$rm$red into Callie?s ear. 3he nestled her head into Easy?s
ne!", drin"ing in the sweet smell o+ his s"in.
C2<m good,H she answered. CB$t 2<m starving.H Li+e was per+e!t again. .he h$m o+ the
plane was li"e a time ma!hine, transporting them ba!" to the day they?d +irst met,
theAbsinthe party in the rare boo"s room at the library. 3he !o$ld almost hear Benny
yammering on abo$t the poem she?d written, how the moon symboliEed what we !an
never "now, how it h$ng over everyone, lording its mysterio$sness. Easy, who?d been
wat!hing her all night, rolled his eyes, then !a$ght Callie with a loo" that melted her
!ompletely, as i+ he?d never seen a girl be+ore and she?d awo"en all his senses. 3he?d
!arried aro$nd that memory +or so long that she?d worn it o$t, !o$ldn?t re!all it on
!ommand the way she $sed to. B$t it !ame +looding ba!" as she "issed Easy?s ne!", as i+
it had all happened yesterday. Callie !o$ld hardly believe that it was more than a year
later. 3he regretted everything she?d done to drive Easy away, and made a silent promise
to hersel+ that everything wo$ld be di++erent the se!ond time aro$nd..hey?d be di++erent,
good again. 3he?d never +elt so positive abo$t anything in her li+e.
Easy +$mbled thro$gh the +aded !anvas messenger bag at his +eet and p$lled o$t a hal+5
!r$shed 3ni!"ers bar. C.hat?s the best 2 !an do>2 don?t thin" they have those little bags
o+ pean$ts on this airline.H
C2 don?t even !are.H Callie tore into the !andy bar and popped it into her mo$th,
savoring the taste o+ !aramel and !ho!olate and not even thin"ing abo$t how many
!alories she was devo$ring. C1mmmmmm,H she groaned in pleas$re.
Easy "issed Callie on the +orehead, +eeling the warmth o+ her s"in. e wo$ld never
admit it o$t lo$d, b$t he?d been !onvin!ed he wo$ld !ome a!ross Callie?s body in a
snowban". e "new he?d never be able to +orgive himsel+ i+ the last words he ever spo"e
to her were the harsh words that had sent her o++ into the woods o+ 1aine, driven away
by what an asshole he !o$ld be. 8hen he?d spotted Callie on her "nees in the snow, he
was s$re that he?d dreamed her $p, that it was some sort o+ tri!" his mind was playing
on him, that he?d spend the rest o+ his li+e spotting her in resta$rant windows, or on the
train, or a!ross !rowded rooms, always a little o$t o+ +o!$s, or t$rning away D$st as he
was trying to !at!h her attention, swept away in the noise that always seemed to
s$rro$nd them.
'ot this time, he tho$ght to himsel+, $nable to "eep his hands o++ her wavy blond hair.
8hen he?d pi!"ed her $p o++ the gro$nd and held her shivering body, he?d "nown he?d
dedi!ate the +$t$re to ma"ing things right with Callie. er apologies so$nded li"e the
mad !hatter o+ a !raEy person, b$t he "new she meant it, had "nown all along that she
wasn?t !apable o+ the things she?d done witho$t being $nder the in+l$en!e o+ .insley and
other !onspirators at 8averly who were always trying to ma"e things miserable +or
everyone else. B$t not Callie. e "new her, had "nown her sin!e he?d +irst met her. e
realiEed with a meas$re o+ shame that he?d $nderval$ed D$st how spe!ial Callie was,
how m$!h they tr$ly belonged together.
C2 !an?t believe 2 was s$!h an asshole to yo$ at that party.H Easy stro"ed her arm
thro$gh the thi!" blan"et and wat!hed the lightening s"y as the small plane !ir!led the
tiny b$ildings that made $p the 0hine!li++ airport. Easy tried not to thin" abo$t going to
!hemistry !lass in an ho$r. C(o$ loo"ed A really bea$ti+$l. 2 wish 2<d told yo$ that.H
Callie beamed, tiny sm$dges o+ !ho!olate dotting the !orners o+ her mo$th. C2t?s never
too late.H
Easy leaned in to "iss her again. er mo$th tasted li"e !andy.
.he plane taFied down the 0hine!li++ airport r$nway, the s$n +inally pee"ing $p over
the horiEon. Easy gave Callie?s hand a sJ$eeEe, a promise between them that things
were going to be di++erent this time aro$nd.
C2 love yo$,H he said. e li"ed the loo" o+ s$rprise in her eyes, D$st li"e the +irst time
he?d ever said it.
Callie grabbed Easy?s s!ar+, p$lling him toward her. C2 "now.H
.hey might?ve stayed li"e that the rest o+ the day i+ the plane hadn?t sh$ddered to a stop,
the pilot !$tting the engine and removing his headphones. .he !abin s$ddenly +illed
with the everyday noises o+ li+e ba!" on the gro$nd.
.hey stepped down the metal stair!ase p$shed to the door o+ the plane hand in hand,
greeting the !old, !risp air. -$st the other day, Easy had been ready to give $p on
8averly A!ademy>and Callie 9ernon>!ompletely. 2+ he?d had an option besides
military s!hool, he might have been tempted eno$gh to pa!" his shit $p and ta"e the
neFt train o$t o+ 0hine!li++. B$t he?d stayed, and had realiEed that Calliewas the "ind o+
girl he "ept wishing she !o$ld be. 1aybe over winter brea" they !o$ld go to Paris
together, D$st the two o+ them. 3mo"e !igarettes over !o++ee and !roissants, sleep late,
browse thro$gh the boo" stalls down by the 3eine. e?d even let Callie drag him into
one o+ those eF!l$sive designer bo$tiJ$es on the Champs5\lysPes.
B$t all tho$ghts o+ bag$ettes and #a$loises disappeared +rom Easy?s brain midway
down the steps. ;ean 1arymo$nt was standing on the tarma!, his lips pressed in a
straight line. 1rs. orniman stood neFt to him, holding a giant al$min$m !o++ee
thermos, an enormo$s red wool hat p$lled down over her ears.
C:h, +$!",H Easy m$ttered, his whole body de+lating.
Callie sJ$eeEed his hand and stared $p at him in pani!, her wavy blond hair still
$nbr$shed and wild. C(o$ !an?t be in tro$ble>yo$ saved my li+eGH
C(eah, well AH Easy played with the Eipper on his +lee!e and headed over to the two
+a!$lty members, slowly, not in any h$rry to rea!h 1arymo$nt. Corniman sort o+ A
p$t me on probation,H he eFplained. CAnd told me i+ 2 le+t !amp$s again AH is voi!e
trailed o++. e !o$ldn?t bear to loo" at Callie.
C;ean 1arymo$nt, 2 !an eFplain.H Callie spo"e $p as they approa!hed, her voi!e
wobbling with +ear. 3he "i!"ed at a loose stone with a pair o+ thi!" hi"ing boots Easy
had never seen be+ore.
B$t ;ean 1arymo$nt didn?t loo" li"e he was in the mood +or any eFplanation. e
barely glan!ed at Callie, instead +o!$sing his wire5rimmed stare dire!tly at Easy.
8earing a long bla!" wool tren!h !oat, with bags $nder his eyes, he loo"ed +ar more
threatening than he did in his $s$al sweater5vests. .he dean !o$ghed into his bare
hands. C1r. 8alsh,H he said, C!are to haEard a g$ess as to whether or not thisH>he
gest$red at the plane>Hviolates the terms o+ yo$r probationIH
Easy tried to swallow the giant l$mp in this throat. C2 don?t thin" 2 have to g$ess, sir,H
he +inally managed to say, ignoring 1arymo$nt?s imposing glare and staring at the
gravel beneath his heels. e stole a glan!e at Callie, whose eyes were red and p$++y and
loo"ed li"e they were abo$t to b$rst into tears.
1aybe he and Callie wo$ldn?t get a se!ond !han!e a+ter all.
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AlisonN$entin,:hmigod, poor BrettG Alan said -eremiah was totally harsh.
BennyC$nningham,;id he say anything abo$t the pi!t$res o+ her and =araI 2 "new she
!o$ldn?t last with eath>he?s )00] boy.
AlisonN$entin,Apparently, Brandon deleted them all. Poor BrettG
BennyC$nningham,;on?t +eel too bad +or her. 3aw her in the lib with that greasy
senior, having a totally intense !onversation.
AlisonN$entin,3ebI (o$?re "idding. e?s "inda hotG 0 they togetherI
BennyC$nningham,0ight. Class pre+e!t going +or greeEy boyI ;on?t hold yo$r breath.
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eath*erro,;id ET really save Callie +rom dying in a bliEEardI ow romanti!G / never
did that.
BrandonB$!hanan,#lad / 0 +eeling better.
eath*erro,* always bo$n!es ba!". .hin" 8alsh will get "i!"ed o$tI
BrandonB$!hanan,3eems li"e it. eard 1arymo$nt was +$rio$s.
eath*erro,8ill yo$ dit!h 3age and try 2 !om+ort CallieII .hin" / !o$ld get into both
their pantsI
BrandonB$!hanan,8ow, yo$ reallyare yo$rsel+ again. 'i!e to have yo$ ba!".
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CelineColista,2+ ET gets "i!"ed o$t, who the hell am 2 going to l$st overI
0i+at-ones,Co$ld always try eath>2 hear he?s got a sensitive side now.
CelineColista,0ight. .hat?ll last +o$r ho$rs.
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Brett1essers!hmitt,;id yo$ hearI -enny drove to 1aine w .insley to save Callie. ow
weird is thatI
=ara8halen,(eah, 2 heard . tried to +eed - to a griEElyG
Brett1essers!hmitt,3o$nds li"e her A b$t when they got here, they a!t$ally seemed
"ind o+ A o"ay with ea!h other.
=ara8halen,2s li+e as we "now it !ollapsingI
Brett1essers!hmitt,1aybe it?s all part o+ .<s master plan>ma"e +riends w -enny, then
destroy herG
=ara8halen,.hat so$nds more li"e it. OM
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-enny$mphrey,ey. ;id yo$ +ind one o+ my pin" mittensI
.insleyCarmi!hael,.ho$ght yo$ gave it to that waiter as a mementoI e was all over
yo$.
-enny$mphrey,(eah, as"ing +oryo$r n$mberG 2 told him yo$ had herpes A hope yo$
don?t mind.
.insleyCarmi!hael,'ah, he was too short anyway. 1ore yo$r type. 1idget.
-enny$mphrey,.hF, i!e J$een. (o$?re a real pal.
.insleyCarmi!hael,Always "eep yo$r +riends !lose>and yo$r enemies !loser.
.$rn the page to read an eF!erpt o+
gossip girl the !arlyles
!reated by the ^)'ew (or" .imes bestselling a$thorCe!ily von Tiegesar
vo$leE5vo$s !o$!her ave! DI
-a!" La$rent st$++ed her pointe shoes in her reg$lation pin" 3!hool o+ Ameri!an Ballet
dan!e bag, ignoring the other dan!ers drin"ing 9itamin 8aters and +lirting with the
*ordham +reshmen gathered aro$nd the +o$ntain o$tside Lin!oln Center. .his year, -a!"
was in the prestigio$s internship program, in whi!h she wo$ld ta"e several !lasses a day
in hopes o+ being sele!ted +or per+orman!es with the !ompany. 3he had been dan!ing
+or most o+ her li+e, and it !ame as nat$rally to her as breathing. B$t today, she?d been
hal+ a se!ond behind the m$si!. *or the +irst time, ballet had seemed hard, and 1i"hail
.$rneyev, the internship program dire!tor, had noti!ed every single one o+ her missteps.
As she wal"ed a!ross the eFpansive marble plaEa, -a!" noti!ed a spot o+ blood +rom a
blister staining the powder5bl$e s$ede Lanvin +lats she?d bo$ght at Barneys D$st this
morning.
C*$!",Hshe m$rm$red. Angrily, she p$lled o++ her shoes and threw them in a trash
!an..h$d.
:ne man?s trash is another?s treas$re.
3he slid her +eet into the +aded bl$e -. Crew +lip5+lops she "ept in her bag +or when she
got a pedi!$re and sat on one o+ the low stone ben!hes +lan"ing the re+le!tion pond
opposite the 9ivian Bea$mont .heatre. 3he glan!ed at her .reo and saw that her +ather
had !alled three times while she was in !lass. 3he?d !onsented to bimonthly l$n!h dates
with him at Le CirJ$e, where he wo$ld as" her abo$t s!hool and dan!e and pretend to
!are abo$t the answers, b$t, as a r$le, they never !alled ea!h other D$st to !hat. e
wasn?t even aware she?d le+t the Paris :pera Ballet 3!hool o+ ;an!e early, and she did
not +eel li"e getting into it.
-a!" was the $nplanned o++spring o+ 9ivienne 0estoin, the !elebrated *ren!h prima
ballerina, and Charles La$rent, the siFtysomething +ormer Ameri!an ambassador to
*ran!e. 9ivienne had gotten pregnant when she was twenty5one, and, as she was so
+ond o+ reminding -a!", sa!ri+i!ed her dan!er?s body>and her !areer>+or her only
da$ghter. .hey?d le+t Paris as a +amily when -a!" was only a year old, b$t her parents
had divor!ed a+ter a +ew years in 'ew (or" together. er dad had later remarried La +ew
timesM and now lived in a town ho$se with his new wi+e and the stepbrats in the 8est
9illage. -a!" p$lled o$t her pa!" o+ 1erit /ltra Lights, lit one, and eFhaled with a
dramati! sigh.
C2 tho$ght yo$ were giving those $p this year.H
-a!" whirled aro$nd to see her boy+riend, -.P. Cashman, strolling toward her. e was
wearing a pair o+ "ha"i shorts and a neat, pin" Broo"s Brothers b$tton5down. 2n his
hand was a dog5eared !opy o+An 2n!onvenient .r$th. e?d D$st !ome ba!" +rom an
eFpedition to the 3o$th Pole with his real5estate ty!oon +ather, who was trying to ward
o++ a slew o+ bad p$bli!ity by !hampioning the environment. -a!" J$i!"ly stamped o$t
the !igarette with the heel o+ her +lip5+lop. -.P. hated that she smo"ed, and she $s$ally
tried to re+rain in his presen!e, b$t how was she s$pposed to "now he?d s$rprise her
a+ter !lassI And didn?t she deserve a teeny5tiny brea" when it was te!hni!ally still
s$mmerI
Ci, bea$ti+$l.H -.P. p$lled her into him and she gripped his strong ba!" as they "issed.
e tasted li"e ginger !andy. e rested his hand on her +leshier5than5$s$al hip.
8hile ta"ing !lasses at the Paris :pera, she?d developed an addi!tion to the pain a$
!ho!olat +rom the ba"ery down the street +rom her dormitory.
C8ant to grab l$n!hIH -.P. as"ed, easily sna"ing his arm aro$nd her waist. 3he sti++ened
$nder his to$!h, +eeling li"e an eFtra5pl$mp sa$sage in a pin" leotard !asing.
1oving +rom a siEe Eero to a two iss$!h a tragedy.
CAs long as it doesn?t a!t$ally in!l$de +ood,H -a!" agreed, leaning against -.P. .hey
wal"ed hand in hand down Broadway toward Col$mb$s Cir!le. .he streets were
!rowded with +amilies soa"ing $p the last wee"end o+ s$mmer, and the air +elt thi!" and
hot.
C3o,H -.P. began, gallantly slinging -a!"?s bag over his sho$lder, Ca+ter the eFpedition, 2
was able to !onne!t with this Col$mbia pro+essor who?s wor"ing on s$stainability, and
2<m a!t$ally interning>H
C-.P.IH -a!" interr$pted. C(o$ didn?t tell me 2 loo" pretty.H 3he "new it might so$nd
patheti! to someone else, b$t -.P. always told her she loo"ed pretty when he saw her. 2t
was always the +irst thing o$t o+ his mo$th and what -a!" loved most abo$t him.
3el+5!entered m$!hI
C(es, 2 did. 2 said, Vi, bea$ti+$l.< .hat?s the same thing,H -.P. responded, hardly loo"ing
at her as he held open the gleaming glass door o+ the .ime 8arner Center.
.r$e, -a!" reasoned. 3he hated to demand a !ompliment, b$t ever sin!e she?d been
"i!"ed o$t o+ the Paris :pera program +or drin"ing m$s!adet alone in her dorm room,
she?d been +eeling a little sha"y. 3he?d !ome home early and spent the last two wee"s at
her +riend #enevieve?s sprawling 1aiden Lane !ompo$nd in the amptons. ;rin"ing
.anJ$eray gimlets on the bea!h hadn?t been a bad way to end the s$mmer, b$t +eeling
o++ d$ring !lass this morning had bro$ght ba!" the memory o+ her Paris embarrassment
and le+t her +eeling raw.
.hey too" the es!alator $p to Bo$!hon Ba"ery, the !as$al bistro on the third +loor, and
sat at a table overloo"ing Col$mb$s Cir!le. Cars were ba!"logged in the tra++i! !ir!le,
and to$rists lo$nged aro$nd the +o$ntain at its !enter. 'ow that she was ba!" with -.P.,
-a!" +elt her old !on+iden!e ret$rning. 3o she?d have to eat salads +or a +ew wee"s and
spend a +ew eFtra ho$rs a wee" in the st$dio. 8ho !aredI .he most so$ght5a+ter boy in
'ew (or" loved her. .hey were all b$t destined to get married, live in one o+ his dad?s
l$F$rio$s b$ildings, and ta"e +ab$lo$s va!ations to rest $p +rom their eJ$ally +ab$lo$s
lives. And in the meantime, maybe this year was +inally the year they wo$ld do it.2t it.
.hat?d be one way to b$rn !alories.
.he so$nd o+ .!hai"ovs"y?s'$t!ra!"er 3$ite er$pted +rom -a!"?s pin" ballet bag. 3he
p$lled o$t her phone and loo"ed at the display. er +ather again. -a!" grima!ed and
pressed ignore.
C8ho?s thatIH -.P. as"ed, ta"ing a bite o+ the grilled !heese sandwi!h a s"inny, goateed
waiter had D$st set down on the table. -a!" !o$ld +eel her stoma!h growling.
CCharles.H -a!" shr$gged and grabbed a +ry o++ his plate. :ne wo$ldn?t "ill her.
C8hen was the last time yo$ tal"ed to himIH -.P. +rowned.
-a!" wrin"led her +re!"led nose. -$st be!a$se -.P. was !lose to his own +ather and had
gone on a +rea"ing s$mmerlong +ather5son Antar!ti! eFpedition, he ass$med everyone
sho$ld have the same type o+ Dovial !ross5generational relationship. -.P. was perpet$ally
positive, whi!h -a!" loved, be!a$se it balan!ed o$t her tenden!y to +rea" the +$!" o$t i+
someone got her order wrong at 3tarb$!"s. 'ow, tho$gh, she wanted his enth$siasm
dire!ted towardher . .hey !o$ld start by sitting in one o+ the l$F$rio$s leather seats in
the s!reening room o+ the Cashmans< apartment, wat!hing.he /mbrellas o+ Cherbo$rg
or some other ridi!$lo$s *ren!h +ilm and ta"ing o++ one arti!le o+ !lothing every time
someone lit $p a +resh !igarette.
3he grabbed another +ry. -$st thin"ing abo$t -.P.<s hands on her body made -a!"
h$ngry.
/m. ;oesn?t she meanhornyI
CLet?s get o$t o+ here,H she whispered a!ross the table, dragging her +ingers a!ross his
tanned $pper thigh, pleased when she saw his brown eyes widen eF!itedly.
Che!", pleaseG
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gossip girl the !arlyles
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