Madison’s smirk wavered. Another scent flooded my nose.
Embarrassment.
I’d hit a nerve.
The answer dawned on me.
“You were accepted into the AP program, right?” My face was the model of sincerity. “I know you applied.”
Madison stiffened. “You don’t know anything.”
My nose told me otherwise.
“Wow.” I shook my head. “Awkward. That’s not going to help those college applications. But maybe your parents’ money can buy you in somewhere.”
Snickers, hastily covered by hands. But the target was different this time. Eyes had shifted to Madison.
She started to speak, but I cut her off.
“Honestly, it’s pathetic how you continually follow me around. Don’t you have anything else to do? Get a freaking hobby.”
The snickers became chuckles. Fickle as ever, the crowd had turned. Watching Madison squirm was even better entertainment.
“We do not follow you,” Ashley snapped. “You’re a loser!”
“Could’ve fooled me. Everywhere I go, you guys trail along like lost puppies. When I look out my bedroom window, I expect to see you three rooting through my trash.”
“Hold on!” Courtney looked stunned. “You can’t talk to us like this!”
“I’m sorry, are my words too big for you? Need make more simple?”
Laughter swelled. I was on a roll. Why had I ever let these bimbos get to me?
“You’re a nobody.” Madison’s cheeks were scarlet. “Not one person here wants to see your face again.”
“Don’t worry about me, Maddy. I’ll be fine. If people dislike me for no reason, that’s their problem.”
Game. Set. Match. Ashley whispered into Madison’s ear. I overheard easily.
“She’s making you look stupid. And Jason’s coming back.”
Embarrassment overpowered all Madison’s other scents. She’d also started to sweat. Surprisingly, I hadn’t.
I stood calmly, waiting for her to lob me the next volley.
Madison licked her lips, desperate for a clever exit line.
“Yes?” I tipped my head. “Some final witty comment before you run along?”
“You’re the one who needs … witty comments. Bitch.”
“Brilliant.” I nodded in appreciation. “Well played.”
Cackles sounded from all sides.
Madison elbowed through the encircling debs and their dates, not bothering to hide her fury. Ashley and Courtney scurried in her wake.
The crowd fragmented into smaller groups to rehash the showdown. Eyes darted in my direction, a few carrying respect.
Suddenly, I felt exhausted.
Almost no sleep and nothing to eat. Still flaring. I stared longingly at the buffet, but the Tripod had stormed in that direction. No way would I reenter their orbit.
I needed a moment alone. Careful to maintain my composure, I slipped into the clubhouse and found the ladies room.
I was splashing water on my face when the Tripod walked in.
Ashley and Courtney blocked the door. Madison stormed to me, seething.
Keeping my eyes lowered, I reached for a towel, dried my face, then shoved my shades into place.
“No one talks to me like that!” Madison radiated indignation. “Especially not some poser charity case from the sticks!”
I looked at her, no longer scared in the slightest.
“Excuse me.” Calm. “You’re in my way.”
“So?” Madison sneered. “What are you going to do about it?”
“If you don’t move?”
“Yeah.”
I closed the gap until we stood nose to nose. “I’ll knock you on your spoiled little ass.”
I heard Madison’s heart pound. Saw her hands tremble. Smelled sweat on her skin.
“You wouldn’t dare.” A quiver in her voice betrayed the bravado.
“Try me,” I said.
My hand rose, causing her to flinch.
Leaning close, I raised my glasses and drilled her with my glowing, golden irises.
“Boo.”
Madison yelped, then fled in panic. Ashley and Courtney glanced at me, puzzled, before rushing after their queen bee.
“Bye ladies!” I called. “Have a good one!”
The feeling of triumph was short-lived.
Ohmygod!
My stomach churned as I realized the magnitude of my mistake.
Madison saw my eyes.
“Stupid stupid stupid!” I said to the empty bathroom.
I squeezed my lids shut, wishing I could undo the last five minutes.
SNUP.
My head spun.
The room wobbled.
I ran to a stall and vomited into the toilet.
Then I lowered the seat, dropped, and berated myself. I’d committed a terrible blunder.
Go home. Worry later.
Legs shaking, I stood, straightened my dress, washed out my mouth, and exited the bathroom.
Jason was waiting outside the door.
“Tory, are you—”
“I’m not feeling great. I’m heading home.”
“I saw what happened.” Jason wore an astonished smile. “I don’t know who that Tory was, but she’s a badass!”
“All I did was stoop to their level.”
“Not true! You had every right to stick up for yourself.”
Not wanting to argue, I simply nodded.
“Anyway, I heard you’re moving into this year’s cohort.”
“What? Who told you that?” Goddamn Whitney!
“My mother, a few minutes ago. If that’s true, you’re going to need an escort. I just so happen to be available.”
My disgust for the whole scene boiled over. Suddenly it was all too much. Madison. Whitney. My own loss of control.
Jason was closest, so he took the hit.
“Why would I choose you?” I snapped. “So you can disappear when someone attacks me?”
Jason recoiled in surprise. “I didn’t know! That crazy woman had me hauling—”
My hand shot up, cutting him short.
Too much for one day.
Too many boys in my life.
“I have to go.”
Before Jason could respond, I rushed out the door.
“YOU’RE SURE EVERYTHING’S okay?”
Kit stood in the kitchen, a concerned look on his face. “I’m supposed to meet Whitney for a movie, but I could cancel.”
“I’m fine.” Rattled or not, I couldn’t waste an opportunity. Kit being gone freed my entire evening.
He seemed unconvinced. “Do you want to talk about last night? I know you were upset. I could hear you muttering in your room.”
“Kit, I’m okay. Just let me process for a while.”
“That I can do.” Goofy smile. “Gather your thoughts. That way you can yell at me with more focus.”
“Exactly. I should write down all the ways you’re a doofus.”
“Excellent plan.”
Kit grabbed his workbag and headed down to the garage.
I was dialing before the door closed.
My living room was divided into uneasy camps.
Chance and I were on one side. Ben, Hi, and Shelton formed the opposition.
The mood was distinctly chilly.
I wanted to tell the Virals about my mistake with Madison, but Chance’s presence made that impossible. I’d wait until we were alone.
“We’re supposed to trust this whack job?” Ben refused to address Chance directly.
“We’re talking in circles,” I said. “He can take us to the cross.”
“And I will.” Chance leaned forward. “But first tell me what’s going on. Why did you risk breaking me out?”
“Not part of the deal.” Hi folded his arms. “We sprang you in exchange for the cross. You’re not entitled to our life stories.”
Chance was undeterred. “Why do you want it? You saw the auction listing. The cross isn’t particularly valuable.”
“Our business,” Shelton said. “Just take us to your father’s fishing camp.”
“No.” Chance calmly intertwined his fingers. “If I have to take you somewhere the authorities might look for me, I want to know more.”
“You don’t get to dictate new terms,” Ben said. “Tell us where. Now.”
“You think you can force me, boy?”
Ben fired to his feet.
“Wait!” I shouted. “Everyone chill. Let me think.”
Seconds of tense silence.
“How about this?” I turned to Chance. “Take us to your father’s fishing camp. Produce the cross. Then we’ll tell you what’s going on.”
Shelton tsked. “We don’t have to—”
“He’s not going to help us otherwise.”
Chance nodded his head as he weighed options. “Agreed.”
Shelton puffed air through his lips. Ben stormed from the room cursing under his breath. Only Hi seemed satisfied.
Whatever. Under the circumstances, it was the best I could do.
“It’s settled,” I said. “So. Car or boat?”
Chance answered without hesitation. “Boat.”