Mortal Danger

“No way, it’s worse. She has VD or something, only she was giving somebody gross a BJ and the infection spread all over her face.”

Damn. I tried to ignore them and I avoided the Teflon crew while moving from class to class across campus. It seemed like Mr. “Call me Colin” Love was always watching me, lurking in doorways and corridors with an inscrutable expression, and when I made eye contact, he offered a charming smile.

I’m not buying it. You’re one of them. But he hadn’t set off my tinnitus. So maybe I’m just paranoid.

The one notable thing that happened—I had a meeting with my guidance counselor to talk about college; she also gave me some material about the SAT. At this point, I could register late and take it for the first time in early October. If that didn’t go well, there were other test dates spaced throughout the year.

“Thanks,” I told her. “We’ll talk after I get my scores back.”

“You should also consider some extracurricular activities, Edie. Your grades are Ivy League, but the rest of your school life is rather…” She trailed off, trying to find a nice way to say I hadn’t done anything but skulk and study.

“I’ll work on it,” I said, though I had no idea how.

In relief I darted out of her office and went to lunch. The others were already at the table, but nobody stopped me when I joined them. Part of me wanted to go sit with some random people and forget about the Teflon crew, but I didn’t want Allison to think she’d won. Today, she was practically sitting in Cameron’s lap, petting his head to “comfort” him through his sadness about Brittany.

“Did anyone go see her this weekend?” I asked, when the conversation hit a lull.

Silence. Nobody met my eyes and they shook their heads, mumbling excuses. I ate my lunch and pretended to listen to Russ while the others changed the subject.

The Teflon crew wasn’t the same as last year; Brittany in the hospital had created a power vacuum and Allison was scrambling to fill her shoes. With their attention focused inward, they spent less time harassing random outcasts.

“I’m going to see her tonight,” I said, just before the bell. “Anyone want to come?”

Another long pause. Then Jen spoke. “I’ll go. Is it … I mean, how—”

“Bad. But she stays inside her bed curtains most of the time.”

“Okay. Should I bring something?”

I thought for a minute. “We can stop and get some magazines on the way up, something with quizzes, celebrity gossip, and bad advice.”

Jen gave a relieved smile. “That sounds good. I’m really bad at cheering people up, but I can read.”

“Doubtful,” Allison sniped.

The other girl leveled a cold look on her. “Who’s flunking basic English here?”

“There’s only one way to settle this,” Russ said. “Vat of pudding, after school.”

“I’m out.” I pushed to my feet.

“Me too.” Jen surprised me by following.

Allison glowered at us while Davina looked intimidated. Last week, Allison and Brittany kept her busy running errands, but with Brittany gone, she was sitting with the Teflon crew, though she didn’t seem sure of her place in the social hierarchy. She glanced at Allison, then the guys, while she chewed her lip.

“Can I go, too?” she asked.

“Sure.” It wasn’t like I owned the hospital or set visiting rules. “Let’s meet up at the front doors after school?”

“Sounds good,” Jen said and Davina nodded.

Allison lifted one shoulder in a bored shrug. “Give Brit my best.” Her expression said, I’ll always rule this school, even if you suck up to my former bestie, who used to share the crown with me.

The day just got weirder from there—with Davina on one side and Jen on the other as I went to class, students scrambled out of our way, like we were new queen bees or something. Davina smirked at me, but it was a conspiratorial look, not a snotty one.

A freshman girl said to her, timidly, “I love your hair.”

“Thanks.” She tossed the long curls, smiling with genuine pleasure.

Davina had brown skin, pretty features, and great hair. If looks alone were enough to secure entry to the inner circle, she’d have been sworn in years ago. In her shoes, I’d given up on cheerleading and made friends who weren’t such superficial tools. Her motives in courting their approval stumped me.

As I got my books, I fought the urge to bang my head against my locker, but somehow I made it through the day without hitting anyone or getting screamed at by my teachers. When I left Blackbriar, I found Davina and Jen already waiting. I didn’t break stride, just beckoned as I went by. Kian would be surprised to find out he’d be driving the three of us to the hospital, but I hoped he’d roll with it.

“You brought presents,” Kian said as we walked up.

That was a pretty charming thing to say. Funny, he claimed he had no experience whatsoever, but he could come up with lines like that on the fly? This is why I don’t trust you. Jen and Davina both beamed, and I stifled a sigh at introducing everyone. Then I smiled at him, trying to decide if he was upset over how things ended on Saturday night. He leaned in and kissed my cheek, which told me the answer was yes.

“I hope you like them,” I answered.

“I take it I’m chauffeuring today?”

“If you don’t mind. We’re visiting Brittany.”

“Not a problem.” He opened the door and gestured for the other two to get in back.

In the car, I let Davina and Jen carry the conversation, asking Kian questions about his job and what he was studying at university. Can’t stop gossiping, huh, Allison? That was the only way they could’ve known he was in college. He responded politely, with just enough warmth to come across as friendly.

“I’ll drop you off out front and then park.” He hesitated. “Since I don’t know her, it would probably be better for me to wait in the lobby.”

Jen nodded. “I guarantee Brit wouldn’t thank us for bringing a hot guy to see her when she’s … not at her best.”

“Definitely,” Davina agreed.

Wanting to make up for the other night, I leaned over, but Kian gave me his cheek. Got it. No lip kisses until we talk. A heavy feeling settled in my stomach as I slid out of the car and pulled the seat forward so the other two could do the same.

“Where did you meet him?” Davina watched him drive off with an expression that suggested Kian was money covered in chocolate.