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Ariana was surprised by the gesture, but then she realized that her barely contained ire must have been coming off as grief over her grandmother's "illness." She gave herself a mental pat on the back for a job well done. Allison, meanwhile, simply turned and walked away without another word. Between this exit and Lexa's exchange with Tahira, it was clear that Lexa had some real power around here, even with the enemies of her friends.
"Are you okay?" Lexa asked Ariana.
Ariana sniffled for good measure. "I'm fine, thanks," she said. "You guys go."
"Are you sure?" Brigit asked. "If you want to talk about your grandmother, I'd love to hear all about her."
I'm sure you would, Ariana thought. "Thanks, but I have to get to that meeting."
"We should go. The driver's waiting," Maria said, pushing the door open.
Idling at the curb in front of the dorm was a black Town Car. Maria walked over and waited for the driver to open the back door for her. Brigit and Soomie both waved before they joined her. Lexa, however, hung back.
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"So, we'll see you later?" she said.
"I'll call you," Ariana said, even though she knew she wouldn't. She would be too busy meeting with her archnemesis over diner coffee.
"Cool," Lexa said. "I'd really love it if you guys could all bond, Bri--Ana, I mean," Lexa said. "I think it's so great that you're here."
Ariana's heart twinged at the unabashed honesty. "Thanks."
Then the car horn honked and Lexa turned and jogged off to join her friends, giving Ariana a wave as she got into the car. Ariana smiled back, but the moment the car was gone, she cursed under her breath.
Whatever Kaitlynn had to say to her, it had better be good.
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OUT OF CONTROL
By the time Ariana filled out the three separate forms it took to get a pass off campus, figured out the bus line into Belle Haven, and finally arrived at the appointed diner, she was more than ready to wring Kaitlynn's neck. Even more so when she strode into the glass-walled diner and ascertained that the girl hadn't arrived yet. There were two elderly couples in back-to-back booths, a loud group of girls in garish cheer-leading uniforms, a few single men at the counter, and a completely punked-out girl at a free-standing table, slumped over her coffee and pancakes. Ariana approached the hostess's stand."Hey, hon. Table for one?" the rotund hostess asked, picking up a menu.
"Actually, I'll be meeting a ... someone," Ariana said, unable to get out the word friend. "Hopefully she'll be here soon, so--"
Ariana's words died on her tongue as the punk chick lifted her hand, looked Ariana right in the eye from across the room, and waved.
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to reconcile the image of the girl before her and the Kaitlynn Nottingham she knew so well. Her thick brown curls had been shorn to a buzz cut with long bangs which were dyed half black, half blond. Blue contacts covered her light brown eyes. A silver ring marred her perfect lips, which were painted a deep purple. Ten piercings lined one ear, with three in the other. Not to mention the clothes. Torn denim vest over a babydoll dress. Black fishnets and black combat boots.
Ridiculous was the word that came to mind."Never mind," Ariana said.
The hostess glanced at Kaitlynn and made a disapproving face as Ariana squared her shoulders and walked over. She placed her purse on an empty chair and sat down. "Interesting look for you."
"I could say the same," Kaitlynn replied, her eyes running over Ariana's auburn extensions. "When I saw you by the lake I should have guessed what your plan was. Like you'd ever have chosen that color unless it was for a purpose."
"What can I get you?" the waitress asked, appearing at Ariana's side.
"Nothing, thank you. I'm not staying," she said, never taking her eyes off Kaitlynn.
The waitress sighed and walked off. Ariana folded her arms on the cracked Formica table.
"What do you want, Kaitlynn?" she asked.
"Call me Teresa," Kaitlynn replied, leaning back in her chair, her legs spread wide just like the anarchist she was supposed to be playing.
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