“The thing’s brand new and it wouldn’t start?” I say.
Parker smiles. “Finn and I might’ve had something to do with that.”
“Why would you mess with his car?”
“Because the asshole made some comment about Finn being stupid in class the other day. You know we don’t put up with that shit.”
I start my car and pull out of the space, not wanting to hear the story. I just want to get out of here and end this fucking day. Another day closer to freedom.
* * *
By Thursday, I decide to leave Ella alone. I told her I’d give her a week to think about it, and maybe if I follow through on that, she’ll agree to what I want. I doubt it, but it’s worth a try. We don’t have lab, so I’m not forced to talk to her, and when I see her in the hall, I ignore her.
On Friday, I decide to tell Charlotte not to come to the party, but then change my mind when Ella tells me they’re both going. I want to see Ella at a party. I want to see how she’ll act, and if she’ll drink, and what’ll happen if she does. Even though I hate her, she fascinates me. I don’t know any other girl like her, which makes me curious to know more.
“You sure you can handle tonight?” I ask her during Chem lab. “You’ve never been to a party. If you’re expecting balloons and ice cream, you’re gonna be disappointed.”
She rolls her eyes. “I’ve been to parties, just ones where I’ve actually liked the people who are there. And as for what I’m expecting, I’m thinking lots of alcohol, a variety of drugs, and you and your friends trying to scare me into agreeing to your deal.” She looks me in the eye. “Bring it on. I’m more than ready.”
I smile. “But is your friend?”
Her eyes dart around like she’s searching for a comeback. She doesn’t have one. She can’t come up with one because she’s too worried about Charlotte and what we might do to her. She knows Charlotte can’t handle us. I’m guessing Ella will be gluedto her side the entire night. I’m surprised she didn’t talk her out of going, or maybe she tried, but Charlotte insisted on being there. It’s obvious she has a crush on me. She probably thinks my invite meant I was interested in her.
“Five more minutes,” Ms. Higgins says.
“I’ll just finish it,” Ella snaps, stirring in the last chemical. She’s angry because she’s feeling out of control, unsure how to protect her friend.
I’d planned to leave Charlotte alone tonight, but maybe I won’t. I’m curious to see what Ella would do to protect her. Maybe I’ve been approaching this the wrong way this entire time. Maybe this is my answer for getting Ella to give up being valedictorian. Go after Charlotte. It might be the only way to get Ella to do what I want.
Chapter 10
Briggs
The party’s been going on for two hours, and Charlotte’s not here. Ella must’ve talked her out of coming. Whatever. I’d already decided not to do anything to Charlotte, at least not tonight. I need to stick with the plan and give Ella until Monday. I haven’t decided what I’ll do to her yet, but I want to do it myself. I’m not going to involve Finn and Parker. This is between Ella and me.
“Hey, babe,” Aubrey says, stumbling over to me. Her breath reeks of rum and pineapple juice. She’s completely wasted. She was downing vodka shots when I got here and then switched to the rum punch that Scarlett made.
“You need to get home,” I tell her, taking out my phone to get her a ride.
“I can’t leave,” she whines, holding onto me. “I just got here.”
“You’ve been here for two hours and you’re about to either throw up or pass out.” I click on the app to schedule a car. “The guy will be here in five minutes. Let’s wait outside.”
“Come home with me.” She looks up at me, puckering her lips. Her makeup’s smeared, her fake eyelashes are coming off, and her hair’s sticking up from swinging her head around when she was dancing. She’s a fucking mess and I’m starting to wonder why I’m still dating her. She’s hot, but that’s all she cares about — her looks — which I guess makes sense since she’s a model, but it’d be nice if she had some other interests. We never have anything to talk about, so we just end up having sex. That’s all our relationship is, which I used to be okay with, but it’s getting old.
“I told the guys I’d stay here.” I peel her off me and lead her to the door.
“You’re leaving?” Scarlett yells above the music as she runs over to us, tripping on her heels.
Aubrey bends over. “I think I’m gonna puke.”
“Fuck,” I mutter, not wanting to deal with this. It’s another reason I’m tired of her. She always drinks too much and ends up getting sick. She puked in my Porsche, and I had to get it professionally cleaned, which cost a damn fortune.
“Can you get her to a bathroom?” I ask Scarlett.
“She’ll be fine.” Scarlett looks around the room and smiles at someone, probably a guy. I think she’s cheating on Parker, but if I told him that, he wouldn’t believe me.
Aubrey slowly stands up, grabbing my shirt as she steadies herself. She turns and smiles at me. “Let’s go find a room.”
