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“I wouldn’t put it past some of them in our year to play a joke,” Chloe said angrily. “I know Emma likes to think she’s popular, but everybody bitches about everybody else behind their back, and the boys treat her like she’s dumb. She just pretends not to notice.”
“Is she coming back to school tomorrow?” Victor asked.
“I think so,” Chloe said. “I’ll stick to her like glue.”
“I’ll keep an eye on her locker whenever I can.” Victor shot me a meaningful glance. He could try to track nearby scents, but that had to be hard with so many people hanging around the hallways.
“Some of the teachers believe Emma started this mess today,” I said. “Will she get into trouble?”
“Probably, if some of them get their way.” Chloe made a face. “I’m so creeped out. I’m going to go to her house to hang out for a bit, but can we come here tomorrow to study or whatever?”
“Of course,” I said. “If anything, we’ll be each other’s alibi.”
“Nobody will get to Emma if we’re with her,” Victor said.
Alison offered to walk with Chloe.
The girls left together, leaving Victor and me alone. For a moment, I felt a bit awkward, but his mind was elsewhere.
“Dorian would be able to track the scents better,” he admitted. “I’m not sure if I’ll find anything at school. The lockers are too high-traffic.”
“The point is that we’re trying to help,” I reminded him. “We’ll figure it out eventually, right?”
He shrugged. “It’s weird.”
“What is?”
“Everything that’s happening. Nothing feels right.”
His mood was dropping again.
“Let’s go study,” I told him. “Maybe there’ll be snacks.”
He brightened slightly.
Inside, Perdita was sitting at the kitchen table with Evelyn. “I’m glad you’re here,” she said. “I heard from Byron. They’re planning on coming home in a couple of days.”
“Did they say if they found anything?”
“Not really,” she said. “The line was pretty bad. Still, I bet you can’t wait to see your dad.”
“And Dorian,” I said, half to myself, though I was afraid of what they might have found out there.
“It’s quiet outside,” Victor said. “No food drop-offs today?” He sounded disappointed.
Perdita smiled at him. “There’s plenty in the fridge, but Evelyn’s been making sure everyone keeps their distance for a bit. It’s been nice and peaceful all day. Want me to heat up something?”
“I’ll do it,” Evelyn said. “You sit and rest as much as you can.”
“And die of boredom while I’m at it?” Perdita said sarcastically. “How was school, Margo?”
I explained what had happened. Perdita looked concerned. “What on earth is going on?”
Shortly afterwards, the four of us picked at a casserole while we discussed the possibilities of whether Emma was being set up or pranked. Amelia arrived, took one look at Evelyn, and practically deflated.
“What’s going on?” she asked.
“Sit,” Perdita said. “Eat with us.”
