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Lacey’s eyes widened.

“What?” I asked warily.

“What if she knows? And she’s just not saying anything?”

“That’s super not-like her.”

“Up until three months ago, I would’ve said that ditching us was super-not like her too.”

She had a point. “But—Lacey—there’s no way. First off, I already accidentally read her phone. Secondly, Sarah would say something. When Danny showed Ryan a picture of my bra, she told me right away. If she hasn’t heard anything, then the word’s not really out there yet.”

“Or, she’s an amazingly good liar.”

“Do you really think she’s like that?”

“No. But—I didn’t think Danny was like how he turned out to be either, and apparently he’s like a serial monster. The only person I trust right now is you, Jessie.” She dropped her sandwich and grabbed both my hands. “Can you just ask her? For my sake? If she’s heard anything?”

“How’m I supposed to do that without telling her anything?”

“I don’t know.” The make-up she’d put on couldn’t hide the dark circles under her eyes, and she’d only pulled off the crust of her sandwich, flicking it out to the pigeons, not a bite of it had gone in her mouth. If making it through half the day here, as circled by her fears as we were by hopeful sky-rats had done this to her—I squeezed her hands.

“I’ll try to think of something. No promises though, okay?” I said as I texted Sarah:

Hey, can I get a ride home today?

And to Darius:

Hey—I don’t need a ride anymore. I have a good reason.

Sarah’sOf course!came in just as Lacey squeezed my hands back. “Thanks.”

“You’re welcome,” I said sincerely. They class bell rang and Lacey and I went our separate ways just as I got in Darius’sSure.Then three tiny frightfully shivering emojis.

You and your good reasons.

I walked through the halls to chemistry still listening in. I’d always felt a little superior to other kids in my grade—had to, really, to maintain some semblance of self-esteem—but snooping on everyone’s texts, posts, and photos, really confirmed it for me. I mean, how much could they really care about one stupid night? It wasn’t like it was going to change the rest of their life or anything. I mean it wasn’t like they’d be going out with some boy—or girl—that they really cared about and hoped things would go well—for some values of well, what were those even?—although they’d never really been on any dates before ever and had no idea how one should act on them except for what they’d read in magazines or watched on movies or TV.

….Okay, maybe I wasn’t so superior after all.

I sat down when I got to chemistry and Liam stopped by my desk on his way to his own.

“And Mason, too? Really?”

Whatever he was talking about didn’t deserve an answer. I rolled my eyes and ignored him until he went away.

I was out at Sarah’s car at 3:05, and she wasn’t out till 3:20, making me wonder if Lacey was right and she really had forgotten about us—or if I’d forgotten her car. I was peering inside to make sure that the trash in the back looked Sarah-appropriate when she walked up.

“Hey! Sorry about that—I had some things I needed to take care of.”

“Like what?” I asked.

“Oh, you know. Things,” she said, playing coy, hitting the open button on her car.

Important hide from your old best friend things? Or stupid things like having to change a tampon? Although Sarah was really likely to go ahead and tell me, if it was a tampon story.

“Well, I appreciate the ride,” I said, sliding into her car.

“Me too! I mean, I’m sorry we didn’t hang out this past weekend—things got busy—but I’m so glad that dress is working out for you. I can’t wait to see you at prom, Jessie. Do you know what you’re going to do with your hair? Updos are in this year.”