Page 12 of The Love Interest

I look down the pristine reflective hallway. Will I miss this place?No freaking way.But he’s staring at me, so I smile and say: “Sure, I mean, I’m sad about leaving my friends, but I’m excited to finally live the life I was born to live. To become the real me, you know?”

The doors slide apart. We walk inside. He taps his card onto a screen beside the buttons, then presses the button marked 1. The elevator rises.

“Caden, the only person a liar can’t fool is a better liar. And boy, I can see right through you.”

I turn away, my cheeks reddening.

He keeps looking at me. “So let’s hope Juliet isn’t a very good liar.”

“Yes, let’s.”

The door opens, revealing a massive hangar. Sitting in the middle of the room is a gleaming white jet. Two workers in gray overalls are pulling at chains at the back of the room, slowly opening the door to reveal a long gravel runway.

And the sky.

It stretches on and on and on. It’s bloody endless.

“We can’t be disturbed as we transport Love Interests,” says Craike. “And a private jet is the most efficient manner of discreet transport.”

In front of the steps that lead to the door of the jet is Kaylee. She sees me and starts jumping up and down, waving ecstatically.

Hey, Caden!

Her voice rings through my mind, clear as day. Startled, I take a step back. She laughs, then taps the spot behind her ear.

Don’t freak out in front of Craike, all right? It’s bad form.

Can you hear me?

Of course I can. This is good, we need to practice talking telepathically. And no, I can’t always read your mind. Only little bursts. Now, I’m going to hug you.

She sprints toward me and grabs me in a hug. My arms go slack as she squeezes, but my obvious awkwardness only makes her grip me tighter. “It’s time. Come on, man, smile! You’re finally getting out of here. You’re going to a small country town in Virginia called Mapleton. It’s got all these little bookstores and coffee places and ugh, it’s so cute. You’ll love it there.”

Craike’s warning rings in my ears.You’ll always be ours.

“I’m sure I will!”

“Youhaveto see the inside of the plane. It’s decked out to the absolute max. I’m talking leather seats, wide-screen TVs, the newest gaming consoles, and, best of all, a full bar.” She flings her arm around my shoulders. “Maybe a drink or two will settle those nerves before you meet Juliet? God knows alcohol was probably invented to help hapless Romeos like you. So come on, let’s go!”

I climb up the steps, bouncing up and down, trying to make myself appear almost as giddily excited as Kaylee. I figure it’s what a Nice would do. At the very top, I turn and look back. Craike is staring at me with his arms tight across his chest. His eyes are cold and his mouth is set in a sneer. “Don’t forget what I said, Caden.”

Step out of line and you will die.

“I never will.”

Then I walk through the doorway into the plane.

CHAPTER

FIVE

Kaylee wasn’t kidding, the inside of the plane is stunning. The carpet is the color of cream, and there are only four seats: massive, soft leather things that recline fully. At the back of the plane is a small bar, and behind it is a glass shelf stocked with every type of alcohol imaginable. Alcohol wasn’t allowed at the LIC, but I’ve seen enough TV to know it’s supposed to be delicious. My mouth waters.

Two of the seats are occupied. A prim-and-proper-looking girl with her red hair pulled back in a tight bun sits in one. She catches me looking and her eyebrows furrow, making her square glasses slip down her pointy nose.

In the other is my rival.

But it’s not him anymore.