Page 76 of The Surprise Play

I bite my lips together and look back to the safety of the ground.

That’s when Cackles starts to sniff the air and laugh like a hyena again. “Are you wearing perfume?” Her mockery is hot tar, coating me with a burning sensation that makes my cheeks flame. “Oh shit! Are you on your way to see him right now?”

I shake my head, desperate for them not to smell my lie.

“You better not be.” Jade grabs the lapel of my coat, fisting it and dragging me toward her. “Now you listen close. I’m not sure when you’re seeing him again, but you cancel it.”

I try to shake her off me, but she holds on a little tighter, her breath hitting the side of my face.

“Did you hear me? I want you to stay away from him.”

My eyes start to burn, my throat swelling to the point of pain.

“You guys okay over there?” someone calls from the door of Buckley Hall.

“Yes. Just catching up with an old friend.” Kelsey puts on a smile and waves to the curious bystander while Jade starts smoothing down my jacket, then wraps her arms around me.

“It’s so good to see you!” she says way too loudly, her voice irritatingly sweet and sticky.

I try to wriggle out of her embrace, but the other girls jump in on this group hug and don’t let me go until whoever was checking on us has disappeared.

As soon as she’s gone, I’m released, and they wipe off their clothing like it’s now germ-infested.

“We’re really saying this for your own good.” Jade looks over her outfit, checking for marks and blemishes before flashing her green gaze at me. “Wily Wilson is out of your league.”

“We just don’t want to see you get hurt.” Kelsey’s sweet voice is like metal scraping on metal. It makes my spine twitch, which only adds to my already itching skin.

“It’s really important that you know your place.” Viper Girl’s pointed tone does not match the saccharine look on her face. “That’s all we’re trying to say.”

“You see, Wily and I…” Jade smooths a hand down her ponytail. “We have a connection. The two of us… it just makes sense, you know? And I don’t think you tutoring him is the best idea.”

I can’t help a soft scoff. “Are you worried I’m competition?”

Their howling laughter makes me wish I’d just kept my mouth shut.

“No.” Viper Girl’s laughing so hard she can barely talk.

Anger simmers. It does sometimes, although I know better than to let it show.

Except… Wily did the other day.

Maybe it’s okay to let yourself be a little pissed off. It feels better than fear, doesn’t it?

I frown, curling my fingers into fists and blurting, “You worried I’m going to tell him about all the horrible things you’ve done to me over the years? You worried I might tell him the truth and put him off you for good?”

Jade gasps, her hand firing out and cracking me across the face.

I bite back my whimper, knowing that crying in front of her will only make it worse.

“Jade,” Viper Girl softly whispers, darting her eyes to her irate friend before looking to Kelsey.

All three of them seem surprised by Jade’s outburst. Jade included.

Her voice shakes as she straightens my jacket collar and pastes on a smile. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

I give her a confused frown. “You just slapped me.” I brush trembling fingertips over the burning sting on my cheek. I’m kind of reeling. She’s never gotten physical before. Her weapons are her words.

The thought of her treatment of me escalating into physical torment makes my eyes start to water.