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Chapter 1

Crave used to be a priht I seemed to be the only one here

A week ago, I lost my best friend in the whole world in this very club Literally lost her, in a swirling black vortex that opened up and sed her whole, and took hersomewhere else Somewhere horrible

I didn’t kno yet, or when, but I clung to that small yet resilient hope that had taken firm root inside of me: I would find her

Carly had loved this all-ages nightclub and ca till the place closed down If I shut my eyes I could still see her on the dance floor, the one place she could forget her problems and let the music become her entire world

Damn, I missed her

But I had to coer

There was so out here a lot So the city for So from me that I needed back before it was too late

I had no real idea when “too late” was going to be But I had a sick, gnawing feeling in the pit ofreally close

“You look way too serious, Sahtly fro we’re saying”

“Sorry,” I began,I forced a smile to my lips and looked at Kelly and Sabrina—both blond and perky cheerleader types I wasn’t blond, nor was I particularly perky or cheerful But they were both good friends of mine, anyway

Well,it We usually ate lunch at the saether I think they liked me That totally counted

After their invite earlier today, I’d decided to join theht out” At least, that’s what they thought it was For ht find the boy who’d literally stolen my soul

“Yeah,” Sabrina agreed “Like, earth to Samantha What’s up with you?”

“Nothing I’ht”

Understatement, table for one

Kelly took a sip of her Diet Coke and eyed the remains of the nachos that sat on the table between us There wasn’t e and a couple soggy tortilla chips A single jalapeño pepper re there mournfully after the battle its friends had lost

I couldn’t help it I was really hungry tonight And when I was hungry I needed to eat so s didn’t kick into overdrive

Unfortunately, the plate of nachos hadn’t helped a bit