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"Really?" I blink innocently "I swear I had some last time I was here"

"Yep," Char joins in "It was totally delish"

"And star fruit?" Laurel sticks out her lip in a pout "They just laughed at me when I asked for that They didn’t even knohat I was talking about!"

I can’t help but explode into laughter Char follows suit, and then Mads, and the three of us are suddenly a gigglingforlorn She turns to Thayer with that doe-eyed expression she always has for him Laurel has had a crush on Thayer forever "They tricked me," she whines

Thayer’s playful, flirty expression shifts into one of annoyance He shakes his head "You guys are horrible When are you going to grow up?"

He says it loudly, so that the whole pool can hear A gasp doesn’t rise up in the crowd, but there ht as well be one Everyone turns and stares Mads blinks as if he’s slapped her Charlotte raises her eyebrows I try my hardest not to alter my expression, but it’s al, Thayer waves his hand dish Laurel’s, and stalks off toward the diving board

After aBut neither I norfor me to put the other tn, and occasionally, when she’s feeling feisty, Char has even gotten soood jabs in atus? Not cool

Finally, Charlotte sets down her glass "What is up with your brother, Mads?"

Madeline shakes her head "He was voted MVP at soccer ca now" She ht," I murmur I try to sound annoyed--which I as I don’t want to admit to myself It’s probably the sun Maybe so off with Laurel, grinning lazily at every girl in his path, I feel the distinct ru time

Jealousy

2

UP FOR A CHALLENGE, DOWN FOR THE DEED

Here’s the thing about o to I have to look sirl there--that’s how I keep my status, after all But on Sunday, as Mads and I scour the racks at Jolie, our favorite boutique, the pickings are so sli a Missoni scarf or two in protest

The place is packed, too, soto do with it All three of us are frustrated--Madeline’s on her second walk-through of the floor, and Charlotte’s stuck in the dressing roo with the slit sleeves on a yellow silk Elizabeth and James minidress I eye a row of candy-colored Butter nail polish bottles on the glass-top display table The turquoise has possibilities A gawky brunette in a liladiator sandals looks like she’s considering approaching the display, but a glare from me sends her back toward the wall of belts instead

I deftly sweep the turquoise polish froray Miu Miu satchel Done and done No one even looked roans fro is a that would go nicely withracks like wearable ue

"Thayer," Madeline says

I stiffen slightly "What’d baby brother do now?" I ask, sifting idly through a bunch of bangle bracelets

"He just texted to ask if I was going to Nisha’s party," Madeline says, in a horrified voice that suggests he’d just texted to ask her if she was planning to shave her head "Can you believe hi rooapes at us "But he’s only a sophomore!"

"Seriously" Madeline shakes her head at her phone as if Thayer can see her

"Wait, he asked if you were going as if you hadn’t already been invited?" I sputter

Madeline nods "As if he’s the cool one, not me" Then she points at a bracelet I’ve picked up from the table "I love that"

"It’s yours" I wink at her, and she widens her eyes back, grinning, knohat I’er discount It’s on Thayer 20 Who is this guy? Unbidden, the ie of his chiseled abs and defined calves floats in my mind I force myself to push it away

"He definitely thinks he’s theback frouy who’s ever played a sport before"

Madeline rolls her eyes "Thayer had some kind of crazy transforod or soirlfriend while he was there She was super into hi him"

"Please," Charlotte says as she sashays toward the register "I’ stalked"