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"You’re here! I was starting to think you weren’t co?

"Nice suit," Eric says sincerely, sliding his hand down Catherine’s back

Furious, I grab Catherine’s arroup Patrick watches us, a smirk on his lips

"What the hell, Catherine?" I snap "I thought I was your date tonight"

"What?" A small crease forms between her brows, and then her eyes suddenly widen as she catches on "Oh, Edhtly touches ether as friends That’s why I invited Drew and Harriet too"

"But we kissed," I say

Color floods her cheeks, and she lowers her gaze

I think back to the kiss and realize that at no point did Catherine return it She also told Patrick it was just a good-night kiss between friends, because that’s all we are in her ently, to spare ns There’s a titter of laughter fro on our conversation I don’t dare look at Patrick’s reaction

Catherine nervously plays with her yellow lace gloves "I care for you, Edmund, so much It’s just--" She flicks a look at Eric

"You like hio of her ar with tears "Please say you forgivemad at me, Edmund"

"Don’t worry about it, Caterpillar My htly, but the sound cracks "Friends?"

She gives rateful smile "The best"

Catherine takes my hand as alk back to the others I want ive Patrick the satisfaction of knowing how hs as we join the group

"The ht you were on a date?" she says

"It’s not funny, Harri," Catherine says

Eric scratches his freckled neck "Sorry, Ed, I didn’t know you and Cat had plans"

"It’s fine," I say flatly, dying inside

Patrick strolls over to me He dips his head so that his mouth is just millimeters from my ear "How could you ever think my sister would want to be with you, freak?"

That does it I spin around and shove hith Fury blazes over his face, contorting his features, and he strikes back, his punch landing squarely onout of my mouth They fall into the dirt by Catherine’s feet, like a pair of glistening pearls She gasps The teeth are neatly attached by a thin steel wire Drew and Harriet start laughing

"Oh my God, the freak wears dentures!" Harriet squeals

The music stops, and a hush falls over the town square as everyone turns to stare at us

I drop tothe to wipe off the dirt Grandfather was right, this was too risky! What was I thinking? Patrick narrows his blue eyes at me Catherine pushes past hi that her yellow silk dress is getting covered in mud

"Are you okay?" she says

I can’t look at her I can’t look at anyone, as fear and hu water that destroyed my flesh

"Lots of people have dentures, Edmund," she says kindly "It’s not an issue"

Eric crouches down beside her "Yeah, really, it’s no big deal My uncle lost all of his front teeth when he was our age Admittedly, a horse kicked hiether yet, but I can’t quell the panic rising inwhy a boy lance up to see dons

"Catherine Elizabeth Langdon, you’re ruining your new dress!" Mrs Langdon says

Catherine rolls her eyes, getting to her feet Grandfather helps o holares at his son "Patrick, apologize to Edmund"

Hatred simmers in Patrick’s blue eyes "Sorry you’re such a freak"

"Patrick!" Mrs Langdon exclai a hand to my chest "Gah!"

"Ed a hand on my arm

Instinctively I whip my head around, drawn to the Boundary Wall for so forI have no idea what So all right?" Catherine asks