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“Stop fighting,” I repeat, this time my voice is back to normal level. “Brook I know you are worried, but I’m fine. Nothing happened.”

She doesn’t look convinced, but I keep pleading her with my eyes to drop it and we’ll talk about it later. We’ve always been connected on this instinct level, being able to communicate with our eyes only. “Really,” I repeat, hoping to soften her so that we can finally be out of here.

“Fine,” she agrees grumpily. “Have it your way, but I’m not apologizing.”

“Ohh, we wouldn’t want…”

“Jeanette!” Max’s voice is stern as he stops his sister from finishing the sentence. “Enough.”

“What’s going on here?” We all turn to look at the newcomer.

Diamond Morgan.

Queen of Greyford High.

Her blond hair is curled, and she’s wearing a thigh-high, pink dress that barely covers her ass. “Is there a private party going on here?” She giggles looking between us, well, the male part of our group anyway. The sound is so irritating I want to groan out loud.

“Nah, we’re just talking.” Andrew shrugs, but his smug smile doesn’t fall from his lips.

Diamond’s blue eyes shift from one person to another. When they meet mine, they narrow slightly, but then she’s all smiles again as she walks toward Derek, her hips moving from side to side seductively.

Her hands curl around his upper arm as she leans into him and bats her eyelashes. “Come dance with me?”

Derek looks around, looking almost lost. Diamonds fingers grip him tighter and she starts pulling him away.

Don’t feel anything.

He’s leaning over me.

You can’t feel anything.

His hand is wrapped around mine.

He’s not worth it.

Our fingers intertwine tightly.

No more tears.

His lips touch mine.

I repeat it over and over again, but it hurts all the same.

I turn to look at Max. “Can you take us home now?”

* * *

The drive back to my house is filled with tense silence.

Max is driving while Jeanette is riding shotgun, although it’s technically her car. She’s staring out of the window, not uttering a world since Max raised his voice at her.

Brook is sitting behind Jeanette—lesser of two evils—also looking out the window. We didn’t even turn on the radio, just let the uncomfortable silence fill the small space.

When Max finally stops in front of the house, Brook can’t get out fast enough. She almost jumps out while the car is still moving, murmuring hastily good night before slamming the door shut.

Apologizing and thanking them once again, I say good night and join Brook who is waiting for me to unlock the front door for her.

After we sneak into the house, making minimum noise, we quickly change into our pajamas and climb into bed.

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