Page 50 of Liars

The woman hesitated before glancing at her computer. “You know I’m not supposed to give that information out.”

I met her gaze, my expression daring her to test me, because today was not the day.

Mason pushed to the counter, flashing his most charming grin at the receptionist. “Hey, Mrs. Jacobs. You look particularly lovely this morning.”

“Mason,” she greeted flatly, peering at him over the rim of her wire-frame glasses. “I still can’t give you her room number.”

“Well, you see. She’s new, and she’s living with us. Her parents died. A terrible accident.” Mason made this tragic, sadexpression, shaking his head like he actually cared about her feelings. “As you can imagine, it’s been really hard for her. This morning, she forgot her laptop, and you know that ninety percent of our texts are online. She’s probably in class right now, realizing her forgetfulness. She’s already playing catch-up, having missed a few days and transferring.”

Mrs. Jacobs hesitated, staring at Mason, likely trying to gauge his sincerity.

As if to prove his case, he dug in his bag and pulled out a laptop. “It will only take a minute.”

Her expression softened, and with a sigh, she caved. “Just this once.” She turned to her computer, typing quickly. “If she forgets it again, she’ll have to go without or borrow from a classmate. Now, let me see… Chemistry, upstairs. Room 214.”

“You’re a gem.” Mason winked before stepping back.

I didn’t wait. I turned and strode out of the office, Maddox and Mason falling into step beside me. The hallways were nearly empty, only a few stragglers rushing to class.

Reaching Room 214, I didn’t bother knocking. I flung the door open, stepping inside. The teacher barely had time to react before I scanned the room, my gaze darting over every face.

She wasn’t there.

The teacher cleared his throat, but I was already gone, slamming the door behind me.

Maddox leaned against the lockers, his arms crossed. “Now what, genius?”

I clenched my jaw, my mind racing. “Who was that girl she was talking to yesterday?”

“The one Nash fucks with?” Mason asked.

“Yeah, I think that was her,” I said, already heading down the hall.

“I don’t know what he sees in her,” Maddox grumbled.

“Maddox, focus. What’s her name?”

“Poppy,” Mason supplied. “Her name is Poppy.”

“Poppy Bryce?” It had been too long since I’d heard that name. “We need to find her. Text Nash.” I told Mason. “He might know her schedule.”

It didn’t take long for Nash to text back. My best friend knew better than to ask questions. He supplied the information, knowing I wouldn’t have asked if it wasn’t important.

We found Poppy by the gym lockers, bending to tie her sneakers. The second she spotted us, her smile faltered, but she recovered fast.

I didn’t waste time. “Do you know where Kaylor is?”

She straightened to her full height, eyeing me. “Why do you care?”

“That’s not what’s important. If you know where she is, you need to tell me.”

Poppy tilted her head, her red hair falling to one side as her eyes sharpened. “What’s going on? You’re worried. I don’t know if I’ve ever seen you concerned about someone who wasn’t part of your inner circle.”

She meant the Raven Crew. And she was right. But she was also wrong. It wasn’t worry.

The only person I cared about saving in this situation was myself, but admitting that to Poppy wouldn’t get her to reveal Kaylor’s location. I had to play up my uneasiness. “I don’t want her to end up dead on the side of the road like her parents.” Somehow, that would be my fault, and I wasn’t going to be the one who told my father we’d lost his preciousgoddaughter.

Poppy’s smirk slipped for real this time. “You think she’s in danger. Okay, I’ll bite, but what doesn’t make sense in this scenario is why you would care. You didn’t seem to give a tit yesterday when you made her walk to school.”

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