Page 18 of The Ruthless Note

“Yes, Vi. I do.” I toss my dirty clothes in the overflowing hamper. I need to make time to take them to the laundromat this weekend. If this keeps up, I won’t have any casual clothes to wear.

“Hunter’s, like, so much older than you.”

“So?”

“So isn’t dating a minor super illegal?”

“We’re not dating.” I take out a fresh uniform from the cupboard.

Miss Jamieson saw that I kept reusing my Redwood Prep uniform and got me a bunch of different pieces to wear. I hand-washed them on Sunday, which is why I had to wear my old uniform today. But going forward, I’ll have the option to mix and match a lot more, just like the other kids.

I’m not normally the superficial type, but my stomach bubbles with excitement when I think about having something new to wear to school.

Vi grabs the hangar and pushes her face close to mine. Her eyes narrow in suspicion. “What about Dutch? Aren’t you dating him?”

“I’m not.”

“Then explain this.” She shows me her phone. There’s a picture of me and Dutch. My leg is wrapped around his waist while he’s plastering me against the wall. It’s dark in the picture and the person obviously took it from afar, but I can still see his hazel eyes devouring me like an animal on a carcass.

“Don’t look at that!” I screech and turn off the phone. “How did you get Jinx’s app? Don’t you have to use a credit card to access it?”

“I asked that guy who makes fake IDs to jailbreak it for me. It was the easiest thing.”

“Viola!”

“What? It’s not like I asked for a fake ID.”

I force her arm down. “Why did you download an app for Redwood Prep? You should be focusing on your studies, not miring through rich people gossip. People at that school have all the money and time in the world to waste. You don’t.”

“Don’t try to distract me. It says here that Cinderella and ‘Prince Charming’ were caught making out today. You’re Cinderella, right? It’s dark in the picture and Dutch is covering most of your body, but I’m sure that’s you.”

My heart flips over in my chest.

“It’s not me.” I pinch the bridge of my nose. “Don’t listen to a word Jinx says. It’s all rumors and sensationalism.”

“Are you sure?” She eyes me.

“I swear. I have never andwillnever date that guy. Cross my heart and hope to die.”

“Don’t say things like that.” Vi turns pale. “I don’t want you to die.”

“I’m not going to. It’s just an expression.” I shrug into a jacket. “I’ll go look for your necklace outside.”

My mind races as I shuffle around in the dark. Jinx is keeping her mouth shut about my alter ego. Why? Is the app a front? Is she still making secret deals with people? Or is she saving that tidbit for when nothing exciting is happening and she needs to keep her subscribers happy?

The noose around my neck feels like it’s tightening. I should have found another secret to give her.

My head is killing me.Why can’t this day be over already?

I force myself to do a half-hearted sweep for the necklace. Giving up ten minutes in, I tell Viola that I’ll look more tomorrow and tumble into bed.

The next morning, there’s a text on my phone from Hunter.

Do I need anything special to use the Redwood Prep parking lot?

I type out a reply and get ready for school.

Viola is in the dining room doing her makeup.

---