Deceitful (Rules of Deception 1)

“What happened? You look suspiciously happy,” Ana said.

My stomach exploded with butterflies as I thought about seeing Alec again.

I shrugged. “I’m just happy, I guess.”

“You guess? Did you have another date with Alec? You didn’t even tell me anything about the last one. What’s going on with you guys? I’m your best friend. I deserve to know!”

“I’ll tell you soon. I promise. I’m kind of distracted at the moment, freaking out over a test later.” That was a lie of course. But maybe I could at least tell her about the kiss. If Alec and I got together, everyone at school would find out anyway. I wondered if he’d already broken up with Kate. Would he tell her about us?

My eyes were drawn toward the teacher parking lot, where Yates was rummaging around in the trunk of his car. “Just a sec,” I said to Ana as I craned my neck to get a better view. There were a few items strewn around the trunk—sneakers, a tennis racket, some books—but my eyes came to rest on a huge bottle of disinfectant. Did he need it to cover up evidence? Maybe I’d figure out a way to break into his car later to check it for evidence.

I turned around and hurried away. I’d have to talk to Alec about it. Ana fell into step beside me as we made our way into the building and toward our first class. Alec wasn’t in his spot yet but we still had a few minutes until the class started. Mrs. Coleman swept into the room. Her dress, with its giant collar and garish floral pattern, was probably deemed a crime in some countries.

“She’s got some sense of style,” Ana whispered. I let out a laugh that I turned into a cough when Mrs. Coleman’s angry eyes settled on me. My thoughts returned to Yates. The evidence against him felt overwhelming. He’d had an affair with Madison, he’d been at the lake near the time of the attack, and he seemingly had the most to gain from her disappearance. It was almost too easy. I had to figure out why he’d kill the others. Maybe I could break into his house as well. Even if he shared the place with his wife that didn’t mean he didn’t hide evidence somewhere.

The bell rang just as Alec entered the classroom. I sat up straighter, trying to catch his eyes. He took his seat without a single glance in my direction.

I looked over my shoulder at him, while Mrs. Coleman began scribbling on the blackboard. He busied himself shuffling his schoolbooks and notepad but eventually he had no choice but to meet my eyes.

Whatever had been between us yesterday was over and forgotten. His face was as unmoving as a statue, his eyes hard and emotionless. Hurt crashed down over me. So this was it? He kissed me and moved on? His face softened and his eyes filled with regret, mixed with something like guilt and sympathy. I wanted to be on the receiving end of none of them. I forced my expression to harden and looked away.

I listened to Mrs. Coleman, I feigned interest, I nodded when it was appropriate, laughed when it was expected, and took notes. But inside, I felt hollow. The moment class ended, I sprang out of my seat, swung my backpack over my shoulder and hurried out of the room. Maybe I should have waited for Ana, but I couldn’t risk meeting Alec when I knew his words would crush me.

A rippling started in my toes and panic washed over me. Not here. Not now.

I dropped my backpack—it hit the ground with a thud, but I couldn’t be bothered to care. I began sprinting, my feet barely touching the ground as I pumped my legs. The corridors grew crowded as people streamed out of their classrooms. Some of them stopped to stare. I bumped into them, pushed them out of the way, ignoring their curses.

The undulating reached my calves. I heard someone call my name.

I burst through the front door of the school. Finally outside, I picked up speed until my sides burned and my lungs constricted. Rippling snaked its way into my thighs, through my upper body.

Soon I’d be back in my own body. In the middle of the school courtyard. Within plain view of anyone who cared to look outside.

The rippling turned into a quivering that nearly sent me flying to the ground. In the last moment I caught my fall against a tree. Leaning my forehead against the rough bark, I took deep breaths, trying to regain control of my body. My fingers clutched at the tree. Its rough edges bit into my skin, cutting, burning. The rippling stopped somewhere around my chest and slowly ebbed away. My breathing calmed. I loosened my hold on the tree and stood up straight.