Starcrossed (Starcrossed 1)

intending to get some answers, but by the time she made it to the

cafeteria, Ariadne was already seated at the geek table, surrounded

by admirers.

Helen shouldn?t have been surprised that Ariadne would join

their table, considering she was in all the AP classes. Unfortunately

for Matt, Ariadne?s presence usually attracted an entourage of

boys?the little lambs to her Mary. Helen tried to fight her way into

the circle, and nearly gave up before she was spotted by Ariadne.

?Zach? Can you make a little room for Helen, please?? Ariadne

asked as she flashed a dazzling smile.

?Don?t worry about it, Zach. She can have my seat,? Claire said in

a caustically cheerful voice, vacating the place next to Ariadne.

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Claire brushed close to Helen as she passed, whispering

something about the ?old friends? not being cool enough to sit at

the same lunch table when someone suddenly has a popular boyfriend.

Before Helen could get into a well-deserved fight with

Claire, Ariadne pulled Helen down next to her to stop one of the

hormone-infested boys from getting any closer to her.

By the time the bell rang for classes, all of Helen?s normal friends

had been driven away from the table?a table that had been theirs

since freshmen year. Matt?s sad look made Helen wonder how long

it had been since the two of them had been able to talk. It must

have been months.

Claire wasn?t waiting for her at the trail when track practice started.

It was silly for her to try to avoid Helen by leaving without her,

because they both knew that she could catch up with Claire no

matter how far behind she was, but the intent was clear. When

Helen came jogging up, Claire didn?t even turn to look at her.

?Just keep running, Hamilton. I am so not into you right now,?