Stay

No reply.

People could change, and she’d help Sacha blend right in. And teach you the best American stuff. She wouldn’t let Sacha be the freak on her watch. She’d totally change her, break her down and re-form her into one of the group. It would be like she’d been there her whole life.

Sacha emailed back, What do you want in return?

Suspicious-much?

No reply.

Mia sighed. Greek lessons and your total obedience. Niko’s taught me some stuff, like ‘Be good’ and ‘Do your homework’ and ‘Go away’ I want to know more. Something useful. Some good beach phrases. Like, if I had to order a Sangria, or make the cabana boy bring me a higher-level sunblock or a fluffier towel.

You do need help. You may have Greek lessons.

Cool.

“Niko doesn’t understand what’s taking us so long with the packing.” Hope didn’t look up from her sketchpad as she spoke. “I tried to explain, but I don’t know.” Hope sounded lost, and she looked at the half-empty boxes with big eyes. “Niko’s sending packers to help us out.”

They needed help, because half-empty was a generous description of their packing efforts. Four open boxes lay on the floor near Hope’s feet. Each contained one or two items. Mia gave the nearest one a nudge with the toe of her red sneakers. It held a towel and a toaster. Hope put together a box then sketched for two hours, packed two things then sketched for two hours. At this rate, Hope would move out after Mia graduated. Mia eyed another box, which held loose socks and a vase. “I’ve got cheer practice, but I’ll help you pack after.”

***

Cheer practice had taken place on the track circling the football field, and Mia held the hot metal gate open while Lauren dug through her tote for one of the Fruit Punch sports drinks she liked. Lauren had loved that flavor since third grade when a boy had told her it matched her hair. And it totally did.

An enormous black limousine pulled up to the curb outside the football stadium. Mia nudged Lauren and pointed. “Our ride.”

Lauren giggled. She stopped digging through her bag and put the back of her hand to her temple. “Impossible. I told the driver the white limo for Tuesdays.” She fanned her hand in front of her face.

“Right. Black limos will make so much more sense in September. We still have two more days of August.”

Lauren’s wave attracted the wrong kind of attention because Kristnaldo, wearing his usual low fedora and smelling like a smoking section, sidled over to keep pace with them. As soon as he was close enough, the cigarette smell stopped masking his wall of stench. It must be day six of no showering. He tried to step in even closer. Mia held her breath and lifted her gym bag in front of her chest. It allowed her a precious few inches. Italy had, what, sixty million probably awesome people? Why had they sent Kristnaldo?

Lauren took a big step back. “Can you believe they’re changing our school colors?”

“No.” Her parents had given her a red car, in the school color. She had red sneakers and more red clothes than any other color. Her closet shouted school pride. And the school pride had just changed from big red to purple and yellow. “It’s unbelievable. Who does that senior year?”

“Purple and yellow, here we come.”

The new principal’s alma mater had purple and yellow school colors and he loved the Minnesota Vikings, although he swore the change was coming due to a discounted uniform purchase. It was so untrue.

“Ciao, Mia. I hear Jake dumped you,” Kristnaldo said.

Way off topic, dude. And ouch. Did Kristnaldo sense her resistance to him and poke on purpose? “We realized we’re better as friends.” Jake had realized that anyway, and had sent a text saying so. . . swoosh.

“Is that why?” Kristnaldo pronounced his i’s like e’s. “I heard it was because you won’t hook up with him.” Kristnaldo took a draw on his cigarett

e, his manicured hand cupped over the top of it. The speculation hit Mia in the midriff worse than Lauren’s palm had when she’d shoved her up the pyramid at practice. Did she still have any Icy Hot in her bag?

Lauren snickered.

Kristnaldo exhaled a puff of smoke. “I can take you out Friday night, and you can know what it means to be tempted.”

Chapter 4

Revulsion backed Mia up a step. His acrid smoke chased her. “I doubt it, but thanks anyway.” She walked more quickly down the sidewalk. Lauren giggled harder and got out her smartphone to snap Kristnaldo’s photo. If Lauren uploaded that photo, making this special moment permanent, Mia would step right on her head the next time she climbed the pyramid.

The driver got out of the limo and went around to the back. “Miss Mia?”

She recognized him. Vincent. Niko’s driver. Mia stopped. She’d seen him waiting for Niko, but she hadn’t realized that was Niko’s car until he’d called her name. Everyone leaving the parking lot heard him, including the line of late kids getting on the bus. They all were looking at her. Limos were amazing, but there was also something almost embarrassing about the attention. Her stomach tightened. Then again, diving into the back would get her out of this awkward situation.