“Hi,” I said.
strange guy I didn’t know into the woods in the dark of night. I They looked up, noticing me for the first time.
wanted to say something to break the silence, to ease my tension,
“What’re you doing here?” Kiran said.
but what?
I rolled my shoulders back and steeled myself.
Hey, Josh? I know you look cute and innocent and all, but are you Kiran pushed herself up and faced me. She wore a gorgeous
planning on raping me out here and leaving me for dead? Just curious.
broadcloth coat that skimmed the ground. Elegant even in the middle I kept my mouth shut.
of the woods.
We followed a circuitous dirt path deeper into the woods. Every
“I . . . needed to talk to you,” I said. I glanced at Thomas over by now and then the leaves would rustle overhead, sending my pulse the fire, hoping he would stay away—give me some time. He laughed into spasms. Just when I
was about to buck caution and ask how
at something Gage said, took a swig from his beer, and slung his much farther we were going to walk, I heard a boy’s whoop followed arm over his friend’s shoulder. It was as if I weren’t even there.
by a round of laughter. One more turn and we were standing in a
“What about? Is everything okay?” Ariana asked, ever the mother clearing where a small fire had been lit in a much-used rock pit.
figure. I was touched that she asked. Perhaps all was not lost.
Kiran, Ariana, and Taylor sat in a circle on a low, flat rock, drinking
“Yeah,” I said. “I just—”
from a flask and whispering to each other. A half dozen guys stood Over Kiran’s shoulder, I saw Thomas drop an empty can on the
around drinking from flasks and beer cans and cracking each other ground and crush it with his foot. He walked toward us, staggering up, along with Noelle, who looked perfectly comfortable among the slightly.
men. Thomas was, of course, in the center. I caught his eye and was
“What?” Taylor asked, turning around just as Thomas arrived.
surprised when he didn’t come right over. Surprised, but somewhat
“Ladies,” he said with a smirk. My heart pounded. He was
relieved.
trashed out of his skull. He held out both hands to me and bent his I had other business to attend to.
fingers. “Come here.”
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K A T E B R I A N