Suddenly, Mel's words from that awful encounter in the diner echoed in her mind.
"Everything was perfect. We loved each other. And then one day, he told me that he still loved me, but that
things were too complicated between us. And then he found you."
Ariana's gaze snapped back to the new girl, still blushing as she gazed down at the token with her friend as if
in awe. This new girl had no idea she held everything that was Ariana's in the palm of her hand. He was
leaving Ariana just like he'd left Mel.
A cold, familiar feeling settled over Ariana's shoulders. So achingly familiar it settled her nerves. Reminded
her of how naive she was. How indescribably stupid and trusting and worthless. Even Thomas didn't want
her. After everything she'd done to be with him,
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he'd moved on from her without so much as a word, a glance, a kiss good-bye.
But then, maybe he just needed reminding. Boys were fickle, weren't they? Especially Thomas. Notoriously
so. Perhaps, after a long summer away, he just needed to be reminded of what he and Ariana shared. This
Reed girl was just a distraction. A plaything. His chance to slum with a scholarship girl. Once he was done
with her, he would come back to Ariana. They had shared a special connection. She was sure of it.
But then Ariana would have to wait. Just like she'd waited all spring and summer. And she was sick of
waiting.
A few yards away, Reed glanced up and looked right into Ariana's eyes. She smiled uncertainly.
Ariana stared back at her blankly, noticing the way her shirt was slightly frayed at the collar. She wondered if
anyone would miss Reed if she just disappeared.