Revelation (Private 8)
Page 35
Yes, I realized, it could. If I gave the stupid piece of plastic back to her.
"Right. Like that's gonna happen," I said, tilting my head and trying for my best superior Billings
Girl tone. I started by her, but she quickly stepped in front of me.
"You're not keeping it," she said with a condescending laugh. "I gave it to you. I can take it back."
All the guys sitting two tables down were watching me mirthfully,
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waiting for my breakdown. And why not? What formerly powerful junior wouldn't break down in
the face of defiance from a scrawny freshman? In fact, most of the people in the room were
watching me with that anticipation in their eyes. I felt myself start to crumble as giggles and
snickers surrounded me, but then I saw Josh and Ivy stroll through the door hand in hand.
Together they paused, instantly noting the big spotlight on my forehead. That was all I needed. No
way were those two going to see me go down. And given that I had handled the disc showdown
with Noelle, I could certainly deal with Amberly.
"Manners, Amberly," I said, tsking under my breath. "Didn't your parents ever teach you it's
impolite to rescind a gift?"
Her eyes searched mine for a moment, uncertain. Apparently this comment had somehow hit
home. Guess her parents were big on propriety.
"Plus, I want to keep it as a souvenir. Maybe it'll be a collector's item after Starbucks finally
destroys your dad's business," I said.
The guys at the nearest table let out a long, low "oooooh," and I couldn't help but smile. Finally,
score one for me. Amberly's face turned bright red and I took the opportunity to shoulder my bag
and skirt by her. I slipped right past Josh and Ivy and beelined for the door, savoring my triumph.
Savoring the fact that I was still capable of having one. That maybe everything wasn't quite as
hopeless as I'd thought.
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* * *
That afternoon Sabine, Diana, and I sat on o
ne of the benches on the quad, going over the history
reading. It was a bizarrely warm day for December, and melting ice and snow dripped from the
stone buildings' rooftops into the gutter catches below. Most of Easton was taking advantage of