Ambition (Private 7)

DIABOLICAL

"I am so glad Noelle had a backup plan," Constance gushed as she slid into the seat next to mine in calc class that afternoon. "I

swear, when you said that place had been booked already, I saw my life flash before my eyes. I mean, to get into Billings and then

have it shut down? That would be so not fair." "Yeah. Thank God for Noelle," I grumbled halfheartedly, taking out my heavy calculus

tome. Sabine and Missy looked at each other as they took their own seats nearby, and both scoffed in unison. That was interesting. I

was pretty sure I'd never seen those two connect on anything. Ever. "What?" I asked warily. The rest of the classroom started to fill in

around us, but Mr. Crandle hadn't arrived yet. "You know that Noelle booked the St. Sebastian herself," Sabine said, perching on the

edge of her chair. "Who else has the money to pay for the venue and bribe them to lie to you?" My heart tumbled down along my rib

cage. "What are you talking about? What do you mean, lie?" Missy laughed and shook her head as she opened her notebook. It was all

I could do to keep from elbowing her in the face.

"We were there, Reed. We all saw their schedule. There was nothing booked for this Saturday," Sabine said in a soothing tone, like

she was explaining a deathly diagnosis to a delicate cancer patient. "The only way this could have happened would be if someone

called up after we booked it and offered them more money." "No," I said, shaking my head, even as my cheeks turned pink with irrita-

tion. "She wouldn't do that." I might have been irritated that Noelle always seemed to manage to save the day, but I couldn't believe

she'd actually plot against me. That she would set up a situation just so that she would have to swoop in and fix things. "Yeah. No

way," Constance agreed. "Oh, please. Would you wake up already?" Missy said incredulously. "Did you not go to school here last

year? What would Noelle not do to get her way? " "Nothing," Sabine agreed. "She couldn't handle the fact that you made all the deci-

sions this weekend, so she set up a problem so that she could fix it. Now she looks like the hero." "It's perfect, really," Missy added as

Mr. Crandle entered the room, dropping his leather briefcase on his desk. "Diabolical, but perfect." "No. I can't believe she would or-

chestrate something like this," I said. "I just--" "You're clouded by your friendship," Sabine whispered, leaning toward me. "But I can

see her for what she really is, and trust me, that girl doesn't care about anyone but herself."

Before I could respond, she turned and resolutely faced the front of the room, unwilling to hear more. I glanced at Constance, who

simply shrugged. "Everyone kindly open your books to page one hundred fifteen," Mr. Crandle announced as he started writing an

equation on the board. "I hope you're all ready to concentrate, because this is going to be an intense day." Tell me about it. I sighed

and opened my book, trying to put thoughts of Noelle and the fund-raiser out of my mind, but I couldn't. I couldn't stop thinking about

Sabine's last words. That Noelle didn't care about anyone but herself. I was starting to think she might be right.

* * *

After classes I walked slowly across the quad, taking my time on my way back to Billings. I thought about stopping for coffee, but

didn't want to feel more jittery than I already did. I thought about going to the library, but I knew I wouldn't be able to concentrate on

studying. Besides, I was supposed to be helping my friends with the fund-raiser. There was no avoiding it. I had to go home.