Cruel Love (Privilege 6)

“That doesn’t sound like you,” Ariana said carefully. “You’re the busiest person I know, usually.”

“I know,” Soomie said, somewhere between sad and wistful.

“It sounds like you miss it,” Ariana said, holding her breath.

“I did. I mean, I do.” Ariana heard jostling in the background, and imagined Soomie pushing herself up off the floor. “I miss the distraction, I guess. Whenever I’m not sleeping, I’m thinking. Wondering if there was something I missed. Something I could have done.”

“I’ve spent a lot of time doing that, too,” Ariana replied. A pair of senior boys dropped down onto the couch adjacent to her chair, and she turned slightly away from them. When she did, she found herself looking right at Palmer, who sat in the far corner, drinking bottled iced tea with some of his friends. Suddenly, an idea occurred to her. A brilliant idea that could benefit both herself and Soomie. “But, Soomie, it’s pointless. There’s no going back. You know what’s really helped me?”

“What?” Soomie asked.

“Focusing on my future,” Ariana said. She fiddled with the clasp on her bag, opening it and closing it over and over again, excitement ticking her veins. “I’ve been getting some college brochures together and narrowing down my choices … and I don’t know if you’ve heard, but I was elected president of Stone and Grave.”

“You were?” Soomie suddenly came to life. “Ana! Congratulations!”

“Thank you,” Ariana replied, blushing. “And, well, Palmer’s been pretty out of it so I think we may need to elect a new V. P.,” she continued slowly. “I think you’d be perfect for the job.”

“Wow. I … that could be cool,” Soomie said.

“You could have as much or as little responsibility as you want,” Ariana put in, warming to her subject. She watched Palmer yuck it up with his buddies as she talked, imagining how stunned he’d be when she asked him to step down and suggested Soomie as his replacement. “I bet if you got back here and got involved … if you threw yourself back into your school work … I know you’d feel so much better.”

There was a long pause. Ariana could hear Soomie’s breathing, and imagined she could hear her considering, too.

“Besides, we miss you, Soomie,” Ariana said, lowering her voice a bit, tempering her tone. “Maria misses you…. I really feel we’ll all get through this so much better if we do it together.”

“Ana, I—”

Ariana heard Soomie’s voice catch and thought she was about to cry. But then, a furtive whisper came through.

“Crap. That’s my mom. I’ve gotta go.”

“Wait, Soomie. Promise you’ll think about what I said,” Ariana whispered back.

“I will. Thanks, Ana. Bye.”

And just like that, it was over. Ariana ended the call and sat for a moment, listening to the buzz of conversation around her and feeling highly alert. She hoped Soomie wasn’t getting into trouble with her mom. She hoped what she’d said to her friend had gotten through. Because she really wanted Soomie to get her life back. But she also needed to replace her obnoxious ex as soon as humanly possible. And most important, once she figured out how to deal with Meloni, she wanted to have her entourage firmly in place.

BENEVOLENCE

Ariana turned on her phone after her last class of the day on Tuesday and it instantly let out a beep, indicating that she had a new message. She shouldered her bag and turned her steps toward the library, holding the phone to her ear.

“Miss Covington, this is Doctor Victor Meloni.”

Ariana almost tripped on an uneven brick in the pathway. She paused to catch her breath and glanced around to make sure no one had noticed her near fall. All around her, students rushed from class in clumps and pairs, headed toward their dorms or their clubs or their practices. Ariana took a deep breath and kept walking, Dr. Meloni yammering on in her ear. She just could not escape from this jerk.

“I’ve spoken to the headmaster and I’m going to assume from her account of your conversation that you somehow know of my connection to your father’s killer, Kaitlynn Nottingham,” the message continued. “I believed that my unique insight into your history might enable me to help you in a real way, but clearly you disagree.”

Ariana jogged up the stone steps to the library and stopped outside the door, leaning back against the wrought-iron railing. Kassie Sharpe strolled by and gave her a quick wave, so Ariana did her best to shoot her a friendly smile.

She could not believe the know-it-all, condescending tone Dr. Meloni was taking with her voice mail. Wait. Yes she could. This was Dr. Victor Meloni, after all. Did he ever say anything that wasn’t know-it-all and condescending?

“Therefore, the headmaster has decided to allow you to seek outside help and I have, against my better judgment, acquiesced. Because, Miss Covington, the most important thing is that you talk to someone and receive some help. Even if that someone might not be the most qualified person for the job. In case you

feel the need to speak to someone else after this outside meeting, please know that my door is always open, and I’d be more than happy to speak with you over the phone, if that makes you more comfortable. Have a good day.”

The beep sounded, indicating the end of the message. Ariana gritted her teeth and pressed her thumb down on the DELETE button until she thought the phone might crack. What an asshole. What a complete, indisputable asshole. The world was going to be a much better place without a guy like Victor Meloni polluting it with his toxic positing and self-rightousness.

But at least the immediate danger was officially over. She would not be forced to meet with the man who could instantly end her existence. That was a great relief. But he still had to go. He was a loose end, a liability.