Last Christmas (Private 0.60)

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EPILOGUE SEPTEMBER OF SENIOR YEAR

***Ariana stood motionless while the herd of students swept past her in the quad. They were all making their

afternoon classes, laughing, texting, fiddling with BlackBerrys and iPods. And no one really saw her. It was

as if she were part of the landscape. One of the silent, ancient campus buildings that held so many secrets.

"Ariana, are you coming?" Noelle asked.

"What?" Ariana blinked, startled out of her thoughts.

"If we're late, one of us runs the risk of having to kick off the whole 'what did you read over the summer'

discussion. Hint?" Noelle batted her eyes sweetly. "It won't be me."

"I'll catch up with you," Ariana assured her.

Noelle narrowed her eyes and shrugged. "Your funeral." She turned on her heel and strolled through the quad,

groups of lower-classmen parting in front of her like the Red Sea.

Ariana shook her head and sighed, scanning the crowd that was

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pouring through the cafeteria doors and into the sunshine. There were times when she felt that Noelle didn't

really know her any better than anyone else at Easton. She'd felt the same way about Daniel when they'd

been together last year. Had felt that no matter how many friends she had, no matter how many people

surrounded her or how many girls wanted to be just like her, she was still alone. That

no one saw her.

But then there was Thomas. He knew her. Really knew her. She could tell by the way he looked at her when

they'd meet in Gwendolyn Hall. It was a mixture of intrigue and attraction. And love.

She'd had it all planned out in her mind-their big reunion, him sweeping her up in his arms, finally able to

touch her in public. No more sneaking around in dark corners and basements. No more hiding. They could

finally be a real couple.

Her breath caught in her throat when she finally spotted him, strolling around the corner of the cafeteria

building. She smiled as she took in everything about him: his tousled hair, his crooked smile. He paused near

the door, leaning back against the wall, as cool and detached as ever. Ariana started to raise her hand in a

wave.

Then that new girl, Reed Brennan, emerged from the cafeteria.

Thomas pushed himself away from the gray stone wall and fell into step with Reed and her little redheaded