Revelation (Private 8)

For a split second the old, wide-eyed Amberly was back. Clearly she was caught off guard by my

insight into her personal life. Noelle would have been so proud of me. If she'd been at all inclined

to feel for me anymore.

"Gee, Amberly, thanks for the warning," I said, seizing my moment. "I'll be sure to keep an eye out

for flying stuffed animals."

152

I started to walk away, feeling rather good about myself, but her hand shot out and grasped my

bsp; arm.

"The bill," she said, holding a yellow slip of paper up in front of my face. "For the dry cleaning."

Bitch. Bitch, bitch, bitch.

"You can give me the money tomorrow when you give me the disc," she said with a smirk.

She sidled out of the alcove just as Sabine walked in. Sabine looked at me, clearly sensing the thick

tension in the air.

"Hi, Sabine," Amberly said brightly as she passed her roommate by.

"Hi," Sabine replied hesitantly. "What was that about?" she asked me the moment Amberly was

gone. She glanced at the dry-cleaning slip in my hand.

"Her bill," I said, holding it up. "For the dry cleaning."

The thin paper trembled in my hand. I was bubbling with anger.

"No. I thought she was kidding," Sabine said, incredulous. "You're not going to pay it, are you?"

"Um, no," I replied, crumpling the receipt and shoving it into the pocket of my jeans. "I really don't

like that girl."

"Join the club," Sabine said, slipping by me to feed some cash into the candy machine. "I decided I

needed some chocolate after all. What do you want? "

"Nothing, thanks," I said, taking a deep breath. "I'm good."

Chocolate was no longer needed. The adrenaline rush should keep me going for at least an hour.

And if I never saw mini Ariana again, it would be way too soon.

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DE JA VOMIT

I trudged back to my room later that night, my body weary, my eyes at half-mast. I had stayed at