Page 129 of Wicked Dreams

I don’t sit.

“Wait… do you mean now?”

Riley got her license not too long ago. Technically, she’s not allowed to drive anyone. Her parents only just said she could take the car to school. That’s not to say she doesn’t do it occasionally, but we keep it under the radar.

“Just… miss lunch and maybe the next class? Please?”

She appraises me. “Why do you need to go to the mall?”

I give in and sink down into the chair next to her. I should’ve asked her yesterday, but I was nervous she’d say no outright.

“My foster sister, Claire, asked to meet me. She knows I’m grounded…”

“Of course,” Riley groans. “And I’m the friend with a car.”

“You know it’s not like that. I haven’t seen her or her sister since we were taken out of our last home. I miss her terribly.” I don’t have to fake the tears that spring into my eyes. “I should’ve asked you yesterday, or?—”

“You haven’t talked much about them.”

“It hurt too much.” I sniffle.

She finally stands. “Okay, fine. Don’t cry or you’ll make me cry, and then my makeup will be ruined. I can give you one hour, and I want to meet your foster sisters. And then we come back before seventh period, so Mr. Bryan doesn’t fry both of our asses.”

I nod. “Yes. Perfect. Thank you.”

“Okay, follow my lead.”

We walk over to the librarian’s office. Riley taps on the door, and the woman inside jumps. I have never talked to her or seen her out of her office.

“Amy,” Riley says. “Margo is feeling super sick. Can you write us a pass to the nurse?”

Amy looks at me. “You’re sick?”

I put my hand over my stomach. “Yeah.”

“Are you pregnant?”

I pale.

She giggles. “Just kidding, of course. Humor. I can write you a pass…”

Riley makes a noise in the back of her throat.

I bite my lip to hold back a frown. This isn’t going to work.

“Oh, and can you write us a passbackfrom the nurse, too? I’ll bring you Mom’s cookies on Monday.”

Amy’s eyes light up. “Her homemade chocolate chip?”

“Yes,” Riley agrees, nodding emphatically. “So…”

Amy sighs. “Okay, fine. One second.”

“Leave the time blank,” I cut in.

Amy glances at me, rolling her eyes. She hands us the slips, and Riley hugs her.

“I feel like I missed something,” I say.

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