Page 75 of Wicked Dreams

Savannah was a tool to mess with me.

Which is why, when Amelie Page, former best friend, arrives before school, my heart sinks. She flicks her golden hair behind her shoulder, smiling at the circle of people around her.

She has an arm looped around Caleb’s. He stands beside her with his hands in his pockets, completely unbothered by the girl hanging on him.

Seriously. Why is she touching him?

Riley joins me at the edge of the courtyard, keeping her voice low to explain, “Amelie was studying in France as an exchange student.”

Shame seeps into my skin. It’s a cold, vile feeling, and I almost turn away from them. I don’t need to see Caleb withanotherex-friend. Did he just go around collecting them after I left? I’m transfixed on her hand. The possessive way she touches him.

Everyone is watching her. A bad feeling twists my stomach. Savannah might’ve been holding the top spot, but Amelie owns it. It’s clear to see how much influence she has, just by standing with Caleb.

It’s all well and good—okay, it’s not, but it’s survivable—until I catch her eye.

She breaks away from Caleb and approaches me. “Margo! Welcome home.”

Uh-oh.

“I should say that to you,” I answer. “Back early?”

She waves me off. “Those things happen. Lots going on back here, I was missed. How shocked I was to learn that you had returned! Have you been reintroduced? You’ve seen Sav…” She turns to her friend across the way, and her perfectly sculpted eyebrow rises. “Oh, that isn’t a happy face on our dear friend.”

Savannah looks like she’s bitten into a lemon.

Doesn’t seem to matter, though. Amelie leads me over to her with a hand locked on my wrist. She throws her free arm around Savannah’s shoulders, cinching Sav to her side.

“Our friend is back,” Amelie says. “We’re welcoming her with open arms.”

That’s a decree from a queen if I’ve ever heard one.

Savannah gives me a polite smile that hides daggers.Uh-huh.Very convincing.

“And you remember Caleb.” Amelie drags me over to him. “My boyfriend.”

Everything stops moving.

I stare at her, unable to even look at him. “What?”

“Darling, we’ve been dating since last year.” She flips her hair back and leans in close. “Sure, you may have had him first… not in the traditional sense, obviously. And Sav got her pound of flesh. But he’snotyours anymore.”

I swallow. “Interesting. I wouldn’t have expected?—”

She smiles. “The bell is about to ring. You know the way?”

“To—”

She drops my arm.

“Let’s go, Caleb.” Her tone is different. Brisk, having lost that sugary sweetness directed at me. “We’re going to be late.”

The bell rings, and I flinch. Was that whole interaction fake?

He takes her away. The courtyard empties in seconds.

Long ago, I thought Caleb and I would have a happy ever after. Clearly… I was so wrong.

Riley stops beside me. We’re the only two left. Everyone else followedher.

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