Page 302 of Tis the Season to be Bullied

The school sends back an unenthusiastic, “Morning Mr. West,” but Mr. West nods as if he’s been received by a standing ovation.

Briar squeezes my leg, and I glance reluctantly at him, shrugging.

He smiles as he takes a rectangular, dark velvet box from his blazer. My eyes fix on it suspiciously as he puts it down on my knee.

“What’s this?” I whisper.

“Look.”

My mouth twitches to the side. I glance up, making sure no one in authority is looking in our direction, then I lever open the lid.

Light catches the blue sapphires inside and makes them sparkle. I snap the box shut again, my eyes boring into Briar’s. “What the fuck?”

“Not as self-explanatory as I thought,” Briar says, barely moving his lips, “But if you need me to elaborate?—”

“I don’t want it.” I ram the box into the side of his leg.

“Sure?”

“Positive.”

“Not even if you get to wear it to Dylan’s party tonight?”

I glare at Briar, but he’s staring at the principal, a faint smile on his face.

I’d forgotten about the party. About my promise to Addy. Does it matter that she’s pulled a disappearing act if I swore that I would uncover Briar for the savage we both know him to be?

But something’s not right. This is too convenient, the timing too perfect.

“Why?”

Briar’s smile hitches up, but he doesn’t look at me. “I think it would look good on you.”

“I mean,the party. Why do you want to go with me?”

Briar lets out a low chuckle. I fumble with the box as Briar pushes it back onto my lap. “I haven’t said?—”

“But you will.” When he finally looks at me, a thrill chases through my body that converges at my core. “Because we both know what’s going to happen tonight.”

A Simple Affair

Hosted by Dylan Steward

15 Serenity Lane, Devil’s Creek Golf Estate

22h00 till Late

Strictly black-tie

I stare at the image messaged to me by an unknown number a few minutes after assembly this morning. Fuck knows how the person who sent itgotmy number, but that’s not really top of my mind right now.

A Simple Affair? This party doesn’t sound simple at all. And what high school kid arranges a black-tie party? Or is that code for something else…?

I would have asked Addy, but she isn’t at school today, and her phone is still off. I went to the office to ask after her, but they refused to hand out any details.

Guess I’ll have to figure out the logistics by myself. It sucks, because my plan involved her as my accomplice. I have no idea how I’m supposed to pull this off without her.

I should be paying attention to Mrs. Winslow’s lecture on sanitation policy in developing countries, but I swear she’s speaking Ancient Sumerian or something equally as cryptic. All I can think about is the jewelry box in my pocket. When Mrs. Winslow starts writing out our homework on the board, I slip the box from my pocket and take out the delicate bracelet with its mesmerizing stones.

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