Page 15 of In Shadows We Dance

“And yet, you’re out here showing a lot of interest in it.”

I shrug, keeping my posture loose and casual. “It’s the most interesting thing to happen at school in months. Probably in the whole of Silverlake Rapids. What else would I be doing?”

“Reading Shakespeare in class?”

I laugh, but my attention is already shifting to the back of thecar. The license plate is missing.

“Mind if I take some photographs?”

“If it gets you back to class faster, please do.”

I pull out my phone, and document each angle. Through the passenger window, I notice the key is missing from the ignition.

“Did you call the police?”

"They're on their way."

"So I shouldn't open the door, right?"

"Not unless you want to leave your fingerprints on it."

It’s the perfect opening. "I have an alibi for not being behind the wheel of the car. I was standing with Ileana Moreno when the driver was spotted."

Warrington's blank look confirms what I've suspected all morning. "Who?"

Perfect.

She's managed to make herself so invisible that even our principal, who prides himself on knowing every student, doesn't recognize her name. The realization sends a thrill through me.

"There's no key in the ignition," I note, leaning closer to the open driver's door.

"Are you planning to do an investigation of your own, Wren?" Amusement colors his tone.

"I might, but I predict that it'll be nothing more than a drunk driver, or someone who was high."

"We're a small town."

"You think we don't have drink and drug problems here?" I straighten, meeting his gaze. "The things that go on behind closed doors might surprise you."

"You have a very cynical outlook for an eighteen-year-old."

"I prefer realistic."

"Of course you do. Go back to class, Wren. There's nothing else for you to see here."

But I don’t bother going back to class. I go home instead.

The house is silent when I get there, as always. My phone buzzes with texts from Monty and Nico asking where I disappeared to, and if I want to meet at the lake later. I ignore them. I have other things to do right now. Dropping my keys on the kitchen counter, I head straight to my room and boot up my laptop.

Time to see exactly who my invisible ballerina is—or rather,isn't.

I'm halfway through my third failed social media search when the front door opens downstairs.

"Your car's here, but you're ignoring texts?" Monty's voice carries up the stairs. "Since when?"

"Maybe he's plotting revenge on the weird little orange juice girl," Nico adds, their footsteps approaching my room.

I don't look up from my screen. "Her name is Ileana."

---