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“You guys have a great time,” Chance says, rising from his own chair. “But three of us have classes at eight this morning. So Lev and Zara, if you want a ride, you better be ready to go.”

He doesn’t even look at me when he says that.

Even though we agreed to be cool and distant in front of our parents, I’d be lying if I said that the way his gaze avoids me doesn’t hurt.

“I’m ready,” I say, forcing myself not to look at him.

“Great, but you’re riding with me.” Heather smiles, linking her arm with mine. “Let the jocks go together. We have a lot of classes in the same building, and two classes together. Come on, I need my crew with me. Angela is pre-med, and she has so many science classes. I want to gag. Besides, if you’re free in the afternoon, you should come to cheerleading tryouts.”

I appreciate Heather’s willingness to include me, but I’m not feeling her plan. “Heather, seriously. I’m not cheerleading material. Especially not in a competitive team, I?—”

Heather swats my protest away with a flick of her perfectly manicured hand. “I know that. I’m not asking you to try out. But the team captain is also the new president of Zeta Theta Beta, and I wanted to introduce you before rush week starts this weekend. I’m a legacy, but I’m sure that the second Candace sees you, you’ll score an invitation to pledge.”

I start shaking my head. “I don’t know if I want to?—”

“That’s an amazing idea!” Mom interjects. “Thank you, Heather, for including her. Zara doesn’t know anyone in town. I know Shell Cove is just next-door, but she’s been away for a few years. I’ll feel better to know that you girls are sticking together.”

I sigh at Mom’s enthusiasm.

She isn’t completely wrong about that being a great way to make new friends. And I do like Heather. She’s a little intense, but she’s been nothing but kind to me since we met.

“I guess there’s no harm in checking the Zetas out.” I relent.

What I don’t say out loud is that if I don’t like the vibe, I can always make myself scarce next time.

“Yay!” Heather jumps up and down. “We’re going to have so much fun together, Zara! I promise.”

She’s so full of energy and so peppy, she was made for cheerleading.

Heather unlocks her red Mustang convertible. “Take shotgun. Angela can ride in the back seat today.”

“Hey Heath,” Ares’s deep voice reaches us from behind. “If Angela isn’t ready, you better not forget the speed limit.”

Heather rolls her eyes as she opens the driver’s door. “I’m gonna text her to make sure she’s waiting for us outside. Don’t worry, I don’t want another ticket. He pulled me over last spring and gave me a ticket for speeding. Can you imagine? My Dad’s the freaking sheriff. He wasn’t impressed.” She explains for my benefit.

Ares crosses his arms over his chest, the movement making his biceps bulge and strain against the short sleeves of his shirt. “He wasn’t impressed that his own daughter thinks she’s above the law. And you better send that text before you start driving.”

Heather’s second eye roll is way harder than the first. “Yes, Dad. Let’s go, Zara. Ares is grumpy any day of the week, but this morning he’s acting as if someone had pissed in his cereal.”

“Ha ha.” Ares barks. “You’re so funny.” He hasn’t said a word to me all morning, but as Heather drives off, I can still feel his eyes on me like a hot brand.

LEV

The drive to campus takes ten minutes, maybe a little longer, with the morning traffic.

I know something is wrong with Chance without him needing to say one word. Actually, Iknowthat something’s wrong because he doesn’t say a single word.

I bide my time until he finds parking near the Human Sciences building. “Are you going to tell me what’s wrong, or are you going to make me guess?”

The tick in his jaw and the stony expression on his face tell me it’s the second option. He’s still holding onto the steering wheel with white-knuckle force.

“Chance, come on. It’s me, dude. Did you have a fight with Ares? He looked as furious as you do. More than usual, I mean.”

My best friend remains tight-lipped. Fine, I’ll keep guessing.

“Did you have a fight about Zara? I saw the way he cut in while you were dancing with her last night. And everyone saw how close they were dancing. I’m gonna take an educated guess and assume that it isn’t just the two of us who want to date Zara?”

“We’re gonna be late for class if we don’t make a move.” He says, as if he hadn’t heard one word I just said.

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