Page 101 of The Darkest Note

I can’t put a melody to it.

The crowd makes way for them, but I remain in place.

Dutch catches sight of me and, for a second, it feels like I can’t breathe. Then he drags his gaze away and keeps walking right past me as if I don’t even exist.

Zane and Finn give me pitying glances, but they don’t talk to me either.

My heart cracks, but I force the hurt off my face. After last night, it felt like we’d come to some sort of understanding but, obviously, I was wrong.

“I guess you’re not Sol’s replacement after all,” Serena says woodenly.

A melody blasts from the speakers in the hallway.

It’s time to get to class.

“You okay?” Serena asks.

I nod absently. “Yeah, I’ll see you later.”

I wrap my fingers more tightly around my books and put one foot in front of the other. Dutch can pull a cold-shoulder all he wants. I mean nothing to him. And from now on, I’m going to make it clear that the feeling is mutual.

CHAPTERTWENTY-FOUR

CADENCE

My goal to get over whatever weird thing was happening between me and Dutch is tested at lunch.

“You wantmeto come to your party?” I gawk, staring at the invitation.

“People actually give out paper invitations these days?” Serena asks.

We’re seated around our usual tree on the Redwood Prep lawn. The guy in front of me is a football jock with a nice smile, dark skin and bright hazel eyes.

“It’s a retro party.” He nods at the typewriter script on the page. “It should be fun.”

“Uh… I’m not really the party type,” I admit.

“Anyone who hangs with The Kings is the party type.” He winks. “Besides, I think you’re cool and I’d like to see you there.”

“Oh.”

With another camera-ready smile, he walks off.

I blink in confusion. “What just happened?”

“You got flirted with, for one. Second, you got your first official invite to a Babe Gordon party.” Serena actually sounds excited. Which is rare for her since she views everything with a pessimistic lens.

“Okay, butwhy?”

“Probably because Dutch dissed you this morning.” She points at the leftovers that I packed this morning. I stole some finger food from the dance so I could save money on my meal card.

“You gonna eat that?” she asks.

“No…” Before I can finish, Serena snatches my plate from me and inhales it.

I laugh. “Slow down.”

“Sorry.” She sets the dish down and licks her lips. “Why do you think Jinx has so much power? Our school runs on secrets and scandal. Ever since that tension-filled moment in the hallway, people have been whispering that you and Dutch broke up. You’re free game now.”

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