The entire group turns to stare at me like I just announced I’m giving up social media forever.
“What?” Kate’s voice is pure shock. “Since when?”
“Since I decided I’d rather not risk breaking my neck on a mountain.” Or hers, but I leave that part out.
Chloe’s eyes narrow with suspicion. “Right. Because you’re known for being so risk-averse.”
“There’s a first time for everything,” I say. “And actually, Kate, I’ve been thinking you shouldn’t go either.” Okay, so I may have told her the same thing at Rockaway, but the point sort of mandates repeating. Just because I won’t be there doesn’t mean fate won’t figure out a way around that Skyla-shaped obstacle. In fact, I highly recommend she rolls herself in bubble wrap and stays in bed for the entirety of that week, month, and maybe the next five years.
Kate’s face falls as if I had just told her Santa wasn’t real. “What? Why not?”
“It’s just...” I scramble for a reason that doesn’t involve prophetic knowledge of ski-related disasters. “I have a really bad feeling about it. Call it intuition.”
“Intuition?” Michelle scoffs. “Since when do you base major life decisions on feelings?”
“Since always,” I lie smoothly.
“This should be good,” Chloe muses. “Is it the same intuition that told you kissing your enemy was a good idea? Or the one that said you could juggle two guys indefinitely? Your track record with feelings is stellar, Messenger. Wait, let me guess—you had a prophetic dream? Or maybe a supernatural visitor? Or did you consult your magic eight ball? It must be so exhausting being the main character in your own personal paranormal drama while the rest of us are just trying to plan a normal ski trip.”
I chose to ignore Chloe’s little tirade and focus my energy back where it belongs. “Besides, Kate, think about all the homework we’ll have when we get back. Wouldn’t it be better to stay ahead of things?”
Okay, so maybe that wasn’t the best way to entice a teenage girl away from a week that will be rife with unsupervised freedom, questionable hookups, and enough blackmail material to last through college.
“Homework?” Lexy stares at me like I’ve grown a second head. “Did Skyla Messenger just choose homework over a vacation withthe hot Olivers? I know for a fact that both Logan and Gage are in. The entire football team is going. The coach says it’s mandatory.” She looks at Chloe. “Are we sure she wasn’t replaced by an alien?”
“Maybe she’s just being practical.” Bree shrugs my way, looking just as confused as Lexy.
“Practical is my middle name,” I say, and honestly, I’m surprised lightning doesn’t strike me on the spot. Chaotically Complicated would be more accurate as far as middle names go, and I think we all know it. And if they don’t, they will soon enough. The future’s so chaotic, they should all wear bulletproof vests around me. And maybe helmets, too.
Kate’s bottom lip trembles slightly. “But I’ve been looking forward to this for weeks. I even bought these really cute pink thermal underwear.”
“Thermal underwear that no one will see.” Emily doesn’t miss a heartless beat.
“That’s not the point!” Kate wails. “The point is that it’s going to be an amazing bonding experience, and if Skyla thinks I shouldn’t go, then maybe there’s something wrong with me that I don’t know about.”
Oh, sweet heavens. Now I’ve made Kate question her entire existence over a trip that requires her to be trapped in a cabin with Chloe for seven days straight. That alone should have been a deterrent.
“There’s nothing wrong with you,” I say quickly. “It’s just?—”
“Just what?” Chloe’s eyes glitter with malicious curiosity. “Or are you just mad that for once, we might have fun without you there to suck all the oxygen out of the room with your constant need for male validation? Maybe you’re terrified Kate might actually get Gage’s attention when you’re not around to manipulate him. Come on, Skyla. Share with the class. What exactly is this bad feeling about?”
The way she says it makes it clear she thinks I’m either lying or losing my mind. Possibly both.
“It’s hard to explain,” I hedge. “Just a general sense of... you know, impending doom.”
“Impending doom,” Lexy repeats slowly. “About a ski trip. To a resort. With professional instructors and safety equipment?”
“Accidents happen,” I mutter.
“So do good times,” Michelle counters. “And I’ll be damned if I’m missing out on college boys and designer snow gear because Skyla has suddenly developed supernatural paranoia. Plus, Dudley will be there.”
Chloe scowls my way. “How convenient that your ‘bad feeling’ kicked in right after Kate offered to kiss whatever Gage wanted back at Rockaway. Your supernatural intuition has amazing timing, Messenger.”
She’s wrong. What Kate actually said was that Gage could kiss any part ofherthat he wanted. But far be it from me to correct Chloe Bishop. And truth be told, Kate is probably safer without me reminding Chloe about the misdemeanor that occurred. Lord knows, Chloe can only take so many girls vying for her imaginary man.
Michelle snorts. “Skyla’s psychic powers run on batteries powered by jealousy.”
“Must be exhausting being that possessive,” Lexy adds flatly. “No wonder you’re always tired.”
