Jade:I need to crash at your place tonight.
Paparazzi, stalkers, fans—whatever they are—they’re all parked in front of my house.
I hit send.
Lean my head back against the seat.
My pulse is in my throat.
Shani replies immediately.
Shani:WTF??? I’m coming out now. Where are you?
I’m about to type when?—
BANG.
My whole body jerks.
A tap—no, aslap—against the driver’s side window.
I whip my head around.
A girl no older than thirteen or fourteen is pressed up against the glass.
Big hoodie.
Backpack.
The streetlamp catches her braces when she smiles too wide.
“Oh my—Jade Bryan?! Is that you?!”
Her voice warbles with excitement.
“Can I have a selfie?! Please—PLEASE?!”
My stomach drops.
Not because she’s threatening.
But because she’sa kid.
A kid who somehow found me in the dark on a side street.
A kid who recognized my car.
This is insane.
“I—I can’t,” I whisper, but she can’t hear me through the glass.
Her hands slap the window again.
“Please, Jade! Just one picture! I love you! You’re my wallpaper!”
I freeze.
I don’t want to be rude.
