“Where is it?”
“Gone.”
I want the ground to swallow me.
“Right…” Evan says slowly, eyes scanning the hallway behind me. “Is Cole still here?”
My heart jumps into my throat.
“No! Maybe. I don’t know! Why would I know that! Ha ha ha ha..."
He stares.
“Are you sure you’re okay?”
I nod too hard. “TOTALLY FINE.”
My phone buzzes.
I look down.
Nasty Nine.
19 unread messages.
Oh god.
Evan glances at my phone lighting up like fireworks. “You’re really jumpy today.”
“New skincare routine.”
“…Right.”
I need to escape. I need an evacuation helicopter. I need to dissolve into mist.
“OkaybyeEvanloveyouWAITNOIDIDNTSAYTHATBYE..."
And I run.
Literally RUN.
Down the hall. Into the lift. Out of sight.
I lean against the wall and try to breathe.
Then I open the group chat.
Big mistake.
Who Rearranged Ruby?
SEXY NINE GROUP CHAT
Ava renamed the chat
Ava:
WHERE WERE YOU
