Aces is definitely way too smart to be any of the suspects I currently have on my list. I don’t think I’ve ever seen Ruby use a computer before.
“Can I have a copy of all the things you found?” I ask, my mind racing. Peter looks like he wants to refuse, but reluctantly nods anyway.
“Should I print it out?” he asks.
“Email, I’ll be expecting it,” I say, before turning, grabbing Richards’s arm, and pulling him toward the door.
Richards pulls his arm away, and I turn to give him my death glare. Why is he being such a child?
“Whoever Aces is, from everything we know, it’s clear they’ve plotted this—whateverthisis—meticulously. We need to think ahead and preempt what they’re going to do next,” I say. I can’t help but notice that Richards’s eyes are tinted pink, like he’s been crying all morning.
“So what do we do?” he asks.
“A stakeout, this Sunday—we are going to catch Aces as they set their next messages.”
“Then what?”
“We’ve got all their messages and Peter’s data as evidence, and after pinning down who they are, we don’t stop until they have nothing left. Expose them and everything they’ve done—to the school and every college they’re applying to. I will ruin their future like they tried to ruin ours.”
Devon nods. “I’m in.”
I have chemistry and find my seat next to Jamie.
I sit down heavily, taking my notebook out. I remember the simpler days, when I could just enjoy my favorite subject in peace. I should have treasured those moments.
“Pair up and follow the instructions on the sheet,” Mr. Peterson says.
I cringe inwardly. Now would be the perfect time for a change of partner. Anyone but Jamie. But partner changes don’t happen easily, plus with me not talking to him, and Ruby and Ava not speaking to me either, I’d rather not try my luck with anyone else.
I look over at one of the girls on the bench next to me: Clara. She’s always hated my guts, and now she can do so openly. She gives me a smug look, before turning away.
I go up to the side tables, getting a Bunsen burner and the materials.
“Belle broke up with me,” Jamie says when I get back to our table.
“I’m sorry,” I say, though I don’t mean it.
He sniffs, and my heart feels heavy.
“I justreallyliked her.”
There’s silence as I unpack everything, but I can feel him staring at me.
“Sorry for leaving you behind, not being there when you needed me.”
Why is he suddenly deciding to be all nice to me? I set the Bunsen up and separate the materials.
“It’s okay,” I tell him.
“It’s not. I’m your best friend, and I left you when things got tough.”
I’m used to it, I want to say. I’m used to Jamie ignoring situations when things get tough or hard to speak about. Now I’m trying not to accept his crappy behavior.
“Here’s the list of elements we need to test,” I say—withoutstuttering, which I’m so happy about, because I can still feel Jamie’s eyes on me and it’s making me nervous.
“Okay,” he says. I hear whispers behind me, and at first I’m confused, until I hear the voices more clearly.
“I don’t know how Belle can hang out with someone like that…,” someone says. I look up. Jeremy smiles at me and waves and I smile back, waving with my middle finger up. His smile falters and he turns away.
