I shrug. “Maybe not. But you do need a dress.”
She exhales, but before she can argue, Mia claps her hands. “Shopping trip. Let’s go.”
And just like that, we shift gears. After the final bell, we head to the parking lot. I glance at Izzy, watching her roll her shoulders, as if she’s trying to shake off the weight of this whole week. She can pretend all she wants, but I know her.
And Tara and Lisa? They made their biggest mistake yet because Izzy doesn’t get mad. She getseven.She’ll make sure they never forget who they messed with. I almost feel bad for Tara and Lisa. Almost.
Chapter Nine
Izzy
By the time the final bell rings, my entire body hums with pent-up frustration. I shouldn’t care this much. It’s a stupid dress. But that’s the thing. It wasn’t about the dress. It was about control. It was about Tara and Lisa trying to remind me that no matter how far I’ve come, they still think they can take me down.
They’re wrong.
I shove my books into my locker with more force than needed. The locker slams shut, and when I turn around, Xavier is already there, arms crossed, watching me as if he’s waiting for me to snap. I won’t. Not yet.
He jerks his chin toward the doors. “Come on. We’re plotting.”
Mia and Nolan fall into step with us as we push out, heading toward Xavier’s pickup. The second we’re in, the doors slam shut, and Mia spins in her seat, eyes alight with a dangerous level of excitement.
“Okay, tell me we’re committing crimes.”
Nolan groans. “Please. Let’s not.”
I lean back, crossing my arms. “We’re not committing crimes.”
Mia huffs. “Boring.”
Xavier drums his fingers on the steering wheel. “We are, however, going to make sure Tara and Lisa regret ever messing with you.”
I raise a brow. “Go on.”
He grins. “Okay, here’s the play: we’re flipping their own game on them. Do you know how The Senior Tea posted that poll? And how Tara and Lisa have been all over social media, acting like they already won?”
I nod because yeah, they’ve been unbearable.
“Well,” he continues, his eyes glinting with something almost wicked, “what if they weren’t exactly able to make it to Homecoming?”
Mia gasps. “Are you suggesting sabotage?”
“I’m suggesting misdirection.” Xavier leans back, completely unbothered. “See, Tara and Lisa have a Homecoming glam appointment at La Belle Beauty Lounge tomorrow afternoon. Hair, makeup, and spray tans. The whole deal.”
Mia’s jaw drops. “And you know this how?”
“Lisa has a big mouth and a habit of talking too loudly in the halls.” He smirks. “So, we call in a little… scheduling error.”
I tilt my head. “What kind of scheduling error?”
“One that accidentally moves their appointment to Sunday instead of Saturday.”
Mia cackles. “Holy shit. They’d have no time to fix it. Every decent salon is already fully booked.”
“Exactly.” Xavier’s grin widens. “By the time they figure it out, it’ll be too late. No hair, no makeup, no fake tan. They’ll be scrambling.”
Nolan exhales through his nose. “This is why I’m going to hell.”
I can’t help it. A small smirk tugs at my lips. “I like it.”
