Undead Girl Gang(53)

“You won’t. I promise,” I whisper. “I’m right here. I’ve always been right here.”

I wrap my arms around him, pulling his head down to my shoulder. His breath shudders hot against my neck. I rub my fingers through his hair, pushing against the grain, my nails scratching his scalp in soothing circles. I want to tell him that Riley didn’t kill herself, that she’s here, probably pissed that I left her alone in the Nesseths’ garage. But I can’t break a promise to Riley, and Xander wouldn’t thank me for keeping the secret from him just long enough to lose her again.

So we sit wrapped up in each other, breathing in soft unison. In the distance, the band plays a new song. The trumpets are blaring, but they feel miles away.





SEVENTEEN



I HAVE TO find a way to lure Caleb to Yarrow House tonight. When we came up with the plan, I offered to bring the truth-spell potion to school since he has to drink it for it to take effect. But the girls reminded me that I shook them out of their graves and promised them revenge, so I can’t rob them of it now. Besides, we’re not sure how long the truth spell will last, so it’ll be best to have Caleb close to the ingredients in case we need to whip up a second batch.

At lunch, I go behind the cafeteria to avoid the watchful eyes of teachers and campus security. My legs ache from dancing at the farmers’ market last night, so I stretch them out across from the dumpsters where June emotionally scarred the Nouns. The wind is graciously pushing the trash stink into the parking lot rather than at my face.

There are texts from Xander waiting when I turn on my phone.

XANDER: We’ve never had the same lunch period. Is this a Fairmont Academy conspiracy? Do you think Ms. Pine would flip my schedule if I asked?

I’m glad that there’s no one around to see me smiling like a dork. Xander and I have never had a text conversation that wasn’t about Riley except for when he asked about my health after the Celebration of Life. He only has my phone number so that he could get ahold of his sister when her phone was dead. But maybe last night means that we’re going to be real friends without Riley acting as a buffer.

ME: I don’t know if Ms. Pine would, but I bet you could talk Dr. Miller into it. Just bat all your pretty lashes at her.

I almost jump when I see Xander’s three dots pop up on the screen.

XANDER: Flirting with the school psych is probably a one-way ticket to more counseling.

ME: How are you even texting me right now? They won’t let you be valedictorian if you get caught with your phone on during class.

XANDER: I was never going to be valedictorian. Top ten, maybe. Peer counseling meets during homeroom hours. If you signed up for peer counseling, we could get your lunch hour switched. How well are you doing in math?

Phone’s out because I “forgot my calculator.”

ME: Oh, you’re LYING to people to talk to me?

XANDER: Yep. Points for dedication to friendship?

ME: Are we keeping score?

XANDER: 10 points for hanging out in public. Negative 100 points to me for crying on you.

ME: Obviously crying in front of each other is bonus 100 points. Only real-people friends grieve together, X.

Shit. I’m supposed to be on a mission of revenge and righteousness, not blushing and texting. I open Facebook and log in, using June’s phone number and password. The girl might not have many memories of her life in the weeks leading up to her death, but her Facebook password was locked and loaded. Priorities.

Hundreds of notifications blow up the screen. I forgot that her account has become an ongoing vigil for friends and family.

I open a chat window and type in Caleb’s name. I also have to open the text draft that June made of what she wanted the message to Caleb to say.

Caleb,

I’m not gone. Come to the abandoned green farmhouse on Knapp Road at nine P.M. tonight or prepare to have the shit haunted out of you for the rest of your miserable life.

<3 June

PS: Bring my necklace. I know you’ve been wearing it.

I attach a video I shot of June standing outside of Yarrow House after we cast the rot spell. In it, she’s waving and unsmiling, the wind slipping eerily through her hair. Our goal isn’t to make Caleb totally believe that June is back from the dead. It just has to make him interested enough to show up. Presumably, no one else knows about the necklace, and the footage of June has never been online before—which pre-murdered June would never stand for—so hopefully this will kindle his interest. If not, then we have to kidnap him.

I really don’t want to kidnap him. I’m almost positive that Ms. Chu would have me expelled if she caught me home-invading her.

A door closes around the front of the building, and I have only enough time to stash my phone in the pocket of my jacket before Aniyah Dorsey comes around the corner. Her hair is in big, fist-sized ringlets today, and she’s wearing an EFF YOUR BEAUTY STANDARDS T-shirt. It’s really cute. I hate how intense my clothes envy is.

“Mila, hi,” she says breathlessly.

I wonder if she knows how often she uses people’s names when she’s talking to them. I feel like every time I see her, she’s saying my name like I don’t already know who I am. Or to prove that she does? Maybe it’s a journalist tactic.

“Were you looking for me?” I ask. “Or did you need to look in the dumpsters for something?”