So Many Boys (The Naughty List #2)(33)

“Fine,” I said. “I’ll go to the movies. But it’s just for show—not a real date. I still think there’s a chance for Aiden and me. I’m not ready to move on.”

“Knowing is the battle,” Kira said, beaming.

“It’s half the battle,” I corrected.

She rolled her eyes. “I was being optimistic.”

I tried to swallow, but my throat was too dry. I looked back toward my fridge, wishing I had the energy to get a glass of water. Being told that you needed to date against your will to get back on the cheer squad would exhaust anyone.

“Well, that was a fun conversation, Kira,” Leona scoffed from the other side of the table. “Now that it’s settled, let’s get to the real topic. What was the deal with Chloe tonight? Seriously. A bookstore?” She snorted.

“I’m not sure it’s her anymore,” I said, trying to refocus. “She caught me following her and—”

“Wait,” Kira interrupted. “You got caught? That’s never happened before!”

“I know.” I nodded. “And then on top of that, while I was there, I saw Mary. And I’m telling you girls, she was acting really strange.”

“Interesting,” Leona said, leaning back in her chair and crossing her arms over her chest. “Could be because she was about to try to get you blackballed from the squad. But then again, she could be the copy-Kitten.”

“No way,” Izzie said. “Mary is way too savvy to be the copy-Kitten. Whoever’s impersonating us is dumb.”

“Who says?” Kira sat up. “I bet they’re super-smart. Like a techie or something. Or,” she added, holding up her finger, “she could be someone desperate for attention.” They all looked at me.

I watched them for a minute before we all looked down at the table. Seemed like none of us really was above suspicion. Leona sighed next to me.

“God. What if it’s really a mass murderer or something?”

Izzie squeaked. “Murderer?” I looked across at her as she bit her red nails. Her eyes darted around the room. “Would they kill cheerleaders?”

“No,” I said, trying to comfort her. “I’m sure they don’t kill anyone, especially not cheerleaders.”

“Nah. My money is still on Chloe,” Leona said. “She’s totally mental and clearly still obsessed with Aiden.”

“And what about Christian?” Kira spoke up. “Even though he’s not around, it could still be him.” She smiled to herself. “It’s actually kind of hot to think of him peeking in my window at night.”

“Ew,” Leona snapped. “It is not. It’s pervish and illegal. Quit being such a freak, Kira.”

“Quit being such a b-i-t-c-h, Leona!” Kira shot back.

As they began to trade insults, I looked across the table at Izzie. She was petrified, poor thing. The arguing was certainly not helping her self-esteem issues. And I’d heard her position on the soccer team might even be in jeopardy. I had to take control of this situation.

“Enough,” I said sternly, waiting for them to stop. To my surprise, they did. Guess I did still have a little power after all.

“Do you have a plan?” Kira asked. I wondered if she’d been waiting for me to come up with one all along.

“Not really. But I do think it’s time for us to get serious and re-form SOS—the real one. This assignment is too big for just one Kitten.” I paused and looked between them. “Unless I’m not allowed to spy, either.”

All three girls looked down at the table, avoiding my eyes. “Of course you can help with SOS,” Kira murmured before glancing up.

I smiled a little. Suddenly I felt better. Like I’d just regained a small piece of myself. “Okay, then. Let’s get the entire squad together after school tomorrow and fill them in.”

I hated breaking promises. And right now, I’d just broken (another) promise to Aiden. I wouldn’t tell him about SOS. I couldn’t. Not when our relationship was already so strained. Or, as some would call it, nonexistent. And I’d probably leave out the part where I go on a date with Chris Townsend. He was just a decoy anyway.

“About time,” Leona mumbled. “We should have never stopped SOS in the first place.”

I shot a glance at her, but she wasn’t looking at me. She was biting her thumbnail. I blinked quickly, then touched her forearm. “Do you think you can start drafting up a timeline of the events so far?”

“Yep.” She sighed before getting up. She put on her glasses and smiled at me. I could tell she was happy that we were all going to spy again. I think she missed the excitement. “It’ll give me something to do since there’s no routine to memorize. Kira blew another practice.”

“Did not! I wasn’t exactly expecting Mary Rudick to show up.”

I widened my eyes. “So no routine?” I asked. Homecoming was only a few short weeks away. Principal Pelli was going to have a coronary!

“Look, Tess,” Kira snapped. “I’m trying, okay? Get off my back.”

I gasped, staring at her. It was completely unlike her to be rude. Outbursts like that were generally reserved for Leona. “I didn’t mean—”

“No.” She shook her head. “I’m sorry. I’m just super-stressed.”