Red(32)

Felicity had no idea where to begin. “I wasn’t trying to humiliate you,” she started. “I would never hurt you on purpose, and I’m not trying to get ahead. I tried to tell you what I was going to do before the assembly, but I just … I didn’t think you’d understand, and I knew you’d be totally pissed at me.”

“I am totally pissed at you, and I don’t understand!” Tears were spilling down Haylie’s cheeks now. “You’re supposed to be my best friend, and you promised you’d nominate me. I’ve always been there for you. I even let you have the perfect pageant gown! You know how much that meant to me, and I gave it to you, even though you’re my competition and you’re already so much more likely to win than me—”

“Haylie, this isn’t about—”

“And then you go and hang a massive picture of me as a hyena in the art show, and then you give my nomination to that bitch, who you claim you’re not even friends with!”

“I’m not friends with her!” Felicity protested. “I didn’t want to nominate her!”

“But you did nominate her! It’s not like anyone was forcing you! So what the hell is going on? Do you secretly hate me or something?”

There were only two possible courses of action: Felicity could tell Haylie and Ivy she was being blackmailed, or she could refuse to tell them what was going on and look totally heartless. For a moment, she seriously considered spilling her secret. But if anyone else overheard her, the news would spread faster than a viral video. She’d become a social outcast in five seconds flat, and she’d probably be kicked out of the pageant, for which her mom would never forgive her. Plus, winning that prize money was her only ticket out of Scarletville, her only chance to have the life she really wanted.

Telling the truth just wasn’t an option.

Four accusing eyes stared Felicity down.

“No, Hays, I don’t hate you at all. And I do have a reason for what I did, but I can’t tell you what it is. I’m so sorry.” Both Haylie and Ivy gaped at her, incredulous. “It has nothing to do with you, I swear. You just got caught in the cross fire. I wish more than anything that I could take it all back, or at least explain it to you, but I just … can’t.”

“What do you mean, you can’t? We tell each other everything. You don’t trust us all of a sudden?”

“I do trust you. But I … I can’t talk about it right now.”

Haylie and Ivy stared at her, and she stared back. Nobody spoke, and in that silence Felicity felt something break between her and her best friends. Finally, Ivy said, “If you have nothing else to say for yourself, I think we’re done here. You can come find us when you’re ready to be honest.” She took Haylie’s arm and pulled her gently but firmly toward the door. “Come on, Hays. We have English.”

Felicity followed them. “You still got nominated,” she said to Haylie, her voice full of desperation. “I was sure you would be. I never would have left you stranded.”

Haylie whirled around and shot Felicity a furious, wounded look. “Getting nominated wasn’t the point,” she said. “Georgia’s obviously going to win. I just wanted to be nominated by you.” She followed Ivy into the hall.

“I’m so sorry,” whispered Felicity, but it was too late. The only response she got was the slam of the door.





9


     FRIDAY, MAY 14–SUNDAY, MAY 16


The rest of the day was a little slice of hell.

When the bell rang for lunch, Felicity headed for her usual table in the cafeteria, ready to apologize, plead, and prostrate herself at Haylie’s feet. But she stopped short halfway across the room when Ivy caught her eye and gave her the patented Locklear Look of Death. Haylie stiffened, clearly aware she was there, but she kept her back turned and showed no signs of yielding. It was too early for forgiveness.

Felicity sighed and looked around for somewhere else to sit. She usually didn’t mind that she and Brent had different lunch periods, but she really could have used him today. She needed a big hug and some unconditional adoration.

“Felicity! Over here!” She turned around and saw a table overflowing with sophomore girls, an explosion of flat-ironed red hair, miniskirts, and fur-topped boots. They were indistinguishable from one another; if one of them had mugged Felicity, she couldn’t have picked the perpetrator out of a lineup. A few of them beamed and waved, and the rest giggled in unison. Felicity waved back halfheartedly and retreated a few steps.

“Is it true that you totally trashed Haylie Adams at the assembly this morning?” the bravest one called. Another chorus of giggles followed.

It was unbelievable how fast information spread. Felicity had never spoken to any of these girls, yet here they were, discussing her personal business. “No, of course not,” she snapped.

“It’s okay, we get it,” another clone said. “She’s your competition now, right?”

“I’m not going to discuss this with you.” Felicity turned to leave.

As she walked away, one of the girls called, “Do you want to sit with us? We really love your outfit!”

“We hope you win the pageant!”

Felicity breathed a sigh of relief when she spotted an empty seat between Kendall and Savannah. “Do you mind if I sit here?” she asked, already sliding into the chair.