Wrath

And now Beth did something she’d once vowed never to do, not to Adam.

“I don’t care.”

She lied.

In the old days, Miranda and Harper would have skipped the assembly, taking it as a good excuse to sneak off to the parking lot for a smoke-and-bitch session about their least favorite people (Meaning: 90 percent of the student body).

But these weren’t the old days. Too bad Harper didn’t seem to notice.

“Rand, let’s get out of here, what do you say?”

Harper had popped up from behind her seat, and Miranda stifled the impulse to swat her away like a mosquito she’d just caught draining her blood.

“I’d say forget it,” she replied wearily, wishing she had the discipline to keep her mouth shut. The silent treatment had never been her thing. It was hard enough to just stand her ground with Harper-she’d been forgiving her for years, like a bad habit. But this time…

All she had to do was picture Kane-his tall, lean body, his knowing grin, his silky voice-and after all those years of fantasizing, his image sprang easily to mind. As did the echo of Harper’s promise: “You and Kane-it’s a done deal. I swear.”

And what had she done instead? Pushed him on Beth, all to serve her own agenda. It was all about Harper, and always had been.

Harper couldn’t even be bothered to deliver a real apology. Sure, she’d groveled for a couple days, but when Miranda stood firm, she’d resorted to a bravado that was as insulting as it was ineffective. Miranda could barely stand to watch her, putting on this gruesome show as if nothing had ever happened.

“Go find someone else to screw over,” Miranda snapped. “I’m done.”

“That’s great,” Harper said. “Very nice way to treat your best friend. What ever happened to ‘forgive and forget’?”

“Not my style,” Miranda muttered.

“Right-as if you have any style.”

Inside, Miranda cringed, and glanced down at her outfit, a plain white T-shirt and cheap Wal-Mart jeans. Same as yesterday, same as the day before. Five years as sidekick to Haven s alpha girl and Miranda had somehow remained, to the end, cool by association, and association only. But Harper had never before flung the bitter truth in her face.

“I’d rather have no style than no class,” Miranda replied pointedly. Harper wanted to jab at a soft spot? Two could play that game. And Harper, who still longed for the days when her family had ruled the town, and still chafed at the humiliating turn the Graces had taken, from princely robber barons to penny-pinching dry cleaners-Harper was nothing if not class conscious.

“I have more class-”

“All you’ve got,” Miranda interrupted, “is a reputation. For now.”

“Is that a threat?” Harper sneered, and for the first time, Miranda knew how it felt to be on the other end of Harper’s poisonous gaze. But it only strengthened her resolve. She’d been wondering whether the little revenge plot hatched with Beth was too much, had gone too far-what a waste of worry. Obviously, Harper had put their friendship behind her. Miranda could-and would-do the same.

“Give me a break,” Harper continued, rolling her eyes. “As if anyone in this school would listen to anything you have to say.”

Oh, they would listen.

And then Harper would pay.

“I’m proud and pleased today to make a supremely important announcement that will affect all of you in the student body of our fair Haven High.”

Kaia wasn’t paying much attention to the principal and her pompous speech. Principals were always going on about “supremely important”-aka supremely irrelevant-announcements. It was part of the job description, and Kaia was content to hold up the students’ end of the bargain: ignoring every word that came out of the principal’s mouth.

But today she was putting on a good show of listening raptly-it was the best way to avoid Jack Powell’s wandering eye.

“I have just learned that Haven High will be receiving a great honor. The governor of the esteemed state of California is setting off on a tour of the region’s finest educational institutions, and he has decided to visit Haven High! Yes, the governor himself is arriving in two weeks for a personal inspection of our facilities.”

Kaia would have snorted, were it ladylike to do so. The only state inspection this place deserved was the one that would condemn it. Peeling paint, creaky stairs, the mysterious stench that refused to dissipate-Haven High was a toxic waste dump masquerading as a high school.

With a few shining exceptions…

He was startlingly handsome, she’d give him that, she thought, watching Powell mingle with his balding, paunchy, middle-aged coworkers. He didn’t belong here, not with his rakish smile, thick, wavy, chestnut hair, that arrogant smile and Jude Law accent. It had been such a turn-on, watching the other girls pathetically slobbering over him, and knowing that she was the one he’d chosen. Although technically, she’d chosen him-and, with a little prodding, he’d finally embraced his good fortune.

“In honor of the governor’s arrival, one senior will be chosen by his or her peers to represent our fine school. He or she will deliver a speech on the subject of education-and I know he or she will do us all proud.”

Kaia was proud of her catch, and would have loved to put it on display. But Jack Powell’s policy was strict and unforgiving: In public, they ignored each other, without exception.

And yet, there he was, twenty rows ahead, craning his neck around and obviously searching for something-for Kaia. The irritated expression on his haughty face gave it away. She knew he hated the idea of chasing after anyone, but apparently he’d overcome his aversion: He’d left four messages on her voice mail since she’d ditched out on their last rendezvous, each one more incensed than the last.

“In preparation for the governor’s arrival, I will be instituting a no-tolerance policy for all violations of school regulations. I expect you all will honor the rules as you always have, and not embarrass the administration or yourselves through any juvenile misbehavior.”

Kaia, on the other hand, had always enjoyed the hunt. Extra points if she could break some rules in the process. Powell had been a special challenge, a cold, aloof trophy, whose acquisition had been fraught with the potential for scandal. Who’d have thought she be bored so quickly, willing to trade it all in for a greasy slacker in torn jeans, who reeked of pot and mediocrity?

“I look forward to reading your submitted speeches, and I know all of you at Haven High will look forward to this opportunity to shine for our state leadership.You’ll do me, and yourselves, proud.”

As the principal stepped down to a smattering of lackluster applause, Kaia grabbed her bag and slipped out the back of the auditorium. She knew Powell would never dare confront her on school grounds, much less in front of his boss-but why take a chance? She hadn’t decided quite what to do with him yet, and didn’t want to be forced into a decision. If the Reed thing blew over, it would be nice to have Powell ready and waiting on the back burner.

And if not… she’d let him down in her own time, and her own way. Gently.

Or, come to think of it, maybe not. After all, he liked it rough.

When the assembly ended, Beth zoned out for a moment, allowing herself to hope that her luck was about to change. If she was selected to deliver the speech to the governor, it could bulk up her college applications, and maybe even make up for her dismal SAT scores.

It was the first good news she’d gotten in weeks, and it gave her the strength to think about the future. She had to find a way to rebuild her life, without some guy to lean on. She’d done it before, but the prospect was still terrifying. Now, with this little kernel of confidence growing inside of her, maybe it was time to take the first step.

As the students filtered out of the auditorium, she followed a few feet behind a quiet, nondescript group of girls, careful not to let them notice her-but almost hoping they would. At least that would take the decision out of