Free Private 8 - Revelation by Private 8 Revelation

high-pitched laughter. A cold chill skittered down my spine.

    "What was that?" Constance asked, wrinkling her nose.

    Sabine's arms dropped along with the poster. "Does Pemberly have an evil ghost?" she joked.

    "No, just an evil next-door neighbor," I told them, dropping my voice. "Ivy Slade," I said, tipping my head toward the wall by my bed.

    "Ew," Constance said, standing up. "I do not like that girl."

    "Join the club," I said quietly.

    "She's right next door? What bad luck," Sabine sympathized. 75

    I glanced at the wall, the hairs on my neck and arms standing on end. Suddenly I couldn't help wondering whether Ivy could hear what was going on in my room as well as I could hear what was going on in hers.

    Maybe it was time for me to start watching what I was saying around here. Just what I needed--to feel even more paranoid in my own room. One more reason to get out of here and back to Billings as quickly as possible. Back to where I belonged.

    76

    ***

    When I walked out the back door of Pemberly the next morning, my gray cashmere scarf pulled up around my chin, the first thing I saw was a horde of students gathered in the middle of the quad. And at the center of the crowd were Noelle Lange and Amberly Carmichael.

    I slowed my steps, not wanting to appear too interested, but dying to know what was going on. As I watched, Amberly tossed her blond hair--which she had clearly straightened this morning--and handed a small white card to Trey. He said something that made her laugh before tucking the card away in his back pocket. Then I noticed that everyone walking away from the circle was clutching one of these cards, and those still in the circle seemed to be clamoring for them. What in the world was going on?

    Noelle whispered something to Amberly and they both laughed again, the sound echoing merrily across campus. Watching them made my stomach sink. They looked perfect together, all tucked into

    77 their designer coats, puffing clouds of steam into the cold air as they chatted and laughed-- like perfectly matched best friends. Surrounded by people, they were clearly the belles of this ball. It was almost like watching Noelle and Ariana from afar last year. They looked that close. That untouchable.

    A few weeks ago that had been me. A few weeks ago Noelle and I had been close like that. We had been the center of Easton together. And now... now I was merely a loser on the outskirts of Nowheresville. A nothing.

    I wondered if Noelle had gotten my e-mail. If she'd read my apology. If I could just get her to talk to me, maybe I could also get her to forgive me for what I had done with Dash. Then she could make the Reed-as-murderer rumor go away. Then I could come back to Billings with a clear conscience and name and everything would go back to normal.

    Of course, there was no way to know if she'd read my e-mail unless she decided to come to me. And right now it looked like I was the furthest thing from her mind.

    A group of Billings Girls broke off from the crowd and started toward the cafeteria, clutching their cards. Missy and Lorna were among them, but so were Astrid and Sabine. I hesitated for a moment, then realized I could endure the sneers of the former two if it meant I could get info out of the latter pair. I scurried to catch up.

    "Hey, guys," I said, falling into step next to Astrid.

    Missy scoffed and rolled her eyes.

    "Oh... hey, Reed," Sabine said tentatively.

    78

    "What're those?" I asked, nodding at Astrid's card. Astrid glanced warily at the others before reluctantly handing over the white square. It was an invitation for a party thrown by Noelle and Amberly. Scheduled for next Saturday evening.

    "I don't get it," I said. Why would Noelle and Amberly be throwing a party together? It didn't gel.

    "It's a pre-party for Kiran's birthday extravaganza," Astrid said apologetically. "It's so everyone can gather on campus before the party buses come round to get us."

    My heart curled into a tight