cecily von ziegesar - it girl 05 - lucky

7/30/2019 Cecily Von Ziegesar - It Girl 05 - Lucky

1/107

i t g ir lnovel s c re at ed by C ec il y von Z ie ge sa r:

The I t Gi rl

Notorious

Reckless

Unforgettable

L u cky

I f y ou l ik et he i t g ir l, you m ay a ls o e nj oy:

B as s A ck wa rd s a nd B el ly U pby Elizabeth Craft and Sarah Fain

S ec re ts o f M y H ol ly wo od L if eby Jen Calonita

Hatersby Alisa Valdes-Rodriguez

a nd k eep y ou r ey e ou t fo r

Betwixtby Tara Bray Smith, coming October 2007

t he b es t th in gs i n l ife a re f re e

T he gra nd s tore a wnings a nd t he gli tt er ing pavem ent of M adis on A ve nue w el come d A ve ry C ar lyle , t he

n ew es t r es id en t o f M an ha tt an s G ol de n M il e, w it h e ac h F en di -h ee le d s te p. E ve ry p re pp y b oy i n a

r um pl ed P in k d re ss s hi rt a nd B ro ok s B ro th er s k ha ki s a nd g ir l l oa de d d ow n w it h H er me s a nd C ha ne l

s ho pp in g b ag s t ha t s he p as se d wa s l ik e a n o as is i n th e d es er t o f h er l if e. Sh e c ou ld n t w ai t u nt il

t om or row, w he n s he w ould s ta rt s chool a t M anha tt ans e xc lusi ve C onst ance B il la rd S chool f or G ir ls a nd

her life would finally begin.

A ve r y w as born i n N ant uc ke t , M as s ac hus et t s, t he s ma l le st , s andie st , bor i nge st i sl and on t he E as t C oa st

an d t he r est of t he u ni ve rse . He r tri ps t o New Yo rk ha d al wa ys b ee n li mite d to on e week a y ear atC hr is tm as , w he n a ll t he C ar lyle s mom E di e a nd t ri pl et s O we n, A ve ry, a nd B aby woul d gat he r t o

celebrate the holidays with their grandmother, the venerable socialite and philanthropist Avery Carlyle the

f ir st . W he n g ra nd mo th er A ve ry p as se d a wa y i n M ay , A ve ry t he s ec on d w as d ev as ta te d sh e d a lw ay s

been close with her namesake, and she took the loss harder than anyone in her family. But there was a

silver lining.

I s n t t he re a lw ays?

H er hippi e a rt is t m ot he r, E di e, f ound t ha t s or ti ng t hr ough t he l at e A ve rys a ff ai rs w as i mpos si bl e f rom t he

t in y i sl an d o ff t he c oa st o f Ca pe C od , s o s he m ov ed t he t ri pl et s t o t he c it y a nd e nr ol le d Av er y a nd Ba bya t C on st an ce B il la rd a nd O we n a t t he e qu al ly e xp en si ve a nd e xc lu si ve S t. J ud e s S ch oo l f or B oy s. P lu s,

i t s ee me d m or e a pp ro pr ia te t o g ri ev e f or t he ir g ra nd mo th er h er e. A ve ry w as r es ol ve d t o d o h er g ra nd ma

Generated by ABC Amber LIT Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html

P a g e 1
http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html


2/107

proud. Starting with a brand-new wardrobe.

S he p au se d a t t he l ar ge p la te g la ss w in do ws o f t he C al vi n K le in b ou ti qu e o n t he c or ne r o f S ix ty -s ec on d

S tr ee t a nd t oo k i n h er r ef le ct io n. W it h h er l on g w he at -c ol or ed b lo nd h ai r w ra pp ed i n a P uc ci p ri nt

h ea ds ca rf a nd a p eo ny p in k D ia ne v on F ur st en bu rg w ra p d re ss h ug gi ng h er a th le ti c f ra me , A ve ry l oo ke d

l ik e a ny Up pe r E as t Si de r o ut f or a s tr ol l. I n N an tu ck et , w he re f le ec e wa s p ar ty a tt ir e a nd a p ar ty w as

d ri nk in g a s ix -p ac k o f M ol so n o n t he b ea ch , Av er y h ad a lw ay s b ee n o ut o f h er el em en t. B ut t hi s y ea r itw as a ll g oi ng t o b e d if fe re nt . F in al ly , s he w as w he re s he b el on ge d.

A ve ry t or e h er se lf a wa y f ro m t he s ho pw in do w a nd c on ti nu ed t o w al k d ow n M ad is on . H er d es ti na ti on

t od ay w as B ar ne ys , t he l eg en da ry U pp er E as t S id e d ep ar tm en t s to re , a nd h er m is si on w as t o f in d t he

perfect bag for the first day of the rest of her life. Shed been momentarily disappointed when her mother,

a C onst ance a lum her se lf , had r em inde d her a bout t he s chool s m anda tory uni form s but had qui ckly

r ea li ze d t ha t a cc es so ri es w er e k ey . T he p er fe ct b ag w ou ld b ro ad ca st t o h er n ew c la ss ma te s e ve ry th in g

s he wa nt ed t he m t o k no w a bo ut h er : t ha t s he b el ie ve d i n c la ss ic b ea ut y, t ha t s he lo ve d t o h av e f un , t ha t

she was one of th em.

A ve ry r ea ch ed t he d oo r t o Ba rn ey s a nd s mi le d a s t he d ap pe r d oo rm an h el d i t o pe n. S he b re at he d i n

dee pl y a s s he e nt er ed, t he a chingl y f am il ia r s ce nt of C re ed F le ur is si mo hit ti ng her a long w it h t he A C. I t

had bee n her gra ndmother s f avor it e per fume , a nd A ve ry c ould pra ct ic al ly f ee l her gra ndmother s t ouch

s te er in g h er a wa y f ro m a n o ve rs iz e a pp le -g re en M ar c J ac ob s b ag a nd t ow ar d t he t ru e d es ig ne r p ur se s.

A ve ry w al ke d t hr ough t he l uxur y handbag depar tm ent, r ever entl y t ouching t he c rocodi le s ki n a nd s of t

l ea th er s. H er e ye s s to pp ed o n a c og na c- co lo re d G iv en ch y s at ch el a nd s he f el t h er s to ma ch f lu tt er . I ts

gol d buc kl es r em inde d her of t he a nt ique c he st s he d l ef t behind i n N antucket . S he d a lw ays i ma gi ne d

s om e b lu e- bl oo de d r oy al ty h ad d ro pp ed t he t ru nk i nt o t he A tl an ti c a s t he ir a nc ie nt s hi p s an k a nd t ha t i t

w as r ec ov er ed b y a b ea rd ed l ob st er ma n y ea rs a ft er t he ir r om an ti c d ea th .

Ex qu is it e p ie ce , A ve ry h ea rd a s mo ot h v oi ce o ve r h er s ho ul de r. S he t ur ne d a ro un d a nd t oo k i n t he

s al es la dy b eh in d h er . S he w as i n h er m id -f or ti es , w it h g ra y- st re ak ed h ai r p ul le d b ac k i nt o a s le ek b un .

It s bea ut if ul , A ve ry a gr ee d, w is hi ng t he s al es la dy w ould dis appe ar . S he w ante d t hi s m om ent t o be

pure: a moment between her and the purse.

Li mi te d e di ti on, t he s al es la dy not ed. H er nam e t ag r ea d N at al ie . It w as a ct ua ll y c la im ed, but w e never

h ea rd b ac k f ro m t he b uy er . . . . W ou ld y ou b e i nt er es te d? N at al ie r ai se d h er p er fe ct ly p lu ck ed

eyebrows.

A ve ry n od de d, t ra ns fi xe d. S he l ov ed t he f ac t t ha t i t w as l im it ed e di ti on , t ha t s he d b e t he o nl y p er so n a t

h er s ch oo l w it h t hi s u ni qu e p ur se . S he g la nc ed a t t he p ri ce t ag $ 4, 00 0. E ek . B ut s he h ad n t r ea ll y

bought that much so far, and wasnt that what Edies new accountant, Alan, was for? Besides, as

G ra ndmother A ve ry had onc e r em inde d her w he n s he d a dm ir ed a vinta ge H er me s K el ly bag: H andbags

n ev er d ie . M en d o. T hi s b ag w as f or ev er .

I ll t ake i t, s he s ai d c onfi de nt ly, her j us t- ma ni cure d pet al pink f inge rnai ls r ea ching t ow ar d t he l ea ther .

Oh , t he re y ou a re !

A ve ry a nd N at al ie t ur ne d i n u ni so n t o s ee a w il lo wy g ir l w it h c as ca di ng a ub ur n h ai r a nd a f re ck le d

c om pl exion s we ep a cr os s t he m ar bl e f loor . S he w or e a f lutt er y w hi te M il ly s undr es s a nd e norm ous D &G

s un gl as se s p er ch ed o n h er h ea d. Sh e l oo ke d a s t ho ug h s he d j us t s te pp ed o ff h er p ri va te y ac ht . I wa s


P a g e 2


3/107

c om in g a bo ut t ha t G iv en ch y. S o s or ry I d id n t g et y ou r m es sa ge s I w as i n S ag ap on ac k. M y c el l p ho ne

s er vi ce i s a wf ul o ut t he re . S he s ig he d d ee pl y, a s i f a w ea k c el l p ho ne s ig na l i n t he H am pt on s w er e t he

gr ea te s t t r age dy s he d e ver e ncount e re d.

Th an ks a ga in f or h ol di ng i t. T he g ir l g ra bb ed t he s at ch el f ro m A ve ry s h an ds , a s i f A ve ry s j ob w as t o

h ol d i t f or h er. Wh at t he f uc k?

Ja ck C el in e. N at al ie t ur ne d t o t he g ir l w it h a t ig ht s mi le . Un fo rt un at el y, b ec au se w e d o h av e a r el ea se

policy and we have someone interested, Im afraid that well have to put you back on the waiting list.

S he c on cl ud ed wi th a b ri sk n od , a nd A ve ry d et ec te d a n ot e o f p ri de i n h er v oi ce .

Av er y sm il ed a to o b ad s mi le a t t he gi rl, fe el in g g id dy . No o ne c ou ld p os si bl y h av e t his b ag a t

Co ns ta nc e. I t s ee me d a ll t he m or e v al ua bl e n ow t ha t s he s aw h ow m uc h i t w as i n d em an d. Av er y

r ea ch ed f or t he p ur se , b ut t he g ir l m ad e n o e ff or t t o l oo se n h er g ri p o n t he b ro wn l ea th er h an dl e.

I c an s ee wh y y ou n ee d a n ew b ag . J ac k g la nc ed p oi nt ed ly a t Av er y s w or n Lo ui s Vu it to n s pe ed y

purse. It had been her thirteenth-birthday present from her grandmother, and it was well loved, as shew ou ld h av e p ut i t. Th er e a re s om e o ut si de y ou m ig ht b e i nt er es te d i n, s he f in is he d.

A ve ry n ar ro we d h er b lu e e ye s a t t he g ir l a nd g ri pp ed t he c og na c b ag s s ho ul de r s tr ap . O ut si de ? A s i n,

t he t ac ky k no ck of fs o n t he s tr ee t? S he w as s pe ec hl es s.

No w t ha t t ha t s s et tl ed , J ac k w en t o n, t ig ht en in g h er g ra sp a ro un d t he G iv en ch y s h an dl e, ca n w e

please take care of this? she asked haughtily, her green eyes flashing.

N at al ie d re w h er se lf u p t o h er f ul l h ei gh t o f f iv e f oo t t wo . S he s to od c om ic al ly b et we en t he t wo g ir ls ,

wh o f ac ed e ac h o th er e ye t o e ye f iv e i nc he s a bo ve h er h ea d. Th at s t he o nl y o ne w e h av e, s he b eg an

a ut ho ri ta ti ve ly . It s a l im it ed e di ti on a nd r at he r f ra gi le , s o I m s ur e y ou b ot h w il l b e a bl e t o w or k s om et hi ng out . S he r ea ched f or t he ir f inge rs , t rying t o pry t he m f rom t he bags l ea ther handl es .

I d on t t hi nk t ha t w il l b e n ec es sa ry , A ve ry s ai d, g iv in g t he p ur se a s ha rp t ug t ha t s ur pr is ed J ac k. S he

s tumble d f or wa rd, l os ing her gri p. T ake t ha t, bit ch, A ve ry s mi rked.

B ef or e J ac k c ou ld r eg ai n h er b al an ce , A ve ry s tr od e q ui ck ly a wa y a cr os s t he m ar bl e f lo or o f B ar ne ys ,

c lutc hi ng t he s at chel prote ct ivel y a ga inst her c he st , l ike a f ootbal l pla ye r hea de d f or t he e nd z one. A ve ry

h ad g ot te n h er e f ir st , a nd s he w as g oi ng t o l ea ve h er e f ir st , w it h t he b ag t ha t w as r ig ht fu ll y h er s. O nl y t en

y ar ds s ep ar at ed h er f ro m t he c as hi er .

A ve ry c ouldn t hel p her se lf a nd t ur ne d a round t o gla re a t J ac k vic tori ousl y. I t w as t he C ar lyle e quival ent

o f a t ou ch do wn d an ce . T he g ir l s f ac e h ad d ra in ed o f i ts p er fe ct t an , a nd h er g re en e ye s l oo ke d m or e

c onfuse d t ha n a ngry. A ve ry gri nned, f ee li ng giddy. B ut a ll of a s udde n, a hideous buz zi ng s ound e rupt ed

a ro un d h er . S he l oo ke d a ro un d i n a nn oy an ce b ut c ou ld n t s ee w he re t he b uz zi ng w as c om in g f ro m. N ot

d ar in g t o h es it at e, s he c on ti nu ed t o w al k, f ee li ng a s ur ge o f v ic to ry .

Ex cu se m e, m is s? A b ur ly s ec ur it y g ua rd a pp ea re d i n f ro nt o f h er . H is n am e t ag r ea d K no wl ed ge , a nd

h e l oo ke d l ik e h e s to pp ed U pp er E as t S id e s ch oo lg ir ls a ll t he t im e.

Av er y l oo ke d u p i n c on fu sio n. Sh e t ri ed t o s id es te p h im, b ut h e mo ve d h is b ul k i n f ro nt o f h er wi th e as e.

Sh es n ot th e f ir st gi rl t o ma ke a ru n f or i t in Ba rn ey s!


P a g e 3


4/107

Gi ve m e t he b ag , b ab y g ir l, a nd i t ll a ll b e o ve r, K no wl ed ge s ai d g en tl y a nd q ui et ly , h ol di ng o n t o

A ve rys t hi n a rm . S he c ould f ee l his gol d- ri nged f inge rs m aking a n i ndenta ti on on her t an s ki n.

A nd t he n, h er b lu es e ye s w id en in g i n s ho ck , A ve ry r ea li ze d t he y t ho ug ht s he w as t ry in g t o s te al t he b ag .

I wa s g oi ng t o p ay f or i t, s he s ai d, t ry in g n ot t o s ou nd d es pe ra te . Sh e w or dl es sl y h an de d h im t he b ag .

Shit, shit, shit.

N at al ie j oi ne d t he m, w hi sking t he s at chel out of K nowl edge s hands . A ve ry f el t r ed s pl ot ches begin t o

f or m o n h er c he st a nd f ac e, w hi ch a lwa ys h ap pe ne d wh en s he wa s u ps et .

I r ea ll y t hi nk t he y s ho ul d h av e a n a ge l im it f or s om e f lo or s, d on t y ou ? A ve ry o ve rh ea rd o ne

w hi te -h ai re d l ad y s ay l ou dl y t o h er f em al e f ri en d w it h o ve rl y t ea se d r ed h ai r w ea ri ng a l eo pa rd p ri nt

Norma Kamali shirtdress. Avery suddenly felt like she was about five years old.

I w as g oi ng t o p ay f or i t, s he r ep ea te d l ou dl y. Th e c he ck ou t c ou nt er w as n t w el l m ar ke d. E ve n a s

s he s ai d i t, s he c ri ng ed . C he ck ou t c ou nt er ? Sh e s ou nd ed l ik e s he h ad t ak en a w ro ng t ur n a t Ta rg et .

S he s ho ok h er h ea d, t ry in g t o a pp ea r s up re me ly i rr it at ed a nd r ea ch ed i nt o h er o wn L V- mo no gr am me d

purse. She would pull her brand-new black AmEx out of her red-and-green-striped Gucci wallet. Then

e ve ryone w ould s ee i t w as a ll a n unf or tuna te m is ta ke a nd a pologi ze a nd give her l oa ds of c om pl im enta ry

products for the inconvenience.

Luckil y, t he e xi t i s w el l m ar ke d, N at al ie r epli ed i ci ly. S he w as e nj oying t hi s, A ve ry r ea li ze d. S he

l ow er ed h er v oi ce . Do n t w or ry . W e re n ot g oi ng t o c al l y ou r p ar en ts . A nd w it h t ha t, s he w hi rl ed

a ro un d o n h er b la ck P ra da p um ps a nd w al ke d b ac k t o J ac k, w ho wa s wa it in g w it h a s te el y s mi rk o n h er

irritatingly freckled face.

I j us t h ad t o h av e i t f or t he f ir st d ay o f s ch oo l, J ac k s ai d d ra ma ti ca ll y. S he t oo k t he p ur se i n h er h an ds ,

e xa mi ni ng i t a s i f t o m ak e s ur e A ve ry h ad n t d ir ti ed i t wi th h er s ti ck y f in ge rs .

Your s hopping t ri p i s ove r, honey. K nowl edge s s of t voi ce i nt er rupt ed her a wf ul r ever ie a s t wo m or e

s ec ur it y g ua rd s e sc or te d h er o ut a s id e e nt ra nc e o n S ix ty -f ir st S tr ee t.

Th e d oo r c lo se d w it h a t hu d.

A ve ry s f ac ed b ur ne d. S he h al f e xp ec te d a n a ng ry B ar ne ys m ob t o f ol lo w h er a s s he s cu rr ie d a wa y, b ut

i ns te ad t wo t hi rt ys om et hi ng w om en pus he d t he ir B ugaboo s tr ol le rs pas t her , c ha tt ing a bout t he bes tnur se ry s chools . W hi te -glove d doorm en s tood out si de r ow s of l uxur y a pa rt me nt bui ldings . A r ed

d ou bl e- de ck er b us h ea de d u pt ow n t ow ar d C en tr al P ar k. A ve ry f el t h er h ea rt s lo w d ow n. N o o ne h ad a

c lu e w ho s he w as , o r wh at h ad j us t h ap pe ne d. Sh e r ea dj us te d h er h ea ds ca rf a nd c ro ss ed t he s tr ee t w it h

her c hi n hel d high. T hi s w as n t N antucket , w he re e ve rything w as broadca st unt il i nf init y. T hi s w as N ew

Y or k, a c it y o f o ve r e ig ht m il li on p eo pl e, w he re A ve ry c ou ld d o w ha te ve r be w ho ev er s he w an te d t o

be. So what if she didnt get the Givenchy satchel? She still had the new patent leather Miu Miu

m ar yj an es s he d b ou gh t y es te rd ay a nd h er l uc ky p ea rl s f ro m G ra nd mo th er A ve ry . S he w as s ur e s he

c ou ld e ve n g o b ac k t o B ar ne ys t omo rr ow a nd n o o ne wo ul d r ec og ni ze h er .

As s he c ro ss ed t he a ve nu e, a c ut e g uy i n a g ra y R iv er si de P re p T- sh ir t a nd Y an ke es c ap j og ge d b y,

s mi li ng a t her . S he s mi le d broadly bac k, bat ti ng her c ar ef ul ly m as ca ra ed e ye s. T ha t s poil ed bit ch f rom hel l

c ou ld h av e t he b ag . T om or ro w, A ve ry C ar ly le w ou ld b eg in h er b ra nd -n ew l if e a t h er b ra nd -n ew s ch oo l

a nd J ac k C el in e w ou ld b e a d is ta nt m em or y so me j er k w ho s to le h er p ur se , n ev er t o b e h ea rd f ro m


P a g e 4


5/107

again.

Dont be so sure. New York may be a huge city, but its one small town. . . .

Re ad th e r es t o f

gossip girlthe carlyles

Available everywhere May 2008

Q &A w it h C ec il y von Z ie ge sa r

First job:W ai tr e ss a t r es t aur ant w it h r oa c he s.

Worst job:W ai tr e ss a t r es t aur ant w it h r oa c he s .

Favorite place:Primrose Hill in London.

F a vo rite N YC h ot sp ot :M y p at io , w he re I p la nt ed a ll t he se f lo we ri ng t re es a nd b am bo o. I l ik e t o h av e

f ri en ds o ve r a nd h an g o ut b ac k t he re u nt il t he m os qu it oe s d ri ve u s i nd oo rs .

Guilty pleasure:American Idol.

B es t f ri en d s f ir st n am e:P ony B oy ( my nea rl y hai rl es s c at ).

G oo d luc k c ha rm :Diamond earrings.

When you were a l ittle gi rl, you thought you would grow up to be a. . .?W r it er , a lw ays . I w ant ed

to be a b al let da nc er to o, an d a ho rs e b ac k r ide r, b ut wr iti ng won ou t in th e e nd .

All-time favorite American Idol:K el ly . I m a h ug e f an .

Favorite designer:I d on t j us t h av e o ne f av or it e d es ig ne r. I h av e m or e l ik e t we nt y. I l ik e D ia ne v on

F ur st en be rg a nd M ar c J ac ob s a nd T he or y a nd I ss a a nd Ce li ne . B ut I b uy a l ot o f c lo th es a t Ta rg et . I j us t

bought this amazing little black dress there by Patrick Robinson, one of those visiting designers that did a

l in e j us t f or T ar ge t. I t f it s s o p er fe ct ly a nd i t w as o nly $ 27 .9 9.

Favorite jeans:M y f av or it e j ea ns a re J oe s J ea ns a nd I mi ta ti on o f C hr is t.

Favorite movie:Its a Wonderful Life( I c ry e ve ry t im e) .

Biggest fashion blunder:W hi t e duck f e at her j a cke t.

N e xt v a ca t io n d e st ina t io n :I m g oi ng t o R io d e J an ei ro s oo n w it h m y h us ba nd . I m v er y e xc it ed I v e

a lw ay s wa nt ed t o g o t o Br az il ! Y ou w on t c at ch m e i n o ne o f t ho se s tr in g t ho ng b ik in i t hi ng s t ho ug h.

Hello?!

F re nc h f ry d ip :Stupid question: ketchup.

Astrological sign:Cancer.


P a g e 5


6/107

Lucky color:D on t h av e o ne . I m f ic kl e t ha t w ay .

Midnight snack:Sleep.

Celebrity crush:M adonna ( she t ake s her s el f s o s er iousl y! ) .

Favorite book:The Great Gatsby.

I te m y ou c an t l iv e w it ho ut :Fr es h a ir ? N ot r ea ll y, I m v er y l ow m ai nt ai na nc e. B ut I l ik e m y

w at er ed-dow n gra pe fr ui t j ui ce f ir st t hi ng i n t he m or ni ng, f ol lowe d by t wo c ups of ver y s tr ong m il ky

coffee.


P a g e 6


7/107

1

A W AV ER LY O WL A LW AY S T UR NS A D EA F E AR T O G OS SI P.

T he c ri sp s me ll o f a ut um n a t W av er ly A ca de my h ad b ee n r ep la ce d b y t he u nd en ia bl e s ce nt o f


P a g e 7


8/107

s moke a nd not t he ple as ant, l ea f- burning kind. I t w as a n a cr id, nos e- ha ir -t ingl ing bur ne d- ha y s te nc h

that reminded Jenny Humphrey thatsomeone h ad s et t he b arn at t he M il le r fa rm a bl az e a t la st n ig ht s

C in ep hi le s p ar ty . M ay be i t w as a n a cc id en t. O r m ay be n ot .

J en ny p us he d o pe n t he d in in g h al l s h ea vy w oo de n d oo r a nd m ad e h er w ay a cr os s t he c av er no us r oo m

t ow ar d t he f oo d l in e. I t wa s a l on g w al k i n p la in v ie w o f e ve ry p ac ke d t ab le , a nd J en ny t ri ed t o fo cu s o n

t he m or ni ng s un pouri ng t hr ough t he s ta ined gla ss w indows r at he r t ha n on t he w hi sper s t ha t r ever be ra te do ff t he c at he dr al -l ik e c ei li ng s. W av er ly O wl s w er e n ot or io us g os si ps , b ut t he re w as e ve n m or e t o t al k

a bout t oday t ha n us ua l.

S he f il le d her t ra y w it h s pe ci al S at ur da y m or ni ng a pple -c inna mon panca ke s a nd m aneuve re d her w ay

t hr ou gh t he l on g o ak t ab le s t ow ar d t he c or ne r, w he re s he s po tt ed A li so n Q ue nt in s h ea d o f g lo ss y b la ck

h ai r. A s ma ll b lo nd g ir l w as w ed ge d i n b et we en A li so n a nd S ag e F ra nc is . J en ny c he ck ed t o s ee t ha t h er

r oo mm at e, C al li e, a nd h er e x, E as y, w er en t s ea te d a t t he s am e t ab le . A ft er c at ch in g C al li e a nd E as y

together i n th e b ar n l as t n ig ht , s he n ev er wa nt ed t o s ee e it he r o f t he m a ga in . I f s he h ad n t s ha re d t ha t

une xpec te d, unbel ie va bl y s we et kis s w it h J ul ia n M cC af fe rt y r ight a ft er wa rd, s he m ight have s ki pped out

on breakfast/Waverly/life altogether. Her stomach fluttered just thinking about it.

Ne w m ea t, c am e a v oi ce f ro m b eh in d J en ny . S he t ur ne d t o s ee C el in e C ol is ta , t he o li ve -s ki nn ed

c oc apta in of t he f ie ld hoc ke y t ea m, ges turi ng t ow ar d t he s ma ll blond gir l s it ti ng bet we en A li son a nd S age.

S he w at er ed d ow n s om e f re sh -s qu ee ze d O J a nd p la ce d i t o n h er t ra y. Th ey r e a ro un d a ll w ee k.

New meat?

Pr os pe ct ive s tude nt s, C el ine e xpla ined i mpat ie nt ly a s t he y a pproac hed t he t able t oge ther . We r e not

s up po se d t o s ay p re -f re shmen because its, you know, sexist and all. Jenny and Celine set their trays

d ow n n ex t t o A li so n.

J en ny l ea ne d f or wa rd a nd s mi le d a t t he b lo nd p re -f ro sh . T he g ir l w as e ve n t in ie r u p c lo se . Hi . I m

Jenny.

I m C hl oe . T he gir l pus he d up her bla ck r ec ta ngul ar -f ra me d R al ph L aure n gla ss es a nd nodde d i n

Jennys direction.

Shes following Alison around, Benny Cunningham announced loudly, leaning her elbows on the dark

w oo de n t ab le . S he p us he d h er l on g, s ti ck -s tr ai gh t b ro wn h ai r a wa y f ro m h er h or se y b ut p re tt y f ac e.

Wher e you f rom a ga in, new m ea t?

Putney, C hl oe a ns we re d t im idly. S he pic ke d a n i nvis ible pie ce of l int off her pal e blue J .C re w

cable-knit sweater. Its in Vermont.

W it h h er p al e s ki n a nd w id e i nn oc en t b lu e e ye s, C hl oe l oo ke d l ik e D ak ot a F an ni ng . I t w as h ar d f or

J enny t o i ma gi ne bei ng m ea n t o D akot a F anni ng. Ve rm ont i s r ea ll y pre tt y, s he off er ed, hoping t o m ake

t he y ou ng er g ir l f ee l m or e c om fo rt ab le . J en ny k ne w w ha t i t f el t l ik e t o b e t he a wk wa rd n ew g ir l a t

W aver ly. S he c ri nged, r em em be ri ng how c luel es s O ld J enny had bee n w he n s he f ir st a rr ived s ever al

we ek s a go . Bu t N ew J enn y s at a t t he c oo le st t ab le i n t he d in in g h al l, we nt t o c ra zy p ar ti es i n b ur nin g

barns, and kissed adorable boys under the moonlight. Take that, Old Jenny.

S ud de nl y a c he er e ch oe d o ff t he h ig h, s lo pi ng c ei li ng s o f t he d in in g h al l, a nd J en ny t ur ne d t o s ee H ea th

F er ro s ta nding a t a nea rby t able , his a rm s t hr ow n up i n t ri um ph. S unli ght gli nt ed off his a rt full y t ousl ed

dir ty-blond hai r, a nd c ra cker c rumbs s pe we d out of his m outh. H e d obvi ousl y j ust c om pl et ed t he s a lt ine


P a g e 8


9/107

c ha ll enge , a f ea t m uc h a tt em pt ed i n t he W aver ly dining hal l: dow ni ng s ix of t he s uper -dry c ra cker s i n l es s

t ha n a m inut e w it hout dri nking a ny w at er . H ea th c ol le ct ed high f ives f rom a group of guys gat he re d

a ro un d h im , i nc lu di ng s om e p re p ub es ce nt o ne s. J en ny n ot ic ed t he n t ha t t he re w er e a t l ea st a d oz en

prospectives scattered at various tables, all staying close to their assigned Owls, like city tourists too

a fr ai d t o s tr ay m or e t ha n a f ew p ac es f ro m th ei r g ui de s.

So , d id y ou h ea r t he l at es t? S ag e l ea ne d f or wa rd i n h er c ha ir , h er a qu a b lu e e ye s s hi ni ng . S he p ul le dup t he s le eves of her E li e T ahar i m idni ght blue t unic s we at er , a s i f s pr ea di ng gos si p w ould e nt ai l get ti ng

her hands dir ty.

Wh at ? J en ny a sk ed a s s he f or ke d a p ie ce o f p an ca ke a nd s wi sh ed i t t hr ou gh a p ud dl e o f p ur e N ew

E ng la nd m ap le s yr up . S he w or e h er f av or it e E ar l j ea ns a nd a b la ck t ur tl en ec k f ro m t he G ap t ha t s he d

h ad s in ce e ig ht h g ra de . S he w as u nd er dr es se d c om pa re d t o S ag e a nd B en ny , b ut t ha t w as o nl y b ec au se

g ir ls a t W av er ly u se d a lm os t a ny a ct iv it y a s a n e xc us e f or a f as hi on s ho w.

They f ound a l ight er i n t he bar n. B enny gri nned m is chie vous ly. H er w hi te t ee th m at ched her w hi te

V ince doubl e- ga uz e t ee , m aking her l ook l ike a n a dver ti se me nt f or C re st W hi te -s tr ips. T hough given her multimillion-dollar trust fund, it was probably due to professional whitening. It had a students initials on

it. Julian McCaffertys.

J en ny p ut t he f or kf ul o f p an ca ke d own o n h er p la te .Julian?

I h ea rd i t w as s om e g uy s f ro m S t. L uc iu s, C el in e s ai d i n a h al f wh is pe r, l ea ni ng f or wa rd a nd t uc ki ng a

l oc k o f b la ck h ai r b eh in d h er e ar . Bu t I a ls o h ea rd i t wa s t ha t s ke ez y D an g uy , H ea th s l iq uo r s to re

c onne ct ion? S he r an her t ongue a cr os s her f ront t ee th, f inal ly dis lodging t he s pi na ch f rom her ome le t t ha t

h ad b ee n s tu ck t he re t he w ho le m ea l. Oh , a nd S imo ne s ai d i t wa s s om e t ow ni e p yr o w ho d id n t g et i nt o

Waverly.

Ju ic y, A li so n c hi me d i n. S he t oo k a s ip o f h er o ra ng e j ui ce , s ee mi ng ly u nf az ed b y t he i de a t ha t t he re

m ight be a j ea lous R hi ne cl if f l oc al l as hi ng out a t W aver ly s tude nt s.

I h ea rd t he re w er e s om e p eo pl esmoking i n t he b ar n, C hl oe p ip ed u p h el pf ul ly . S he s ta bb ed a t a s li ce

o f F re nc h t oa st .

Wh er e d id y ou h ea r t ha t? J en ny m an ag ed t o a sk . L as t n ig ht , s he d c on fr on te d C al li e a bo ut t he f ac t

t ha t sh e an d Ea sy h ad b ee n sm ok in g in th e b ar n r ig ht b efo re i t we nt u p i n f la me s, b ut s he wa sn t su re

a ny on e e ls e k ne w. C al li e h ad r et or te d t ha tJenny probably set the barn on fire out of jealousy. She knew

C al li e w as j us t b ei ng d ef en si ve a nd m el od ra ma ti c, b ut s he w as s ti ll a ng ry a bo ut i t. I f t he r es t o f W av er lyf ou nd o ut t ha t C al li e a nd E as y h ad b ee n s mo ki ng i n t he b ar n we ll , J en ny w as n t g oi ng t o s to pt h a t

r um or f ro m s pr ea di ng . S he h on es tl y w ou ld n t b e s or ry t o s ee t he m g o. I t w ou ld s er ve t he m r ig ht f or b ei ng

such . . . hornyjerks .

Ye ah. A ndwho w as s moki ng? B enny dem ande d, l ooki ng a t C hl oe w it h i nt er es t f or t he f ir st t im e.

Yo u ve o nl y b ee n h er e l ik e a n h ou r. H ow w ou ld y ou e ve n k no w?

I j us t hea rd i t. C hl oe s hr ugge d, s ee mi ngly unf az ed by t he e lder gir l s a ggre ss ive s ta re . I c ant

r em em be r w he re . S he l oo ke d a ro un d t he d in in g h al l a nd t he n a dd ed , Is t he re p ow de re d s ug ar

anywhere?

J en ny d id n t k no w wh y s he d b ee n wo rr ie d a bo ut C hl oe . Sh e w as g oi ng t o b e f in e.


P a g e 9


10/107

I h ea rd i t w as E as y a nd C al li e, S ag e o ff er ed q ui et ly , p us hi ng h er t ra y o f h al f- ea te n f oo d t ow ar d t he

c en te r o f t he t ab le . S he p ul le d h er f la xe n h ai r b ac k i nt o a l oo se p on yt ai l. We a ll s aw t he m c om in g f ro m

t he b ar n . . . a nd y ou k no w t he y b ot h s mo ke . Sh e s hr ug ge d, l ea vi ng e ve ry on e e ls e t o p ut t he p ie ce s

together.

Wh o s mo ke s? R ya n R ey no ld s d em an de d a s h e c ra sh ed h is h ea vi ly l ad en t ra y d ow n o n t he ir t ab le , h is

f ul l C ok e g la ss s lo sh in g o nt o h is p la te o f f oo d. J en ny r ec oi le d. S od a a t b re ak fa st ? G ro ss . H e s co ot ed t hec ha ir c lo se r t o Sa ge a nd p er ch ed h is h ea d o n h is h an d, w ai ti ng f or h er t o c on ti nu e.

Uh , m e. S ag e s p al e c he ek s t ur ne d p in k. An d, l ik e, h al f t he c am pu s.

Te ll m e s om et hi ng I d on t k no w. R ya n t ri ed t o g ra b a p ie ce o f S ag e s l on g, b ut te r- bl on d h ai r, b ut s he

s qu ea le d a nd s qu ir me d o ut o f h is r ea ch . Ha s a ny bo dy s ee n C al li e t hi s m or ni ng ? h e a sk ed . J en ny

l oo ke d a t R ya n c ur io us ly , t ry in g t o f ig ur e o ut w ha t w as d if fe re nt a bo ut h im t hi s m or ni ng . He l oo ke d . . .

m or e r es pons ible , s om ehow , w hi ch w as t he l as t w or d t ha t usual ly c am e t o m ind w he n des cr ibing R ya n

R ey no ld s. S he q ui ck ly r ea li ze d i t w as b ec au se s he d n ev er s ee n h im w ea r g la ss es b ef or e. G iv en t ha t h is

d ad i nv en te d s of t c on ta ct l en se s, h e w as p ro ba bl y n ev er i n s ho rt s up pl y o f t ho se . I n ee d t o c op y h er Latin homework.

Stables, Benny replied instantly, shoveling a mouthful of bacon. With Eaaasssssyyyyy.

Wh at w ou ld t he y b e d oi ng i n a s ta bl e? C hl oe a sk ed i nn oc en tl y.

Benny and Celine laughed knowingly. Rolling and jumping in the hay! Celine snorted gleefully. She

t ook off her W aver ly f ie ld hoc ke y z ip-up s we at shir t, r evea li ng a t ight bla ck T -s hi rt under ne at h, a nd R ya n

i mm edia te ly s tole a s idew ays gla nc e a t her c he st .

Le t s h op e t he y d on t s et i t o n f ir e, t oo . S ag e l au gh ed . C hl oe l oo ke d p er pl ex ed b ut d id n t s aya nything, l ow er ing her e ye s t o her F re nc h t oa st i ns te ad.

J en ny s to od u p f ro m t he t ab le a nd m um bl ed s om et hi ng a bo ut a n u ps et s to ma ch , h er f lu ff y p an ca ke s

practically untouched. She grabbed her cell and headed for the door.

F iv e m in ut es l at er , s he s to od o n t he g ra y s to ne s te ps o f t he d in in g h al l, w ai ti ng f or J ul ia n. A s s oo n a s

s he d g ot te n u p fr om t he t ab le s he d t ex te d h im, a sk in g h im t o me et h er . I f h e wa s i n t ro ub le , s he n ee de d

t o w ar n h im r ig ht a wa y.

A nd o f c ou rs e, s he d id n t e xa ct ly m in d h av in g a n e xc us e t o s ee h im a ga in .

R um or s a bo ut t he f ir e s wi rl ed a ro un d h er h ea d. C ou ld D an t he L iq uo r M an r ea ll y h av e h ad a ny th in g t o

d o w it h i t, b es id es s up pl yi ng a b un ch o f r ow dy k id s w it h b oo ze ? W as i t p os si bl e s om e c ra zy t ow ni e

h at ed W av er ly k id s e no ug h t o t ry t o s et t he m o n f ir e? A nd w ha t w as J ul ia n s l ig ht er d oi ng i n t he b ar n?

H e d l os t i t, h ad n t h e? S he t ho ug ht s he r em em be re d h im s ay in g s om et hi ng a bo ut l os in g i t . . . a nd h e

c ou ld n t r ea ll y h av e s ta rt ed t he f ir e, b ec au se h e d b ee n w it hher , k is si ng h er s o s we et ly o ut si de t he b ar n

a nd m ak in g h er f or ge t a ll a bo ut E as y a nd C al li e a nd w ha t s he d j us t s ee n. A no th er t ho ug ht o cc ur re d t o

Jenny then:Could E as y a nd C al li e have s ta rt ed i t? S he pic ture d t he m l yi ng t oget he r i n t he hay, l aughing

a nd s mo ki ng a nd b ei ng c ar el es s a s e ve r. T he y m ig ht h av e b ee n c ar el es s a bo uther feelings, but surely they

w er en t a rs on is ts . J us t l ia rs . S he s ho ok h er h ea d, h er b ru ne tt e c ur ls s wi ng in g l ik e t hi ck v in es . N o m at te r

h ow h ar d s he t ri ed t o s ha ke t he t ho ug ht a wa y, J en ny k ep t c omi ng t o t he s ame c on cl us io n: Sh e wa s j us t a

blip on Easys radar, a distraction in between breaking up with Callie and getting back together with her.


P a g e 1 0


11/107

Hi.

S he s pu n a ro un d t o s ee J ul ia n s g ri nn in g f ac e. H e t ug ge d t he z ip pe r o f h is f ad ed g ra y E ve rl as t h oo di e u p

t o h is c hi n.

He y, J en ny r ep li ed , a w av e o f p le as ur e w as hi ng o ve r h er a t t he s ig ht o f t he t al l, s ha gg y- ha ir ed

f re sh ma n. S he t oo k a s te p t ow ar d h im a nd c ra ne d h er n ec k t o l oo k i nt o h is wa rm b ro wn e ye s. S hew an te d t o k ic k h er se lf f or w ea ri ng h er f la t n av y Ke ds w it h t he l it tl e b ut te rf li es o n t he m. I f s he w as g oi ng

t o s pe nd m or e t im e w it h J ul ia n i n t he f ut ur e, s he d n ee d t o w ea r h er t al le st M ic ha el K or s w ed ge s.

Di d y ou e at a lr ea dy ? He h op pe d o ff t he l as t s te p an d l an de d wi th a t hu d i n f ro nt o f h er . Hi s s ha gg y

brown-blond hair fluttered around his face. He looked like a golden retriever whod found his tennis ball.

But in a h ot- bo y sor t of way.

Ye ah , J en ny l ie d. A ft er h ea ri ng a ll t ho se r um or s, e at in g h ad b ee n o ut o f t he q ue st io n. E ve n n ow , h er

s toma ch w as s ti ll doi ng s om er sa ul ts but i n a dif fe re nt w ay now .

Wa nn a g o u p H op ki ns H il l? J ul ia n a sk ed , n od di ng t ow ar d t he b lu ff s b eh in d h er . S he w on de re d i f h e

w as t hi nk in g a bo ut t he ir k is s l as t n ig ht , t oo . H ehad t o b e t hi nk in g a bo ut i t, r ig ht ?

Le t s go, s he r epli ed gam el y.

T he y s ta rt ed u p t he p at h t hr ou gh t he w oo ds t o t he b lu ff s. T he c ra sh o f p la te s i n t he d in in g h al l k it ch en

w as s lowl y r epla ce d by t he c hi rping of bir ds a nd t he s of t, w ind- in-t he -f or es t s ounds J enny w as s ti ll

g et ti ng u se d t o a ft er s pe nd in g h er e nt ir e l if e i n N ew Y or k C it y. T he s ol es o f t he ir s ne ak er s p ad de d

a ga in st t he d ry l ea ve s o n t he p at h.

T he y r ea ch ed a s ma ll c le ar in g, a nd J ul ia n c am e t o a s to p. Hi s s of t b ro wn e ye s l an de d o n h er l ip s, a ndJ en ny b lu sh ed . W as h e g oi ng t o k is s h er a ga in ? s he w on de re d. Di d y ou a nd C al li e t al k?

J en ny f el t h er f ac e g ro w h ot a t t he m em or y o f c on fr on ti ng C al li e l as t n ig ht . S he d b ee n f ur io us n ot t ha t

Ca ll ie a nd Ea sy we re t og et he r a ga in , b ut t ha t Ca ll ie h ad l ie d t o h er a bo ut i t a nd p re te nd ed t he y we re a ll

buddy-buddy. Really, she and Easy were probably laughing at her while they snuggled naked in the barn

a nd s mo ke d c ig ar et te s a nd s et t he w ho le p la ce o n f ir e. Ye ah , s or t o f. I m ea n, I d on t r ea ll y k no w.

It s c oo l. J ul ia n c ro uc he d d ow n, p lu ck ed a b ri ll ia nt r ed o ak l ea f f ro m t he p at h, a nd h el d i t o ut t o J en ny

a s i f i t we re a f lo we r. Sh e g ig gl ed a nd t oo k t he l ea f f ro m h im , l et ti ng h er h an d b ru sh a ga in st h is . Yo u

d on t h av e t o g o i nt o i t. I j us t w on de re d i f y ou g uy s f ig ur ed i t o ut . H e s hr ug ge d h is s lo pi ng s ho ul de rsgentl y a nd J enny not ic ed he w as w ea ri ng a ver y f am il ia r out fi t: bla ck T re torns, dar k- wa sh T rue R el igion

jeans with fist-size holes in the knees, and a black T-shirt underneath his hoodie.

Ha ve y ou b ee n u p a ll n ig ht ? s he a sk ed .

H e r ub be d h is h an d a ga in st t he b ac k o f h is n ec k, k ic ki ng h is t oe s a ga in st t he d ir t p at h. Do I s me ll ? He

l ow er ed his voi ce a l it tl e, a s i f s om eone m ight ove rhea r.

No . S he g ig gl ed . H e a ct ua ll y s me ll ed k in d o f n ic e, l ik e p in e t re es . O r m ay be i t w as j us t b ec au se t he y

w er e i n t he w oo ds . Bu t y ou r e w ea ri ng t he s am e c lo th es a s l as t n ig ht .

Ye ah, I a ct ua ll y w al ke d hom e. J ul ia n hit ched up t he s aggi ng w ai st of his j ea ns . H is boxer s w er e l ight

g re en wi th t in y w hi te s he ep p ri nt ed o n t he m. J en ny b lu sh ed a t t he s ig ht o f t he m. Th er e s a s ho rt cu t


P a g e 1 1


12/107

through the gulley behind the Miller farm, he explained.

Oh , s he s ai d s im pl y, a s i f t ha t e xp la in ed i t. W al ki ng a ro un d a ll n ig ht b y y ou rs el f? B oy s w er e s o w ei rd .

W he n s he d b ee n w it h E as y, h e d p ai nt ed i n h is s pe ci al s po t d ee p i n t he wo od s. A nd b ac k h ome ,

w he ne ve r s he d w al k t hr ough S he ep M ea dow, i t w as l it te re d w it h boys s moki ng j oi nt s a nd c om muni ng

wi th t he c lo se st t hi ng t o n at ur e N ew Yo rk c ou ld p ro vi de . O r ma yb e t he y j us t wa nt ed t o g et b uz ze d.

J en ny l ea ne d a ga in st a m os sy t re e t ru nk , t ry in g t o a ct c as ua l u nd er J ul ia n s s te ad y g az e. S he d id n t c ar e i f s he w as g et ti ng h er c lo th es a l it tl e d ir ty . H e w as w or th i t.

Hi s ey es tr ac ed h er l ip s. Th e wh ol e s ky w as l it re d a nd wh it e a nd b lu e f ro m th e l ig ht s o n t he p ol ic e c ars

a nd f ir e t ru ck s, h e a dd ed . It w as a ct ua ll y s or t o f c oo l. J en ny s mi le d a t h is b oy is h e nt hu si as m. S he

lo ved t he id ea o f h im ta ki ng of f o n a wh im, ma ki ng hi s way th ro ug h t he wo od s i n t he d ead o f n ig ht ,

r ep la yi ng t he ir k is s i n h is m in d a s h e w al ke d.

Juli an, s he began, ha ve you s ee n your l ight er r ec entl y?

A s tr an ge l oo k c ro ss ed h is f ac e. S he c ou ld t el l h e d a lr ea dy h ea rd i t h ad b ee n f ou nd .

Yo u c an j us t t el l D ea n M ar ym ou nt y ou l os t i t, s he w en t o n. W he n s he f ir st s aw h im t ha t n ig ht i n

D um ba rt onhiding i n t he broom c lose t he d bee n l ooki ng f or his Z ippo. A t l ea st , t ha t s w ha t he d

s ai d. If y ou t el l t he m t he t ru th , t he re s n o w ay y ou l l g et k ic ke d o ut .

J ul ia n j us t s hr ugge d a nd s ta re d a t s om et hi ng ove r J ennys hea d. S he hoped a t ar antula w as n t c ra wl ing

d own t he t re e, a bo ut t o m ak e a n es t i n h er c ur ls . I m n ot t oo wo rr ie d, h e f in al ly a ns we re d. H e t oo k a

s te p c lo se r t o J en ny , p la nt in g h is h an ds a ga in st t he t re e t ru nk o n e it he r s id e o f h er s o t ha t s he wa s

t ra pp ed . N ot t ha t s he m in de d. I ve g ot t he c ut es t a li bi o n c am pu s. A g ri n c ur le d t he s id es o f h is m ou th .

J enny i mm edia te ly l os t her t ra in of t hought , dis tr ac te d a ga in by t he m em or y of t he ir l ips pre ss ed t oget he r,a lo ne i n t he d ar k. An d a m ome nt l at er , i t wa s mo re t ha n j us t a m emo ry .

From:[email protected]

To:Waverly Academy

Date: S at ur d ay , O ct o be r 1 2 , 1 0 :1 5 A. M.

Subject:Prospective Students

D ea r S tudent s, F ac ul t y, a nd S ta ff ,

A s y ou r e p ro ba bl y a wa re , w e h av e a n um be r o f p ro sp ec ti ve s tu de nt s v is it in g o ur c am pu s t hi s w ee ke nd .

T he se v is it s a re a n i mp or ta nt c ha nc e f or p ro sp ec ti ve s tu de nt s t o g et a t as te f or W av er ly A ca de my , a nd I

t ru st e ve ry on e h as b ee n m ak in g t he p ro sp ec ti ve s f ee l w el co me . T ha nk y ou t o a ll t ho se O wl s w ho h av e

g ra ci ou sl y t ak en o n t he r ol e o f h os t. P ro sp ec ti ve s w il l b e o n c am pu s u nt il W ed ne sd ay i n o rd er t o s it i n o nt wo f ul l d ay s o f c la ss es , s o p le as e c on ti nu e y ou r h os pi ta li ty f or t he d ur at io n o f t he ir s ta y.


P a g e 1 2


13/107

A s pe ci al f or ma l d in ne r w il l t ak e p la ce M on da y n ig ht i n t he d in in g h al l i n h on or o f t he p ro sp ec ti ve

s tu de nt s. D re ss a cc or di ng t o c od e.

I a ls o t ru st t ha t t he b eh av io r o f s tu de nt s o ve r t he n ex t f ew d ay s wi ll b e mo re r es tr ai ne d t ha n i t h as b ee n

i n t he p as t f ew we ek s.

Best,

Dean Marymount

RyanReynolds: Y ou a nd Ka ra , h uh ? S o t ha t s w hy w e ve n ev er h oo ke d u p!

BrettMesserschmidt: No. That would be because I hate you.

RyanReynolds: Oh.

From:[email protected]

To:[email protected]

Date: S at ur d ay , O ct o be r 1 2 , 1 1 :0 8 A. M.

Subject:Y ou o ka y?

Hey,

I k no w y ou r e s ti ll n ot t alk in g t o m e, b ut I h ea rd a bo ut t he f ir e a t t he Mi ll er f ar m a nd I wa nt ed t o ma ke

su re yo u we re ok ay . I h ea rd so me o th er s tu ff , t oo , bu t d on t wor ry , I do n t b el ie ve a wor d o f i tI k now

y ou . A nd I k no w y ou r e p ro ba bl y p re tt y u ps et t ha t t he re a re p eo pl e t al ki ng a bo ut y ou o r w ha te ve r. Le t

me k now i f y ou wan t to ta lk or an yth in g.

A nywa y, hope your e w el l.

J.

AlisonQuentin:H ey s ex y. W ha tc ha u p t o?

AlanStGirard:Th in k I ll s ta y i n b ed al l d ay . Too mu ch d rama f or me .


P a g e 1 3


14/107


15/107

Ma yb e I s ho ul d ve w or n m y E ll a M os s w ra p d re ss y ou k no w t ha t o ne t ha t a lw ay s l oo ks l ik e i t s

g oi ng t o u nw ra p? I t w or ke d o n D al to n. T in sl ey l ea ne d b ac k i n t he b oo th a nd s mi le d f on dl y a t t he a nc ie nt

t in c ei li ng. Ac tual ly, i t w or ks on e ve ryone. I s ti ll c ant bel ie ve M ar ym ount didn t bel ie ve m e.

C al li e s ippe d her c appucc ino s lowl y.

An yw ay . T in sl ey l ea ne d i n. I m n ot t oo w or ri ed a bo ut i t. S he w av ed h er h an d a s i f s wa tt in g a wa y a na nnoying f ly. H er s il ve r A na conda r ing s pa rkle d i n t he m or ni ng l ight . It i snt goi ng t o beus t ha t g et s s en t

h om e, t ha t m uc h I c an g ua ra nt ee y ou .

T he t ho ug ht o f m ov in g b ac k i nt o h er b ed ro om a t h om e i n A tl an ta , i n t he e no rm ou s s to ne g ov er no r s

m an si on o n P ac es F er ry R oa d, wi th i ts p al e p in k r ug a nd c re ep y c an op y b ed , g av e Ca ll ie t he s hi ve rs . So

d id t he t ho ug ht o f h av in g b re ak fa st e ve ry m or ni ng w it h h er o ve rl y c oi ff ed m ot he r. Ho w c an y ou b e

s ur e? C al li e a sk ed w or ri ed ly . S he p re ss ed h er p al ms a ga in st t he s id es o f h er c up , e nj oy in g t he f ee l o f

hea t s ee pi ng t hr ough her s ki n. Ma rymount m us t have s om et hi ng on a ll of us i f he s c al li ng us s us pe ct s.

Coul d be a bluff , T insl ey s ugge st ed c onfi de nt ly, s moot hi ng a s tr ay w is p of hai r behind her l ef t e ar . I ve s ee n i t a m il li on t im es bef or e.

C al li e t ri ed n ot t o r ol l h er h az el e ye s. J us t b ec au se T in sl ey s p as sp or t h ad b ee n s ta mp ed b y j us t a bo ut

e ve ry c ou nt ry i n t he w or ld , s he a ct ed l ik e s he w as s o m uc h m or e w or ld ly a nd w is e t ha n e ve ry on e e ls e.

C al li e h ad a f ee li ng t ha t w as w hy T in sl ey h ad n t p re ss ed h er f or d et ai ls a bo ut w ha t w as g oi ng o n w it h

Ea sy s he d id n t re al ly wa nt t o k no w. I t h ad r ec en tl y c ome to li gh t i n a g ame o f I Ne ve r t ha t Ti nsl ey wa s

a v ir gi n, a nd C al li e w as s ur e s he c ou ld n t s ta nd t he i de a t ha t C al li e h ad d on e s om et hi ng t ha t s he h ad n t.

Oh, yea h? L ike, w he re ?

T insl ey nar rowe d her viole t- colore d e ye s a t her f ri end, her l ips t wi tc hi ng a t C al li e s c ha ll enge . The

movies.

C al li e s ni ck er ed , l ic ke d h er p oi nt er f in ge r, a nd s tu ck i t i n t he l um py r aw s ug ar g ra nu le s s he d s pi ll ed o n

he r s a uc e r.

T in sl ey w at ch ed h er . Th at s r ea ll y g ro ss , y ou k no w. S he r em ov ed t he c ho ps ti ck s f ro m h er d ar k h ai r

a nd s ho ok i t o ut s o i t f el l i n w av es o ve r h er s ho ul de rs . S he r ai se d h er p er fe ct ly p lu ck ed l ef t e ye br ow ,

w ai ti ng f or C al li e t o s top.

Bu t t hi s i sn t a m ov ie . C al li e f el t t he h in t o f a w hi ne s ta rt in g t o c re ep i nt o h er v oi ce . I f T in sl ey g ot

k ic ke d o ut o f s ch oo l, w ha t w ou ld h ap pe n? N ot hi ng . S he d g o t o S ou th f uc ki ng A fr ic a w it h h er d ad a ndm ak e a n a wa rd -w in ni ng d oc um en ta ry a nd g et t o m ee t G eo rg e C lo on ey a nd B ra d P it t a nd a ll t he o th er

d o- go od er A -l is te rs a t C an ne s a nd S un da nc e. O h, w ai t. S he d p re tt y m uc h a lr ea dy d on e t ha t. O nl y

T in sl ey c ou ld g et k ic ke d o ut o f W av er ly f or d oi ng E a nd c om e b ac k s me ll in g l ik e r os es . Yo u k no w m y

mo th er wi ll se nt en ce me t o d ea th i f I g et ki ck ed o ut , r ig ht ? Sh e wa sn t e ve n s ur e i f Ge or gia h ad t he

d ea th p en al ty , b ut e ve n i f i t d id n t, h er m om w ou ld s ig n i t i nt o l aw .

T insl ey s ta re d ove r C al li e s s houl de r a t t he pic ture of dow nt ow n R hi ne cl if f f rom t he 1920s i t l ooke d

a bo ut as e xc it in g a s i t d id t od ay . If i twas a m ov ie , w ho w ou ld p la y y ou ?

Gr ac e K el ly, C al li e a ns we re d i mm edia te ly, hol di ng her hea d up i n w ha t s he proba bl y t hought w as a

princess-of- Monaco-worthy pose. She straightened the neck on her Joie silk ruffle top and looked out

t he wi nd ow, s ta ri ng o ut a t t he c le ar b lu e s ky . H er e ye s we re d ist an t. Th e t hi ng i s, t he li st s ee ms s o

random . W hy i s s ome on e l ik e Br an do n B uc ha na n o n i t a nd n ot a f re ak in g p ot he ad li ke Al an St .


P a g e 1 5


16/107

Girard?

T in sl ey g ul pe d h er c oo li ng c ap pu cc in o. S he k ne w w hy C al li e w as o n t he l is t, a nd E as y be ca us e s he

h er se lf h ad b lu rt ed t o t he d ea n t ha t t he y w er e i n t he b ar n. N ot t ha t s he d t ol d C al li e a s m uc h. Sh e k ne w

wh y J en ny a nd J ul ia n we re o n t he l is t, to o. A nd o f c ou rs e, s he k ne w wh yshe wa s o n t he li st . Sh e wa s s til l

m ad a t her se lf f or f um bl ing her m ee ti ng w it h t he dea n.

I w is h I h ad c om e w it h y ou t o D ea n M ar ym ou nt s o ff ic e, C al li e s ig he d, a s i f r ea di ng h er m in d. Sh e

t wi rl ed o ne o f h er s tr aw be rr y b lo nd l oc ks n er vo us ly w it h t he s am e f in ge r s he d b ee n s ti ck in g i n t he s ug ar .

S he w as p ro ba bl y g et ti ng g ra in s o f s ug ar i n h er h ai r. M ay be E as y w ou ld l ik e t ha t.

I w is h y ou h ad , t oo . Ti ns le y n ar ro we d h er e ye s. Sh e h op ed s he h ad a ch ie ve d t he r ig ht d eg re e o f

c ha st is em en t i n h er t on e. I t s er ve d C al li e r ig ht f or d it ch in g h er . T he d is as tr ou s s ce ne i n t he d ea n s o ff ic e

r ep la ye d i n h er h ea d. M ay be i f s he h ad n t b ee n s o f oc us ed o n M ar ym ou nt s g ro ss u ni br ow , o r h er

bizarre image of him as a hawk eating his students, or his sad family picture . . .

Oh m y G od . S he s at u p s tr ai gh te r i n t he b oo th . C al li e l oo ke d a t h er i n c on fu si on , a nd T in sl ey g ri nn ed ,feeling positively gleeful. Ive got it!

So , C hl oe . T in sl ey s wi rl ed h er c ho co la te m il k s ha ke w it h a s tr aw . Ho w a re y ou e nj oy in g W av er ly s o

far?

A t ra y o f g la ss es s ha tt er ed a ga in st t he f lo or a nd e ve ry on e i n N oc tu rn e, t he n ew ly o pe ne d

t we nt y- four -hour diner on t he f ar e nd of M ai n S tr ee t i n R hi ne cl if f, t ur ne d t o l ook. E ve ryone e xc ept

T in sl ey , w ho se e ye s w er e l oc ke d o n t he y ou ng p ro sp ec ti ve a s t ho ug h t he g ir l h el d t he k ey t o s al va ti on .

T in sl ey h ad p ic ke d a g oo d s po t f or c ov er t b us in es s, C al li e t ho ug ht . N oc tu rn e w as s o n ew t ha t i t w as n t

y et o n t he f ac ul ty s r ad ar , a nd s he w as s ur e t he r et ro , 50 s- st yl e d in er w ou ld b e f il le d t on ig ht w it h O wl s

e at in g g ri ll ed c he es e a nd c ur ly f ri es a ft er c ur fe w. C al li e w at ch ed a s t he r ed -f ac ed w ai tr es s s we pt u ps ha r ds of gl as s t ha t s hone l i ke dia monds a ga i ns t t he diner s bl ac k- and-w hi te -c hec ke re d f loor.

It s bee n oka y, C hl oe r epli ed t enta ti ve ly. S he w as proba bl y s ti ll a l it tl e s hocked t ha t T insl ey

C ar mi ch ae l h ad i nv it ed h er t o l un ch o ff c amp us . T in sl ey h ad l ur ed h er h er e o n t he p re mi se o f ge tt in g t o

k no w h er , b ut a s a lw ay s w it h T in sl ey , t he re w as a n u lt er io r m ot iv e. S he h ad f ig ur ed o ut w he re s he

recognized Chloe from: Dean Marymounts family picture. The little twerp was hisniece , and, as

Tinsleys scheming mind quickly discerned, shed been feeding him information. Most likely, the deans

l is t o f su sp ec ts w as n ot hi ng m or e t ha n a ll t he p eo pl e wh o h ad b ee n r ud e t o Ch lo e o ve r t he w ee ke nd .

Not that they were the most innocent people or anything, but still. That didnt make themarsonists .

Th e t hi ng t o k ee p i n m in d i s t ha t y ou r e s ee in g t he s ch oo l a t a v er y u ni qu e t im e, T in sl ey n ot ed a s s he

s ta bb ed a l ea f o f h er C ae sa r s al ad . We r e a ll j us t s ostressed a bo ut t he f ir e. T in sl ey p ut d ow n h er f or k,

a s i f t he s tr es s h ad r ui ne d h er a pp et it e, a nd l ea ne d b ac k a ga in st t he r ed v in yl c us hi on s o f t he b oo th . He r

perfect brow was wrinkled in worry.

C al li e t oo k a b ig b it e o f h er b ur ge r, n ot s ur e i f s he c ou ld k ee p a s tr ai gh t f ac e a s s he w at ch ed Ti ns le y s

d ra ma ti cs . E ve r s in ce s he a nd E as y h ad g ot te n b ac k t og et he r, s he d b ee n r av en ou s pr ob ab ly b ec au se

of a ll t he c al or ie s t he y w er e bur ni ng.

C hl oe p ic ke d a t h er t un a m el t a nd T at er T ot s. It s t ot al ly c ra zy , s he a gr ee d. Bu t i t w il l a ll b e o ve r

s oo n, w on t i t? S he l oo ke d b ac k a nd f or th b et we en t he t wo o ld er g ir ls q ue st io ni ng ly . C al li e n ar ro we d

h er e ye s a t t he p ro sp ec ti ve , w on de ri ng h ow m uc h o f h er a pp ar en t i nn oc en ce w as a n a ct . W it h h er

s ho ul de r- le ng th p al e b lo nd h ai r a nd p al e s ki n, a nd w ea ri ng a p al e y el lo w c ab le -k ni t s we at er , s he l oo ke d


P a g e 1 6


17/107

l ike a gia nt , under cooked f re nc h f ry.

Ho pe fu ll y, C al li e p ip ed u p, s et ti ng h er b ur ge r d ow n. S he g ra bb ed a n ap ki n f ro m t he c hr om e h ol de r

a nd w ip ed h er mo ut h. S he f ou gh t t he u rg e t o a sk t he w ai tr es s f or a b ib t he l as t t hi ng s he w an te d t o d o

w as s pi ll o n h er n ew r uf fl y l av en de r J oi e t op . Ift he y c at ch t he r ig ht p er so n. B ut f ro m w ha t I c an t el l,

t he y re not goi ng t o.

Re al ly ? C hl oe a sk ed , l oo ki ng u p a t C al li e. S he r ol le d t he s le ev es u p o n h er s we at er . Wh y d o y ou s ay

that?

Ti ns le y p ul le d t he l on g s il ve r s po on f ro m h er t al l g la ss o f f ro th y m il k s ha ke , l ic ke d i t c le an , a nd p oi nt ed i t

r ight bet we en C hl oe s e ye s. Be ca us e t he r ea l c ul pr it i s doe -e ye d a nd i nnoc ent- looking, j us t l ike you,

s he r ep li ed m at te r- of -f ac tl y. S he p la ce d t he s po on d ow n o n t he F or mi ca c ou nt er to p. Yo u m ay h av e m et

her , a ct ua ll y. H er nam e i s J enny H um phre y.

C al li e s ca nned t he r es ta ur ant, hoping no one f rom W aver ly w as w it hi n e ar shot . E it he r nobody had

w an te d t o v en tu re o ff c am pu s f or l un ch , o r N oc tu rn e w as e ve n n ew er t ha n s he d r ea li ze d, b ec au se s hed id n t r ec og ni ze a s in gl e f ac e. B es id es , t he j uk eb ox w as p la yi ng a s el ec ti on o f c he es y 50 s s on gs

nonst op My B oyfr ie nd s B ac k w as c ur re nt ly bla ri ng t hrough t he s pe aker s so s he doubt ed a nyone

a t t he n ex t b oo th c ou ld e ve n h ea r t he m.

C hl oe s b ab y b lu e e ye s w id en ed . Je nn y? I m et h er . S he g oe s o ut w it h J ul ia n, r ig ht ? H e s s o c ut e.

T in sl ey f li nc he d. I t w as b ad e no ug h t ha t H ea th k ne w a bo ut h er a nd J ul ia n a nd w as s en di ng h er s ni de

I Ms t hr ow in g i t i n h er f ac e. N ow s he h ad t o l is te n t o t hi s l it tl e p ro sp ec ti ve t al k a bo ut t he f re ak is hl y h ot

f re shma n a nd his giganti c- boobed gir lf ri end. I f s he hea rd J enny a nd J ul ia n m enti oned i n t he s am e bre at h

a ga in , s he w as g oi ng t o t hr ow h er mi lk s ha ke c le ar a cr os s t he d in er . An d i f s he e ve r saw them together

again, she just might start another firethis time intentionally. Wednesdays meeting, and JennyHumphreys expulsion from Waverly, could not come quickly enough.

Di d s he r ea ll y s ta rt t he f ir e? C hl oe c onti nued, her high- pi tc he d voi ce s ounding a lm os t l ike a w hi ne .

Yes. Callie nodded definitively, turning to the younger girl. Isaw h er wi th a l ig hte r i n h er h an d, b y th e

barn. But I cant tell the administration that, because thenIll s ee m s us pi ci ous f or having bee n t he re . C an

y ou i ma gi ne h ow t er ri bl e i t f ee ls , t o k no w s om eo ne s g ui lt y b ut n ot t o b e a bl e t o t el l t he t ru th ? S he

s ighe d dra ma ti ca ll y a nd s lumped a ga inst t he r ed vinyl of t he diner s booth.

C hl oe l oo ke d l ik e a T at er T ot m ig ht h av e l od ge d i n h er e so ph ag us . Bu t, s he s pu tt er ed , sh e c ou ld b edange rous ! B ehind her gla ss es , her blue e ye s l ooke d t ruly f ri ghte ne d.

You re e xa ct ly r ight . T insl ey l ea ne d f or wa rd c onspir at or ia ll y, pus hi ng her s al ad a si de . S he l oc ke d her

v io le t e ye s o n C hl oe s . Wh ic h i s w hy w e h av e t o b e v ig il an t, a nd r ea ll y w at ch h er t od ay a nd t om or ro w.

W it h t he l is t o f s us pe ct s r el ea se d, s he s p ro ba bl y f ee li ng b ac ke d a ga in st a w al l, a nd w ho k no ws w ha t s he

c ou ld d o? T in sl ey l ea ne d b ac k i n t he b oo th a ga in , p at te d h er n ea t b la ck p on yt ai l, a nd s tr ai gh te ne d h er

sai lor dre ss. So ma ybe we s hou ld ma ke a pact th at we ll a ll k eep an e ye on Je nny ? And th at if we see

a nything s us pi ci ous, w e ll m ake s ur e t o t el l e ac h other ?

C hl oe p ut d ow n h er t un a m el t e xc it ed ly . Yo u w an tme t o hel p?

Of c ou rs e. T in sl ey n od de d b ri sk ly . S he l ow er ed h er v oi ce t o a w hi sp er , a s i f s he w er e e nt ru st in g

C hl oe w it h C IA s ec re ts . Weneed y ou t o h el p.


P a g e 1 7


18/107

Ch lo e w ip ed h er h an d o n a n ap ki n. S he t oo k h er g la ss es o ff , a nd h er e ye s, wh ic h l oo ke d e ve n m or e

e norm ous w it hout gla ss es , dar te d bet we en C al li e a nd T insl ey. Okay, s he s ai d s lowl y. But i f I hel p a nd,

u m, k eep a n e ye o n J en ny , wh at s i n i t fo r m e?

We ll , T insl ey s ai d s we et ly, a f am il ia r gli nt i n her e ye , le t s j us t s ay t ha t w he n you s ta rt W aver ly next

f al l, youl l have t he t wo m os t popul ar s enior gir ls f or bes t f ri ends . T he j ukebox c ha nged t o E lvis s Do n t B e C ru el , a nd T in sl ey s mi le d h er p at en te d C ar mi ch ae l s mi le , t he o ne t ha t s ee me d t o s ay ,Im

ho ldi ng al l t he c ar ds , b ut be h ono re d t hat I v e l et y ou p lay .

C hl oe s tr ai gh te ne d i n t he b oo th , a s i f a wa re o f t he n ew r es po ns ib il it y t ha t h ad b ee n l ai d u po n h er

s ho ul de rs . Th at s ou nd s c oo l. S he n od de d, p ut ti ng h er g la ss es b ac k o n a nd p us hi ng t he m u p a ga in st t he

bridge of her nose. Ive always wanted to be popular.

C al li e s ho ok h er h ea d a nd t oo k a s ip o f Di et C ok e. O f c ou rs e s he d id w ho d id n t? Ca ll ie h ad l ea rn ed

quickly at Waverly never to underestimate the strength of a girlsany girlsambitions.

BennyCunningham:S o, y ou c om in g t o t he c ra te r t om or ro w?

LonBaruzza:To s ee y ou o ff ? Wo uld n t mi ss i t f or t he wo rld .

BennyCunningham:Go od . Be t y ou d b e fu n t o o rd er ar ou nd .

LonBaruzza:O h, j us t t ry m e.

BennyCunningham:How are you a t back rub s?

LonBaruzza:Incomparable.

BrandonBuchanan:W ha t d o y ou k no w a bo ut Sa ge F ra nc is ?

RyanReynolds: W hy u a sking?

BrandonBuchanan:J ust a nsw er t he ques ti on.

RyanReynolds: W el l, s he s s in gl e . . . a nd s he s HA WT .

BrandonBuchanan:T ha nk s, t ha t s a ll I n ee de d t o k no w.

RyanReynolds: On ly t ro ub le i s, s he s h ot ti e f or m y b od y. S o d on t g o t he re .

BrandonBuchanan:R ey no ld s, n ob od y i s h ot ti e f or y ou r a ny th in g. G et a ho ld o f y ou rs el f. N o o ne e ls e


P a g e 1 8


19/107

will.

HeathFerro:Do y ou h av e a s iz e s ma ll d re ss sh ir t?

KaraWhalen:What?

HeathFerro:Co me o n. He lp a W oma n o f W av er ly i n n ee d. I t s n ot l ik e I m a sk in g t o b or ro w y ou r

panties. Tho now that I think about it . . .

KaraWhalen:Y ou r e a n ut . C om e o n o ve r.

11

A R ES PO NS IB LE O WL K NO WS B ET TE R T HA N T O P ES TE R T HE D EA N S S EC RE TA RY .

B re tt s f ac e f el l w he n s he s aw M r. T om ki ns s b al d d om e o f a h ea d h un ch ed i n f ro nt o f h is f la t- sc re en

m onit or , blocking her pat h t o M ar ym ount s off ic e. S he d dec ided t o c om e a t l unchti me , w he n M r.

T om ki ns w as u su al ly i n t he d in in g h al l, l oa di ng u p o n b ee ts , a sp ar ag us , a nd c hi ck en b re as t a t t he s al ad

bar. She bet his pee smelled like dead cat.

Br et t k ne w s om et hi ng w as a fo ot a s s oo n a s M r. T om ki ns l oo ke d u p f ro m h is d es k a t h er a nd p ut d ownh is t un a o n r ye . H e s tr ai gh te ne d h is b la ck t ie w it h t in y j ac k- o -l an te rn s a ll o ve r i t. W as n t i t a l it tl e e ar ly

f or H al lo we en ? S he s hu dd er ed a t t he i de a o f h im d re ss ed u p i n t he s am e H ea dl es s H or se ma n c os tu me a s

l as t y ea r, w hi ch h ad i nv ol ve d a we ir d l ea th er h oo d t ha t l oo ke d l ik e i t h ad c om e f ro m a s ex s ho p. I t wa s

a ct ua ll y r ea ll y s ca ry , e sp ec ia ll y w he n s he t ri ed n ot t o t hi nk a bo ut w ha t h e d id w it h t he c os tu me t he r es t o f

t he ye ar i n th e p ri vac y o f h is o wn h ome . Th e le ge nd o f Sle ep y Ho llo w h ad t ak en o n a wh ole n ew, t ot all y

pornographic meaning.

Is h e in ? Br et t as ke d, t il ti ng h er h ead to t he s id e s o th at h er f ir e e ng ine r ed h ai r fe ll l ik e a c ur tai n t o h er

s houlder . I n her r e d- and- bla ck-pla id w ool J a me s P er se j um pe r, w or n ove r a f li rt y w hi te hippi e s hi rt

s he d b or ro we d f ro m K ar a l as t w ee k, B re tt h op ed s he l oo ke d a pp ro pr ia te ly i nn oc en t.

M r. T om ki ns nodde d s lowl y, w iping his l ips w it h a s cr unchedup napki n. That he i s. H e d e vi de nt ly

g iv en u p p re te nd in g h e h ad a ny h ai r l ef t a nd h ad g on e a he ad a nd s ha ve d t he l as t t en h ai rs c om pl et el y o ff .

B re tt m ov ed t ow ar d M ar ym ou nt s c lo se d d oo r a nd M r. T om ki ns f li nc he d. H is w ho le b od y t en se d u p, a s

i f h e we re r ea dy to s pri ng ou t o f h is ch air a nd t hro w h ims el f in f ro nt of t he d oo r i f ne ce ss ary . Bu t h e

c a n t be di st urbe d.

D is tu rb ed ? S in ce w he n w as a v is it f ro m t he j un io r c la ss p re fe ct a d is ru pt io n? A nd s in ce w he n w as M r.

T om ki ns , w ho a do re d B re tt , a ct in g a ll s ec re ty ? Wh y n ot ? s he d em an de d, i ns ta nt ly a wa re o f t he f ac t

t ha t s he s houl d be but te ri ng T om ki ns up i ns te ad of c ha ll engi ng him . B ut i t w as a n urgent s it ua ti on, a nd

Br et t wa s t oo a nn oy ed , a nd a l it tl e s ca re d, a t b ein g n ame d a s us pe ct t o wa st e h er t ime f li rt in g w it h M r.T om ki ns . S he a lw ay s s us pe ct ed h e j us t a ct ed e ff em in at e s o t ha t t he g ir ls w ou ld b e l es s s el f- co ns ci ou s

a bo ut b en di ng o ve r o r a dj us ti ng t he ir b ra s tr ap s i n f ro nt o f h im . P er v.


P a g e 1 9


20/107

He s busy pre pa ri ng his s pe ec h f or t he prospec ti ve - s tude nt w el come dinne r t onight , M r. T om ki ns

i nf or me d h er . Sh e n ot ic ed a t in y s pl ot ch o f m us ta rd o n h is t ie a nd k ne w h e d b e m or ti fi ed w he n h e f ou nd

i t. He l ef t s tr ic t i ns tr uc ti ons not t o be dis turbed.

Bu t i t s a nemergency . B re tt f el t h er t en -y ea r- ol d w hi ne c re ep in g i nt o h er v oi ce a nd s wa ll ow ed h ar d.

S he w as n t goi ng t o beg M r. T om ki ns . I t w as hum il ia ti ng e nough having her nam e a ss oc ia te d w it h t hef ir e wh y t he h el l w as s he o n t he l is t, a ny wa y? An d I m t he j un io r c la ss p re fe ct , B re tt a dd ed

d es pe ra te ly , k no wi ng t ha t s he w as g et ti ng o n M r. T om ki ns s n er ve s. S he w on de re d i f s he s ho ul d j us t

c om pl ime nt h im o n h is s ha ve d s ku ll a nd b e d on e wi th i t. I m h er e o n s ch oo l b us in es s.

M r. T om ki ns s ta re d a t h er , l ea ni ng b ac k i n h is a nt iq ue o ak c ha ir . Wh at b us in es s i s t ha t?

Yo u k no w. B re tt f el t h er se lf g ra sp in g f or w or ds . S o m uc h f or t wo y ea rs o n t he d eb at e t ea m, p re pa ri ng

h er se lf f or c on fr on ta ti on . S he p la ce d h er p al ms o n t he b ar e s ur fa ce o f M r. T om ki ns s p ol is he d o ak d es k

a nd s mil ed p le ad ing ly a t h im. I j ust ne ed t o sp ea k wit h h im f or a min ute . Can t y ou g et me i n fo r o ne

m inut e? Y ou c an t im e m e.

M r. T om ki ns s mi le d, a mu se d, a nd s ho ok h is h ea d n o. B re tt h ea rd a r us tl in g b eh in d t he d ea n s d oo r a nd

w ai te d w it h a nt ic ip at io n f or i t t o o pe n, b ut t he r us tl in g d ie d d ow n a nd t he o ff ic e g re w q ui et a ga in .

He s im pl y c an t b e d is tu rb ed , M r. T om ki ns r ep ea te d, h al f l oo ki ng a t h is c om pu te r s cr ee n, o ne h an d

perched on the mouse.Easy job , B re tt t hought bit te rl y. E at ing t una s andw ic he s a t your des k a nd s ur fi ng

t he We b f or Sl ee py Ho ll ow p or n a ll d ay , th ro wi ng o ut a s tu de nt h er e a nd t he re . I w is h I c ou ld h el p

you.

I m a p re fe ct B re tt r amp ed u p f or a s ec on d g o- ro un d w it h t ha t a pp ro ac h.

Ye s, I m a wa re o f t ha t, M r. T om ki ns i nt er ru pt ed . H e d id n t l oo k u p f ro m h is s cr ee n t hi s t im e, a nd

B re tt h ad t he f ee li ng t ha t h e w as c om pl et el y a bs or be d i n a g am e o f s ol it ai re .

a nd I h av e a r ig ht t o k no w w hy I m a s us pe ct . B re tt b lu sh ed , a l it tl e w or ri ed a bo ut b ei ng o ve rh ea d

d ea li ng i n h er o wn s el f- in te re st , e sp ec ia ll y a ft er h av in g p re te nd ed t o r ep re se nt t he s tu de nt b od y a s a

wh ol e. B ut t her e w asn t a ny on e e ls e i n t he o ff ic e, a nd i f t he d ea n h ea rd h er , w ell , ma yb e t he n h e d l et h er

in.

I m s or ry. M r. T om ki ns s ounded a bout a s uns or ry a s pos si bl e. I c ant divul ge t ha t i nf or ma ti on. H e

had a s el f- s at is fi ed, I -know- some thing- you-dont -know s mi le on his f ac e, a nd B re tt di dnt w ant t o givehim t he s at is fa ct ion of beggi ng him t o di vulge t ha t inform at ion. S he w as a bout t o t ur n a nd l ea ve w he n

M r. To mk in s s ur pr is ed h er b y l ow er in g h is v oi ce t o a w hi sp er . Bu t I i ma gi nesome s tu de nt s a re o n t he

l is t b ec au se t he y h av en t e xa ct ly k ep t a l ow p ro fi le a s o f l at e.

F or h al f a s ec on d, s he t ho ug ht h e mu st h av e m ea nt He at h. O r T in sl ey . O r e ve n J en ny , w ho s ee me d t o

be the subject of a million conversations, along with Easy and Callie.

B ut a s s he l oo ke d a t h is p oi nt ed ly r ai se d e ye br ow s, s he r ea li ze d t ha t M r. T om ki ns m ea nther . Her

s to ma ch p lu mm et ed t o t he t oe s o f h er r ed s ue de Ca mp er s.You hav e got to be kidding me! Brett

w an te d t o s cr ea m a t To mk in s, w ho w as p re te nd in g n ot t o n ot ic e t he l oo k o f h or ro r o n h er f ac e.Im on

the lis t bec ause I don t loc k my se lf in my room and study all the time? I m on the list bec aus e my

c la ss ma te s h av e b ee n g os si pi ng a bo ut m e? I m o n t he l is t b ec au se I k is se d a no th er g ir l? H ow w as

t ha t e ve npossible? H or ri fi ed , h er k ne es s ha ki ng , B re tt s tu mb le d o ut o f t he o ff ic e, n ot e ve n b ot he ri ng t o


P a g e 2 0


21/107

s a y goodbye .

O ut i n t he h al l, s he c ol la ps ed o n t he h ar d w oo de n b en ch , w he re c ou nt le ss n um be rs o f d el in qu en ts h ad

been forced to wait while Marymount arbitrarily decided their fate. She imagined Dean Marymount and

M r. T om ki ns a nd a f lock of other nos y t ea cher s, gle ef ul ly huddl ed a round a W aver ly yea rbook, poi nt ing

t he ir f inge rs a nd c he er ing w he n t he y f ound s om eone w ho l ooke d a ppropr ia te ly gui lt y. S he c ould j us t s ee

t he ir f ac es w he n t he y r ea ch ed h er p ic tu re . M r. T om ki ns w ou ld p ul l o n h is j ac k- o -l an te rn t ie .

Hm mm , yes . D ea n M ar ym ount w ould pet his t hi n s andy c om b- over . Sket chy l es bi an pyr o. E ve n i f

s he i s t he j un io r c la ss p re fe ct , b et te r p ut h er o n t he l is t. T he n h e d n od s ag el y b ef or e w ri ti ng d ow n h er

n am e, i n p er ma ne nt i nk , w it h t he w or dguilty under li ne d next t o i t.

KaraWhalen:W an t t o h ea d o ve r t o t he p ro sp ec ti ve s d in ne r t og et he r l at er ?

BrettMesserschmidt: I might just o rder in ins tead. . . .

KaraWhalen:H ow c ome ?

BrettMesserschmidt: Ye ah , I s or t o f f ee l l ik e l yi ng l ow .

KaraWhalen:H ey , t he re s n ot hi ng t o w or ry a bo ut . W e re o n t he d ea n s l is t, b ut w e d id n t d o a ny th in g

wrong, right?

BrettMesserschmidt: D ep en ds o n w ho y ou a sk .

12

A W AV ER LY O WL N EV ER F OR FE IT S A M AT CH .

T insl ey m ade her w ay dow n t he gra ve ll y pat h t o D um ba rt on, her w hi te l ea ther P ri nc e t enni s s hoes

c us hi oning e ac h s te p. P ra ct ic e t oday had bee n m or e a mus ing t ha n usual . M s. N em er ov, t he ult ra -f it ,

s li ghtl y m anni sh R us si an c oa ch, w as una ba shedly giving T insl ey s pe ci al t re at me nt due t o t he dea n s l is t of

s us pe ct s sh e w as h or ro r- st ru ck a t t he i de a t ha t h er s ta r p la ye r c ou ld b e t ak en a wa y, a nd h ad e ve n

brought Tinsley aside and offered to put in a good word for her to Dean Mary-mount. Tinsley politely

d ec li ne d. S he w as d oi ng j us t f in e o n h er o wn , t ha nk y ou v er y m uc h. W it h C hl oe s h el p, t he d ea n w ou ld

a lr ea dy be c onvi nc ed J enny w as t he c ul pr it by W edne sdays m ee ti ng. T insl ey f el t l ike a puppe te er

playing with her marionettes, holding all the strings.

O n t he l awn , a f lo ck o f u nd er cl as s g ir ls i n t an k t op s w er e s pr aw le d o ut o n a ma ro on W av er ly s ta di um

blanket, their skinny arms soaking up the last gasps of the summer sunshine before it was gone

c om pl et el y. T he y a ll t ur ne d, a lm os t i mper ce pt ibly, f rom t he books t he y w er e pre te nding t o s tudy t o

w at ch T in sl ey , a nd s he h ad t o s ti fl e a s mi le . S he s li ce d h er r ac ke t t hr ou gh t he a ir a s s he w al ke d, i ma gi ni ngJ ennys hea d on t he c hopping block. S he didn t not ic e t he t al l, l anky f igur e a pproac hi ng her unt il s he d

nearly run into him.


P a g e 2 1


22/107

Tinsley, Julian announced abruptly, and she almost jumped.

Juli an, s he r epli ed a ut om at ic al ly, una bl e t o t hi nk of a nything e ls e t o s ay. F ac ed w it h his a dora bl e r angy

f igur e a nd his puppy- dog brown e ye s, s he f el t s tr ange ly ner vous . H er s toma ch f li p- fl oppe d a s s he

r em em be re d t he ir s exy e nc ount er s a ll ove r c am pus the D um ba rt on bat hr oom, t he m ovie s cr ee ni ng

r oo m i n t he b as eme nt o f Ho pk in s H al l. Sh e d t ur ne d i t i nt o a t op s ec re t a ff ai r, a ll b ec au se s he w as a fr ai do f t he w or ld f in di ng o ut s he l ik ed a f re sh ma n. B ut r ea ll y, n ow t ha t s he t ho ug ht a bo ut i t, h ow b ad c ou ld i t

h av e b ee n? S he p ro ba bl y w ou ld h av e s ta rt ed a t re nd , a l a D emi M oo re .

He y, I m , u h, s or ry w e n ev er r ea ll y t al ke d t hi s w ee ke nd . J ul ia n d ug a t oe i nt o t he g ra ve l p at h. H e

l ooke d up a ga in, his s ha ggy blond-brown hai r f al li ng m es si ly a cr os s his f or ehea d. H e w or e a yel low pla id

button-down, and Tinsley wondered what he had on underneath. Things just got sort of crazy. But I

r ea ll y d id w an t t o t al k t o y ou a bo ut s om e s tu ff .

T insl ey s tr ai ghte ne d, f ee li ng l ike s he d j us t bee n s la pped i n t he f ac e. S he c ha st is ed her se lf f or her

m om en t o f w ea kn es s. W hy d id s he l et t hi s f re sh ma n g et u nd er h er s ki n? So mestuff ? s he a sk ed i ci ly ,n ar ro wi ng h er v io le t e ye s. An d b y th in gs g ot s or t o f c ra zy , y ou m ea n y ou w er e t oo b us y w it h y ou r n ew

girlfriend?

What a re you t al ki ng a bout ? J ul ia n l ooke d genui ne ly c onfuse d. H e r an a hand t hr ough his m es sy hai r,

probably wondering how she knew about Jenny. Did he really think he could sneak around with that

top-heavy little slutbag without her finding out?

Do n t p la y d um b w it h m e. Isaw y ou w it h t ha t m id ge t. S he r es te d h er t it an iu m t en ni s r ac ke t o n t he

g ro un d a nd l ea ne d o n i t, f ee li ng l ik e s he d j us t w on m at ch p oi nt .

J ul ia n r ai se d h is e ye br ow s. S he c ou ld n t t el l i f h e w as s ur pr is ed o r a ng ry . P ro ba bl y b ot h. Wh en ?

T insl ey f roze , r ea li zi ng her m is ta ke . I f s he t ol d him s he d s ee n t he m out si de t he bar n, s he d pra ct ic al ly be

a dm it ti ng t o a rs on . S he s to le a g la nc e t o h er l ef t. T he s un ba th in g g ir ls w er e s ti ll e ng ro ss ed i n t he ir b oo ks ,

t ho ug h s he s us pe ct ed t he y w er e s tr ai ni ng t o h ea r e ve ry w or d o f h er c on ve rs at io n. It d oe sn t m at te r

w he n, s he h is se d. Bu t I l l m ak e t hi s e as y f or y ou . T he n ex t t ime I s ee y ou a nd y ou r l it tl e g ir lf ri en d

t oget he r m ight be your last timetogether . S he s ai d t he l as t w or ds s lo wl y a nd c ar ef ul ly . S he d id n t w an t

t o h av e t o r ep ea t h er se lf .

J ul ia n s f ac e t ur ne d s li ghtl y pink. Ar e you t hr ea te ni ng m e? H is voi ce w aver ed a nd he l os t his usual e as y

c om po su re , s ee mi ng b ot h s ho ck ed a nd a l it tl e s ca re d. W hi ch w as e xa ct ly h ow T in sl ey w an te d h er opponent s t o f ee l .

Don t be s il ly, s he l aughed, t os si ng her bla ck, s il ky hai r. I t hi nk w e bot h know w ho I m t hr ea te ni ng.

S he t ur ne d o n h er h ee l a nd w al ke d o ff , s wi ng in g h er r ac ke t d ai nt il y. G am e, s et , m at ch . B ut t he l os er h er e

w as n t J ul ia n. I t w as s om eone m uc h, m uc h s hort er .

F or t he s pe ci al d in ne r t ha t n ig ht t o h on or t he p ro sp ec ti ve s, t he d in in g h al l h ad a pp ar en tl y b ee n

transformed from a mundane eating establishment into a five-star restaurant. The setting sun glinted

t hr ough t he s ta ined gla ss w indows , s endi ng s pr ays of c ol or a cr os s t he w hi te l inen t able cl ot hs . I rr it at ed a s

s he w as a t t he p re se nc e o f a ll t he g ee ky p ro sp ec ti ve s we ll , a ll b ut o ne T in sl ey w as i mp re ss ed t ha t

M ar ym ou nt h ad s pl ur ge d l ik e t hi s f or t he ir b en ef it . S he p au se d i n t he d oo rw ay , b ot h t o a dm ir e t he

c ha ng es a nd t o a ll ow e ve ry on e t he o pp or tu ni ty t o s ee t ha t s he w as a s c al m a nd u np er tu rb ed a s e ve r,


P a g e 2 2


23/107

despite Marymounts threatening e-mail.

Go ne w er e t he p iz za b ar a nd t he c er ea l b in s ev en t he s od a f ou nt ai ns h ad b ee n p us he d b ac k a nd t ur ne d

t ow ar d t he w al l, r ep la ce d b y a d iz zy in g a rr ay o f s er ve rs c la d i n p re ss ed w hi te s hi rt s, b la ck p an ts , a nd

w hi te g lo ve s. T in sl ey n ea rl y k no ck ed o ve r o ne c ar ry in g a t ra y o f c an ap es . H or s d o eu vr e t ra ys ?

A ppar entl y, w he n i t c am e t o s ec ur ing W aver lys f inanci al f ut ur e, t he dea n w as m or e t ha n w il li ng t o ope n

his w al le t a l it tl e. S om eone had e ve n gone t o t he t rouble of c al li gr aphi ng a s ign s ta ti ngAB SO LU TE LYNO CELL PHONES , displayed prominently at the entrance.

Sh e was o ne o f th e las t to a rri ve , b ut sh e p ref err ed it t ha t wa y. Sh e fe lt ev er yo ne s ey es o n he r as s he

s tr od e a cr os s t he d in in g r oo m i n h er v in ta ge b la ck C ha ne l b ab y d ol l d re ss a nd d ar k p at te rn ed s to ck in gs ,

wa lk in g i n a w ay t ha t m ad e t he s om ewh at s ha pe le ss d re ss c ome t o l if e a nd c au se e ve ry on e t o w on de r

a bout t he body unde rne at h.

O ne o f th e l on g t ab le s n ea r t he g ia nt s to ne f ir ep la ce i n wh ic h a h ea p o f l og s h ad b ee n s et a bl az e f or t he

o cc as io n, T in sl ey n ot ed w it h i ro ny h ad b ee n o ve rt ak en b y S ag e a nd B en ny a nd c om pa ny . Ni ce d re ss ,

T , B en ny o ff er ed u p i n a l ou d w hi sp er a s T in sl ey p as se d.

Thanks , T insl ey a ns we re d i n her r egul ar voi ce , w hi ch m ade her r ea li ze how s il ent t he c aver nous dining

h al l w as . H ea ds w er e p re ss ed t og et he r a t e ve ry t ab le , a nd l ow w hi sp er in g f il le d t he a ir , a s i f e ve ry on e

w as a fr ai d t ha t s pe ak in g o ut l ou d w ou ld s om eh ow i nd ic at e t he ir g ui lt . A t t he o th er e nd o f t he t ab le C al li e

c aught T insl eys e ye . S he l ea ne d her s tr aw be rr y blond hea d t ow ar d E as y, w ho w as pra ct ic al ly s it ti ng on

t op o f h er .Get a room, T in sl ey s ni ck er ed t o h er se lf . C al li e b ec ko ne d h er o ve r w it h a r ai se d b lo nd

e yebr ow , pa tt i ng t he s e at ne xt t o he r w it h he r S wa r ovs ki - pe a rl - br a ce le t ed ha nd.

T in sl ey s qu ee ze d p as t t he o th er O wl s t ow ar d C al li e s e nd o f t he t ab le , w he re H ea th w as t ry in g t o

c on vi nc e o ne o f t he s er ve rs t o s et h er t ra y o f h or s d o eu vr es d ow n d ir ec tl y i n f ro nt o f h im . W hi sp er in g

e ru pt ed i n Ti ns le y s w ak e, a nd s he s mi le d t o h er se lf . S he d id n t m in d b ei ng n am ed a s us pe ct i n t he M il le r f ir e an yo ne w ho d r ea d a ny A ga th a C hr is ti e k ne w t ha t t he c ul pr it w as a lw ay s t he p er so n l ea st

e xpec te d. S om eone , f or e xa mple , l ike l it tl e J enny H um phre y. N o one c ould i ma gi ne her s we et l it tl e

f iv e- fo ot s el f s et ti ng a b ar n o n f ir e, b ut w he n s he f in al ly g ot b us te d f or d oi ng i t, e ve ry on e w ou ld w on de r

w hy t he y hadn t r ea li ze d i t s oone r.

Ni ce e ntr ance , C al li e his se d under her br ea th. Ma rymount s s uppos ed t o s pe ak i n l ike t wo m inut es .

T in sl ey s li d i nt o t he u nc om fo rt ab le o ak c ha ir C al li e h ad r es er ve d f or h er . We ll , i t s n ot l ik e h e d s ta rt

w it ho ut m e, s he w hi sp er ed b ac k w it h a s mi rk .

B ra nd on B uc ha na n w as t ry in g t o s ur re pt it io us ly p as s a n ot e s cr aw le d o n a n ap ki n t o s om eo ne a t t he

o th er e nd o f t he t ab le . R ef le xi ve ly , T in sl ey i nt er ce pt ed i t a nd h el d i t i n h er h an d. B ra nd on , i n a n ea tl y

i ro ne d A rm an i d re ss s hi rt a nd t ie , s mi rk ed a t h er , d ar in g h er t o o pe n i t. S he u nc ru mp le d t he n ap ki n.Think

she did it? i t r ea d i n B ra ndons s ur pr is ingl y s loppy c ur si ve . T insl ey s tuck her t ongue out a t

B ra ndonw as he t al ki ng a bout her ? S he def init el y w ouldn t m ind t oo m uc h i f t ha t know- it -a ll got kic ke d

o ut a nd c ru mp le d u p t he n ap ki n. A ll o f t he t ab le s h ad l it tl e c lu st er s o f c ru mp le d n ap ki ns s ca tt er ed

a ro un d, a nd T in sl ey w on de re d h ow m an y o th er s c on ta in ed n ot es a bo ut h er .

T. C. H ea th n od de d a f or ma l h el lo a s o ne o f t he s er ve rs a c ut e b lo nd s op ho mo re p ar ke d a n e nt ir e

t ra y of s tuff ed m us hr ooms i n f ront of him .

T in sl ey j us t s ta re d b ac k. S he h ad n t n ot ic ed t he p ro sp ec ti ve s it ti ng n ex t t o H ea th b ef or e. H is l ig ht b ro wn

h ai r w as g el le d i nt o p la ce e xa ct ly t he s am e w ay a s H ea th s s id es b ac k, t op t ou sl ed a rt is ti ca ll y a nd


P a g e 2 3


24/107

f ro ze n i nt o p la ce a nd T in sl ey d id a d ou bl e t ak e, w on de ri ng i f H ea th h ad a l it tl e b ro th er . A s t he k id

r ea ch ed f or a s tu ff ed m us hr oo m, s he n ot ic ed t ha t h e e ve n k in d o f m o v e d l ik e H ea th . F re ak y. H e p lo pp ed

t he m us hr oo m i nt o h is m ou th , n ot s to pp in g t o r ol l u p t he c in ch ed s le ev e o n h is b ab y b lu e d re ss s hi rt . I t

l ooke d l ike i t had c om e f rom t he J unior M is s s ec ti on of B loom ingdal e s.

I l ik e y ou r s hi rt , Ti ns le y n ot ed , f or ge tt in g t o wh is pe r. T he e nt ir e t ab le t ur ne d i n a la rm , a s i f t he y w er e

hiding f rom t he e ne my a nd s he had given a wa y t he ir pos it ion.

Ye ah , i t s c oo l, t he p ro sp ec ti ve s ai d, m im ic ki ng H ea th s h ea d b ob a s h e s po ke .

That s m y boy, S am , H ea th w hi sper ed, m aking l it tl e f is ts of t ri um ph w it h his hands . S am i mm edia te ly

i mi ta te d t he g es tu re , a nd e ve ry on e a t t he t ab le s ni ck er ed .

I d id n t k no w y ou w er e a f at he r, F er ro . A la n S t. G ir ar d l ea ne d f or wa rd , s na tc hi ng u p o ne o f H ea th s

m us hr oo ms . H e d s ha ve d h is b ea rd s cr uf f f or t he o cc as io n, r ev ea li ng t he b ab y f at o n h is p in ki sh c he ek s.

T in sl ey g la nc ed a ro un d t o s ee w he re h is g ir lf ri en d w as a nd s po tt ed A li so n Q ue nt in s g lo ss y b la ck h ea d a t

a r ou nd t ab le i n t he c or ne r o f t he r oo m, wh er e s he w as s it ti ng w ith J en ny a nd , s he n ot ed wi th p le as ur e,C hl oe . T ak in g a s ip o f w at er , s he s ca nn ed t he r oo m, f in al ly s po tt in g J ul ia n s f am il ia r h an ds om e h ea d a t a

t ab le o f s qu as h p la ye rs t uc ke d i n t he c or ne r, a bo ut a s f ar f ro m J en ny s t ab le a s p os si bl e. Sh e t oo k

a no th er s ip o f w at er , p re te nd in g i t w as c ha mp ag ne , a nd c on gr at ul at ed h er se lf o n a j ob w el l d on e.

He s m y p ro te ge , H ea th b oa st ed , p at ti ng S am o n t he s ho ul de r. He s g oi ng t o c ar ry o n t he F er ro

l egac y l ong a ft er I m gone.

Wh ic h c ou ld b e s oo n, r ig ht ? T in sl ey s mi le d, l ea ni ng b ac k i n h er c ha ir a nd c ro ss in g h er a rm s i n f ro nt o f

h er , w hi ch s he k ne w d re w a tt en ti on t o h er p er fe ct c he st .

We l l s ee , H ea th s ai d, gla nc ing a round.

A m ur mu r s pr ea d t hr ou gh t he r oo m a s D ea n M ar ym ou nt a sc en de d t he p od iu m, d ec or at ed w it h t he

W av er ly c re st , a t t he f ro nt o f t he d in in g h al l. H e s ur ve ye d t he c ro wd a nd s ai d s om et hi ng n o o ne c ou ld

h ea r, r ea ch in g u nd er t he p od iu m t o t ur n o n t he m ic ro ph on e. E ve ry on e g la nc ed a ro un d a t e ac h o th er , b ut

t he r oom r em ai ne d s ur pr is ingl y s il ent. H e t appe d t he m ic rophone w it h t wo t hi ck f inge rs a nd a s ound l ike

s ta ti cky t hunde r e choe d i n e ve ryone s e ar s. F inal ly, a f ew s ni cker s s pr ea d t hr ough t he c rowd. T insl ey

k ep t a s tr ai gh t f ac e, n ot e ve n l oo ki ng a wa y w he n M ar ym ou nt s ee me d t o r es t h is e ye s d ir ec tl y o n h er .

We r e v er y p le as ed t o w el co me o ur v is it or s, h e b eg an , h is v oi ce g ra ve a nd s er io us , a s i f h e w er e

a dd re ss in g t he S up re me C ou rt a nd n ot a g ro up o f r ow dy t ee na ge rs . Tr ad it io n i s a n i mp or ta nt p ar t o f W aver lys c onti nued r eput at ion f or e xc el le nc e. O ur s ta nding not j us t i n t he i mm edia te c om muni ty but i n

t he c om mu ni ty a t l ar ge i s a w or th y c om bi na ti on o f h on or a nd r es pe ct , w hi ch a re t wo -w ay s tr ee ts ,

i nt er se ct ed b y a w id e b ou le va rd k no wn a s t ru th .

T in sl ey p re ss ed h er l ip s t og et he r a nd s ta re d a t M ar ym ou nt , c up pi ng h er c hi n i n h er p al m i n w ha t s he

h op ed l oo ke d l ik e a g es tu re o f i nt er es t. S he s ta re d a t t he l as t s tu ff ed m us hr oo m o n H ea th s p la te , h er

s to ma ch

cecily von ziegesar - it girl 05 - lucky

Documents