The It Girl by Cecily von Ziegesar

1
A WAVERLY OWL DOE !OT DI C" #AL$%!A&ED!E WIT# TRA!GER '

o(ebo)y*s +lai) ,ac- +a)e ).//el sla((e) into ,enny #.(+hrey*s shin an) 0er-e) her o.t o/ a )rea(' The 11 A'2' A(tra- E(+ire ervice to Rhinecli//3 !e4 Yor-3 ha) sto++e) in 5o.gh-ee+sie3 an) a tall3 t4entyish3 st.bbly chinne) boy in )ar- bro4n s6.are 5a.l (ith glasses an) a Dece(berists T%shirt 4as stan)ing over her' 7Anybo)y sitting here89 he as-e)' 7!o+e39 she res+on)e) groggily3 scooting over' #e thre4 his bag .n)er the seat an) settle) in ne:t to ,enny' The train groane) along at abo.t a (ile an ho.r' ,enny sni//e) at the stale3 slightly s4eaty train car air an) 0iggle) her /oot3 thin-ing abo.t ho4 she 4as going to be s.+er%late /or chec-%in at Waverly Aca)e(y' he 4o.l)*ve been early i/ her )a)3 R./.s3 ha) )riven her .+ here in his bl.e beater Volvo 4agon;he*) +ractically begge) ,enny to let hi(;b.t ,enny ha)n*t 4ante) her .nshaven3 +eaceni- /ather to )ro+ her o// at her bran)%ne43 ha.te boar)ing school' &no4ing hi(3 he*) have trie) to start .+ an i(+ro(+t. +oetry sla( 4ith her ne4 class(ates an) sho4n o// ol) +ict.res o/ ,enny 4hen she 4as a la(e seventh gra)er an) 4ore nothing b.t /l.orescent green an) orange Ol) !avy /leeces' "(3 no than-s' 7Going to Waverly89 the boy as-e)' #e raise) his eyebro4s at the Waverly Academy Guide to Ethics that sat .no+ene) in ,enny*s la+' ,enny br.she) a bro4n ten)ril o.t o/ her eyes' 7Yeah39 she ans4ere)' 7I*( starting there this year'9 he co.l)n*t hi)e the enth.sias( in her voice;she 4as so e:cite) to start her bran)%ne4 boar)ing school that she /elt all 0iggly insi)e3 li-e she ha) to +ee' 7$resh(an89 7!o+e' o+ho(ore' I .se) to go to Constance <illar)' It*s in the city'9 ,enny 4as a little +lease) that she ha) a relatively chic +ast to re/er to3 or that it at least so.n)e) that 4ay' 7 o yo. 4ante) a change o/ +ace3 or 4hat89 #e /i))le) 4ith the stra+ o/ his 4orn leather 4atchban)' ,enny shr.gge)' This boy loo-e) li-e he 4as her brother Dan*s age' Dan ha) 0.st ta-en o// /or Evergreen College on the West Coast t4o )ays ago3 ta-ing nothing 4ith hi( e:ce+t /or t4o ).//el bags3 his 2ac G= la+to+3 an) t4o cartons o/ cigarettes' ,enny3 on the other han)3 ha) alrea)y shi++e) /o.r over%si>e bo:es an) a co.+le o/ giant ).//els to Waverly3 an) ha) l.gge) a giant s.itcase an) an overst.//e) bag 4ith her' In her hy+ere:cite) +re+aration /or boar)ing school3 she ha) +ractically bo.ght o.t the hair3 cos(etics3 an) /e(inine +ro).cts aisles at CV ; 4ho -ne4 4hat she*) nee) at boar)ing school? he*) also gone on a b.ying s+ree at Cl.b 2onaco3 ,'Cre43 an) <arneys 4ith the cre)it car) her )a) ha) lent her /or bac-%toschool sho++ing' 7&in)a39 she /inally ans4ere)'

The tr.th 4as3 she*) been as-e) to leave Constance; a++arently beca.se she 4as consi)ere) a 7ba) in/l.ence9 on the other girls' ,enny ha)n*t tho.ght she 4as being a ba) in/l.ence at all; she 4as 0.st trying to have /.n3 li-e every other girl at school' <.t so(eho43 all o/ her (o(ents o/ e:tre(e /.n ha) also been highly +.blici>e) an) e(barrassing@ a +ict.re o/ her boobs in a s+orts bra ha) sho4n .+ in a (aga>ine Ashe*) tho.ght it 4as a s+orts4ear (o)el shootB3 a Webcast o/ her +ractically na-e) b.tt ha) been s+rea) aro.n) the school3 an) she*) (a)e so(e ba) )ecisions abo.t 4hich boys she sho.l) (a-e o.t 4ith at vario.s +arties;an) o/ co.rse everybo)y ha) /o.n) o.t' The /inal stra4 ha) co(e a/ter ,enny ha) s+ent a night at the 5la>a #otel 4ith her brother*s ol) ban)3 the Raves' A +hotogra+h o/ her leaving the 5la>a in nothing b.t a /l.//y 4hite bathrobe ha) a++eare) online on 5age i: the ne:t )ay' R.(ors ha) /lo4n that ,enny 4as slee+ing 4ith all the Raves3 including her brother' E4? Concerne) +arents 6.ic-ly calle) .+ the Constance hea)(istress3 a/l.tter abo.t ,enny*s +ro(isc.ity' A/ter all3 Constance ha) a re+.tation /or e:cellence to .+hol)? Altho.gh ,enny ha)n*t even been 4ith one Rave3 let alone all o/ the(3 she ha)n*t e:actly 4ante) to deny the r.(or;she -in) o/ love) that everyone 4as tal-ing abo.t her' o as she*) sat 4ith the Constance <illar) hea)(istress3 2s' 2cLean3 in her +atriotic re)3 4hite3 an) bl.e o//ice bac- in the city3 ,enny ha) reali>e) so(ething h.ge@ it 4asn*t the en) o/ the 4orl) to get -ic-e) o.t o/ Constance' This 4as her chance to start over3 to reinvent hersel/ as the bl.n)er%/ree so+histicate she*) al4ays 4ante) to be' An) 4here 4as the classiest +lace to start over8 <oar)ing school3 o/ co.rse' 2.ch to her )a)*s chagrin;she 4as +retty s.re R./.s 4ante) her to live 4ith hi( in their "++er West i)e a+art(ent /orever;,enny ha) rabi)ly researche) a 4hole b.nch o/ schools an) to.re) a /e4' The /irst school ha) t.rne) o.t to have a strict )isci+linary co)e an) ha) been too boring /or 4or)s' Within (in.tes o/ getting to the secon) school3 on the other han)3 she*) been o//ere) Ecstasy an) ha) ta-en her to+ o//' <.t 0.st li-e the thir) be) /or Gol)iloc-s3 the thir) school that ,enny ha) teste)3 Waverly3 4as 0.st right' Well3 to tell the tr.th3 she ha)n*t act.ally visite) Waverly; she*) r.n o.t o/ ti(e3 a++lie) 4ay +ast the )ea)line3 an) ta-en so(e creative liberties 4ith her a++lication;b.t she*) loo-e) at tho.san)s o/ +ict.res online an) (e(ori>e) all the b.il)ing na(es an) ca(+.s (a+s' he 4as certain it 4o.l) be +er/ect' 7I .se) to go to Waverly*s rival39 the boy sai)3 +.lling a boo- o.t o/ his bag' 7 t' L.ci.s' O.r school hate) yo.r school'9 7Oh39 ,enny re+lie) 6.ietly3 sin-ing into her seat' 7I*( -i))ing'9 #e s(ile) an) t.rne) bac- to his boo-' ,enny notice) it 4as #enry 2iller*s Tropic of Cancer3 one o/ her )a)*s /avorites' Accor)ing to R./.s3 it ha) been banne) beca.se it 4as too righton in its vicio.s social co((entary abo.t love an) se: in !e4 Yor- City' #ello3 se: scenes' ,enny /elt her chee-s gro4ing +in-' Then she reali>e)@ she 4as acting li-e her ol)3 .nso+histicate) sel/' An) one thing 4as /or s.re@ Ol) ,enny obvio.sly 4asn*t 4or-ing /or her' ,enny st.)ie) the boy care/.lly' he )i)n*t -no4 hi( an) 4o.l) +robably never see hi( again3 so 4hy )i) she care 4hat he tho.ght o/ her8 At Waverly3 ,enny 4as going to be st.nning3 a(a>ing !e4 ,enny3 the girl 4ho belonge) at the center o/ everything' o 4hy not beco(e !e4 ,enny starting right now8

2.stering .+ her co.rage3 she .ncrosse) her ar(s to reveal her rather large )o.ble%D chest3 4hich see(e) even bigger3 since she 4as barely /ive /eet tall3 an) sat .+ straight' 7 o3 .(3 any goo) +arts in that boo-89 The boy loo-e) +.>>le)3 his eyes )arting bac- an) /orth /ro( ,enny*s innocent /ace to her chest to the 4orn +a+erbac-*s cover' $inally3 he 4rin-le) his nose an) ans4ere)3 72aybe'9 7Will yo. rea) so(e to (e89 The boy lic-e) his li+s' 7O-ay' <.t only i/ yo. rea) (e a line /ro( that boo- yo.*ve got there /irst'9 #e ta++e) the (aroon cover o/ her belove) Waverly Academy Guide to Ethics' 7 .re'9 ,enny o+ene) the r.le boo-' he*) receive) it a /e4 4ee-s ago an) ha) )evo.re) it cover to cover' he love) its +l.sh leather bin)ing3 its crea(y +a+er stoc-3 an) the n.rsery% rhy(ey3 slightly con)escen)ing3 slightly <ritish style in 4hich it 4as 4ritten' It so.n)e) so 4on)er/.lly +ro+er an) .+scale3 an) ,enny 4as s.re that by the ti(e she*) even s+ent a /e4 4ee-s at Waverly3 she*) be as +olishe)3 grace/.l3 an) +er/ect as A(an)a #earst3 the yo.ng socialite3 or the late Carolyn <essette &enne)y' he cleare) her throat' 7#ere*s a goo) one' CWaverly O4ls (ay not )ance in a se:.ally s.ggestive (anner in +.blic'*9 he la.ghe)' Di) that (ean they co.l) )ance in a se:.ally s.ggestive (anner in private8 7Do they really re/er to yo. as Waverly O4ls89 The boy leane) over to loo- at the +age' #e s(elle) li-e Ivory soa+' 7Yes?9 As she sai) it3 ,enny grinne)' he3 ,enny #.(+hrey3 4as going to be a Waverly O4l? he t.rne) the +age' 7CWaverly O4ls are not +er(itte) se:.al inti(acy' A Waverly O4l (.st not engage in activities that (ight be )angero.s3 s.ch as 0.(+ing o// the Richar)s <ri)ge' A Waverly O4l )oes not 4ear s+aghetti stra+s or (inis-irts above (i)thigh'*9 The boy snic-ere)' 7When they*re tal-ing abo.t a girl3 sho.l)n*t it be an O4lette89 ,enny sla((e) the boo- sh.t' 7O-ay' !o4 it*s yo.r t.rn'9 7Well3 I 0.st starte)3 so I*ll rea) /ro( the beginning'9 The boy s(ir-e) an) o+ene) to the /irst +age' 7C$ro( the very beginning3 I have traine) (ysel/ not to 4ant anything too ba)ly'*9 Funny3 ,enny tho.ght' he ha) the o++osite +roble(;she 4ante) everything way too ba)ly' 7CI 4as corr.+t3*9 he contin.e)' 7CCorr.+t /ro( the start'*9 7I*( corr.+t?9 ,enny bl.rte) o.t' 7<.t not /ro( the start'9 Ol) ,enny co.l)n*t believe 4hat !e4 ,enny 4as saying' 7Yeah89 #e close) the boo-' 7I*( a(3 by the 4ay'9 7,enny'9 he loo-e) )o4n to see i/ a( 4ante) her to sha-e his han)3 b.t it 4as still 4e)ge) .n)er his leg' They both s(ile) a4-4ar)ly' 7 o3 )oes yo.r corr.+tness have anything to )o 4ith 4hy yo.*re leaving !e4 Yor- /or boar)ing school89 a( as-e)' 72aybe'9 ,enny shr.gge)3 trying to be coy an) (ysterio.s at the sa(e ti(e' 7 +ill'9 he let o.t a sigh' he co.l) a)(it the tr.th3 b.t Everybody thought I was sleeping with all the guys in this band, and I didn t deny it so.n)e) -in) o/ sl.tty' De/initely not (ysterio.s or chic' o instea) she )eci)e) to ta-e so(e creative liberties' 7Well3 I 4as in a sort o/ ris6.D /ashion sho4'9 a(*s eyes glittere) 4ith interest' 7What )o yo. (ean89 he tho.ght /or a (o(ent' 7Well3 /or one loo-3 I 0.st ha) this bra%an)%.n)er4ear set on' An) heels' I g.ess it 4as a little too (.ch /or so(e +eo+le'9

This 4asn*t entirely a lie' ,enny had (o)ele) last year;/or a Les <est s+rea) in W (aga>ine' Clothe)' <.t clothes )i)n*t see( too interesting at the (o(ent' 7Really89 a( cleare) his throat an) rea)0.ste) his glasses' 7#ave yo. hear) o/ Tinsley Car(ichael8 Yo. sho.l) -no4 her'9 7Who89 7Tinsley Car(ichael' he goes to Waverly' I go to <ar) no43 b.t I (et her a co.+le ti(es at +arties last year' ' ' ' he ca(e to school in her o4n sea+lane' <.t so(eone tol) (e she )eci)e) to leave Waverly beca.se Wes An)erson o//ere) her the lea) in his ne:t (ovie'9 ,enny shr.gge)3 /eeling strangely co(+etitive 4ith;an) a 4ee bit e:cite) abo.t;this Tinsley girl' he so.n)e) li-e the i)eal !e4 ,enny' The e:ha.ste)%loo-ing train con).ctor sto(+e) )o4n the aisle an) grabbe) the tic-et o// the to+ o/ her seat' 7Rhinecli//3 ne:t'9 7Oh' This is (e'9 ,enny too- a )ee+ breath' It 4as really ha++ening? he loo-e) o.t the 4in)o43 e:+ecting to see so(ething tr.ly (agical3 b.t sa4 only l.sh green trees3 a 4i)e /iel)3 an) tele+hone +oles' till3 trees? A /iel)? The only /iel) in 2anhattan 4as hee+ 2ea)o4 in Central 5ar-3 an) it 4as al4ays /ille) 4ith )r.g )ealers an) really s-inny hal/%na-e) girls s.nbathing' he stoo) an) reache) /or her re) an) 4hite +ol-a%)otte) so/t%shell Le +ortsac bag an) the ol)%school bro4n a(sonite s.itcase she*) borro4e) /ro( her )a)' It ha) a big #"G !OT <O2< stic-er ne:t to the han)les' !ot very !e4 ,enny' As she str.ggle) to bring the case to the gro.n)3 a( stoo) to hel+ her3 +.lling it e//ortlessly o// the rac-' 7Than-s39 she sai)3 bl.shing' 7!o +roble('9 #e +.she) the hair o.t o/ his eyes' 7 o3 )o I get to see +ict.res o/ yo. at ' ' ' at the /ashion sho489 7I/ yo. search online39 ,enny lie)' he stare) o.t the 4in)o4 an) sa43 across a /iel)3 an ol) rooster 4eathervane on the to+ o/ a large3 /a)e) /ar(ho.se' 7The )esigner*s na(e is3 .(3 Rooster'9 7!ever hear) o/ hi('9 7#e*s -in) o/ obsc.re39 ,enny ans4ere) 6.ic-ly3 noting that the +olishe)3 +in- 5olo 4earing boy sitting behin) the( 4as )e/initely listening to their conversation' ,enny trie) to see 4hat he 4as ty+ing on his <lac-<erry3 b.t he covere) the screen 4hen he notice) her 4atching hi(' 7Yo. ' ' ' yo. sho.l) co(e to <ar) so(eti(e39 a( contin.e)' 7We have so(e -iller +arties' Great D,s an) st.//'9 7O-ay39 ,enny re+lie) over her sho.l)er3 raising her eye%bro4s 0.st a to.ch' 7Altho.gh3 yo. -no43 a Waverly O4l isn*t allo4e) to )ance in a se:.ally s.ggestive (anner'9 7I 4on*t tell on yo.39 he ans4ere)3 not ta-ing his eyes o// her chest' 7*<ye3 a(39 ,enny 4ave)3 .sing her (ost /lirty3 (.sical voice' he ste++e) o// the train onto the +lat/or( an) s.c-e) in a )ee+ breath o/ /resh co.ntry air' Whoa' !e4 ,enny 4o.l) ta-e a little getting .se) to?

RyanReynolds: #ey3 <enster' Welco(e bac-3 girl? BennyCunningham: #ey3 s4eetie? #o4*s li/e8

RyanReynolds: I ha) the 4orst ri)e .+ here in o.r +lane' 2y )a) has this (aniac +ilot an) they 4ere ya--ing at each other the 4hole ti(e an) going /aster an) /aster' ' ' ' BennyCunningham: !e:t ti(e yo. sho.l) /ly 4ith (e' I*ll let yo. sn.ggle 4ith (e .n)er (y +ash(ina' RyanReynolds: Go)3 yo.*re a tease' #ey3 )i) . c Callie*s +ic in Atlanta 2aga>ine8 BennyCunningham: !o3 b.t I hear) it nearly r.ine) her (o(' he ha) to )o )a(age control on Goo) 2orning Atlanta? RyanReynolds: Yeah3 C loo-s bo(be) in the +ic' BennyCunningham: Is she still 4ith EZ8 I*( going to 0.(+ hi( i/ she*s not' RyanReynolds: D.nno' o(eone tol) (e they sa4 hi( )ancing 4ith so(e gorgeo.s girl 4ith really bl.e eyes an) blac- )rea)s in Le:ington' BennyCunningham: orta so.n)s li-e Tinsley' E:ce+t /or the )rea)s' RyanReynolds: I -no4' Too ba) she 4on*t be at the +arty tonight' BennyCunningham: erio.sly'

E
A WAVERLY OWL #O"LD RE I T T#E "RGE TO LIC& #ER <OY$RIE!D $RO2 #EAD TO TOE'

allie Vernon set her l.ggage )o4n in the entrance4ay to D.(barton )or( roo( F1F an)

loo-e) aro.n)' The roo( 4as e:actly as she3 <rett3 an) Tinsley ha) le/t it; e:ce+t /or the laco/ e(+ty Diet Co-e bottles3 5arlia(ent b.ttG/ille) ashtrays3 an) CD cases stre4n all over the roo(' Last /all3 beca.se they*) only been so+ho(ores3 Callie an) her t4o best /rien)s3 <rett 2essersch(i)t an) Tinsley Car(ichael3 ha) been assigne) a horrible3 cra(+e) roo( 4ith only one 4in)o4' <.t then Tinsley ha) bribe) three )or-y senior girls to s4itch 4ith the( the /irst 4ee- o/ school by +ro(ising the( invites to the best secret +arties' They*) 4ante) this roo( beca.se it 4as bigger than (ost3 4ith case(ent 4in)o4s over%loo-ing the #.)son River3 an) beca.se it 4as close to the /ire esca+e;i)eal /or snea-ing o.t a/ter c.r/e4'

<rett ha)n*t arrive) bac- at school yet3 an) Tinsley ha) been e:+elle) at the en) o/ school last year' They*) been ca.ght on Ecstasy in the (i))le o/ the r.gby /iel)s at /ive in the (orning by 2r' 5.rcell3 the .+tight +hysics teacher3 4ho li-e) going r.nning 4ith his three i(+eccably groo(e) giant schna.>ers be/ore s.nrise' It 4as the /irst ti(e they*) ever trie) E3 an) it ha) ta-en the( a (o(ent to sto+ la.ghing at the ri)ic.lo.s%loo-ing )ogs be/ore reali>ing 4hat enor(o.s tro.ble they 4ere in' The girls ha) all been calle) into the hea)%(aster*s o//ice se+arately;/irst Tinsley3 then Callie3 then <rett;b.t the only one to get in any real tro.ble 4as Tinsley3 4ho 4as +ro(+tly boote) o.t o/ Waverly' Callie ca.ght a gli(+se o/ hersel/ in the 0.st%Win)e:e) (irror over the anti6.e oa- b.rea. an) straightene) her 4hite ,ill t.art shell to+ an) +leate) le(on%yello4 Tocca s-irt' he*) lost a /e4 +o.n)s over the s.((er an) the si)e >i++er -e+t sli)ing aro.n) to her belly b.tton' Callie 4as thin no43 (aybe a little too thin3 an) /rec-ly /ro( the s.((er' #er hair 4as long an) shaggy3 an) her ro.n)3 ha>el eyes 4ere /anne) by thic-3 blon)%ti++e) eyelashes' he +.c-ere) her li+s3 ble4 a -iss at the (irror3 an) /elt an an:io.s /l.tter in her chest' All this s.((er3 Callie*s (in) ha) s+.n3 thin-ing abo.t 4hy Tinsley ha) been e:+elle) an) she an) <rett ha)n*t been' #a) <rett set it .+ that 4ay8 <rett 4as s.+ersecretive abo.t her li/e at ho(e;her (o( an) )a) never ca(e to 5arents* Day3 an) <rett never invite) anybo)y to her ho.se in East #a(+ton /or long 4ee-en)s' Tinsley ha) once )ro++e) a hint that <rett ha) so(e /a(ily iss.es she )i)n*t 4ant anybo)y to -no4 abo.t' Co.l) <rett really have orchestrate) Tinsley*s e:+.lsion so she 4o.l)n*t e:+ose her secrets8 It so.n)e) totally soa+%o+eraish3 b.t <rett 4as so (elo)ra(atic so(eti(es that Callie 4o.l)n*t +.t it +ast her' Callie nestle) into her )es- chair3 act.ally gla) to be bac- at school' <eyon) not tal-ing to her t4o best /rien)s;she ha)n*t hear) a +ee+ /ro( either o/ the(;her s.((er ha) been a )isaster' $irst3 there*) been the Atlanta !aga"ine +hoto o/ Callie at Cl.b Co(+o.n)3 )ancing on a table 4ith a vanilla (artini in her han)' The ca+tion rea)3 #verserved and underage$ Is this appropriate behavior for a governor s daughter% !ee)less to say3 that ha)n*t gone over 4ell 4ith her (other*s conservative Georgian voters' Oo+s' A/ter that night(are3 Callie ha) /lo4n to her /a(ily*s chalet in <arcelona;2r' Vernon 4as +art +anish an) s+ent his s.((ers 4or-ing on real estate )eals in E.ro+e' he ha) ho+e) that <arcelona 4o.l) be the +er/ect bac-)ro+ /or a ro(antic ren%)e>vo.s 4ith her boy/rien)3 Easy Walsh' <.t that visit ha) been anything b.t ro(antic' Try /rea-y' 7#ey39 ca(e a gravelly voice behin) her' Callie 4heele) aro.n)' Easy' There he 4as3 all r.(+le)3 se:y si: /eet o/ hi(3 stan)ing in her )oor4ay3 loo-ing (ore gorgeo.s than ever' 7Oh?9 he /elt her +al(s get slic- 4ith s4eat' 7#o4 are yo.89 he as-e)3 +.lling at the 4orn he( o/ his +olo shirt' #is glossy al(ost%blachair c.rle) aro.n) his nec- an) ears' 7Con/.se)9 4o.l) have been a reasonable ans4er' The last ti(e she*) seen Easy 4as 4hen she*) )ro++e) hi( o// at the <arcelona air+ort' They ha)n*t -isse) goo)bye3 an) they*) barely even s+o-en the 4hole last )ay o/ his visit' 7$ine39 she re+lie) ca.tio.sly' 7#o4 )i) yo. get in here8 Di) Angelica see yo.89 #er )or( (istress3 Angelica 5ar)ee3 4as really strict abo.t allo4ing boys in the all%girls* )or( e:ce+t ).ring 7visitation39 4hich 4as only /or an ho.r bet4een s+orts +ractice an) )inner' 7Yo. loo- too s-inny39 Easy sai) so/tly3 ignoring Callie*s 6.estions' Callie /ro4ne)' 7Do yo. 4ant to get in tro.ble on the /irst )ay o/ school89 7Yo.r boobs are going a4ay39 he contin.e)'

7Go)39 she (.ttere) in annoyance' The tr.th 4as3 she ha)n*t been h.ngry all s.((er;not even /or <arcelona%style +aella3 her /avorite' he 4as too nervo.s to eat3 or to )o (.ch o/ anything3 really' The last /e4 4ee-s in +ain she*) s+ent on the co.ch3 loo-ing li-e an .nstr.ct.re) slob3 4earing her slightly ragge)3 4hite Dior string bi-ini an) so(e ol) ri++e) batisarong she*) +ic-e) .+ /or ne:t to nothing in a <arcelona o.t%)oor (ar-et3 4atching ho.rs an) ho.rs o/ The &urreal 'ife in +anish' An) she )i)n*t even s+ea- (.ch +anish' 7What are yo. )oing bac- so soon89 Easy 4as .s.ally /ashionably late to Waverly chec-%in; another no%no;beca.se he arrive) in a tractor%trailer 4ith his Thoro.ghbre)3 Cre)o3 4ho he -e+t on ca(+.s' 7Cre)o*s co(ing ne:t 4ee-3 so there 4as no reason /or (e to be late'9 #e loo-e) at Callie' They*) been together since last /all3 b.t he*) ha) a har) ti(e getting +syche) to see her bac- at school a/ter his +arents ha) receive) an angry note /ro( Dean 2ary(o.nt over the s.((er saying he*) be 4atching Easy care/.lly this year' A++arently there 4ere r.les to .+hol)3 an) 0.st beca.se Easy 4as a legacy;his gran)/ather3 /ather3 an) three ol)er brothers ha) all atten)e) Waverly;)i)n*t (ean he co.l) ben) those r.les' o instea) o/ hea)ing .+ to school a 4ee- late 4ith Cre)o3 Easy ha) /lo4n alone on a chartere) +lane /ro( &ent.c-y to !e4 Yor- 4ith leather reclining seats an) .nli(ite) cha(+agne' o.n)s great3 right8 E:ce+t it 4asn*t e:actly 4hat Easy ha) ha) in (in)' Easy reg.larly /antasi>e) abo.t getting -ic-e) o.t o/ Waverly Aca)e(y;.ntil he re(e(bere) his /ather*s bargain' I/ Easy gra).ate) /ro( Waverly3 he co.l) ta-e a +ostgra).ate year in 5aris' #is /ather even ha) a big a+art(ent in the Latin H.arter all rea)y /or Easy*s year abroa)' 5aris;ho4 cool 4o.l) that be8 #e*) )rin- absinthe3 +aint street scenes /ro( his be)roo( 4in)o43 an) ri)e along the eine on an ancient3 ric-ety 5e.geot bi-e3 a Ga.loise hanging /ro( his (o.th' #e co.l) s(o-e his brains o.t an) nobo)y 4o.l) give hi( shit /or it? 7Yo. going to the +arty at Richar)s* lo.nge tonight89 Callie as-e)' Easy shr.gge)' 7!ot s.re'9 #e stoo) 0.st insi)e the )oor /ra(e' Callie +.lle) a /oot o.t o/ her +ointy%toe) <.rberry loa/er an) rolle) her ballerina%+in+ainte) toes against the /loor' A horrible /eeling o/ )rea) 4ashe) over her' Why 4o.l)n*t Easy 4ant to go to the /irst +arty o/ the year8 Everybody 4ent to the /irst +arty o/ the year' Was he seeing so(eone else8 o(eone he 4ante) to be alone 4ith on the /irst night o/ school8 7Well3 I*( going39 she sai) 6.ic-ly3 crossing her ar(s' !either one ha) (a)e a (ove to4ar) the other' <.t 4ith his (.sse) hair3 broa) sho.l)ers3 an) gol)en%bro4n /orear(s3 Easy loo-e) so irresistible3 Callie 4as )ying to lic- hi( /ro( hea) to toe' 7Di) yo. have a goo) s.((er a/ter +ain89 she s6.ea-e)3 trying to so.n) as in)i//erent as +ossible' 7I g.ess' Le:ington 4as ass%boring as .s.al'9 #e +.lle) a tooth+ic- /ro( behin) his ear an) +lace) it bet4een his slightly cha++e) li+s' Callie leane) against her anti6.e 4hite%+ainte) 4oo) be) /ra(e' #is visit to +ain ha) been tainte) /ro( the start' Easy ha) ha) to /ly coach class3 an) 4hen he*) arrive)3 he*) been terse an) gr.// an) ha) hea)e) straight to the bar;not one o/ those c.te little o.t)oor ca/Ds straight o.t o/ The &un Also (ises3 b.t si(+ly the closest bar +ossible3 at the air+ort' Then he*) +asse) o.t on the Vernons* co.ch3 4hich 4as a real +roble( since Callie*s )a) needed to sit on that co.ch to 4atch the international /ee) o/ C!! every single (in.te he 4asn*t 4or-ing'

Callie tilte) her hi+s /or4ar) an) che4e) on her /reshly (anic.re) th.(bnail' 7Well3 that*s nice39 she res+on)e) /inally' he 4ishe) she co.l) 0.st 4ra+ her ar(s aro.n) hi( an) -iss hi( every4here3 b.t she co.l)n*t e:actly )o that 4hen he ha)n*t even trie) to h.g her hello' Then she s+ie) a /a(iliar /ig.re behin) Easy an) her heart starte) racing' 72r' Walsh?9 cro4e) Angelica 5ar)ee3 D.(barton*s )or( (istress' Angelica 4asn*t even thirty3 b.t she see(e) to be in a h.rry to enter (i))le age' To)ay she 4as 4earing a thin3 sha+eless tan car)igan3 a straight3 -nee%length blac- s-irt3 an) sensible blac- Easy +irits' #er calves 4ere a little veiny an) 4ay too bl.ish%4hite3 an) she 4ore no (a-e.+' 7Do I have to re+ort yo. alrea)y89 Easy 0.(+e)' 7I*( sorry39 he a+ologi>e)3 )a>e)ly +ressing his han) to his hea)3 as i/ he ha) a(nesia' 7I haven*t been here in so long3 an)3 li-e3 I /orgot 4hich )or( I 4as in'9 #e loo-e) across the roo(3 )irectly into Callie*s eyes3 an) she /elt her ar(s goose%b.(+' 7 ee yo. later89 she /inally (o.the)' #e no))e) ever so slightly' 7 tables89 she 4his+ere)' 7To(orro489 he (o.the) bac-' 7Why not tonight89 Callie 4ante) to as-' <.t she )i)n*t' 72r' Walsh?9 Angelica +ractically s+at3 gri++ing the c.// o/ his shirt' #er /ace 4as an abnor(al re)' 7O-ay?9 Easy yel+e)' 7I said I 4as leaving'9 Angelica shoo- her hea) an) .shere) Easy )o4n the hall' Callie t.rne) an) stare) o.t the 4in)o4' The aban)one) stables 4ere 4here they .se) to go last year to /ool aro.n)' Only a /e4 st.)ents -e+t horses at school3 so several o/ the stalls 4ere al4ays e(+ty' he hate) that she ha) ha) to s.ggest they (eet there3 an) not the other 4ay aro.n)' Droves o/ /resh(en l.(bere) .+ D.(barton*s ste+s3 carrying 4ay too (.ch l.ggage' Callie notice) ho4 over4hel(e) the girls see(e)' he co.l) relate' There 4ere so (any things abo.t boar)ing school that yo. co.l)n*t +lan /or' They*) soon )iscover that they )i)n*t nee) hal/ their shit an) that they ha) /orgotten the really i(+ortant st.//;li-e e(+ty sha(+oo bottles to hi)e vo)-a in' he 4atche) the throng o/ /resh(an girls +art as Easy strolle) )o4n the D.(barton ste+s3 no))ing to the ne43 innocent /aces' Go)3 it 4as har) )ating s.ch a /lirt' he +.t her hea) in her han)s' It 4as so obvio.s 4hat ha) gone 4rong in +ain' The last night they*) s+ent together3 she*) a)(itte) so(ething to Easy that 4as so big an) so scary /or her to say' An) 4hat ha) been his ans4er8 !othing' ilence' Callie sighe)' They*) have to tal- abo.t it to(orro43 altho.gh she ho+e) they*) be )oing a lot (ore than 0.st tal-ing'

BennyCunningham: 2y brother*s /rien) at E:eter tol) (e there*s a ne4 girl at Waverly 4ho*s a stri++er /ro( !YC' HeathFerro: 8?8 BennyCunningham: Ye+' o(e cl.b na(e) ' ' ' #en 5arty8 Chic-en #.t8 #orse table8 I thinin <roo-lyn8 I ha) (y co.sin 4ho lives in the Village loo- it .+;it*s the -in) o/ +lace 4here . ta-e it all o//' Thong incl.)e)'

HeathFerro: When can I (eet her8 BennyCunningham: #eath3 yo.*re nasty' HeathFerro: Don*t yo. -no4 it3 baby?

F
A WAVERLY OWL #O"LD &EE5 #ER GRA!!Y <RA #IDDE! AT ALL TI2E '

7R

ight here is /ine39 ,enny tol) the cab)river as soon as she s+ie) the )iscreet (aroon sign

rea)ing WAVERLY ACADE2Y hanging /ro( a tree ne:t to a tiny3 one%story bric- b.il)ing' Waverly 4asn*t /ar /ro( the train station3 b.t ,enny ha)n*t been able to get here /ast eno.gh' 7Yo. s.re89 The cab)river t.rne) aro.n)3 revealing a thin bea-y nose an) a /a)e) light bl.e Yan-ees ca+' 7<eca.se the /ront o//ice is;9 7I*( a st.)ent here39 ,enny interr.+te)3 /eeling a thrill ri++le thro.gh her chest as she s+o-e' 7I -no4 4here the /ront o//ice is'9 The cab)river thre4 .+ his han)s in )e/eat' 7Yo.*re the boss'9 ,enny han)e) hi( a t4enty3 ste++e) o.t o/ the cab3 an) loo-e) aro.n)' he 4as here' Waverly' The grass see(e) greener3 the trees taller3 an) the s-y cleaner an) bl.er than any4here she*) ever been be/ore' There 4ere l.sh evergreens on all si)es3 an) on her right 4as a 4i)e3 cobblestone +ath sna-ing .+ a hill' A green /iel) s+rea) o.t to her le/t3 an) in the )istance a /e4 boys in Abercro(bie /atig.e shorts 4ere -ic-ing aro.n) a soccer ball' The 4hole +lace smelled o/ boar)ing school' Li-e the )ee+ 4oo)s3 4hich she*) only been in a /e4 ti(es3 be/ore she -ne4 better than to acco(+any her )a) an) his -oo-y anarchist b.))ies on ca(+ing tri+s in so.thern Ver(ont' A crea(%colore) 2erce)es convertible s4e+t +ast her' he hear) a stately cloc- to4er bong o.t one o*cloc-' 7Yes39 she 4his+ere)3 h.gging hersel/' he ha) )e/initely arrive)' The tr.th 4as3 she*) 4ante) to get o.t o/ the cab beca.se she co.l)n*t 4ait a secon) longer to +lant her /eet on Waverly gro.n)3 not beca.se she -ne4 e:actly 4here she 4as going' taring at the little bric- b.il)ing besi)e her3 she reali>e) that ivy ha) gro4n over the 4in)o4s an) the )oor 4as r.ste) sh.t' This )e/initely 4asn*t the /ront o//ice3 4here she nee)e) to chec- in'

Another car3 this one a battleshi+%gray <entley3 +asse) her' ,enny )eci)e) to /ollo4 the +ara)e o/ l.:.ry cars' he )ragge) her bags .+ the /reshly (o4e) hill3 her -itten heels sin-ing into the slightly 4et3 s+ringy la4n' A r.nning trac- circle) o// to her right3 /lan-e) by tall 4hite bleachers' A /e4 girls 4ere r.nning bris-ly aro.n) the trac-3 their +onytails bo.ncing' At the to+ o/ the hill3 above the )ar- green trees3 she co.l) see a 4hite ch.rch s+ire an) the slate roo/s o/ so(e (ore re)bricb.il)ings' The boys 4ith the soccer ball ha) sto++e) +laying an) 4ere no4 stan)ing together3 staring in her )irection' Were they staring at her8 7D*yo. nee) a ri)e89 a (ale voice interr.+te) her tho.ghts' ,enny loo-e) over3 an) sa4 a tan3 (i))le%age) (an 4ith )a>>ling 4hite teeth hanging o.t the )river%si)e 4in)o4 o/ a silver Ca)illac Escala)e' he co.l) see her re/lection in his Ray%<an aviator s.nglasses' he loo-e) a4-4ar) an) silly 4earing a too%tight Lacoste cotton +olo shirt an) )ragging her l.ggage .+ the hill in a +air o/ +ointy +in- -itten%heel san)als' he*) bo.ght the shirt at <loo(ing)ale*s beca.se she*) been s.re it 4o.l) (a-e her /eel li-e she absol.tely belonge) at boar)ing school3 an) she ha) gone bac- to visit the san)als several ti(es be/ore they /inally 4ent on sale so she co.l) b.y the(' 7"(3 s.re' I*( going to the /ront o//ice'9 he sli) into the bac-seat o/ the "V3 4hich s(elle) li-e ne4 car' A )irty%blon) boy 4ith chisele) /eat.res 4as sitting in the +assenger seat loo-ing s.l-y3 b.t he )i)n*t t4ist aro.n) to s+ea- to her' 7I )on*t -no43 #eath39 the (an tol) the boy 6.ietly' 7Yo. (ay not be able to have the +arty ;yo.r (other an) I (ight nee) the Woo)stoc- ho.se that 4ee-en)'9 72otherfuc)er39 the boy hisse) .n)er is breath' #is /ather sighe)' ,enny barely ac-no4le)ge) the boy*s r.)eness' he only ha) ears /or one 4or)@ +arty' he /elt /.nny3 tho.gh3 as-ing the boy abo.t it3 since he see(e) +retty +isse) o//' The car sto++e) at an enor(o.s re)%bric- b.il)ing 4ith a s(all (aroon sign ne:t to the stone +ath4ay that sai) $RO!T O$$ICE' ,enny s6.ea-e) her than-s3 grabbe) her bags3 an) (a)e a beeline /or the )oor' Insi)e3 the 4aiting roo( 4as ballroo( si>e3 4ith shiny /loors (a)e o/ )ar- cherry 4oo)' A large crystal chan)elier h.ng /ro( the )o.ble%height ceiling' $o.r b.tter%colore) leather co.ches 4ere arrange) in a s6.are aro.n) a heavy tea- co//ee table3 an) a bea.ti/.l3 a(ber%haire) boy 4as stretche) o.t on one o/ the(3 rea)ing F*! an) eating a bag o/ $ritos' 7Can I hel+ yo.89 so(eone as-e) behin) her' ,enny 0.(+e)' he t.rne) an) sa4 a La.ra AshleyGcla) ol)er 4o(an 4ith a very hairs+raye) gray bob an) 4atery bl.e eyes 4earing a na(e tag that rea) #ELLO3 2Y !A2E I 2R ' T"LLI!GTO! sitting behin) a )es- 4ith a little 4hite sign that rea) !EW T"DE!T * C#EC&%I!' 7#i?9 ,enny +ee+e)' 7I*( ,enni/er #.(+hrey' I*( a ne4 st.)ent?9 he st.)ie) the Welcome to Waverly sche).le that 4as ta+e) to the )es-' chool )i)n*t o//icially begin .ntil to(orro4 night at the orientation 4elco(e )inner3 b.t s+orts tea( tryo.ts 4o.l) ta-e +lace to(orro4 ).ring the )ay' 2rs' T.llington ty+e) so(e in/or(ation into a +ristine3 g.n(etal%gray ony la+to+3 an) then she /ro4ne)' 7There*s a +roble('9 ,enny stare) at her blan-ly' +roblem8 There 4ere no +roble(s in (agical Waverly lan)? Loo- at ho4 gorgeo.s that $rito%eating boy 4as? 7We have yo. )o4n as a boy39 2rs' T.llington contin.e)' 7Wait3 4hat89 ,enny sna++e) bac- to conscio.sness' 7Di) yo. say a boy89

7Yes ' ' ' 4e have yo. here as !r' ,enni/er #.(+hrey'9 The ol)er 4o(an see(e) /l.stere)3 /li++ing +a+ers bac- an) /orth' 7 o(e st.)ents have very ol) /a(ily na(es3 yo. see3 an) (aybe the a)(issions co((ittee tho.ght ,enni/er 4as;9 7Oh39 ,enny re+lie) sel/%conscio.sly3 t4isting aro.n) to see i/ the boy on the co.ch ha) hear)3 b.t he 4as gone' All the Waverly (ail she*) gotten ha) been a))resse) to a 2r' ,enni/er #.(+hrey' he*) ass.(e) it 4as 0.st a ty+o' What a ).(b thing to ass.(e' &o Ol) ,enny' 7What )oes that (ean8 I ha) all (y bags shi++e) to the ' ' ' the Richar)s )or(3 I thin- it 4as89 7Yes3 b.t that*s the boys* )or('9 2rs' T.llington e:+laine) this slo4ly3 as i/ ,enny )i)n*t get it' 7We*ll have to /in) another s+ace /or yo.'9 he /li++e) thro.gh so(e +a+ers' 7The girls* )or(s are all /ille) .+' ' ' '9 he +ic-e) .+ the +hone' 7We*ll sort this o.t' <.t go see i/ yo.r things are in Richar)s )or(' They 4o.l) have been sent to the lo.nge on the /irst /loor; that*s 4here all (aile) l.ggage is hel)' It*s )o4n the +ath to yo.r right3 /o.rth b.il)ing' There*s a sign' We*ll sen) so(eone /or yo. once 4e /ig.re this o.t'9 7O-ay39 ,enny re+lie) ha++ily3 +ict.ring all the hot3 shirt%less +re++y boys she 4as abo.t to see lo.nging aro.n) Richar)s' 7!o +roble('9 7The (ain )oor sho.l) be o+en' <.t )on*t go into any o/ the roo(s' They*re o// li(its?9 2rs' T.llington calle) a/ter her' 7O/ co.rse39 ,enny agree)' 7Than- yo.?9 ,enny stoo) on the stone +orch o/ the /ront o//ice' $ro( st.)ying the ca(+.s (a+s3 she*) learne) that Waverly*s )or(s3 cha+el3 a.)itori.(3 an) classroo(s 4ere all lai) o.t in a big circle3 4ith the soccer /iel)s in the center' At the bac- o/ the circle 4ere the cre4 ho.ses3 the #.)son River3 the art gallery3 the botany labs3 an) the library' All o/ the b.il)ings see(e) to be (a)e o/ bric-3 4ith ol)3 heavy 4in)o4s an) 4hite tri(' trolling e:cite)ly to4ar) the )or(s3 ,enny ha) to 4ill hersel/ not to s-i+' Girls in beat%.+ Citi>ens 0eans an) ragge) grosgrain /li+%/lo+s 4ere s+illing o.t o/ 2erce)es "Vs an) A.)i 4agons3 h.gging other girls an) tal-ing e:cite)ly abo.t 4hat ha) ha++ene) over the s.((er at their co.ntry ho.ses on 2artha*s Vineyar) an) in the #a(+tons' <oys in >i+%.+ hoo)e) s4eatshirts an) ca(o shorts 4ere ra((ing into each other 4ith their sho.l)ers' One g.y carrying a Lo.is V.itton ).//el sho.te)3 7I )i) so (.ch E this s.((er3 (y brain is /rie)?9 ,enny /elt her bo)y sti//en3 s.))enly inti(i)ate)' Everyone loo-e) so bea.ti/.l;scr.bbe) an) clean an) /ashionable 4itho.t even trying to be3 4hich 4as so (.ch cooler than s+en)ing ho.rs +ri(+ing3 li-e she .s.ally )i);an) li-e they*) -no4n one another /orever' ,enny too- a )ee+ breath an) contin.e) along the +ath' Then3 o.t o/ no4here3 a giant +otatoli-e thing s4oo+e) )o4n3 (a-ing a horri/ic ca4ing noise3 an) /le4 abo.t an inch /ro( ,enny*s /ace' 7Aghh?9 she screa(e)3 s4atting in /ront o/ her' he 4atche) as the thing soare) into a tree' cary? It loo-e) li-e a rat on steroi)s' <ehin) her3 ,enny hear) a snic-er an) 4heele) aro.n)' All the girls 4ere still tal-ing to one another3 b.t t4o boys in bac-%4ar)s W baseball ca+s 4ere sitting on a stone 4all3 4atching' Then she notice) that in her /right3 she*) )ro++e) her over+ac-e) s.itcase on the +ath3 an) it ha) s+r.ng o+en' #h, God' #er giant n.)e e:tra%s.++ort bras3 the -in) 4ith the e:tra hoo-%an)%eye clas+ an) +a))e) stra+s that she ha) to .se 4hen she ha) her +erio)3 4ere all over the gro.n)' They 4ere bras a h.ge3 ).(+y gran)(other (ight 4ear' he 6.ic-ly shove) the bras bac- in her s.itcase3 +ee-ing to see i/ the t4o boys sitting on the 4all ha) notice)' They 4ere alrea)y greeting so(e other g.y in a 4hite baseball ca+3 )oing that han)%grab hal/%h.g thing that g.ys )o3 not +aying any attention to ,enny' With the /resh air an)

l.sh3 ra(bling scenery3 (aybe oversi>e) boobs an) bras 4eren*t the -in) o/ thing Waverly -i)s notice)' ' ' ' Then the ne4 arrival t.rne) to ,enny an) to.che) the bri( o/ his ratty 4hite baseball ca+ 4ith his in)e: /inger' #e gave her a 4in-3 as i/ to say3 The air might be fresh, but we re not totally blind'

=
WAVERLY OWL &!OW T#AT CLEA! L"!G 2A&E $OR #EALT#Y #OOTI!G?

<

ran)on <.chanan sat on one o/ his a(sonites an) stare) at #eath $erro' !o (atter 4hen

he arrive) on ca(+.s3 he al4ays sa4 #eath /irst' Even tho.gh they 4ere roo((ates3 <ran)on /o.n) #eath really annoying (ost o/ the ti(e' 7I bro.ght a carton o/ s(o-es39 #eath bragge) as he .n>i++e) his blac- (e)i.(%si>e T.(i ).//el an) sho4e) <ran)on the e)ge o/ the Ca(el 7.n/iltere)9 bo:' They 4ere in Richar)s* lo.nge3 4aiting to get roo( assign(ents' It 4as 0.st a nor(al co((on roo(;the (eeting s+ot 4here the g.ys 4atche) &portsCenter3 share) sa.sage +i>>as /ro( Ritoli*s3 an) /lirte) 4ith c.te girls ).ring visiting ho.r;b.t still3 the lo.nge /elt English an) regal' The crea(%colore) +laster ceilings 4ere /i/teen /eet high3 4ith )ar- 4oo)en bea(s3 an) there 4ere co(/ortable3 4orn leather ar(chairs scattere) all over the +lace' An ol) cabinet TV that got three net4or- stations an)3 ran)o(ly3 E 5!3 loo(e) in the corner' On the /loor lay a h.ge3 ornate Oriental car+et' Careless cigarette b.rn holes (a)e the r.g loo- even (ore historic' 7That*ll last yo. abo.t a 4ee-39 <ran)on sco//e)3 +.shing his short 4avy gol)en%bro4n hair bac- into its )eliberately to.%sle) +lace' #eath s(o-e) li-e a /ien) right o.tsi)e Richar)s even tho.gh s(o-ing 4as /orbi))en on ca(+.s3 b.t the /ac.lty constantly loo-e) the other 4ay' It (ight*ve been beca.se o/ #eath*s st.nning goo) loo-s;he 4as tall3 lean3 an) athletic3 4ith gol)%/lec-e) green eyes3 shar+ chee-bones3 an) shaggy )ar- blon) hair' <.t (ore li-ely3 it 4as #eath*s /a(ily that -e+t hi( o.t o/ tro.ble' #eath*s /ather ha) )onate) /o.r an) a hal/ (illion )ollars /or the Oly(+ic%si>e natatori.( an) another (illion /or a three%/loor a))ition to the renovate) botany library3 so #eath co.l) +retty (.ch )o as he )a(n 4ell +lease) an) never get so (.ch as a 4arning' 7Yo. bring yo.r 4eir) girly crea( 4ith yo. this year89 #eath tease)'

7It*s (oist.ri>er39 <ran)on clari/ie)' 7It*s (oist.ri>er39 #eath echoe) in a high%+itche) voice' o 4hat i/ <ran)on too- goo) care o/ his s-in8 An) li-e) nice clothes an) shoes an) li-e) his 4avy hair to be 0.st so8 #e 4as ne.rotic abo.t his height;he 4as only /ive%eight;an) shave) his chest beca.se he hate) the tiny little hairs that gre4 in the cave)%in +art o/ his breastbone' #is less%clean /rien)s b.ste) on hi( to no en)' <.t so 4hat8 7Who yo. thin- they*re gonna roo( .s 4ith89 #eath as-e)' 7Don*t -no4' 2aybe Ryan' "nless he gets a single again'9 Ryan Reynol)s*s /ather ha) invente) the so/t contact lens an) o+enly .se) his 4ealth as leverage to his son*s a)vantage' Lots o/ -i)s* +arents bribe) the school3 b.t .s.ally it 4as -e+t a secret' #eath snic-ere)' 72aybe yo.*ll get +aire) .+ 4ith Walsh'9 7!ah3 even the a)(inistration -no4s better than that39 <ran)on re+lie)' ,.st the so.n) o/ that na(e;Walsh3 as in Easy Walsh;(a)e <ran)on*s bloo) c.r)le' 7 o3 ho4*s !atasha89 #eath recite) her na(e 4ith a ba) R.ssian accent' <ran)on sighe)' Last A+ril he ha) starte) going o.t 4ith !atasha Woo)3 4ho 4ent to 2illbroo- Aca)e(y3 a/ter Easy stole his ol) girl/rien)3 Callie Vernon3 /ro( hi(' 7We bro-e .+ t4o 4ee-s ago'9 7!o shit' Yo. cheat89 7!ah'9 7What3 then89 <ran)on shr.gge)' They*) bro-en .+ beca.se he 4as still (oony over Callie' #e an) !atasha ha) been (a-ing o.t on the #ar4ich (ain beach in Ca+e Co)3 an) <ran)on ha) acci)entally calle) !atasha Callie by (ista-e' Oo+s' !atasha ha) cli(be) .+ the ric-ety 4oo)en li/eg.ar) stan) an) re/.se) to co(e )o4n .ntil <ran)on 4ent a4ay' $orever' 7Whose st.// is that89 #eath loo-e) across the roo( an) -ic-e) his /eet .+ on the bro4n t4ee) co.ch' There 4as a 4hole +ile o/ bright +in- canvas L'L' <ean bags that )i)n*t have an o4ner yet' <ran)on shr.gge)' 7Don*t -no4'9 #e +ic-e) .+ one o/ the tags' 7C,enni/er #.(+hrey'*9 7There*s going to be a g.y na(e) ,enni/er #.(+hrey in this )or(8 $rea-y'9 7!o3 I m ,enni/er'9 A little c.rly%haire) girl in a s4eet light +.r+le 2arc ,acobs -noc-o// s-irt stoo) in the co((on%roo( )oor4ay' <ran)on -ne4 the s-irt 4as a -noc-o//3 beca.se he*) bo.ght !atasha the real )eal this s.((er' This ,enni/er ha) a tiny .+t.rne) nose an) +in- chee-s an) 4ore little s-inny%heele) +in- shoes 4ith tiny c.t%o.ts at the /ront so he co.l) 0.st gli(+se her toes +ee-ing thro.gh' 7#i39 she sai) si(+ly' 7"h39 <ran)on sta((ere)' 7Yo.*re not ' ' ' s.++ose) to be;9 7!o ' ' ' act.ally ' ' ' I a('9 he la.ghe) a little' 7I 4as assigne) to this )or('9 7 o yo.*re !ister ,enni/er #.(+hrey89 #eath b.tte) in3 crossing one /oot over the other' 7Yeah' Waverly ha) (e )o4n as a g.y'9 <ran)on ha) a +retty goo) i)ea 4hat #eath 4as thin-ing right then@ With tits li)e those, you certainly don t loo) li)e a guy' Go)3 his /rien)s annoye) hi( so(eti(es' 7I*( <ran)on'9 #e o//ere) his han) +olitely3 ste++ing in /ront o/ #eath' ,enny t.gge) at her s-irt' 7#ello'9 he /elt a little /l.stere)' O/ the seven boys 4ho 4ere (illing aro.n) the lo.nge 4ith their st.//3 she*) +ic-e) o.t the t4o c.test' <ran)on 4as gorgeo.s3 4ith his /la4less s-in3 +er/ect )ar- gol) hair3 an) long3 l.:.rio.s eyelashes3 b.t he

4as +rettier than she 4as? ,enny li-e) boys 4ho loo-e) a bit ro.gher an) (essier3 li-e the one sitting behin) <ran)on3 4hose )irty blon) hair 4as slightly greasy an) 4hose &elly green o:/or) shirt loo-e) sle+t in' he stare) at hi( again3 reali>ing that he 4as the boy 4ho*) given her the ri)e .+ the hill' The one 4ho 4as having the +arty' Di)n*t he recogni>e her8 7I*( 0.st s.++ose) to 4ait here .ntil they /ig.re o.t 4hat to )o 4ith (e'9 he loo-e) )irectly behin) <ran)on3 trying to 0og his hot /rien)*s (e(ory' 7Can I hang o.t 4ith yo.89 he trie) to -ee+ her voice stea)y' ,ew -enny does not s.uea) when inviting herself to hang out with hot boarding school boys/ she silently scol)e) hersel/3 )igging her nails into her +al(s' 7 .re39 the g.y ans4ere)3 staring )irectly at her chest' 7What are yo. )oing here3 any4ay89 ,enny loo-e) aro.n)' 7Does everyone have to hang o.t in the lobby be/ore they get assigne) roo(s89 7!ah3 4e*re 0.st scre4.+s3 so 4e*re st.c- here .ntil they tell .s 4here 4e can go'9 #e grinne)3 4hi++ing a <lac-<erry o.t o/ his -ha-i +ants +oc-et' ,enny sat )o4n' 7What )i) yo. )o 4rong89 7Don*t listen to #eath'9 <ran)on shoo- his hea)' 7The Waverly teachers are 0.st assholes'9 ,enny starte) )iscreetly 4i+ing the (.) o// her +in- shoes as best she co.l)' 7 o I*( a little /rea-e) o.t' o(ething totally attac-e) (e on (y 4ay over here' It 4as li-e ' ' ' a giant /lying cat'9 7Ohhh ' ' ' That*s a great horne) o4l39 <ran)on e:+laine)' 7They*re all over the ca(+.s' o(eone )onate) a +air o/ the( li-e a h.n)re) years ago an) they s+a4ne)' <.t even tho.gh they +ractically -ill -i)s all the ti(e3 the horne) o4l is o.r (ascot' I g.ess it*s3 li-e3 Waverly tra)ition to have the( aro.n)'9 7They cra+ all over the +lace39 #eath a))e)' 7Oh3 I li-e tra)itions39 ,enny e:clai(e) 6.ic-ly' 7<.t the thing s4oo+e) /or (e li-e it )i)n*t 4ant to (iss?9 7#o4 could it (iss89 #eath (.ttere)3 ty+ing on his <lac-<erry' #e loo-e) straight at ,enny*s boobs again' Ol) ,enny 4o.l) have been e(barrasse)3 she tho.ght3 b.t not !e4 ,enny' he 4o.l) call hi( o.t' 7Is there so(ething 4rong89 she as-e) +olitely3 /ol)ing her han)s in her la+' #eath s(ile) 4ryly3 then coc-e) his hea)' 7Wait a sec'9 #e sto++e)' 7Yo. sai) yo. 4ere /ro( the city8 As in3 !e4 Yor-89 7Yes' The "++er West i)e'9 #eath*s eyes lit .+ li-e a slot (achine' 7#ave yo. hear) o/ a cl.b calle) #en 5arty89 ,enny /.rro4e) her eyebro4s' 7!o ' ' '9 72aybe I*ll ta-e yo. so(e ti(e'9 7Ina++ro+riate39 <ran)on (.ttere)' #en 5arty 4as so(e stri+ cl.b in 2anhattan everyone 4as s.))enly tal-ing abo.t' #e loo-e) /ro( #eath to the ne4 girl' They see(e) to be in so(e sort o/ /orce%/iel) staring contest 4ith each other' he loo-e) s(itten3 b.t 4hatever' #eath (ight be <ran)on*s /rien)3 b.t he 4as the h.(an version o/ a 2onet;he only loo-e) goo) /ro( a/ar' Close .+3 once yo. got to -no4 hi(3 he 4as +retty ' ' ' 4ell3 ri)ic.lo.s' -ust wait until you find out that he has a bad toenail0clipping habit3 <ran)on tho.ght3 gritting his teeth' -ust wait until you find out he gossips more than a girl1 -ust wait until you find out the girls call him +ony behind his bac), because everybody has ta)en a ride' The staring contest contin.e)' Then a little high%+itche) noise rang o.t3 an) #eath*s attention 6.ic-ly s4erve) bac- to his <lac-<erry' 5o+? $orce /iel) )eactivate)'

7!ister ,enni/er #.(+hrey39 he (.ttere) again3 7/ro( the "++er West i)e'9 #e ta++e) o.t a /e4 (ore lines an) thre4 his <lac-<erry bac- into his bag' Then he stri++e) o// his T%shirt an) r.bbe) his gol)en%bro4n3 s.((er%s+ent%in%!ant.c-et chisele) torso' 7I*( going to ta-e a sho4er' Wanna co(e89 ,enny o+ene) her (o.th to res+on)3 b.t #eath 4heele) aro.n)3 /o.n) a /l.//y 4hite bath to4el in his ).//el bag3 an) sa.ntere) o// to the bathroo(' <ran)on sighe) an) +.lle) o.t his silver 2otorola Ra>r' #e scrolle) thro.gh a /e4 e%(ails; 0.st so(e (ore 4elco(e%bac- (essages an) s+ec.lative gossi+ abo.t 4hat ha) ha++ene) to Tinsley Car(ichael' #e co.l) sense ,enny 4atching hi( an) co.l)n*t hel+ b.t get all tingly 7Are 4e allo4e) +hones89 ,enny as-e)' 7Well3 no' We can*t tal- on the(' <.t everyone te:ts an) I2s on their +hones' Yo. 0.st log on to O4lnet an) .se yo.r Waverly e%(ail a))ress3 4hich is 0.st yo.r /irst an) last na(e3 no s+aces' It*s a loo+hole the /ac.lty hasn*t /ig.re) o.t yet'9 7 hoot' I )i)n*t bring (ine' The (an.al sai) no cell +hones'9 7CWaverly O4ls (.st not .se cell +hones on ca(+.s3*9 <ran)on recite) in a (oc-%serio.s voice' ,enny giggle)' 7Yeah' I love all the Waverly O4ls st.//'9 <ran)on s(ile)' 7A++arently one o/ the ol) Waverly hea)%(asters 4rote the (an.al right a/ter the Roaring T4enties3 (aybe ).ring3 li-e3 5rohibition or so(ething3 4hen (anners an) goo) behavior 4ere really i(+ortant' I g.ess o4ls 4ere the (ascots bac- then3 too' It*s been a)a+te) /or (o)ern ti(es3 4ith cell +hones an) st.//'9 7$.nny'9 ,enny /elt hersel/ rela: a little' #er chee-s h.rt /ro( s(iling so (.ch alrea)y to)ay' 7 o there*s a +arty in this lo.nge tonight' 2aybe yo. 4anna co(e89 7A +arty89 ,enny raise) her eyebro4s eagerly' 7 .re'9 7I (ean3 it*ll be +retty cas.al3 b.t it*s tra)ition3 yo. -no489 <ran)on shr.gge)' #e see(e) less shy 4itho.t #eath aro.n)' ,enny bit her li+3 4hich <ran)on /o.n) irresistible' he 4as so /resh%/ace) an) see(e) so e:cite) to be there3 )i//erent /ro( all the coo-ie%c.tter3 $air Isle s4eater3 G.cci s.nglasses3 <arbie%goes%to%boar)ing%school Waverly girls 4ho too- it all /or grante)' !o4 i/ only she co.l) stay o// the 5ony ri)e be/ore classes even got starte)' ' ' ' 7Well39 ,enny interr.+te) his interior (onolog.e' 7I/ it*s a tra)ition3 then I*ll have to co(e' #eath 4ill be there too89 #eath sl.n- thro.gh the lo.nge )oor4ay' #is shaggy blon) hair 4as )ri++ing 4ater )o4n his bare chest3 an) the 4hite bath%to4el 4as tie) right .n)er his chisele) hi+bones' #e 4asn*t hol)ing anything e:ce+t /or his <lac-<erry3 an) he s(ile) at it as he s+o-e' 7I 4o.l)n*t (iss it'9

HeathFerro: I alrea)y (et stri++er girl' T4ice' RyanReynolds: 888

HeathFerro: Da) gave her a ri)e to the /ront o//ice' Then (e an) <ran)on 4ere sitting in Richar)s an) she ca(e in' he +lays it cool3 tho.gh' Real innocent' <.t yo. can tell she*s na.ghty' RyanReynolds: he sn.c- into a boys* )or( alrea)y8 Di) she sho4 yo. her thong8 HeathFerro: !ot yet ' ' '

I
EVE! W#E! 5ROVO&ED3 A WAVERLY OWL #O"LD RE2AI! CIVIL TO #ER ROO22ATE'

72

o(3 can yo. +lease tell Rao.l that he )oesn*t have to co(e into the )or( 4ith (e8

This is embarrassing'9 <rett 2essersch(i)t trie) to balance a crea(%colore) Chanel 6.ilte) +.rse an) a blac- ,ac- +a)e la+to+ bag in one han) an) a giant #er(Js sho++ing bag in the other 4hile cra)ling her +latin.( !o-ia against her sho.l)er' #er +arents* +ersonal assistant3 Rao.l3 4ho 4as t4o h.n)re) si:ty +o.n)s an) bal)3 str.ggle) to li/t so(e o/ her see(ingly en)less l.ggage 4itho.t ri++ing his blac- s.it' $inally he gave .+ an) too- o// his 0ac-et3 revealing a +ers+iration%staine) 4hite shirt an) a (o.ntain o/ (.scles' 7#oney3 yo. nee) his hel+39 her (other cooe) in her thic- !e4 ,ersey accent on the other en) o/ the line' 7Yo. can*t carry those heavy s.itcases all by yo.rsel/?9 <rett groane) an) sla((e) her +hone sh.t' Everyone else carrie) their o4n st.//;no (atter ho4 loa)e) they 4ere' Drivers 0.st le/t their bags on the c.rb in /ront o/ the )or(' It 4asn*t as i/ anybo)y 4as going to 4al- o// 4ith yo.r shit' <.t her +arents3 t.art an) <ec-i 2essersch(i)t o/ R.(son3 !e4 ,ersey3 babie) her as tho.gh she 4ere one o/ their shivering Teac.+ Chih.ah.as' #er +arents;shudder' #er /ather3 the (ost +ro(inent +lastic s.rgeon in the tri%state area3 4as -no4n /or bragging abo.t the highest +ercentage o/ /at he co.l) li+o o.t o/ a +atient in a single sitting' An) the only ti(e <rett*s (o( ha) acco(+anie) her to Waverly3 4hen <rett 4as an eighth gra)er an) to.ring the school3 2rs' 2essersch(i)t ha) tol) a +artic.larly WA 5y% loo-ing (other that her chin 4as 0.st perfect an) ha) as-e) 4ho she .se)' The 4o(an ha) stare) at 2rs' 2essersch(i)t blan-ly be/ore /inally getting it an) stor(ing a4ay'

Ever since she*) starte) Waverly3 <rett ha) straight%.+ lie) abo.t her +arents' he clai(e) they live) on an East #a(+ton organic /ar( b.t s.((ere) in !e4/o.n)lan)3 that her /ather 4as a car)iologist an) her (o( thre4 s(all%scale Cana)ian charity events' he ha) no i)ea 4hy that 4as the story she*) co(e .+ 4ith3 b.t anything 4as better than the real story3 4hich 4as that her +arents 4ere no.vea. riche an) the tac-iest +eo+le <rett ha) ever (et' Everyone at Waverly bo.ght it3 e:ce+t /or Tinsley3 4ho last year ha) ans4ere) <rett*s cell +hone 4hen she 4asn*t in the roo( an) ha) a lengthy conversation abo.t leo+ar) vers.s tiger +rints 4ith 2rs' 2essersch(i)t3 4ho 4as o/ co.rse calling /ro( her R.(son3 !e4 ,ersey;not East #a(+ton; ho(e' That 4as one goo) thing abo.t Tinsley not co(ing bac-@ at least her e(barrassing +arents 4o.l) re(ain a secret' 7Yo. really )on*t have to hel+ (e3 a/ter )riving all this 4ay'9 <rett s(ile) a+ologetically at Rao.l' he*) have to re(e(ber to sen) hi( so(e &iehl*s All% +ort 2.scle R.b /or 4hen he got ho(e' 7It*s /ine39 Rao.l re+lie) in his baritone voice3 b.t <rett tho.ght she )etecte) a slight groan 4hen he )ro++e) her bags an) hea)e) bac- to get the ne:t ro.n) /ro( the car' When she .nloc-e) her )or( roo( )oor3 her best /rien)3 Callie3 4ho ha) a +er/ect3 untac)y +e)igree;her (other 4as carlett O*#ara incarnate an) the governor o/ Georgia3 /or Go)*s sa-e;s(ir-e) as Rao.l /.sse) over e:actly 4here <rett*s oversi>e Lo.is V.itton s4eater tr.n4o.l) go' 7Oh3 4herever*s /ine?9 <rett sai) 6.ic-ly' Then she t.rne) bac- to Callie' 7#ey'9 7#ey3 yo.rsel/'9 Callie leane) against the 4in)o4 an) crosse) her ar(s' he loo-e) li-e she*) s+ent the 4hole s.((er getting t4iste) an) +ro))e) by her 5ilates instr.ctor3 Cla.)e3 an) eating nothing b.t Tri)ent g.(' #er hair 4as shove) into a (essy lo4 +onytail3 an) she ha) that slightly )a>e)3 yo.*)%thin-%she%4as%)it>y%i/%yo.%)i)n*t%-no4%better loo- in her ha>el eyes' A +ale orange cotton s-irt an) to+ lay in a r.(+le) +ile on the /loor3 an) no4 she 4as 4earing a /a)e) baby%bl.e T%shirt3 (ini Ral+h La.ren terry%cloth boy shorts3 an) gy(nastics soc-s 4ith little +in- /.>>y balls at the heels' Where Callie 4as c.te an) +retty in a +re++y 4ay;she 4as ca+tain o/ the girls* /iel) hoc-ey tea(3 a/ter all;<rett 4as (ore .n.s.al%loo-ing' he ha) +ale3 (il-y%4hite s-in an) very re) bob%length hair' #er green eyes 4ere al(on)%sha+e) an) both her nose an) chin ca(e to (ischievo.s%loo-ing +oints' It 4as 4eir) s.))enly seeing Callie an) co(+aring hersel/ to her again' Last year3 <rett3 Callie3 an) Tinsley ha) been three +eas in a +o)' <.t then the E thing ha) ha++ene) an) everything ha) change)' !o one -ne4 4hy Tinsley 4as the only one 4ho*) been -ic-e) o.t3 b.t Callie ha) al4ays ha) a +artic.lar talent /or +ers.asion;/resh(an year3 she*) convince) arah 2orti(er to go o.t 4ith <aylor &enyon instea) o/ <ran)on <.chanan3 all beca.se Callie ha) 4ante) <ran)on /or hersel/' An) last year3 <enny C.nningha(3 their 4ell%bre)3 bea.ti/.l br.nette /rien) /ro( 5hila)el+hia3 ha) 4ante) to go o.t 4ith Eri- Olssen3 a +ale3 hot 4e)ish i(+ort3 b.t he*) li-e) s-an-y Tricia Rie-en;4ho*) ha) a boob 0ob an) 4ore the sl.ttiest3 (ost )o(inatri:li-e clothes /ro( Dolce K Gabbana' o(eho4 Callie ha) (anage) to +ers.a)e Tricia to li-e Lon <ar.>>a3 4ho 4as on scholarshi+ b.t gorgeo.s an) allege)ly very goo) at se:3 leaving Eri- o+en /or <enny' Clearly Callie 4as goo) at getting +eo+le to )o 4hatever she 4ante)3 es+ecially 4hen she ha) so(ething to gain +ersonally' An) in this case3 (aybe Callie 4as better o// 4itho.t Tinsley aro.n)@ last s+ring3 Tinsley an) Callie*s boy/rien)3 Easy Walsh3 ha) been s+otte) by the girls* soccer tea( behin) the ro4 ho.ses at night;alone' <oth Tinsley an) Easy ha) )enie) that

anything ha) ha++ene)3 b.t Callie co.l) get +retty territorial 4hen it ca(e to boy/rien)s' It see(e) cra>y that Callie 4o.l) get Tinsley -ic-e) o.t o/ school /or +ossibly hoo-ing .+ 4ith Easy3 b.t3 4ell3 Callie 4as a little insane' Callie s6.inte)' 7Di) yo.r hair get re))er89 7&in) o/39 <rett (.(ble)' #er colorist3 ,ac6.es3 ha) /.c-e) .+ an) .se) a bl.e re) on her instea) o/ a yello4 re)' he*) gone to <erg)or/*s to get it /i:e) b.t ha) (anage) to get the salon*s (ost +.n- roc- stylist3 4ho ha) tol) her it 4as +er/ect an) that it 4o.l) go against his artistic sensibilities to change it' <rett 4orrie) that she loo-e) too (.ch li-e &ate Winslet in that Eternal &unshine (ovie3 4hich 4as not a goo) loo-' 7I li-e it39 Callie )eclare)' 7It loo-s a4eso(e'9 'iar/ <rett -ne4 4hat Callie tho.ght o/ /a-e%loo-ing )ye) hair' <rett sla((e) her bag )o4n on the /loor' 7 o 4hat3 yo. )on*t call (e all s.((er89 7I ' ' ' I calle) yo.39 Callie sta((ere)3 4i)ening her eyes' 7!o3 yo. )i)n*t' Yo. sent (e one te:t (essage' In ,.ne'9 Callie stoo) .+' 7Well3 yo. )i)n*t res+on)?9 7I ' ' '9 <rett traile) o//' Callie 4as right' he ha)n*t res+on)e)' 7 o3 )i) yo. hear /ro( Tinsley89 7O/ co.rse'9 <rett /elt a stab o/ 0ealo.sy' 72e too39 she lie)' he ha)n*t hear) /ro( her gla(oro.s best /rien) since she*) been e:+elle) last 2ay' They both stare) at Tinsley*s bare be)' Wo.l) it be e(+ty all year8 2aybe they*) .se it /or e:tra storage or cover it 4ith an In)ian bati- be)s+rea) an) e(broi)ere) +illo4s /ro( one o/ the hi++ie Rhinecli// stores' Or 4o.l) Waverly stic- the( 4ith so(e 4eir)o no one 4ante) to roo( 4ith8 7Tinsley calle) (e a 4hole b.nch o/ ti(es39 Callie contin.e)3 a little aggressively' 72e too39 <rett lie) again3 re(oving so(e o/ her blo.ses /ro( her crea(%colore) leather s.itcase' 7 o3 ho4*s Easy89 he change) the s.b0ect' 7Di) yo. see hi( this s.((er89 7"( ' ' ' yeah39 Callie re+lie) 6.ietly3 a t4inge o/ h.rt in her voice' 7Di) yo. see ,ere(iah89 7Yeah3 so(e39 <rett (.(ble) bac-' 7 till hate the 4ay he says car89 Callie as-e) as she e:a(ine) her clear li+ gloss in a tiny blac- lac6.ere) Chanel co(+act' 7Yes39 <rett groane)' #er boy/rien)3 ,ere(iah3 4as the star line(an /or t' L.ci.s an) even tho.gh he 4as /ro( an ol)%(oney /a(ily in !e4ton3 a 4ell%to%)o s.b.rb o/ <oston3 he s+o-e 4ith a <oston to4nie accent3 o(itting his r*s li-e 2att Da(on in Good Will *unting' 7Di) yo. visit hi( or )i) he visit yo.89 7Well3 I s+ent a 4ee- 4ith his /a(ily on 2artha*s Vineyar)' That 4as really nice'9 <rett li-e) ,ere(iah3 b.t she really love) his /a(ily' They 4ere te:tboo- !e4 Englan) 4ealthy;so .n)erstate) an) taste/.l an) the e:act o++osite o/ her trashy +arents' It )i)n*t h.rt either that ,ere(iah 4as gorgeo.s3 4ith an ang.lar3 s6.are 0a43 /lo++y re))ish%bro4n hair to his sho.l)ers3 an) bl.e%green eyes that )ran- her in' <rett ha) +ro(ise) that3 as soon as she got to school3 she*) call hi( .+ an) they*) have +hone se:' ,ere(iah ha) 4ante) to have se: over the s.((er3 b.t she 0.st 4asn*t rea)y' he 4asn*t entirely s.re 4hy3 e:ce+t that she*) never ha) se: 4ith any%bo)y be/ore3 an) she really 4asn*t s.re i/ ,ere(iah 4as the right +erson to )o it 4ith /irst' O/ co.rse3 in)ecision abo.t losing her virginity 4asn*t the -in) o/ thing a girl li-e <rett ever a)(itte) o.t lo.)' he*) tol) Callie she*) lost it ages ago to a 4iss boy na(e) G.nther she*)

(et on a /a(ily s-iing tri+ to Gstaa)3 even tho.gh really she*) har)ly even let hi( /eel her .+' <rett ha) c.ltivate) an i(age at Waverly@ to.gh3 e:+erience)3 so+histicate)3 an) a little bitchy' #er (o( 4as the o++osite;hel+less3 naive3 chil)ish;an) <rett )i)n*t 4ant to be li-e that' Callie e:ten)e) her long3 +er/ectly s(ooth legs' 7I really nee) a sho4er'9 he ya4ne)3 stoo) .+3 an) sli++e) on a +air o/ r.bbery clogs' 7Yo. 4ant to go to )inner 4hen I get bac-89 <rett shr.gge)' 7I )on*t -no4' I have to loo- over so(e +re/ect st.// /or to(orro4' There*s so(e ne4 a)viser3 so I nee) to be +re+are) an) st.//'9 <rett ha) been electe) 0.nior +re/ect last year3 4hich (eant she 4o.l) lea) roll call an) act as 0.nior lea)er o/ DC3 or Disci+linary Co((ittee' It 4as a h.ge +o+.larity no);everyone in yo.r class ha) to vote yo. into the +osition' 7<.t I g.ess I co.l) s-i+ it' An) 4e have the +arty tonight3 too' ' ' ' 9 7Whatever'9 Callie 4ave) her to4el an) t.rne) /or the )oor' <rett /lo++e) onto her be) an) stare) o.t the 4in)o4' The vie4 o/ the river3 4hich .s.ally cal(e) her )o4n li-e a shot o/ age) 4his-ey3 no4 see(e) s.//ocating' he*) i(agine) her /irst (eeting 4ith Callie a/ter the long s.((er 4o.l) be )i//erent' he ha)n*t e:+ecte) the( to talabo.t Tinsley right a4ay3 an) she*) ass.(e) Callie 4o.l) behave li-e she .se) to;thro4ing hersel/ on <rett*s be)3 o+ening a bag o/ 5irate*s <ooty /or the( to share3 an) gossi+ing abo.t all the 4il)3 ro(antic3 ris6.D st.// they*) )one all s.((er' They*) la.gh3 have so(e gin an) tonics3 an) go to )inner3 0.st li-e last year' he /li++e) o+en her cell +hone an) 6.ic-ly hit the shortc.t -ey to call her sister3 <rianna3 4ho live) in !e4 Yor- an) 4or-e) as a /ashion e)itor at Elle (aga>ine' <ree ha) been thro.gh the Waverly (ill si: years be/ore an) co.l) .s.ally tal- <rett o.t o/ any /.n-' "n/ort.nately3 <ree*s +hone 4ent straight to voice (ail' 7#ey3 it*s (e39 <rett ra(ble) 4hen she hear) the bee+' 7I /eel ' ' ' I )on*t -no4' A (ess' Call (e or so(ething'9 he h.ng .+ an) /lo++e) bac- on the be)' As soon as she )i)3 her cell +hone bleate) in her bag' Thin-ing it 4as <ree3 she o+ene) it .+3 b.t she 4as 4rong' 7#ello3 ,ere(iah39 she sighe)3 +ressing the +hone to her ear' 7#o4 are yo.89 7Wic-e) a4eso(e3 no439 he breathe) on the other en)' <rett rolle) her eyes' Then she +ict.re) hi( s+rea)%eagle) on his t' L.ci.s be)3 ten (iles a4ay3 in a tattere) varsity /oot%ball 0ersey an) bo:er shorts3 4ith his long tan ar(s an) se:y eyes3 an) she /elt a 4ar( 4hoosh o/ +leas.re' 7 o are 4e going to )o this ' ' ' thing89 she as-e)3 not even bothering to sh.t the )or( roo( )oor' Let the nosy so+ho(ore girls ne:t )oor get an ear/.l' 2aybe they*) learn so(ething'

HeathFerro: I got ne4s' Tal-e) to (y ol)er brother*s /rien) 4ho 4or-s in I%ban-ing3 an) he says that this +lace $ish tic- is the bo(b in the city' Girls ta-e it o// /or LL cents? CallieVernon: "(3 #eath8 I thin- yo. got the 4rong te:t a))y' This is Callie' I )on*t 4ant to hear abo.t stri++ers' Es+ecially not as I*( abo.t to ta-e a sho4er' HeathFerro: Yo.*re in the sho4er8 Can I see8 !o4 that yo. an) Easy are bro-en .+3 yo.*re a /ree bir)3 right8

CallieVernon: What8 Who tol) yo. that8 CallieVernon: #eath8 Where are yo.8 It*s not tr.e? CallieVernon: #ello88

BennyCunningham: o the big 6.estion going aro.n) is3 yo. ta-e a ri)e on the +ony yet8 CallieVernon: 5ony8 BennyCunningham: It*s the ne4 na(e /or #eath $erro' #e gets (ore ass than a +ony at a co.ntry /air' CallieVernon: E4' !o 4ay have I hoo-e) .+ 4ith hi(' #e*s nasty' #ave YO"8 BennyCunningham: G.ilty as charge)' CallieVernon: O2G' When8 BennyCunningham: $resh(an year' We (a)e o.t in the tans/iel) #all coatroo(' !ever again' Totally gross' CallieVernon: !ot to change the s.b0ect3 b.t has anyone tol) yo. Easy an) I bro-e .+8 BennyCunningham: "(( ' ' ' (aybe' CallieVernon: Who8 BennyCunningham: Can*t re(e(ber' Gotta go to +re)inner +re+? CallieVernon: <eca.se it*s not tr.e' CallieVernon: erio.sly' CallieVernon: " still there8

M
I$ IT WILL I25RE #ER ROO22ATE 3 A WAVERLY OWL 2AY DI # #ER OW! DIRT'

7I*

( loo-ing /or ,enni/er #.(+hrey'9 A thin3 bir)li-e girl 4ith a <ritish accent an) stringy

blon) hair stoo) t4itching in /ront o/ <ran)on an) ,enny3 0.st insi)e the )oor to Richar)s* lo.nge' he 4ore a +lain 4hite sleeveless cotton t.rtlenec- 4ith a little triang.lar crest over the +oc-et an) very s.b.rbanG(o(Gloo-ing -ha-is3 the -in) that cinch aro.n) yo.r 4aist an) (a-e yo.r ass loo- h.ge' 7I g.ess that 4o.l) be yo.'9 7Yes39 ,enny hal/%s6.ea-e)3 trying to -ee+ the eagerness o.t o/ her voice' 7I*( Yvonne ti))er'9 The girl st.c- her han) o.t' he ha) a /li(sy han)sha-e an) acne on her chin' 7I*( a (entor to ne4 st.)ents' We /o.n) yo. a roo('9 <ran)on raise) his eyebro4s at ,enny an) starte) to get .+' 7It 4as nice (eeting yo.3 ,enny'9 7Yo. too'9 ,enny he/te) her +in- L'L' <ean ).//els onto her sho.l)er' 7I*ll see yo. tonight39 she 4his+ere) 4hen Yvonne ha) t.rne) her bac-' 7I*( so sorry 4e -e+t yo. 4aiting /or so long39 Yvonne contin.e)3 lea)ing ,enny )o4n the Richar)s stair4ell3 +ast an entry4ay /.ll o/ alrea)y%(ove)%in Tre- (o.ntain bi-es3 s-ate%boar)s3 e(+ty 5lay tation bo:es3 an) abo.t a )o>en 4ell%.se) soccer balls' 7!o big )eal'9 ,enny 4as thrille) to have h.ng o.t 4ith those t4o cool boys3 b.t she 4as -in) o/ relieve) to be a4ay /ro( the(3 so she co.l) breathe a little' 7!or(ally 4e aren*t allo4e) in the boys* )or(s e:ce+t ).ring visitation ho.rs'9 Yvonne gave ,enny a si)elong glance3 hol)ing the )oor o+en /or her' he snee>e) as soon as they ste++e) o.tsi)e' 7Act.ally3 .(3 that 4as the /irst ti(e I*ve ever been in a boys* )or(' Altho.gh o/ co.rse I -no4 everything abo.t the boys* )or(s' I -no4 all sorts o/ /acts abo.t Waverly i/ yo. 4ant to as- (e any 6.estions' Anything at all'9 7O-ay' Than-s'9 I/ Yvonne ha)n*t see(e) li-e s.ch a )or-3 ,enny (ight*ve s.s+ecte) she 4as co-e) .+3 she tal-e) so /ast' 7 o 4hat )or( a( I in89 she as-e) as they crosse) the green' he /elt a nervo.s /l.tter in her chest' They 4ere going to her ne4 )or(3 4here she*) live /or the 4hole school year? Where all sorts o/ a(a>ing things 4o.l) ha++en to her? #o+e/.lly' 7D.(barton' Over there3 see89 Yvonne +ointe) to a t4o%story bric- b.il)ing 4ith c.to.t 4in)o4s stic-ing o.t o/ the roo/ at the bac- o/ the ca(+.s' <eyon) it shi((ere) the #.)son3 4hich loo-e) a lot +rettier .+ here than it )i) in the city' ,enny co.l) 0.st +ict.re the boys* cre4 tea( gli)ing e//ort%lessly across its s.r/ace in their slee- sc.lls3 their strong ar(s b.lging as they ro4e)' 7This girl Tinsley Car(ichael;she 4as going to live 4ith Callie Vernon an) <rett 2essersch(i)t3 b.t then she got -ic-e) o.t3 so there*s a /ree s+ot' 2y /rien) /ro( 0a>> ense(ble3 tor( <ath.rst3 lives ne:t )oor;9 7Wait' Di) yo. say Tinsley89 ,enny as-e)' he recogni>e) that na(e3 b.t she*) absorbe) so (.ch in so little ti(e that she co.l)n*t re(e(ber 4hen or 4here' 7Why*) she get -ic-e) o.t89 Yvonne shove) her ro.n)3 4ire%ri((e) glasses /.rther .+ her nose' he s(elle) li-e Vic-s Va+oR.b' 7I*( not s.re39 she re+lie) /latly' 7I )on*t li-e to gossi+'9 7Well3 can yo. tell (e anything abo.t (y ne4 roo((ates89 Yvonne +a.se)' 7I )on*t -no4 the( 4ell' <.t they*re the girls everyone /loc-s aro.n)'9 7$loc-s aro.n)89 ,enny*s heart s+e) .+' 7Yo. -no43 the ones al4ays giving +arties3 al4ays 4ith the c.test boys ' ' '9 Yvonne giggle) an) t.rne) to ,enny' 7!ot to say there aren*t c.te boys in the 0a>> ense(ble' Do yo. +lay any instr.(ents8 The 0a>> ense(ble is loo-ing /or so(e +eo+le'9 7"(3 no3 sorry' <.t abo.t Callie an) <rett;they*re3 li-e3 really +o+.lar89

7Yeah'9 Yvonne no))e)3 si)este++ing a (aroon +innie that so(eone ha) le/t on the /iel)' 7There*s this little cro4) o/ -i)s that everyone on ca(+.s 4atches'9 #h, really% ,enny tho.ght e:cite)ly' he to.che) the +re++y little alligator on her shirt3 +lease) that she*) )resse) so nicely to (eet her s.+ercool ne4 roo(ies' Then she notice) a tall3 br.nette boy 4ith (atte) hair3 as i/ he*) 0.st ta-en o// a hat3 4al-ing across the green' #e carrie) a big 4oo)en easel over his sho.l)er3 an) his 0eans 4ere s+attere) 4ith +aint' ,enny*s breath ca.ght in her throat' 7Who is that89 he +ointe)' 7#i(89 Yvonne (.ttere)' 7That*s Easy Walsh'9 7Easy' What a great na(e39 ,enny (.se)' 7Is he an artist or so(ething89 7I )on*t -no4 hi( very 4ell3 e:ce+t that he*s al4ays getting into tro.ble'9 Yvonne crin-le) her nose' 7 (o-ing39 she 4his+ere)' $or a girl 4ho )i)n*t li-e to gossi+3 she certainly -ne4 a lot' The boy entere) the )o.ble )oors o/ the library' ,enny s.))enly 4ishe) she co.l) )itch her bags;an) Yvonne;an) /ollo4 hi(' Instea)3 she /ollo4e) Yvonne into the D.(barton )or(' It 4as a 6.aint3 t4o%story bricb.il)ing that ha) its na(e inscribe) in bro4nstone above a large3 4hite3 4oo)en /ar(%ho.se )oor' They ).c-e) thro.gh a narro4 +assage an) .+ a set o/ granite stairs' One o/ the ste+s 4as inscribe) 1NFE3 R#I!ECLI$$3 !Y' The )or( 4as even ol)er than ,enny*s /a(ily*s cr.(bling rent%stabili>e) a+art(ent b.il)ing on the "++er West i)e' All aro.n) her3 girls 4ere (oving their things in' Rooney blare) o.t o/ one roo(3 !o Do.bt o.t o/ another' he sa4 a short Asian girl 4ith +igtails .nrolling a giant +oster o/ ,enni/er Garner as Ele-tra3 -ic-ing so(eone*s ass' They a++roache) )oor F1F3 4hich 4as slightly a0ar' 7' ' ' an) I*( lic-ing yo. all over3 an);4ait' !o' ,es.s3 ,ere(iah3 yo. )on*t have yo.r +ants o// yet' tay 4ith (e here?9 7"h3 hello89 Yvonne sai)3 +.shing the )oor o+en a little' A stri-ing%loo-ing ol)er girl 4ith bla>ing re) hair s+rang .+ /ro( one o/ the roo(*s t4in be)s' 7I have to go39 she bl.rte) into her +hone an) /li++e) it sh.t' he glance) /or a secon) at Yvonne an) then /i:e) her +iercing eyes on ,enny' 7Er((3 this is ,enny #.(+hrey39 Yvonne e:+laine)' 7 he*s yo.r ne4 roo((ate' he*s /ro( ' ' ' 4here 4as it89 7Constance <illar)39 ,enny ans4ere)3 stic-ing o.t her han)' 7In !e4 Yor- City'9 7Oh' Cool' <rett 2essersch(i)t'9 The girl 4ore a starche)3 short%sleeve) tailore) 4hite blo.se that ,enny ha) seen in the 4in)o4s o/ the oho coo+ store all s.((er an) those -nee% length +egge) shorts only the hi++est -i)s in Willia(sb.rg 4ere 4earing' ,enny 4al-e) into the roo(3 4hich 4as bigger an) so(eho4 +lainer than she*) i(agine)' The 4in)o4s 4ere h.ge an) bea.ti/.l3 overloo-ing the river3 4hile the be)s an) /.rnit.re 4ere 0.st ' ' ' ol)' he st.)ie) her ne4 roo((ate o.t o/ the corner o/ her eye' #er bla>ing re) hair 4as c.t in a severe bob that en)e) right at her chin' One ear ha) abo.t seven tiny gol) hoo+ earrings3 an) she 4ore a gol) )ia(on) Cartier tan- 4atch on her le/t 4rist' he 4as se:y an) so+histicate)3 an) very ' ' ' /a(iliar' Then ,enny re(e(bere)@ there 4as a +ict.re o/ <rett on Waverly*s Web site' he 4as the Girl #overing Over #er <oo-s Loo-ing t.)io.s' Or at least that*s 4hat ,enny ha) calle) her' 7What abo.t Callie89 Yvonne loo-e) aro.n) the roo(' 7Is she here yet89 7 ho4er39 <rett (.ttere)'

Yvonne blin-e) /.rio.sly3 then (.(ble) so(ething abo.t a /l.te lesson an) /le) the roo(' ,enny 4al-e) over to 4hat loo-e) li-e the s+are be) an) sat )o4n3 bo.ncing a co.+le o/ ti(es' 7This is a great roo(' I love the vie4'9 7Yeah3 it*s o-ay'9 <rett /ol)e) her ar(s across her chest' 7Who are you89 ca(e a lo.) voice behin) the(' ,enny t.rne) an) sa4 a tall3 stri-ingly bea.ti/.l girl 4ith enor(o.s ha>el eyes an) )ar- blon) hair that loo-e) li-e it ha) 0.st been blo4%)rie)' ,enny tho.ght she loo-e) 0.st li-e the Disney (ovie version o/ Cin)erella' Once she ha) trans/or(e) into a +rincess3 o/ co.rse' 7#ey' I*( ,enny' I*(;they assigne) (e to this roo('9 7They8 Who*s Cthey*89 Cin)erella )e(an)e)' 7Well ' ' ' Waverly39 ,enny sta((ere)' 7Are yo. Callie89 7Yes' Are yo. a 0.nior or a so+ho(ore89 7 o+ho(ore' What are yo. g.ys89 7,.niors'9 Callie +.rse) her +in-%li+stic-e) li+s an) )e+osite) an enor(o.s G.cci (a-e.+ bag on to+ o/ her )es-' 7Yo.*re ta-ing that be)89 he +ointe) to the be) ,enny 4as sitting on' 7I g.ess so' I (ean3 .nless it*s not o-ay 4ith yo. t4o'9 7I s.++ose it*s /ine'9 Callie glance) at <rett' 7I g.ess Tinsley*s really gone then'9 <rett (a)e a snorting noise thro.gh her nose' ,enny 0.st stoo) there3 not s.re 4hat to say' 7What ha++ene) to ' ' ' er ' ' ' Tinsley89 she /inally as-e)' 7It*s co(+licate)39 <rett res+on)e) 6.ic-ly3 .n>i++ing a s.itcase entirely /.ll o/ shoes' ,enny chec-e) the labels on a /e4' ,i((y Choo' igerson 2orrison' 2anolo <lahni-' 7It 4as nothing39 Callie a))e)' he stare) o.t the 4in)o43 a4ay /ro( both o/ the(' ,enny 4asn*t (.ch o/ a s(o-er3 b.t she 4ishe) she co.l) have a cigarette right then3 0.st to have so(ething to )o 4ith her han)s' Callie /inally bro-e the silence' 7Where*) yo. go to school be/ore this89 7Constance <illar)8 It*s in;9 7!e4 Yor- City' All girls39 Callie interr.+te) in a breathy voice3 sli)ing a little closer to ,enny in the sa(e 4ay a cat (ight r.b .+ against yo.r cal/' he t.rne) to <rett' 7Di)n*t Tinsley go to Constance89 7!o' he 4ent to Trinity' "ntil /i/th gra)e' Then she 4ent so(e4here in 4it>erlan)3 then here'9 7Yeah3 Tinsley )e/initely )i)n*t go to an all%girls* school3 no4 that I thin- abo.t it'9 Callie e:a(ine) her c.ticles' 7I re(e(ber her saying that she ha) tons o/ boy/rien)s'9 7Well3 Tinsley*s bea.ti/.l39 <rett a))e) o//han)e)ly3 ta-ing T%shirts o.t o/ another s.itcase' ,enny bristle)' Was <rett saying that she 4asn*t bea.ti/.l8 Who 4as this Tinsley girl3 any4ay8 7 he co.l) get any g.y she 4ante)39 <rett contin.e)' 7Even g.ys 4ith girl/rien)s'9 7That*s not tr.e39 Callie sna++e)3 be/ore t.rning bac- to ,enny' ,enny*s eyes )arte) bac- an) /orth bet4een her roo((ates' What 4as .+ 4ith the(8 7Tinsley ha) her eleventh birth)ay +arty at Chelsea 5iers' Li-e3 she rente) o.t the 4hole thing an) installe) a tra+e>e school in the gy( area' Di) yo. go to that89 ,enny shr.gge)' 7 orry3 no'9 <.t she re(e(bere) that +arty3 all right' <ac- 4hen she 4as ten3 ,enny*s /ather ha) rante) /or )ays abo.t an article in the ,ew 2or) Times tyle section covering a +arty at the Chelsea 5iers +orts Co(+le: /or a girl a year ol)er than ,enny' #er )a) ha) (oc-e) it /or being in).lgent an) +iggishly bo.rgeois3 b.t ,enny ha) tho.ght the girl 4as the l.c-iest -i) on the +lanet' An) no4 she*) be slee+ing in her be)? This had to be a goo) sign'

Callie loo-e) at ,enny li-e a Christie*s a++raiser (ight e:a(ine a 2ing vase an) then s(ile)' 7Well3 4elco(e to Waverly' I thin- yo.*re going to li-e it here'9 ,enny h.gge) hersel/' I li)e it already'

TeagueWilliams: What )i) yo. say the LL%cent girl loo-s li-e8 HeathFerro: <ro4n c.rly hair3 +ractically a (i)get3 (a0or -noc-ers' TeagueWilliams: o le((e g.ess' ' ' ' Yo. ta-ing her to the cha+el8 HeathFerro: #ells yeah?

CelineColista: o Callie an) <rett are +isse) at each other' They*re both going to 2ary(o.nt*s o//ice to get a roo( trans/er' BennyCunningham: All *ca.se o/ Tinsley3 h.h8 Where is she3 any4ay8 Does anyone even -no48 CelineColista: I hear) she*s )ating so(e g.y /ro( the Raves an) they*re on to.r in E.ro+e' BennyCunningham: I tho.ght that ne4 girl /ro( the city 4as )ating the Raves' ' ' ' CelineColista: Which one?8 BennyCunningham: All o/ the(' The 4hole ban)' CelineColista: Gross' Where*) yo. hear that8 BennyCunningham: I have (y so.rces'

C#A5EL I !OT A! A55RO5RIATE 5LACE $OR YO"!G OWL TO OCIALIZE'

7W

ell3 loo- 4ho*s here?9 ,enny stoo) o.tsi)e Richar)s* lo.nge3 rea++lying her

transl.cent +in- li+ gloss in the large3 s(o-y3 ca/D%style hall (irror' he 4as 4earing a scoo+% nec-3 e(eral)%green A5C to+ that 4as getting a teensy bit stretche) o.t by her c.(berso(e breasts3 an) the highest tan leather heels she o4ne)' he 4hi++e) her hea) aro.n) to /in) #eath $erro3 the boy /ro( earlier 4ith the <lac-<erry an) the great abs3 stan)ing in the )oor4ay3 an .nlit cigarette in his han)' Tiny bea)s o/ s4eat stoo) o.t on his /orehea)3 an) his eyes ha) a glassy3 ti+sy loo-' 7#ey39 she ans4ere) brightly3 4i+ing her han)s o// on the only +air o/ even 0eans she o4ne)3 4hich ha++ene) to (a-e her legs loo- slightly longer than tree%st.(+ length' 7Is the +arty in there89 7In)ee) it is39 #eath re+lie) gallantly' #e loo+e) his ar( aro.n) ,enny*s 4aist' ,enny s(ile)' #eath see(e) really ha++y to see her' An) she 4as ha++y to see hi(3 too' #e 4ore a light bl.e .nt.c-e) o:/or) shirt3 ar(y /atig.e shorts3 an) no shoes' he li-e) his broa) sho.l)ers an) /lo++y3 I*(%a%+re+%school%boy%thro.gh%an)%thro.gh hairc.t' &ort of the way *amlet would loo) if he were a real person3 ,enny tho.ght' All that +rincely Danish bree)ing3 +l.s a /lic-er o/ 4il)ness in his eye' An) ,enny li-e) 4il)ness' #eath +.she) the heavy 4oo)en lo.nge )oor o+en /or her' Everyone /ro>e' 7It*s cool39 #eath anno.nce)3 his han) br.shing acci)entally against ,enny*s boob' 7It*s 0.st .s'9 ,enny glance) aro.n) the roo(' #er /irst Waverly +arty? he co.l) have been st.c- bac- in the )or( +laying chec-ers 4ith Yvonne3 b.t instea) she 4as brea-ing the r.les on her very /irst night at boar)ing school? he co.l) i((e)iately tell that it ha) a )i//erent /eel than the +arties she*) gone to bac- in !e4 Yor-;no one 4as /ooling aro.n) in the g.est be)%roo( an) they )i)n*t have to 4orry abo.t +arents arriving bac- early /ro( 5aris' o(eone ha) )i((e) the lights an) lit a b.nch o/ can)les' Everyone loo-e) li-e they*) 0.st ste++e) o.t o/ a ,'Cre4 catalog;they 4ere all so pretty3 4ith +er/ect3 glo4ing s-in an) healthy3 athletic bo)ies that ca(e /ro( (an)atory year%ro.n) s+orts' Each +erson 4as (ore bea.ti/.l than the last' Everyone 4as hol)ing large ins.late) co//ee (.gs3 4hich 4as a little +.>>ling3 .ntil ,enny reali>e) that the (.gs containe) alcohol' Across the roo(3 <rett sat on the scratche) leather co.ch 4ith Callie3 their /rien) <enny C.nningha(3 an) age $rancis3 4ho ha) been regaling the( 4ith tales o/ the /ab.lo.s A/rican sa/ari she*) gone on this s.((er' It )i)n*t so.n) so great to <rett' $lies3 (alaria3 an) s(elly 4il) ani(als' Fun/ he ga>e) to4ar) the )oor4ay3 sa4 her ne4 roo((ate 4alt> in on #eath $erro*s ar(3 an) i((e)iately elbo4e) <enny har) in the ribs' <enny 4as /ro( 2ain Line 5hila)el+hia3 stoo) to inherit PE11 (illion3 an) 4as +retty in a horsey 4ay@ tall an) lithe3 4ith long3 thic- bro4n hair an) enor(o.s bro4n eyes' he 4as a +r.)e an) al4ays bla(e) it on 4here she gre4 .+3 as i/ 5hilly 4ere a )i//erent +lanet 4here the girls )ran- 4hole (il- an) save) the(selves /or (arriage' <enny al4ays 6.ote) a Diane &eaton line /ro( an ol) Woo)y Allen (ovie3 !anhattan@ 7I*( /ro( 5hila)el+hia3 an) 4e )on*t )o

things li-e that there'9 he )i)n*t 6.ite reali>e that the line 4as (eant to be a 0o-e' Des+ite her +r.)ishness3 she 4as also a (a0or gossi+ 4ho rea) +age &i3 religio.sly b.t acte) li-e she -ne4 it all /irst%han)' 7Loo-s li-e #eath*s gone in /or the -ill39 <enny*s best /rien)3 age $rancis3 la.ghe)3 +ointing' 7G.ess he -ne4 4here he co.l) get so(e'9 <rett shr.gge)' he co.l)n*t i(agine her naQve ne4 roo(%(ate being a sl.t3 b.t there was so(ething see(ingly s+ar-ly an) /resh abo.t ,enny that (ight (a-e her irresistible to3 say3 an entire in)ie roc- ban)3 4hich 4as the r.(or going aro.n) ca(+.s' An) she )i) have so(e -in) o/ air o/ (ystery abo.t her3 4hich re(in)e) <rett o/ so(eone' Tinsley3 +erha+s8 7 o are yo. g.ys really a++lying /or roo( trans/ers89 age 4his+ere)3 to.ching <rett on her bare sho.l)er' 7Roo( trans/ers89 age /l.ttere) her heavily glittere) eyeli)s' he al4ays over.se) eye glitter3 beca.se a hot $rench g.y she*) (et in t' <arts ).ring s+ring brea- the year be/ore ha) tol) her that it (a)e her eyes loo- h.ge an) se:y' 7I tho.ght yo. an) Callie 4ere rea)y to scratch each other*s eyes o.t'9 7Well ' ' '9 <rett traile) o//' 7I 4asn*t +lanning on trans/er%ring' ' ' '9 he loo-e) at her roo((ate' Callie 4as across the roo( tal-ing intensely to Celine Colista3 the other /iel) hoc-ey ca+tain' They*) all +laye) /iel) hoc-ey together since arriving at Waverly /resh(an year3 b.t <rett ha) never ta-en it as serio.sly as the rest o/ the girls' Wo.l) Callie really trans/er roo(s behin) <rett*s bac-8 #a) it co(e to that8 he t.rne) bac- to her ne4 roo((ate3 4ho 4as stan)ing in the )oor4ay an) ga>ing starry%eye)3 as i/ she*) never been to a +arty be/ore in her li/e' ,enny 4as -in) o/ over4hel(e);b.t in a goo) 4ay' #eath ret.rne)3 4eaving a strong% s(elling Waverly travel (.g in /ront o/ her /ace' 7$or yo.'9 7What*s in it89 she as-e)3 ta-ing the (.g 4ith both han)s' 7Does it (atter89 #e grinne) an) cl.(sily ti++e) the contents o/ his o4n (.g )o4n his throat' ,enny +.t the (.g to her li+s' The strong3 so.r li6.i) taste) li-e beer (i:e) 4ith r.(' It g.rgle) )o4n her 4in)+i+e3 bringing tears to her eyes' 7#ey3 there*s <ran)on?9 she (anage) to gas+' <ran)on stoo) by one o/ the giant 4in)o4s3 s.rro.n)e) by three tiny girls 4ith (atching 4hite%blon) +onytails' When he sa4 ,enny across the roo(3 his /ace brightene) an) he 4ave)' he raise) her han) to 4ave bac-3 b.t #eath grabbe) it an) +.lle) her to his si)e' 7It*s ti(e /or the ne4 girl to )o o.r little initiation rit.al39 he sai)3 s(iling )evilishly' 7What89 ,enny /ro4ne)' 7I haven*t hear) o/ any initiation rit.als'9 7Then yo. haven*t been tal-ing to the right +eo+le'9 #eath too- another long )rin- /ro( his (.g3 then set it on the ancient silver ra)iator' 7Co(e 4ith (e'9 #e le) her to the )oor' On the 4ay o.t3 a co.+le o/ g.ys gave hi( high /ives' 7Where yo. goin*3 5ony89 one o/ the( as-e)' #eath 0.st raise) his eyebro4s' The g.ys starte) la.ghing an) (a-ing 4hoo+ing3 4hinnying noises' 7What*s that all abo.t89 ,enny as-e)3 glancing bac- at the hooting boys' 7Who the hell -no4s89 #eath (.ttere)3 as he o+ene) the heavy 4oo)en )oor /or ,enny' 7Who*s 5ony8 Yo.89 7 hhh39 #eath interr.+te)' ,enny +.rse) her li+s together3 /eeling a little .neasy' <.t this 4as boar)ing school' 2agical Waverly lan)' he 4as sa/e here3 4asn*t she8

O.tsi)e3 the night 4as +itch%blac- an) )ea) 6.iet e:ce+t /or the so.n)s o/ so(e cric-ets le/t over /ro( s.((er' #eath sto++e) in /ront o/ the Waverly cha+el3 the b.il)ing ne:t to Richar)s' The cha+el 4as s6.at yet stately3 4ith staine) glass 4in)o4s an) a heavy oa- )oor' 7What are 4e;89 ,enny starte)' he ha)n*t been insi)e the cha+el yet;she 4o.l) be to(orro4 (orning3 /or roll call3 anno.nce(ents3 an) +rayers' #eath st.bbe) his cigarette o.t against one o/ the /ront 4in)o4+anes' 7It*s a tra)ition /or ne4 Waverly st.)ents to go into the cha+el be/ore school act.ally starts'9 7Yo.*re not going to loc- (e in or anything3 are yo.89 ,enny as-e) in a 4avering voice3 not caring ho4 Ol) ,enny she so.n)e)' 7*Co.rse not'9 #eath raise) his eyebro4s' 7I*( co(ing in 4ith yo.'9 7Oh'9 ,enny*s heart 4as +ic-ing .+ s+ee)' 7O-ay3 then'9 #eath +.lle) on the enor(o.s oa- )oor .ntil it o+ene)' The cha+el*s insi)e 4as lit only 4ith a /e4 can)les' An) it 4as as 6.iet as ' ' ' 4ell ' ' ' a ch.rch' 7It*s really nice in here39 ,enny 4his+ere)' 7 it over here 4ith (e'9 #eath +atte) a s+ace on one o/ the )ar- 4oo)en benches' In the can)lelight3 4ith his han)s c.rle) neatly in his la+ an) his hair slic-e) bac-3 ,enny 4on)ere) i/ she*) (is0.)ge) #eath' 2aybe he 4as act.ally really s+irit.al an) sensitive' he sli) into the +e4 ne:t to hi(' 7 o this is the rit.al3 h.h89 7Rit.al89 #eath loo-e) at her cl.elessly' 7Yo. sai) that;9 ,enny sto++e)' O/ course there 4asn*t a rit.al' It 4as a tric-' They 4ere silent /or a (in.te3 listening to the 4in) +ressing .+ against the si)es o/ the cha+el' Then #eath +lace) his han) over hers' 7Yo. 4ere so bea.ti/.l this (orning39 he 4his+ere) breathily3 (i:ing .+ the b an) (3 so that he sai) mootiful an) borning' 7Es+ecially 4hen (y )a) gave yo. a ri)e .+ the hill'9 7Oh39 ,enny ans4ere)3 bea(ing' #e did re(e(ber? 7Well3 than-s'9 7Yo.*re /ro( that all%girls school in !e4 Yor-3 aren*t yo.89 7Yeah'9 #a) she sai) that this (orning8 he )i)n*t thin- so' 7Di) yo. get -ic-e) o.t89 7!ot e:actly'9 Then #eath l.rche) to4ar) her' he tho.ght he*) 0.st lost his balance3 b.t his (o.th 4as s.))enly all over her /ace3 an) his tong.e 4as +o-ing thro.gh her li+s' ,enny*s /irst reaction 4as to +.sh hi( a4ay3 b.t tingles o/ +leas.re began to r.n .+ her s+ine' #eath 4as an a(a>ing -isser3 (aybe better than any%one else she*) ever -isse)' he to.che) the na+e o/ his nec-3 s6.ee>e) her eyes sh.t3 an) allo4e) hersel/ to be s4e+t a4ay' The 4oo)en bench (a)e tiny aching crea-s an) groans' Their sl.r+y -issing noises rang against the alcove ceilings' #is han) trace) the o.tlines o/ her /ingers b.t then 6.ic-ly (ove) )o4n her 4rist to her /orear( an) /inally .+ to her chest' ,enny sli) a4ay /ro( hi(3 alar(e)' 7Whatsa (atter89 #eath s(ir-e)3 his eyes /lic-ering bac- an) /orth /ro( one o/ her breasts to the other' #e )i)n*t loo- li-e a s+irit.al little angel any(ore' 7Well ' ' ' this is a little /ast39 ,enny (anage)' 7That*s all'9 7Co(e on39 #eath .rge)3 his voice getting slee+ier' 7,enny /ro( !e4 Yor-' Cra>y ,enny'9 7I*( not all that cra>y39 ,enny contra)icte)' he ha) a cree+y /eeling that #eath 4as 6.oting so(eone' What ha) +eo+le been saying abo.t her8 An) 4here ha) they gotten their in/or(ation8

Then s.))enly #eath ti++e) over3 lai) his hea) on the bench3 an) began to 6.ietly snore' ,enny stoo) .+' #eath 4as 4aste)' he loo-e) aro.n) the e(+ty cha+el3 his snores echoing o// the bea(e) ceilings' All this (a)e her /eel very Ol) ,enny' he sighe) an) loo-e) aro.n) at the )i(ly lit cha+el' chool )i)n*t o//icially start .ntil to(orro43 she resolve)' !e4 ,enny 4as 0.st getting 4ar(e) .+'

To: EasyWalshR4averly'e). From: #eath$erroR4averly'e). Date: We)nes)ay3 e+te(ber =3 L@I1 A'2' Subject: D.)e ' ' '

Ease3 2isse) a /.c-ing a4eso(e +arty' Can*t even re(e(ber the en)3 e:ce+t /or this /resh little so+ho(ore an) (e 4ere really getting along' I*( still in be) an) I thin- I*( gonna stay here all )ay' <et yo. ha) a /.c-ing a4eso(e e:c.se /or not being there' Was it Tinsley8 Yo. sa4 her this s.((er3 right8 #ey (an3 4rite bac-3 *ca.se 4e all thin- yo.*re )ea)' Later3 #

To: <rett2essersch(i)tR4averly'e). From: ,ere(iah2orti(erRstl.ci.s'e). Date: We)nes)ay3 e+te(ber =3 11@11 A'2' Subject: <etter in +erson ' ' '

#ey3 <' Yo. got o// the +hone so /ast' ,.st 4hen 4e 4ere getting to the goo) +art? I can*t go another )ay 4itho.t seeing yo.' I -no4 yo.r classes start to(orro43 b.t yo.*re )one by =3 right8 #o4 abo.t I ho+ the sh.ttle an) co(e over to(orro4 a/ternoon8 2aybe 4e co.l) s+en) a little ti(e .n)er that )o4ny co(/orter o/ yo.rs' ' ' '

N
A WAVERLY OWL #O"LD !OT DRI!& WIT# #ER TEAC#ER;"!LE IT* !A55LE'

7O

o/?9 <rett sla((e) into a tall g.y as she 4al-e) )o4n tans/iel) #all*s thir)%/loor

hall4ay' he*) been trying to -ill a co.+le o/ (in.tes catching .+ on e%(ails on her cell +hone*s tiny screen be/ore (eeting 4ith so(e ne4 teacher na(e) 2r' Dalton3 4ho 4as s.++ose) to be the ne4 Disci+linary Co((ittee a)viser' ,ere(iah*s (essage ha) 0.st +o++e) .+ on the screen' 7 orry39 she (.ttere) to the +erson 4ho*) b.(+e) into her3 4itho.t loo-ing to see 4ho it 4as' 7Yo. better 4atch 4here yo.*re going 4ith that' It*s <rett3 right89 he loo-e) .+' An .nbelievably han)so(e boy 4ith (.sse) )irty blon) hair 4as stan)ing in /ront o/ her' #e loo-e) li-e 5rince Willia( b.t taller3 tanner3 an) better' #e 4ore a slightly r.(+le) avile Ro4Gtailore) s(all%chec- o:/or) shirt 4ith the botto( t4o b.ttons b.ttone) incorrectly' <rett co.l)n*t hel+ b.t i(agine hi( ha+ha>ar)ly thro4ing it on over his har)3 (.sc.lar chest3 as he cli(be) o.t o/ be)' 7I recogni>e yo. /ro( the +ict.re in yo.r st.)ent /ile39 the boy 4ent on' 7I*( Eric Dalton3 the ne4 DC a)viser'9 Oo+s' This 4as no boy' 7Oh? "(' #i3 2r' Dalton39 <rett sta((ere)3 shoving her cell +hone in her +oc-et' 7I*(3 .h3 sorry abo.t that'9 he hel) o.t her han)' #e sh.//le) a co//ee (.g;the sa(e (aroon%an)%4hite Waverly O4ls (.g that they (i:e) )rin-s in at their )or( +arties;/ro( one han) to the other an) gri++e) hers' <rett 4as s.))enly gla) that she ha) a (oist.ri>ing /etish an) that her +al( 4o.l) /eel sil-y in his han)' 7Those aren*t allo4e) here3 yo. -no4'9 2r' Dalton raise) his eyebro4s at her +hone' $or a secon) <rett tho.ght he 4as serio.s an) starte) to (.ster .+ an e:c.se' Then he 4his+ere)3 7<.t I 4on*t tell ' ' ' this ti(e' Go sit )o4n in (y o//ice an) I*ll be 4ith yo. in a sec'9 $l.stere)3 <rett s(ile)3 4ishing she ha) so(ething 4itty to say' The )oor to his o//ice stoo) o+en' he 4al-e) in an) loo-e) aro.n)' $or a g.y 4ho*) 0.st arrive) at Waverly3 he s.re ha) a lot o/ st.//' There 4ere +osters 4ra++e) in bro4n +a+er on the /loor3 a large blac- globe that still sho4e) R.ssia as the " R3 an) boo-s an) +a+ers

every4here' he notice) a )ecanter /ille) 4ith 4hat loo-e) li-e re) 4ine on the oa- table in the corner3 an) her (in) starte) to race' ettle down3 she tol) hersel/' 2ou re here because he s new to Waverly and he wants to meet all the 4C members1 That s probably cran0raspberry &napple, not wine' he 4al-e) .+ to one o/ the +osters that 2r' Dalton ha) h.ng in a heavy3 gil)e) /ra(e' It 4as act.ally an ol) inscribe) scroll3 (o.nte) an) /ra(e)' he s6.inte) at the Ancient Gree- 4or)s an) (.r(.re), 7C5raise each go) as tho.gh they 4ere listening'*9 7#o4*) yo. -no4 that89 a voice calle) o.t behin) her' <rett 0.(+e)' 2r' Dalton stoo) in the )oor4ay3 grinning at her slyly3 as i/ he -ne4 a big secret an) 4as rea)y to s+ill it' 7I s+ent a little ti(e in Greece39 she sai) .ncertainly' 7Yo. 4ant to sit )o4n89 he as-e)' 7 orry /or all the +a+ers'9 #e 6.ic-ly +ic-e) a stac- o/ +a+ers .+ o// a chair3 leaning so close to <rett that she co.l)n*t hel+ b.t notice ho4 goo) he s(elle)' Li-e Ac6.a )i 5ar(a3 4hich 4as the only ty+e o/ cologne she co.l) stan) on a g.y' 7Can I get yo. anything89 2r' Dalton sat )o4n in his high%bac-e) bro4n leather chair' It (a)e a /arting crea-3 4hich both o/ the( +reten)e) not to notice' 7I have little /ri)ge3 so(e glasses3 altho.gh I only have ' ' ' 4ell ' ' ' act.ally3 all I have3 I thin-3 is so(e +inot noir'9 #e /ro4ne)3 then blin-e) har)' 7 orry' I (ean3 obvio.sly 4e can*t have +inot noir' I )on*t -no4 4hat that*s even doing in here3 beca.se I 4asn*t )rin-ing it or anything'9 !ethin)s !r1 4alton doth protest too much3 <rett tho.ght 4ryly3 4atching hi( nervo.sly +.ll his shirt collar a4ay /ro( his nec-' 7I*( /ine39 she state) +ri(ly instea)3 +erching on the e)ge o/ her chair' Dalton s4itche) on the /lat%screen 2ac GI sitting on to+ o/ his )es-' 7O-ay' <rett' o they*re (a-ing (e +.t all the ol) DC cases into a )atabase' They gave (e the gr.nt%4or- 0obs beca.se I*( ne4'9 #e /lashe) his +er/ect teeth nervo.sly3 an) she 4on)ere) silently i/ he 0.st ha) a(a>ing )ental genes or i/ these 4ere veneers' It 4as a to.gh call3 one she 4o.l)n*t (in) investigating (ore closely' With3 say3 her li+s' #e sh.//le) the +a+ers' 7 o besi)es (eeting all the DC a++ointees3 I*( loo-ing /or so(eone to hel+ (e 4ee) thro.gh all this DC st.// to get to the +ertinent in/or(ation an) then hel+ enter it into the co(+.ter' <.t it has to be so(eone 4ho 4as on DC last year3 beca.se the (aterial is con/i)ential to non%DC st.)ents' Were yo. on DC last year89 <rett lic-e) her li+s' 7Well3 no39 she ans4ere)3 4anting to lie' 7Oh'9 2r' Dalton so.n)e) )isa++ointe)' #e let o.t a sigh' 7That*s too ba)'9 7We 4o.l)n*t have to tell anybo)y3 tho.gh3 4o.l) 4e89 <rett s.ggeste) slo4ly' 7I (ean3 I 4ant to hel+' It 4o.l) ' ' ' it 4o.l) loo- goo) on (y transcri+t'9 &ure1 That s why I want to do it3 she tho.ght' !y transcript1 7I )on*t -no4' ' ' ' 9 2r' Dalton shoo- his hea)' #e stare) at her 6.i>>ically' <rett nervo.sly br.she) a hair o// her chee-' 7#o4 ol) are yo.89 he /inally sai)' 7 eventeen'9 7#.h'9 #e tilte) his hea) an) s(ile) 4ith one si)e o/ his (o.th' 7What89 7Well' Yo. )on*t loo- seventeen' That*s all'9 G.ys sai) this to <rett all the ti(e' They 4ere al4ays asto.n)e) she 4as still in high school' 7#o4 ol) are you89 #e straightene) .+ a little' 7T4enty%three' I 0.st /inishe) <ro4n'9 <rett .nconscio.sly che4e) the #ar) Can)y Vinyl +olish o// her +in-ie' 7I*( going to go to gra) school3 b.t since I 4ent to Waverly3 I tho.ght I*) +ay (y ).es an) teach here /or a co.+le years39 2r' Dalton contin.e)'

7I 4ant to go to <ro4n39 <rett bl.rte) o.t' 7I co.l) i(agine yo. there'9 #e no))e)' he stare) at her gorgeo.s t4enty%three%year%ol) teacher an) )i)n*t +.ll her eyes a4ay /or the secon) he stare) bac-' 7All right'9 #e /inally bro-e the silence' 7I thin- (aybe 4e co.l) /ig.re o.t a 4ay /or yo. to hel+ (e;I (ean3 i/ yo. really 4ant to'9 I want to3 <rett 4ante) to say' I really, really want to1 <.t she re(aine) silent' 72aybe 4e co.l) (eet .+ again to(orro4 (orning3 be/ore class8 Oh3 an) the na(e 2r' Dalton so.n)s really 4eir)' 2aybe I*ll be .se) to it 4hen I*( /i/ty an) r.nning the /a(ily b.siness' <.t /or no4 ' ' '9 #e lo4ere) his eyes an) then loo-e) bac- .+ at her /ro( beneath his thic- blon) lashes' 7Call (e Eric89 7 .re39 <rett agree)3 s(iling' he co.l) thin- o/ a lot o/ things she*) li-e to call hi(' ,.st then the +a+ers that he*) re(ove) /ro( her chair starte) to sli)e o// his )es- to4ar) <rett*s la+' #e l.nge) /or4ar)3 grabbing /or the(' At the sa(e ti(e3 <rett leane) )o4n to catch so(e +a+ers that ha) lan)e) on the /loor' Their hea)s colli)e)' O.ch' 7$.c-?9 <rett crie)3 seeing a brie/ /lash o/ 4hite' Then she cla(+e) her (o.th sh.t' Even tho.gh (ost Waverly -i)s ha) )irty (o.ths3 yo. 4eren*t s.++ose) to s4ear in /ront o/ the teachers' Waverly O4ls (.st al4ays have goo) (anners3 an) ba) lang.age 4as a sign o/ in)ecency an) ba) bree)ing' #e r.bbe) his /orehea)3 4incing' 7Yo. o-ay89 <rett s4allo4e) har)' What i/ 2r' Dalton tho.ght she 4as .nco.th an) trashy8 <.t then she notice) his concerne) e:+ression an) )eci)e) he )i)n*t care' 7I thin- I*ll live39 she re+lie) /inally' 7Well3 that*s goo)39 he la.ghe)' 7<eca.se I*) )e/initely li-e to -ee+ yo. alive'9

To: <rianna2essersch(i)tRelle'co( From: <rett2essersch(i)tR4averly'e). Date: We)nes)ay3 e+te(ber =3 11@IF A'2' Subject: #ot3 hot3 hot

#ey is3 I 0.st (et the +er/ect g.y' #e*s s(art3 gorgeo.s3 shy3 an) s4eet an) hotter than the (o)els in the Ral+h La.ren Ro(ance a)s' Tro.ble3 tho.gh@ he*s a teacher' As in3 the -in) that gives yo. ho(e4or- assign(ents' The -in) that sits .+ on the Waverly stage ).ring asse(bly' The -in) that gra)es +a+ers an) isn*t s.++ose) to to.ch st.)ents ' ' ' I*( s.re yo. get the gist' What to )o8

:o:o:o3 Little is

To: ,ere(iah2orti(erRstl.ci.s'e). From: <rett2essersch(i)tR4averly'e). Date: Th.rs)ay3 e+te(ber =3 11@IO A'2' Subject: Re@ <etter in +erson ' ' '

,3 .re3 yo. can co(e over to(orro43 b.t (y roo(*s o.t' Callie*s being a real +ri(a )onna' .r+rise3 s.r+rise' ee ya soon' <

L
A WAVERLY OWL #O"LD!*T ATTE25T ECRET TRY T ' O2EO!E I ALWAY WATC#I!G'

allie leane) .+ against the ).sty 4oo)en )oors o/ the ol) stables3 trying not to get )rie)

horse (an.re on the heels o/ her bran)%ne4 tella 2cCartney ro.n)%toe) blac- +atent leather shoes' The 4eathere) re) barn sat ne:t to a three%acre horse +a))oc-3 se+arate) /ro( the rest o/ the Waverly ca(+.s by a +atch o/ )ensely settle) +ines' A 4histle ble4 in the )istance3 an) Callie recogni>e) the gr.// voice o/ Coach (ail3 the girls* /iel) hoc-ey coach3 yelling3 7That 4on*t c.t it on varsity3 la)ies?9 The /irst /.ll )ay at school consiste) o/ gr.eling eight%ho.r tryo.ts /or the /all tea(s3 b.t Callie 4as e:e(+t since she 4as alrea)y a varsity /iel) hoc-ey ca+tain' The s.n 4as lo4 in the late%a/ternoon s-y an) Easy 4as 4al-ing to4ar) her' #e 4as 4earing one o/ the T%shirts he*) ta-en ho(e /ro( her ho.se;a ratty green thing 4ith a horseshoe3 o/ co.rse;.n)er his beat%.+ (aroon Waverly 0ac-et' !o tie' #is )ar- bro4n hair stoo) .+ in )ishevele) +ea-s an) there 4as a s(.)ge o/ bl.e in- ne:t to his le/t ear' A h.ge3 se:y s(ile s+rea) across his /ace 4hen he sa4 her' he 4ante) hi( so ba)ly' 2aybe everything bet4een the( 4as o-ay a/ter all' 7Yo. co.l)*ve at least change) yo.r shirt39 she tease)3 ta-ing the he( bet4een her /ingers' 7I s.++ose3 beca.se I /eel 4ay .n)er)resse) ne:t to yo.39 he tease) bac-' 7I*( not all that )resse) .+'9 7Are too' Loo- at those shoes'9 #e +ointe)' 7I can i(agine yo. stan)ing in /ront o/ yo.r closet3 agoni>ing over yo.r ne4est3 se:iest +air' Right89 #e s(ile) at her' 7I*( right3 aren*t I89 7Wrong39 Callie shot bac-3 altho.gh he 4as3 o/ co.rse3 right' It +isse) her o// that Easy -ne4 her so 4ell' An) that he 4as s(arter than she 4as' Act.ally3 4hen it ca(e )o4n to it3 everything abo.t hi( (a)e her si(.ltaneo.sly seethe an) sh.))er 4ith +leas.re' Easy lit a cigarette an) ).c-e) so that he 4as o.t o/ sight o/ 2ary(o.nt*s ho.se3 a gran) T.)or (ansion right on the e)ge o/ ca(+.s' Callie tosse) her long stra4berry%blon) hair behin) her sho.l)ers' Why 4as he 0.st stan)ing there8 #ere they 4ere3 alone by the aban)one) horse stables3 4hile everyone else 4as /inishing .+ s+orts tryo.ts' he co.l) har)ly 4ait to lie )o4n in the tic-%in/este) hay an) tear his clothes o//' 72isse) yo. at the +arty last night39 she 4his+ere) ten)erly' 72((' Yeah' I 4as really tire)'9 O-ay3 this 4as in/.riating' #e 4as still 0.st stan)ing there' 7 o3 yo. 4ant to co(e over here89 Callie /inally as-e)3 +.lling at his 0ac-et' 7,.st a sec'9 #e 0er-e) a4ay slightly an) too- another )rag' 7!ever (in)3 then' $orget it'9 Callie bac-e) a4ay3 +.lling o.t her o4n +ac- o/ 2arlboro Lights' he st.c- one in her (o.th an) trie) to /lic- on her /l.orescent green lighter b.t -e+t /.(bling 4ith the chil)+roo/ loc-' 7!o3 no3 co(e on39 Easy +lea)e) in a lo4 voice3 t.rning to her an) thro4ing his cigarette on the gro.n)' 7Don*t be li-e that' ' ' '9 7Well3 I )on*t -no439 Callie starte)' 7I (ean3 yo.;9 Easy +.t his han) on the na+e o/ her nec-' 7I*( 0.st a little o.t o/ it'9 #e -isse) Callie*s 0a4bone lightly3 then +resse) her against the stable )oor an) -isse) her har)er' #is ca+able han)s /loate) all over her bo)y' Callie +.lle) a (ess o/ tangle) hair bac- /ro( her /ace' 7#ave I tol) yo. ho4 goo) it is to see yo.89 Easy (.r(.re) bet4een -isses' Callie sighe)' Things 4ere s.))enly right again' What ha) she been agoni>ing abo.t8 he an) Easy 4ere +er/ect together' 2aybe she sho.l)n*t have /elt so /rea-e) abo.t 4hat ha)

ha++ene) in +ain' 2aybe she sho.l)n*t have +ai) any attention to that st.+i) I2 she*) gotten /ro( #eath saying they*) bro-en .+' 72aybe 4e co.l) lie )o4n89 she 4his+ere)' Easy t.gge) her to4ar) the +a))oc- 4here the grass 4as green an) so/t3 -issing her collarbone lightly' #e +.lle) her to the gro.n) an) -isse) her nec-' This is the way it should be3 she tho.ght3 loo-ing to4ar) the setting s.n' The aban)one) stables 4ere bea.ti/.l an) the s.n 4as lo4 an) glo4ing +in- in the s-y' !o3 there 4asn*t any ,ohn 2ayer +laying so/tly in the bac-gro.n) li-e there ha) been that night in +ain3 b.t this 4o.l) )e/initely )o' 7D*yo. re(e(ber 4hat 4e 4ere tal-ing abo.t in +ain89 Callie (.r(.re)3 her heart shivering in her chest' The (e(ory o/ that night ca(e r.shing bac-@ they ha) been in her be)3 .n)er the sheets3 al(ost na-e)' Callie ha) (.stere) .+ all her co.rage an) sai) to her bea.ti/.l3 (essy3 se:y3 brilliant3 bel%ligerent boy/rien)3 7I love yo.'9 he*) +lanne) on having se: 4ith hi( then@ they*) tell each other they love) one other an) then (a-e love /or the /irst ti(e' All o/ the r.(ors abo.t Tinsley /ro( last year 4o.l) clear .+3 an) Easy 4o.l) be hers /orever' Instea)3 he*) -isse) her silently bac-3 an) then event.ally the -issing ha) slo4e)3 an) he*) settle) into the +illo4 ne:t to her an) /allen aslee+' he*) listene) to his breathing t.rn to so/t snoring an) 4on)ere) i/ he*) hear) her at all' 2aybe she*) sai) it too 6.ietly8 Callie ha) s+ent the 4hole s.((er ho+ing that 4as 4hy he ha)n*t sai) it bac-' Callie )i) love hi(3 she really )i)' 4idn t he love her too% he notice) one o/ those /at great horne) o4ls 4atching the( /ro( a tree branch' #e loo-e) li-e that st.+i) cartoon /ro( those ol) Tootsie Roll co((ercials' he /elt sel/%conscio.s3 li-e the o4l 4as 0.)ging her' 7Re(e(ber 4hat I sai) in be)89 she as-e) tentatively' Easy s.))enly sto++e) -issing her collarbone an) sl.(+e) against her si)e' he to.che) his ar(' 7What*s 4rong89 7!othing'9 #e breathe) in )ee+ly an) loo-e) o.t over the horse +a))oc-' ho.ts o/ the girls* /iel) hoc-ey tryo.ts echoe) /ro( the +ractice /iel)s' 7This 0.st see(s ' ' ' I )on*t -no4'9 7What )o yo. (ean89 Callie*s voice ca(e o.t in a high3 e(barrassing s6.ea-' he shove) her tella 2cCartney bac- on her right /oot an) sat .+' A h.ge s(ear o/ gray )irt ran )o4n her leg an) she +raye) it 4asn*t horse (an.re' A (ale /ig.re a++eare) on the +ath lea)ing )o4n to the stables3 +.shing a 4heelbarro4' 7 hit'9 Callie grabbe) Easy*s han)s3 +.lling hi( .+' 7It*s <en'9 <en 4as the nasty ol) gro.n)s-ee+er 4ho al4ays got -i)s in tro.ble' #e even carrie) aro.n) a )igital ca(era so he co.l) have +roo/' Last year3 he*) ca.ght #eath $erro s(o-ing a 0oint by the natatori.(3 b.t #eath ha) bribe) hi( to )elete the +hotos by giving hi( his )a)*s +latin.( heirloo( #arry Winston c.// lin-s' They scra(ble) to the other si)e o/ the stable an) +resse) the(selves against a 4oo)en )oor' 7I sho.l) +robably go bac- to (y roo(39 Easy 4his+ere)' 7Whatever'9 Callie ).g her heel into the )irt3 even tho.gh she -ne4 it 4as going to totally r.in her shoes' hit' Why ha) she bro.ght .+ +ain8 7Loo-'9 #e too- her han)s' 7I*( sorry' Let*s try this again' Yo.r )or( roo(' Tonight' A/ter the 4elco(e )inner'9 7Yeah3 right39 Callie sco//e)' 7Yo.*re alrea)y on Angelica*s 4atch list'9 7I*ll /in) a 4ay'9 Easy +.lle) her close an) hel) her /or a secon)' 7I +ro(ise39 he 4his+ere)3 then )ashe) a4ay'

AlanSt irard: Where*s #eath8 BrandonBuchanan: till in be)' #asn*t sho4ere)' (ells a4/.l' AlanSt irard: D.)e3 it*s al(ost )inner? BrandonBuchanan: I -no4' I thin- he*s still )r.n- tho' AlanSt irard: #e le/t 4ith that ne4 chic- last night' BrandonBuchanan@ Who8 AlanSt irard: Dar- c.rly hair8 <ig boobs8 They say she 4as a stri++er in !YC' BrandonBuchanan: !ah' he never sho4e) last night' AlanSt irard@ .re she )i)' Yo. 4ere too b.sy staring at Callie to notice' #eath too- her to the cha+el' Thin- she gave hi( a la+ )ance8

Alison!uentin: This cha+el stin-s' Why is 2ary(o.nt*s Welco(e to Waverly s+eech al4ays so loooong8 BennyCunningham: !o -i))ing' Where*s .%-no4%4ho8 Alison!uentin: D.nno' <.t )i) yo. -no4 age )re4 a little +ony on the (ar-er boar)s o/ all the girls in her )or( 4ho*ve hoo-e) .+ 4ith hi(8 o /ar there are si:3 incl.)ing the ne4 girl' That*s 0.st one /loor o/ D.(barton' BennyCunningham: #o4 co(e I )on*t have a +ony on (y boar)8 Alison!uentin: Yo. hoo-e) .+ 4S hi(8 BennyCunningham: We -isse) /resh(an year? A little slo++y3 b.t goo) techni6.e' Alison!uentin: <? I tho.ght yo. 4ere (y innocent /rien)?

11

T#ERE ARE O2E T#I!G A WAVERLY OWL DOE !OT EAT3 ," T <ECA" E'

7Y

o. are +art o/ a gran) tra)ition'9 The )ee+3 +enetrating voice o/ Dean 2ary(o.nt

boo(e) an) th.))e) aro.n) the cha+el' Everyone sai) 2ary(o.nt ha) been this big revol.tionary +rotester bac- in the seventies an) that he 4as a car)%carrying (e(ber o/ 2ensa3 b.t ,enny tho.ght he loo-e) (ore li-e a Little Leag.e coach 4ho )rove a Do)ge (inivan than the )ean o/ a +restigio.s boar)ing school' #is graying co(b%over 4as +lastere) to his s4eaty hea)' <ehin) hi( sat the Waverly /ac.lty3 all 4earing the school*s .ni/or(;(aroon an) navy tie3 (aroon 0ac-et3 4hite shirt3 tro.sers' !or(ally st.)ents 0.st ha) to 4ear the (aroon Waverly bla>er 4ith anything they 4ante) .n)erneath3 b.t /or the /irst cha+el (eeting o/ the year everyone ha) to 4ear a tie3 girls incl.)e)' ,enny*s hal/%Win)sor -not 4as all l.(+y' he sighe)' #er /ather only o4ne) one tie3 4hich 4as covere) in cob4ebs' he*) never as-e)3 b.t he*) +robably ha) it since he 4as a so+ho(ore in high school' They ha) gathere) /or Dean 2ary(o.nt*s o//icial beginning%o/%the%year s+eech be/ore the /irst o//icial all%ca(+.s )inner' The cha+el 4as +ac-e) an) s(elle) o/ teenage)%boy <O an) /eet' Last night3 she*) a4a-ene) #eath eno.gh to )e+osit hi( on the stoo+ in /ront o/ Richar)s3 an) then she*) cra4le) bac- to D.(barton3 e:ha.ste)' In the (i))le o/ the night3 either <rett or Callie ha) .n+l.gge) ,enny*s cloc- ra)io to .se the o.tlet to charge a cell +hone' L.c-ily the cha+el bells ha) 4o-en her so she co.l) get to /iel) hoc-ey tryo.ts on ti(e' Every Waverly st.)ent ha) to +lay a s+ort3 an) ,enny ha) )eci)e) on /iel) hoc-ey3 since it see(e) li-e the (ost tra)itional boar)ing school s+ort to +lay' he +lanne) on +laying lacrosse in the s+ring /or the sa(e reason' ,enny )i)n*t even have a hoc-ey stic-3 b.t the b.ll)oggish coach3 Alice (ail3 ha) /o.n) her an e:tra Cranberry in the /iel) ho.se3 an) ,enny ha) soon )iscovere) that she 4as a nat.ral on the /iel)' 7Yo.*re sure yo. )i)n*t +lay /or yo.r school89 Coach (ail as-e) her' As i/ ,enny co.l) have /orgotten' #er scri((age tea(*s center3 &enleigh3 4ho( ,enny ha) seen at the +arty last night3 (.r(.re)3 7Goo) (ove39 as ,enny trotte) bac- to the si)elines' 2aybe she*) even (a-e the varsity c.t? 7This year3 4e have so(e ne4 /ac.lty (e(bers that I 4o.l) li-e to intro).ce39 Dean 2ary(o.nt anno.nce)' ,enny chec-e) her 4atch' They*) alrea)y been here /or /orty (in.tes3 singing Waverly*s school hy(n an) Waverly*s s+orts hy(n3 reciting the Waverly +rayer to t' $rancis3 an) cla++ing as 2ary(o.nt intro).ce) the school*s +re/ects3 4hich 4ere li-e the +resi)ents o/ each class' ,enny 4as starving' 7$irst o//3 a Waverly al.( an) a recent gra).ate o/ <ro4n "niversity3 4e have 2r' Eric Dalton' 2r' Dalton 4ill be the ne4 0.nior an) senior ancient history +ro/essor an) an a)viser to the Disci+linary Co((ittee' #e*s also the ne4 assistant coach /or the boys* cre4 tea(' Welco(e'9 Everyone cla++e) obe)iently' ,enny s+ie) <rett3 4ho ha) 0.st been /orce) to stan) an) 4ave at the class beca.se she 4as the 0.nior class*s +re/ect3 t4o ro4s ahea)' ,enny 4atche) as <rett elbo4e) the br.nette ne:t to her an) (o.the) the 4or)s #h my God'

7I*) li-e to e:ten) a 4ar( 4elco(e all the inco(ing /resh(en an) ne4 st.)ents;Waverly is yo.r ne4 ho(e3 an) 4e are yo.r ne4 /a(ily39 2ary(o.nt contin.e)' 7An) /inally ' ' ' en0oy )inner?9 The cro4) er.+te) in a++la.se an) hoots as it +o.re) o.t o/ the cha+el an) across the great la4n to4ar) the )ining hall' ,enny gas+e) 4hen she 4al-e) in' The )ining hall loo-e) li-e the insi)e o/ an ol) English cathe)ral' The 4alls 4ere +lastere) 4ith class +ict.res )ating bac- to 1L1F an) 4ith a lot o/ +hotogra+hs o/ 2a:i(ilian Waverly3 the school*s /o.n)er' t.)ents (ille) aro.n)3 -issing each other an) sla++ing each other*s han)s' ,enny 4asn*t s.re 4hat to )o' Where 4as she s.++ose) to sit8 7It*s a little cra>y in here3 h.h89 ,enny t.rne)3 ho+ing it (ight be #eath /inally (a-ing an a++earance' Instea)3 stan)ing ne:t to her 4as the boy 4ith the easel she*) seen across the green yester)ay 4ith Yvonne' Easy' At least3 that 4as 4hat she tho.ght Yvonne ha) sai) his na(e 4as' #is hair 4as so bro4n it 4as al(ost blac-3 an) his eyes 4ere )ee+ bl.e' #e 4ore a beat%.+ green T%shirt 4ith a yello4 sil%ho.ette o/ a horseshoe .n)erneath his Waverly bla>er' It 4as the sort o/ chic T%shirt that they*) sell at <arneys /or PMI3 b.t his loo-e) )eci)e)ly real%)eal vintage' #e voice 4as gravelly3 4ith an accent she co.l)n*t 6.ite +lace' 7A little cra>y3 yeah39 ,enny agree)' he ste++e) asi)e to let hi( +ass' A (ythson o/ <on) treet s-etchboo- h.ng o.t o/ his green canvas (essenger bag' A single sheet o/ +a+er o/ s-etche) eyes3 noses3 an) (o.ths 4as cli++e) to the cover' 7#ey3 are yo. ta-ing +ortrait.re89 7Yeah3 I a(' Yo.89 7Oh' "(3 I a( too'9 ilently3 ,enny atte(+te) to +.ll her%sel/ together' Yo.*re !e4 ,enny no43 she re(in)e) hersel/' 7Cool'9 Easy sla++e) han)s 4ith a boy 4ho*) 0.st 4al-e) in' 7 o3 see yo. later'9 #e s(ile) at ,enny' 7#ey39 a /a(iliar voice bec-one) /ro( behin) her' he t.rne) an) s(ile) at <ran)on3 4ho loo-e) even c.ter an) cleaner than yester)ay;i/ that 4as +ossible;in his (aroon Waverly bla>er an) stri+e) tie' 7It*s /or(al )inner' They have assigne) seating' Yo.*re at (y table'9 7Oh' Than-s'9 ,enny s(ile) grate/.lly an) /ollo4e) hi( thro.gh the cro4)e) )ining roo(' 7 o3 .(3 ho4 long )i) the +arty go on last night89 7Oh3 the .s.al'9 <ran)on*s eyes shi/te) to the /loor' 7I )i)n*t even see yo. there' Go ho(e early89 ,enny bit her lo4er li+' 7"(3 yeah'9 They arrive) at a table alrea)y occ.+ie) by t4o st.)ents@ a very tall boy 4ith a nose ring an) a very tall girl 4hose ang.lar /ace3 large3 4i)e%set bro4n eyes an) thic- bro4n hair all screa(e) goo) bree)ing' 7This is Ryan Reynol)s3 an) this is <enny C.nningha('9 7I sa4 yo. at the +arty last night' I*( ,enny'9 he s(ile) at <enny' 7That*s right'9 <enny no))e)3 shooting a -no4ing loo- at Ryan' ,enny too- o// her hot 4ool Waverly 0ac-et an) )ra+e) it over her chair' 7Yo. can*t )o that39 <enny hisse)' 7The /ac.lty 4ill /rea-'9 7Oh'9 ,enny 6.ic-ly sli) the 0ac-et bac- on' he loo-e) aro.n) the roo(T (ost o/ the st.)ents 4ere sitting at their tables alrea)y3 bla>ers on' 7Loo-ing /or #eath89 <enny bl.rte) o.t' Ryan n.)ge) her' 7Oh'9 ,enny shoo- o.t her +ristine (aroon cloth na+-in3 ho+ing her /ace 4asn*t t.rning the sa(e color' 7Yeah' #e 4as ' ' ' he 4as a little ' ' ' tire) last night' I ha) to hel+ hi( ho(e'9

7<o(be) is (ore li-e it39 Ryan la.ghe)' 7Any4ay3 <ran)on3 yo. getting +syche) /or <lacat.r)ay89 he as-e)3 stabbing the ol) 4oo)en table 4ith his -ni/e' 7What*s <lac- at.r)ay89 ,enny as-e) c.rio.sly' 7Don*t get too e:cite)39 <ran)on la.ghe)' 7It*s 4hen all the t' L.ci.s s+orts tea(s co(e to Waverly an) 4e have this blo4o.t bloo)/est' The tea(s ta-e it really serio.sly3 beca.se 4e*re s.++ose) to hate t' L.ci.s so (.ch' It*s another tra)ition' Yo.*re +laying /iel) hoc-ey3 right89 7Yes'9 ,enny s(ile)' he*) never been on a tea( be/ore' 7Tryo.ts 4ere to)ay'9 7Well3 the girls* /iel) hoc-ey tea( +lays3 along 4ith the soccer an) /ootball tea(s' <.t then 4hen it*s over3 the -i)s /ro( both schools +arty li-e roc- stars at a secret location that isn*t reveale) .ntil that )ay'9 7#eath .s.ally thro4s the +arty39 <enny o//ere)3 re/astening her silver Ti//any char( bracelet on her 4rist' 7<.t (aybe he tol) yo. that alrea)y89 t.)ent servers in starche) 4hite o:/or)s an) +resse) gray /lannel tro.sers set )o4n large3 crea(y 4hite +lates la)en 4ith grille) sal(on (arinate) in honey 4asabi' This 4as 4ay better than her )a)*s e:+eri(ental la(b%an)%+inea++le lasagna vo)-a /la(bD' 7Oh (y Go)' This s(ells delicious'9 ,enny grabbe) her /or- an) too- a h.ge bite' 7!mm?9 7D.)e3 yo.*re eating the sal(on89 A boy +.t his elbo4s on the table ne:t to her' #eath' Finally' 7#ey'9 he covere) her /.ll (o.th 4ith her han)' 7!obo)y eats the sal(on39 #eath sco//e)' There 4asn*t a hint o/ the a(oro.s3 yo.*re%a%se:% go))ess vibe he*) lai) on last night' ,enny*s eyes 4i)ene)' he loo-e) aro.n) at the other +lates3 an) s.re eno.gh3 no one else at the table ha) to.che) their /ish' 7Why8 Is there so(ething 4rong 4ith it89 <ran)on t.rne) to her' 7!o;it*s /ine' 5eo+le 0.st ' ' ' )on*t eat it' I )on*t -no4 4hy' It*s li-e3 a thing'9 7,enny89 o(eone ta++e) her on the bac-' he t.rne) to see Yvonne3 the girl 4ho ha) escorte) her to D.(barton yester)ay' Tortoiseshell b.tter/ly cli+s hel) cl.(+s o/ Yvonne*s )ish4aterblon) hair bac-3 an) her +ale bl.e eyes 4ere as googly an) cra>e) as they*) been yester)ay' 7Can I tal- to yo.89 Yvonne glance) nervo.sly at the others at the table' 7In the hall89 Ryan an) <enny e:change) another -no4ing loo-' ,enny shr.gge) an) +lace) her na+-in over her /ish' ,ew -enny is not easily flustered3 she tol) hersel/' o 4hat i/ no one ate the /ish8 !e4 ,enny )i) 4hat she +lease)? Yvonne le) ,enny o.t into the /ront entry4ay o/ the )ining hall' 7I ho+e this isn*t abo.t 0a>> ense(ble39 ,enny )eclare) .+ /ront' 7<eca.se I*( -in) o/ really not intereste)' I*( basically tone%)ea/'9 7!o3 it*s not that' I*ve3 .(3 hear) so(e things abo.t yo.3 an) I tho.ght yo. sho.l) -no4'9 7#.h89 ,enny s.c-e) in her breath' he*) gotten I%tho.ghtyo.%sho.l)%-no4 s+eeches be/ore3 an) it al(ost al4ays t.rne) o.t that she never 4ante) to -no4' 7Everyone*s I2ing abo.t yo.'9 7What89 ,enny )e(an)e) slo4ly' Yvonne too- a )ee+ breath' 7They*re saying that yo. .se) to be a stri++er an) too- yo.r clothes o// /or3 li-e3 a )ollar' An) yo.*re li-e this !e4 Yor- City se: legen)' An)3 er3 yo.*ve alrea)y sle+t 4ith so(eone here at Waverly'9 7What?89 ,enny s6.ea-e)' .))enly the hall4ay see(e) )i( an) ha>y' 7With 4ho(?8 I (ean3 4ho*s saying that89

Yvonne loo-e) )o4n' 7That boy 4ho 4as at yo.r table' #eath $erro' I )on*t -no4 i/ yo. even -no4 hi( yet3 b.t he;9 ,enny sa4 a re) (ist be/ore her eyes' #eath' 7I can*t believe this'9 7I )on*t believe it39 Yvonne +roteste)3 4aving her han) aro.n)' 7Than-s39 ,enny s6.ea-e)' 7I have to go no4' orry'9 Yvonne t.rne) an) s-ittere) o.t the )oor' ,enny leane) against the 4all3 /eeling )i>>y an) )isoriente)' *eath' #er entire bo)y shoo4ith horror an) anger' #a) #eath r.ine) her boar)ing school career be/ore it ha) even starte)8 <ran)on a++eare) in the arche) )oor4ay3 /ro4ning at her in concern' 7Yo. o-ay89 7I have to ' ' '9 ,enny 4hirle) aro.n) be/ore she co.l) /inish her sentence3 /leeing the )ining hall' he s+rinte) across the )a(+ green la4ns3 4ishing she co.l) ta-e o// an) /ly a4ay li-e one o/ those /at ol) great horne) o4ls' The ancient b.il)ings o/ Waverly to4ere) on either si)e o/ her3 their 4in)o4s glo4ering' The bite o/ sal(on rebelle) in her sto(ach3 an) ,enny slo4e) to a 4al-' he*) 4ante) to co(e to boar)ing school to start a/resh3 to beco(e the girl she*) al4ays 4ante) to be3 to be a /ab.lo.s ne43 better version o/ hersel/' It 4as going to be a lot har)er than she*) tho.ght'

"asyWalsh: I*( right o.tsi)e' Wanna chec- i/ the coast is clear8 CallieVernon: #ol) on' CallieVernon: O&3 I 0.st +resse) (y ear to Angelica*s )oor3 an) I hear the TV' Lo.)' Loo-s goo)' "asyWalsh: Cool' C . in a sec'

11
O!E GOOD WAY TO GET TO &!OW A WAVERLY OWL@ $I!D O"T W#AT COLOR ,'CREW <OUER #E WEAR '

7Y

o. stin)'9

,enny 4o-e 4ith a start' Where 4as she8 Oh3 right' Waverly' In her roo(' 7I (ean serio.sly3 yo. really stin-' Are yo. )r.n-89 so(eone 4his+ere)' Was that Callie3 tal-ing in her slee+8 ,enny ha) hear) her co(e in@ than-/.lly3 it ha) been a/ter she*) sto++e) sobbing into her +illo4' he*) ta-en her clothes o// in the )ar-3 sai) 7nighty% night39 an) sn.ggle) .n)er the covers' 7I*( not )r.n-39 another voice sl.rre)' A g.y*s voice' 7Well3 yo. stin- li-e vo)-a' E4'9 7I love it 4hen yo. say I s(ell39 the g.y sai)' 7 hh' 5ar)ee 4ill hear'9 ,enny inche) /.rther beneath her covers' The voice so.n)e) vag.ely /a(iliar' An) 4hoever it 4as )i) stin-;,enny co.l) s(ell so(ething vag.ely alcoholic3 even tho.gh the 4in)o4s 4ere 4i)e o+en an) the cool night bree>e 4as 4a/ting tho.gh the roo(' 7Well3 it 4o.l) be nice3 Easy3 i/ yo. didn t stin-3 *ca.se then I 4o.l)n*t have to taste it in yo.r (o.th'9 Easy% ,enny*s sto(ach )ro++e)' #o4 (any Easys 4ent to this school8 7Yo. s.re nobo)y*s here89 he as-e)' 7Do yo. see anybo)y here89 Callie hisse)' ,enny staye) c.rle) in a ball' Callie ha) seen her' he*) even sai) goo) night to her? ,enny 4ante) to leave the( alone3 b.t getting .+ an) (a-ing noise right no4 4o.l) be very .ncool' An) 4hat i/ Easy sa4 her8 he 4as s.re her cr.sh on hi( 4o.l) shine right thro.gh her3 li-e her /ace 4as a (esh /iel) hoc-ey +innie' To thin- that she ha) )evelo+e) an i((e)iate cr.sh on her roo((ate*s boy/rien)? Ol) ,enny stri-es again' #er eyes a)0.ste) to the )ar- an) she +ee-e) o.t /ro( .n)er the covers' Callie*s be) 4as less than /o.r /eet a4ay' There 4as a /lash o/ na-e) s-in in the (oonlight' 7Con)o(39 ,enny hea) Callie 4his+er' A +a.se' Then Easy*s voice' 7 erio.s8 Where89 7To+ )ra4er'9 ,enny hear) /.(bling in the )ar-' Then a sc.//ling o/ covers3 an) thump? Easy 4as hal/4ay on the /loor' #e trie) to get his balance b.t hel) on to the night table an) en)e) .+ )ragging it )o4n 4ith hi(' It (a)e a horrible a(o.nt o/ noise' A bo: o/ Li/estyles E:tra L.bricate) con)o(s s+ille) o.t3 along 4ith a big bottle o/ L.bri)er( )ry s-in lotion an) a +ac-age o/ bl.e /ine%ti+ <ic +ens' ,enny shot .+ in be)3 staring at Easy*s s+ra4le)3 na-e) bo)y' 7Yo39 Easy )ra4le)3 grinning .+ at her' 7I -no4 yo.'9 7Ee+?9 ,enny sl.n- bac- .n)er the covers' 7Callie3 yo. sai) nobo)y 4as here39 Easy 4his+ere) lo.)ly' Callie -ic-e) the (attress angrily' 7This is ri)ic.lo.s39 she sighe)3 an) got o.t o/ be)' ,enny +ee-e) o.t /ro( .n)er the covers an) sa4 the o.tline o/ Callie*s lithe bo)y' he 4ore a +in- bra 4ith a +ointy%toothe) Lacoste alligator e(bla>one) on the stra+' Where 4as <rett3 any4ay8 Callie glance) over at the l.(+ that 4as ,enny .n)er the blan-ets' 7 orry3 ,enny'9 he shr.gge)3 then sto(+e) over Easy3 ste++ing on his han) as she hea)e) /or the )oor' 7O44?9 #e crie) o.t in +ain' 7Where are yo. going89

7<athroo('9 Callie /l.ng the )oor o+en3 an) the roo( gre4 bright 4ith /l.orescent hall4ay light' ,enny b.rie) hersel/ )ee+er .n)er the covers3 (orti/ie)' &he s leaving us alone8 she 4on)ere)3 horri/ie)' he hear) Easy sit .+3 crac- his nec-3 then sni//' 7 o3 is ,enny short /or ,enni/er89 7Well3 yeah39 ,enny croa-e)3 still h.))le) .n)er the covers' 7Di)n*t (ean to (a-e yo. so .nco(/ortable3 ,enny39 he contin.e)' 7!ot a +roble(39 she (.r(.re) into her +illo4' It s(elle) ).sty an) 4ar(3 li-e her "++er West i)e ho(e' he 4as gla) she*) bro.ght it3 b.t it s.))enly (a)e her /eel so ho(esic- that she nearly b.rst into tears' 7Yo. can sto+ hi)ing' I*( )ecent'9 ,enny +ee+e) over the blan-et 4ith one eye' Easy ha) +.t his .n)er4ear bac- on3 b.t that 4as all' #is sto(ach 4as /lat an) (.sc.lar' An) his bo:ers ha) a sailboat +attern she re(e(% bere) /ro( the ,'Cre4 catalog' he 4renche) her eyes a4ay' It 4as sti/lingly hot .n)er the covers' he sat .+ a bit3 ho+ing that Callie 4o.l) co(e bacany secon) an) ta-e Easy so(e+lace else so that he 4o.l)n*t have ti(e to ta-e in ,enny*s s4ollen eyes an) be)%hea)' he co.l)n*t even i(agine 4hat she (.st loo- li-e right no43 es+ecially co(+are) to Callie' <.t a++arently Easy )i)n*t (in)' #e got o// the /loor an) sat )o4n on the e)ge o/ ,enny*s be)' I/ she ha)n*t been co(+letely st.nne)3 she (ight have (a)e roo(' <.t instea) she staye) still' #e 4as +resse) right .+ against her' 7I 4as 4on)ering 4hen I*) get to (eet yo. +ro+erly39 he (.(ble)3 so 6.ietly that ,enny co.l) barely hear' 7What89 ,enny as-e)3 even tho.gh she*) hear) hi( /ine' 7!othing'9 Easy loo-e) .+' 7Oh' The even isters'9 7What89 7The constellation'9 Easy +ointe) to the cr.sty ol) glo4%inthe%)ar- stars so(eone ha) st.cto the ceiling years ago' 7Altho.gh to the na-e) eye there are only si: stars easily visible'9 7#.h'9 ,enny )i)n*t -no4 ho4 to res+on);not only to 4hat Easy ha) 0.st sai) b.t to this sit.ation3 period' #er )rea( cr.sh 4as sitting on her be)' Ol) ,enny 4as totally horri/ie)' !e4 ,enny 4as +ractically 6.ivering' <len)e) together3 both ,ennys 4ere i((obile an) tong.e%tie)' he loo-e) at the o.tline o/ Easy*s long3 athletic%loo-ing /eet' #is secon) toes 4ere longer than his /irst' What 4as that a sign o/ again8 Wait' *ello8 Was that his han) on her bac-8 O-ay' This 4as all 4rong' Where 4as Callie3 any4ay8 This 4as very 4rong' ,enny -ne4 she sho.l) s4at hi( a4ay' <.t she 0.st ' ' ' couldn t' 7"h3 )o yo. -no4 a lot abo.t constellations89 she as-e) instea)' Easy (ove) his han) slightly3 his th.(b r.bbing the base o/ her s+ine' Wrong, wrong, wrong? 7There*s not (.ch else to )o in Le:ington at night'9 #e sighe)' 7"nless yo. 4ant to cli(b .+ the 4ater to4er or thro4 shit onto the train trac-s'9 7I*( /ro( !e4 Yor-39 ,enny 4his+ere)3 biting a ten)ril o/ her hair to -ee+ her teeth /ro( rattling 4ith nervo.sness' 7Altho.gh yo. +robably -no4 that alrea)y'9 7#.h89 7Yo. -no439 she shi/te)3 her chee-s gro4ing hot' It 4as horri/ying to thin- that he*s alrea)y hear) things;sl.tty things; abo.t her' 7!o+e' I )on*t' Are yo. /a(o.s89 7I ' ' '9 he cleare) her throat' #o4 co.l) Yvonne -no4 the gossi+ abo.t her an) not this bea.ti/.l boy8 7!o' I g.ess not'9

7Well3 that*s too ba)'9 Easy s(ile)' 7An) here I tho.ght I 4as in the +resence o/ a celebrity'9 ,enny /elt his han) on the s(all o/ her bac- again' It /elt 4ar( thro.gh the blan-et' 7,es.s Christ?9 ,enny an) Easy t.rne) aro.n) 6.ic-ly' !r1 +ardee' The )or( (istress*s h.sban)3 4ho also ha++ene) to be Waverly*s (ost assholish $rench teacher3 ha) +.she) the )oor o+en all the 4ay' ,enny sa4 a note scra4le) on their 4hite boar)@ &tudying in 5enny s room' 65rett 2r' 5ar)ee 4as )resse) in a hoo)e) Waverly /ootball s4eatshirt an) a +air o/ re) +lai) +a0a(a +ants' #is shaggy (e)i.( bro4n hair stoo) .+ in <rillo cl.(+s on his hea)3 an) his tiny silver st.) earring glinte) in the harsh light o/ the hall' Easy 6.ic-ly 0.(+e) o// ,enny*s be)3 +.lle) on his 0eans3 an) grabbe) his shirt' 7D.)e'9 #e stro)e right .+ to 2r' 5ar)ee' 7I 4as never here'9 7Yo. 4eren*t ' ' ' 4hat89 2r' 5ar)ee sai)3 blin-ing /.rio.sly' 7Yo. )on*t see (e'9 7Easy3 I do see yo.'9 5ar)ee so.n)e) as i/ he 4ere trying to convince hi(sel/' 7Yo.*ve .se) this line on (e be/ore'9 7!o+e39 Easy re+lie)' 7I 4as never here'9 #e )ashe) into the hall' 7Wait;4here are yo. going89 2r' 5ar)ee sho.te)' <.t it 4as too late' #e shoo- his hea) an) t.rne) bac- to ,enny' !ot -no4ing e:actly 4hat to )o3 she ha)n*t (ove)' 2r' 5ar)ee (ight have been the )or( (istress*s h.sban)3 b.t ,enny ha) hear) he 4as also a total )r.ggie' .++ose)ly3 he only gra)e) the $rench e:a(s a/ter s(o-ing a s+li// or t4o' 2aybe he 4as too 4aste) right no4 to even -no4 4hat 4as going on8 7That 4asn*t cool'9 2r' 5ar)ee b.r+e) slightly' 7!o g.ys in the roo( e:ce+t ).ring visiting ho.r'9 7I -no43 b.t;9 ,enny s+.ttere)' 72an'9 2r' 5ar)ee 4as glaring at the con)o(s on the /loor' !o one ha) bothere) to +icthe( .+ yet' 7This )oesn*t loo- goo)'9 7What*s going on89 Callie stoo) in the )oor4ay3 right behin) hi(' 7I*( gonna have to re+ort this39 the teacher anno.nce) thro.gh a stone) ya4n' 7I (ean3 Angelica 4ill have to;9 7!o3 4ait?9 ,enny +lea)e)' he co.l)n*t +ossibly be in tro.ble on the /irst )ay o/ school' 7#ello89 Callie re+eate)' 7What*s going on89 ,enny notice) 2r' 5ar)ee eyeing the sliver o/ s-in bet4een Callie*s lo4%hanging A(erican A++arel shorts an) her (esh Only #earts ca(isole' The alligator on her bra +ee-e) thro.gh its tiny holes' 7Easy 4as in here39 he state) (atter%o/%/actly' 7Easy8?9 Callie re+lie) in a shoc-e) tone3 as i/ 2r' 5ar)ee ha) sai)3 I saw mon)eys drin)ing beer? 7Where 4ere yo.89 5ar)ee as-e)' Callie sco4le) an) rolle) her eyes' 7I 4as in the library' I*( 0.st getting bac-'9 ,enny stare) at her incre).lo.sly' 5ar)ee see(e) to b.y this story3 even tho.gh it 4as the (i))le o/ the night an) Callie 4as har)ly 4earing any clothes3 no shoes3 an) )i)n*t have a bac-% +ac- or any boo-s on her' 7 o 4hat 4as Easy )oing here89 Callie glare) at ,enny as i/ to say3 4on t fuc) this up' 2r' 5ar)ee raise) an eyebro4' 7Well89 A s.s+icio.s3 h.rt loo- clo.)e) Callie*s /ace' It 4as an acting 0ob 4orthy o/ an Oscar' 7Was so(ething ' ' ' going on89

2r' 5ar)ee sh.//le) his /eet' 7They 4ere in be) together'9 7<.t 4e 4eren*t doing anything?9 ,enny )e/en)e)' 7Then 4hy )oes it loo- li-e a Costco%si>e bo: o/ con)o(s e:+lo)e) in here89 2r' 5ar)ee )e(an)e)' Callie rolle) her eyes' 7I can*t believe it' Yo. little bitch?9 she sho.te) at ,enny3 yan-ing .+ her shirt in /r.stration to e:+ose her sto(ach' 2r' 5ar)ee stare) h.ngrily at her /iel) hoc-eyG tone) (i)ri//' Callie 4iggle) her eyebro4s at ,enny' 7eep going3 she (o.the)' ,enny*s eyes 4i)ene)' he 4asn*t going to let Callie (a-e her ta-e bla(e /or this? 72r' 5ar)ee3 this is a big (is.n)erstan)ing39 ,enny +lea)e)3 not even caring that the tone o/ her voice 4as getting s6.ea-y' 7I really 4asn*t )oing anything?9 <.t 2r' 5ar)ee shr.gge)' 7We*ll /in) o.t in DC'9 7What89 ,enny sai)' 7Disci+linary Co((ittee3 whore0bag39 Callie s+at' 7Callie3 eno.gh?9 2r' 5ar)ee co((an)e)' 7,enny3 )o yo. -no4 4ho yo.r a)viser is89 7It*s3 .(3 2r' Dalton89 That 4as 4hat the 4elco(e%to%Waverly letter a))resse) to 2ister ,enni/er #.(+hrey ha) sai)3 any4ay' 7Right' #e*s ne4' O-ay' Yo.*ll re+ort to tans/iel) #all to 2r' Dalton*s o//ice at nine%thirty to(orro4' I*( not s.re 4hich roo( he*s in3 b.t chec- the (a+ on the /irst /loor' #e*ll eval.ate yo.r sit.ation be/ore it gets -ic-e) .+ to DC'9 #e /i))le) 4ith his earring' 7Got that8 Goo)' I have to go /in) Easy no4' ' ' '9 When she 4as s.re he 4as gone3 Callie sh.t the )oor an) let o.t a h.ge sigh' 7Oh (y Go)' o close'9 7Whore0bag89 ,enny*s voice tre(ble)' 7 orry abo.t that39 Callie sighe)3 sitting on her be) an) staring at ,enny 4ith her enor(o.s ha>el eyes' 7I ha) to (a-e s.re 2r' 5ar)ee believe) I 4as +isse)' ' ' '9 7Well3 he believe) it all right'9 Callie shr.gge)' 7It*s not a big )eal'9 ,enny scr.nche) .+ her /ace' 7!ot a big )eal8 I have to go in /ront o/ ' ' ' a co((ittee? What ha++ens there3 any4ay89 Callie leane) over an) +ic-e) .+ one o/ the 4ra++e) con)o(s' 7Yo.*re ne43 yo.*re a girl3 an) I hear) yo.*re s(art' They*ll go easy on yo.'9 he r.bbe) the s6.are +ac-et bet4een her /ingers' 72aybe yo. co.l) .se yo.r Raves connections'9 7What are yo. tal-ing abo.t89 Was Callie being sarcastic8 ,enny ha) never even tol) Callie abo.t the Raves' An) 4hat 4o.l) the Disci+linary Co((ittee (a-e her )o8 nor-el /or trash in the #.)son8 What i/ it 4ent on her +er(anent recor)8 7Loo-39 Callie began' 7<rett*s on the co((ittee' he*ll (a-e s.re yo. get o//' I/ I*) gotten ca.ght 4ith Easy3 they 4o.l)*ve -ic-e) (e o.t' I*ve alrea)y been ca.ght )oing st.// here'9 7Oh89 ,enny sai) c.rio.sly' 7Yeah3 I alrea)y have3 li-e3 t4o stri-es against (e' Three an) yo.*re o.t'9 7Oh'9 ,enny /elt so(e4hat relieve)' o this 4as her /irst stri-e' That 4asn*t so ba)' 7It 4o.l) really s.c- i/ I got e:+elle)'9 Callie tore o+en the con)o( 4ith her /ingernail' 72y +arents 4o.l) (a-e (e to go +.blic school in Atlanta' &i)s snea- g.ns an) cans o/ 2iller Lite +ast the (etal )etectors there' An) everyone*s into !A CAR' Even the girls?9 he stare) )o4n at ,enny' 7Co.l) yo. i(agine (e at !A CAR89 Callie 4as 4ay too bea.ti/.l to go to +.blic school' Then ,enny sto++e) hersel/3 re(e(bering she 4asn*t s.++ose) to be all s.c-%.++y 4ith an ol)er girl the 4ay Ol) ,enny ha)

been 4ith erena van )er Woo)sen bac- at Constance' he close) her eyes an) 4ille) hersel/ to sto+' ,ew -enny, ,ew -enny, ,ew -enny' Callie +.lle) o.t the yello4ish con)o( an) inserte) her +ointer /inger into its o+en en)' 7I have to (a-e it thro.gh this year 4itho.t getting b.ste)'9 ,enny sighe) resigne)ly' he love) everything abo.t Waverly;the 4oo)siness3 the !e4 Englan)Gstyle bric- b.il)ings3 that the teachers 4ore bla>ers to class an) o/ten ha) the title o/ )octor3 even the s.cc.lent 4asabi sal(on that everybo)y sh.nne)' he 4ante) to ro4 on the river an) go to the +ring $ling an) (eet boys /ro( other +re+ schools an) ret.rn to 2anhattan tri.(+hant3 beca.se she 4as no4 a boar)ing school girl' he )i)n*t 4ant it /.c-e) .+ li-e this right o// the bat3 an) yet here she 4as again3 the (ost tal-e) abo.t girl on ca(+.s an) alrea)y in tro.ble be/ore classes ha) even starte)' Callie t4irle) the con)o( aro.n) on her /inger' 7Everything 4ill be /ine39 she ass.re) ,enny' 7 erio.sly' They*ll give yo. restricte) st.)y' Or no visitation' <.t <rett*s on DC'9 he s(ile) s4eetly as i/ to say3 I ll be your best friend forever and ever if you help me out' 7I 0.st )on*t -no4'9 ,enny 4r.ng her han)s in her la+' As (.ch as she 4ante) to be /rien)s 4ith Callie3 she )i)n*t 4ant to be in tro.ble' !ot at all' 7I*ll have to thin- abo.t it'9 7I totally .n)erstan)? Ta-e yo.r ti(e? Thin- abo.t it? <.t yo. aren*t going to get in tro.ble' It*s really3 really3 really not a big )eal'9 7Yeah3 b.t ' ' '9 ,enny bit her li+' 7I )on*t -no4' ' ' '9 Callie s+rang o// her be)3 )arte) to her closet3 an) o+ene) .+ the )oor' 7An) here;/or yo.r (eeting 4ith yo.r a)viser to(orro43 yo.*ll 4ant to loo- as +ro/essional as +ossible' Yo. 4ant to borro4 so(ething o/ (ine8 erio.sly' Anything'9 he ran her han) )o4n the rac- o/ gorgeo.s3 +er/ectly +resse) )esigner clothes' 7Really89 ,enny stoo) .+ an) +ee-e) into Callie*s closet 4ith her' The 4eight o/ the sit.ation slo4ly began to sin- in' Wo.l) Callie have o//ere) .+ anything in her closet be/ore 2r' 5ar)ee ha) ca.ght Easy in the roo(8 !o 4ay' ,enny /elt a strange3 hea)y r.sh o/ +o4er3 a r.sh so intense it -in) o/ /rea-e) her o.t' 7 erio.sly' Anything I can )o' I*ll totally (a-e this the best year o/ yo.r li/e39 Callie o//ere) enth.siastically' ,enny +.lle) a slee- blac- D&!Y )ress /ro( o// its 4hite satin hanger an) hel) it .+ to hersel/' The best year o/ her li/e8 he co.l) really .se a year li-e that' ' ' '

HeathFerro: o 4ere they really having se:88 Co.l) . hear the( thr. the 4alls8 "mily#en$ins: It 4as so LO"D I ha) to +.t (y so.n) (achine on city tra//ic to bloc- o.t the noise? HeathFerro: Were they -noc-ing against the 4all8 "mily#en$ins: Totally' I got negative slee+' HeathFerro: !ice'

SageFrancis: Di) . -no4 so(e /resh(an girls are )ra4ing +onies on their (ar-er boar)s8 They )on*t even -no4 #' They 0.st thin- it*s the cool thing E )o? Alison!uentin: # is r.nning o.t o/ o+tions' ' ' ' #e*ll +robably (ove on E /resh(en ne:t' ' ' '

1E
A GOOD WAVERLY OWL LOO& #ER "5ERIOR I! T#E EYE'

he ne:t (orning3 ,enny stoo) near the closets3 s.rveying the 6.iet3 s.n%)a++le) )or( roo('

To)ay 4as only Th.rs)ay3 the /irst )ay o/ classes3 b.t alrea)y the roo( loo-e) live)%in@ boo-s an) +a+ers every4here3 clothes hea+e) on the /loor3 (a-e.+3 sha(+oo an) nail +olish bottles stre4n on to+ o/ )es-s ne:t to /lat%screen co(+.ter (onitors3 +iles o/ noteboo-s an) te:tboo-s3 .no+ene) +ac-ages o/ highlighters3 an) a large aloe +lant teetering on the narro4 4in)o4sill' ,enny ha) arrive) al(ost t4o )ays ago3 b.t it still )i)n*t /eel li-e her )or( roo(3 since she*) har)ly ha) a (o(ent in it alone' <rett*s be) 4as e(+ty;she*) sn.c- in a/ter all the co((otion last night an) (.st have gotten .+ early' There 4as an i(+rint in the (attress 4here her bo)y ha) been' Callie 4as still so.n) aslee+3 c.rle) .+ in the /etal +osition' ,enny ran her han) over a +ile o/ Callie*s )o4ny cash(ere car)igans' All o/ Callie*s clothes 4ere bea.ti/.l3 b.t this (orning ,enny /elt a4-4ar) abo.t borro4ing any o/ the(' Instea)3 she sli++e) on her o4n <anana%Re+.blic%b.t%loo-s%li-e%Theory shiny -ha-i circle s-irt3 her only Tho(as 5in- b.tton%)o4n shirt3 an) a +air o/ baby%+in- Cynthia Ro4ley ballet /lats' he +.t on her Waverly bla>er an) assesse) the loo-' De/initely !ot G.ilty' ,enny ti+toe) into the hall an) close) her )or( roo( )oor behin) her' !e:t to <rett*s note abo.t st.)ying in <enny*s roo(3 so(eone ha) 4ritten AVE TI! LEY? in big (agenta letters on the (ar-er boar) hanging /ro( the )oor' There 4as also a )ra4ing o/ 4hat loo-e) li-e a little +ony in the botto( corner' Wal-ing )o4n the hall4ay she notice) that so(e o/ the other girls* (ar-er boar)s ha) little +onies )ra4n on the(3 too' <oar)ing school 4as t.rning o.t to be li-e a +ainting by Chagall;/.ll o/ +ran-s3 (in) ga(es3 an) (ysteries' ,enny 4o.n) her 4ay along the ancient cobblestone +aths that sna-e) thro.gh the Waverly ca(+.s to4ar) tans/iel) #all3 a (assive bric- str.ct.re that ho.se) the a)(inistrative o//ices

an) a /e4 classroo(s' $e4 st.)ents 4ere a4a-e yet3 b.t the (aintenance cre4 4as ten)ing to the soccer /iel) an) the lan)sca+ing' The air s(elle) li-e /reshly c.t grass' Insi)e tans/iel) #all there 4ere intricate +laster (ol)ings o/ cree+ing vines an) /lo4ers on the 4alls3 staine) glass 4in)o4s in the stair4ells3 an) engravings in the 4oo)en railings' ,enny cli(be) the stairs to the thir) /loor an) 4al-e) to the very en) o/ a stately3 (ahogany%/loore) hall' A brass +late on the close) o//ice )oor rea) ERIC DALTO!' Insi)e3 ,enny hear) giggling an) too- a ste+ bac-' 7I*ve hear) that one be/ore39 she hear) a girl*s voice say' 7Every English teacher since the si:th gra)e has tol) (e that I share (y na(e 4ith the 4o(an in The &un Also (ises'9 7La)y <rett Ashley39 a (an*s voice sai)' 7 he 4as a tro.ble%(a-er'9 7Well3 it (.st go 4ith the na(e3 then39 ,enny hear) <rett ans4er in an e:tre(ely /lirtatio.s voice' 7 o3 .(3 listen3 4e have to tal- to this st.)ent3 so 4e 4on*t be able to get to so(e o/ the a)(in st.// I 4ante) to )isc.ss' Are yo. /ree /or l.nch to)ay8 We co.l) )eal 4ith it then'9 7I thin- so39 <rett re+lie)' 7I*ll (eet yo. here89 ,enny -noc-e) on the )oor' he hear) +a+ers sh.//ling an) the clin- o/ glasses' 7Co(e in39 2r' Dalton calle) o.t' ,enny stro)e into the o//ice3 4hich 4as cra(+e) an) (essy' <rett sat on the e)ge o/ a bro4n leather co.ch3 her han)s /ol)e) in her la+3 loo-ing 4ay too +ri( an) innocent' 2r' Dalton sat )o4n at his )es- chair an) sh.//le) so(e +a+ers' 7,enny3 right8 5lease3 sit )o4n'9 #e (otione) to the co.ch' ,enny sat as /ar /ro( <rett as she co.l)' 7This is <rett39 he contin.e)' 7 he*s on Disci+linary Co((ittee an) hel+ing (e 4ith so(e a)(inistrative things'9 7Yeah3 she*s (y;9 <rett t.rne) to 2r' Dalton' 7,enny an) I alrea)y -no4 each other' We live in D.(barton together'9 2eah, in the same room' ,enny 4on)ere) 4hy <rett )i)n*t say they 4ere roo((ates' Dalton s(ile)' 7Oh3 4ell3 o-ay' Well3 <rett is hel+ing (e o.t here 4ith so(e DC iss.es3 an) as a (e(ber o/ DC3 she*s hel+ing +resi)e over this case'9 #e cleare) his throat' 7 o3 ,enny3 I*( yo.r a)viser3 an) I*( also gathering general /acts abo.t the DC case3 so 4e*re -illing t4o bir)s 4ith one stone here'9 #e /li++e) thro.gh so(e (ore +a+ers as i/ he co.l) so(eho4 absorb 4hat 4as 4ritten on the( 0.st by to.ching the(' ,enny notice) <rett 4asn*t 4earing her Waverly 0ac-et b.t a gorgeo.s3 egg+lant char(e.se sil- to+ an) a slee-3 blac- -nee%length 4ool s-irt' On her /eet 4ere stra++y 2arc ,acobs san)als' #er long3 thin legs 4ere crosse) se:ily an) angle) to4ar) 2r' Dalton' 2r' Dalton +erche) on the corner o/ his )es- 4ith a legal +a) in his han)' 7O-ay3 so 4hat ha++ene) last night8 We have yo. in yo.r )or( roo( 4ith a boy na(e) Easy Walsh' 2r' 5ar)ee says yo. 4ere lying in yo.r be) together89 7Well3 that*s the thing39 ,enny res+on)e) (ee-ly' he*) staye) .+ all night 4eighing 4hich 4as the better o+tion@ con/ir(ing the Waverly st.)ent bo)y*s s.s+icion that she 4as a giant sl.t or (a-ing ene(ies 4ith her roo((ate' 7I )on*t ' ' ' I )on*t thin- I*( rea)y to tell yo. 4hat ha++ene)'9 2r' Dalton raise) an eyebro4' 7Oh89 7I (ean3 )o I have to (a-e a state(ent right no48 Or can it 4ait .ntil3 yo. -no43 the real hearing8 <eca.se I*( not really rea)y to tal- abo.t it'9 7Well3 technically3 yo. )on*t have to tell (e anything39 2r' Dalton a)(itte)3 +en +oise) above the legal +a)' 7Altho.gh3 as yo.r a)viser3 I*) li-e yo. to feel that yo. can tell (e'9

7I*( not rea)y' I;9 7What )o yo. (ean yo.*re not rea)y89 <rett interr.+te)3 .ncrossing her legs an) glaring at ,enny' #er hair loo-e) even re))er 4hen she 4as angry' ,enny sh.t her (o.th tight an) shr.gge) her sho.l)ers' he 4as a/rai) to s+ea-' <rett e:a(ine) ,enny critically' #er +in- an) 4hite stri+e) b.tton%)o4n 4as too tight across her chest3 an) she 4as all +in-%chee-e)3 as i/ she*) been r.nning across a /iel)' <rett ha) co(e in late last night a/ter the r.n%in 4ith 2r' 5ar)ee3 b.t Eric ha) /ille) her in 4hen she arrive) at his o//ice this (orning;not that <rett act.ally believe) 5ar)ee*s version' It 4as totally st.+i) o/ ,enny not to say so(ething to get her an) Easy o.t o/ tro.ble' 5oor ,enny' he 4as the +er/ect /oil /or Callie' Go)3 Callie 4as a bitch' ,enny notice) <rett ins+ecting her as i/ she 4ere a biological s+eci(en on a glass sli)e' he /elt her chee-s gro4 hot' I m ,ew -enny, I m ,ew -enny, I m ,ew -enny3 she re+eate) silently3 steeling hersel/' 7Well'9 2r' Dalton r.bbe) his han)s together' 7I g.ess i/ yo. )on*t 4ant to say anything no43 yo. certainly )on*t have to' <.t (aybe there*s so(eone else on the /ac.lty yo. (ight /eel (ore co(/ortable tal-ing to89 ,enny shr.gge) her sho.l)ers again hel+lessly' To)ay 4as the /irst )ay o/ classes' he ha)n*t even (et her teachers yet' 7Well then39 2r' Dalton contin.e)3 7than-s /or co(ing in3 ,enny' I g.ess 4e*ll have a /.ll trial ne:t 4ee-' #o4*s 2on)ay89 7Yes3 that*s /ine39 she re+lie) hollo4ly' 7"(3 than-s'9 he glance) at <rett as she le/t 2r' Dalton*s o//ice3 ho+ing /or an enco.raging s(ile3 b.t <rett 4as e:a(ining her /ire%engine%re) s+lit en)s3 loo-ing totally bore)' ,enny close) the heavy oa- )oor behin) her3 4on)ering i/ it ha) been really st.+i) to tell the( that she 4asn*t rea)y to (a-e a state(ent' What 4as this3 'aw 8 #rder$ 5oarding &chool8 All o/ a s.))en3 she 4as /ace%to%/ace 4ith Easy Walsh3 stan)ing o.tsi)e the )oor to 2r' Dalton*s o//ice3 4aiting to co(e in' As soon as they loc-e) eyes3 her heart began to race' he*) been so cons.(e) 4ith +ossibly getting in tro.ble an) +ossibly being consi)ere) Waverly biggest sl.t ever that she*) let their inti(ate little bac-%r.b session sli)e to the bac- o/ her (in)' !o4 she re(e(bere) the nice 4ar( /eeling o/ Easy*s bo)y ne:t to hers' 7#ey'9 he s4allo4e) 6.ic-ly' 7#.h89 Easy stare) at her blan-ly3 his bl.e eyes )roo+y an) tire)%loo-ing' #e 4ore a tattere) (arigol)%yello4 T%shirt that rea) LEUI!GTO! ALL% TAR ' 7Oh?9 #e 4i)ene) his eyes' 7"(3 ho4 )o yo. /eel89 ,enny +ersiste) shyly' 7I ' ' '9 #e l.rche) o// to the le/t3 his eyes still 4i)e' A strong s(ell o/ stale vo)-a 4as oo>ing o.t his +ores' 7I ' ' ' yo. 4ere 0.st in there89 7Yes'9 ,enny /elt ti+sy 0.st breathing the sa(e air as Easy' #e starte) to say so(ething else3 b.t then the )oor o+ene)3 an) 2r' Dalton st.c- his blon) hea) o.t' 72r' Walsh3 it*s yo.r t.rn'9 Witho.t saying goo)bye3 Easy staggere) into the o//ice' ,enny t.rne) an) +a))e) )o4n the stairs into the bright s.nshine' On a lo4 tree branch )irectly above the +ath4ay sat one o/ those /at great horne) o4ls' he /ro>e' Was this the sa(e one that ha) trie) to -ill her 0.st t4o )ays ago8 he narro4e) her eyes' The o4l /inally blin-e) slo4ly at her3 as i/ it 4ere stone)3 then loo-e) a4ay' ,enny h.rrie) +ast it on her 4ay to her /irst class' It 4as the /irst an) +ossibly only tri.(+hant (o(ent o/ the )ay' he*) 4on a staring contest 4ith an o4l'

1F
I! TI2E O$ E2OTIO!AL DI TRE 3 A WAVERLY OWL #O"LD LI TE! TO #I I!!ER OWL'

7G

la) to see yo. co.l) (a-e it39 Dalton greete) Easy' Last night*s &etel One binge ha)

le/t Easy /eeling li-e the g.n- he +ic-e) o.t o/ Cre)o*s /eet be/ore a ri)e' #e sl.(+e) into a blac- leather Ea(es o//ice chair an) stare) blan-ly at Callie*s roo((ate3 <rett3 4ho 4as seate) across /ro( hi( in a totally see%thro.gh +.r+le blo.se' #is ne4 a)viser loo-e) abo.t eighteen3 a 4elco(e change /ro( his ol) a)viser3 2r' &elley3 4ho 4as so ancient he co.l) barely re(e(ber his o4n na(e an) ha) /inally retire) last year at the age o/ abo.t a h.n)re)' 7#ello3 Easy39 <rett greete) hi( in an e:aggerate) a.thori%tative tone3 (a-ing a /e4 notes in a yello4 steno +a)' 7#ave a goo) s.((er89 7"h%h.h39 Easy gr.nte)3 staring .+ at the ceiling' <rett (ight have tho.ght she 4as 2iss I% have%+o4er%over%yo.%beca.se%I*(%a%+re/ect3 b.t Easy 4asn*t b.ying it' #e an) <rett .se) to be close' They*) ha) $rench class together /resh(an year3 an) /or the /inal )isc.ssion +resentation3 instea) o/ getting .+ in /ront o/ the class an) having an inane conversation3 <rett ha) ha) the i)ea to (a-e a (orbi)3 Go)ar)ian $rench%+hrase short /il( 4ith an anti6.e .+er%N ca(era' Easy 4as her +artner /or the class an) there/ore the e:istential star o/ the /il(' #e got to say 4eir) st.// in $rench li-e3 7!on omelette du 9ambon est mort39 an)3 7'es yeu3;the eyes;are in +ain'9 2onsie.r Gri(( ha) love) it an) ha) given the( both A*s' 7E' $rancis Walsh39 Dalton a))resse) hi(3 eyeing his /ile care/.lly' 7What )o yo. 4ant to tell (e abo.t last night89 7With her here89 #e +ointe) a th.(b at <rett' 7I tho.ght these things 4ere con/i)ential'9 7I*( his assistant39 <rett 0.(+e) in 6.ic-ly3 sitting .+ straighter' 7 he*s hel+ing (e 4ith Disci+linary Co((ittee +roce).res39 Dalton e:+laine)' 7I thin- this 6.ali/ies'9 Easy loo-e) bac- an) /orth bet4een the(' Whoa' Dalton 4as 4hi++e);by <rett 2essersch(i)t? 7It says here that yo.*ve ha) 6.ite a /e4 +roble(s 4ith the r.les over the last /e4 years3 Easy'9 Dalton cleare) his throat' 7Disci+linary +robation three ti(es' .s+ension t4ice' Yo. 4ere nearly -ic-e) o.t once last year /or not sho4ing .+ to class a/ter s+ring brea-' Co.ntless arg.(ents 4ith teachers' <a) attit.)e'9 #e +a.se) an) /li++e) to a ne4 +age o/ the /ile' 7Disr.+tive in class' .b+ar gra)es' Al(ost no e:trac.rric.lar activities' Ca.ght 4ith alcohol /o.r ti(es' -i++ing s+orts +ractice' !o tea( s+irit ' ' '9 #e t.rne) to another +age' <rett s(ir-e)' 7<.t ' ' '9 2r' Dalton hel) his in)e: /inger to the /ile an) raise) his eyebro4s' #e sho4e) the +a+er to <rett an) she coc-e) her hea) s-e+tically' Easy rolle) his eyes' !o )o.bt it 4as those /.c-ing 5 AT scores again' o he*) score) nearly +er/ect in all three sections;big )eal' It 4as the -in) o/ thing his +arents salivate) over3 even tho.gh Easy co.l)n*t have care) less' nea-ing

o.t o/ the )or( to 4atch shooting stars in the (i))le o/ the +ractice /iel)s at t4o in the (orning or 4al-ing bare/oot in the cree- behin) the arts b.il)ing at )a4n;those 4ere the -in)s o/ things he care) abo.t3 things that he co.l) re(e(ber 4hen he 4as ol) an) sha-y' !ot so(e st.+i) test score' "n/ort.nately3 all the b.llshit r.les got in the 4ay3 4hen all Easy 4ante) 4as (ore +er/ect Waverly (o(ents li-e those' 7Yo.*re a legacy39 Dalton 4ent on3 glancing at his -notte) c.// lin-s' 7<.t that sho.l)n*t (ean anything' I (ean3 I*( a Waverly legacy too'9 7Really89 <rett s6.eale)' 7 o a( I?9 72y )a) 4ent here an) (y gran)/ather 4ent here' An) his brother too'9 Dalton t.rne) to <rett' 7<asically3 the Dalton (en 4ere Waverly Aca)e(y*s /irst gra).ating class'9 7As i/ I nee)e) to -no439 Easy (.ttere) sarcastically' What 4as .+ 4ith this teacher trying to i(+ress <rett8 Dalton narro4e) his eyes' 7Loo-3 I never e:+ecte) to be treate) any )i//erently than anybo)y else' In /act3 I thin- the teachers 4ere har)er on (e beca.se I 4as a legacy;they e:+ecte) (e to be an e:a(+le /or the other st.)ents'9 7Right'9 Wasn*t that a loa) o/ b.llshit' Easy gritte) his teeth' #e 4as a legacy3 4hich 4as s.++ose) to be this s+ecial thing3 b.t he -ne4 ho4 it really 4or-e)@ i/ yo.r /a(ily ha) eno.gh (oney to sen) s.ccessive -i)s Aor generationsB to Waverly3 the a)(inistration 4o.l) -iss yo.r ass /or the rest o/ yo.r )ays' There 4eren*t any (oral stan)ar)s involve)3 0.st (oney' #eath $erro 4as a go))a(n legacy3 a/ter all3 an) loo- at all the shit he*) +.lle)? Dalton leane) /or4ar)' 7 co// all yo. 4ant3 b.t yo. sho.l)n*t have been in D.(barton last night3 an) yo. certainly sho.l)n*t have been ' ' ' er ' ' ' 4ith that ne4 girl ,enni/er #.(+hrey'9 7Were yo. 4ith ,enny89 <rett leane) /or4ar)3 loo-ing e:tre(ely intereste)' 7What )i) ,enny say abo.t that89 Easy as-e)' 7 he )i)n*t say anything'9 <rett /ro4ne)' 7 he sai) she 4asn*t rea)y to (a-e a state(ent'9 7Oh'9 Easy scratche) his nose' #e 4asn*t s.re 4hat to (a-e o/ ,enny an) 4hat ha) ha++ene) last night' A/ter tal-ing to her in the ca/eteria3 he*) convince) hi(sel/ she 4as 0.st a (irage' he )i)n*t loo- li-e she 4ore (.ch (a-e.+3 i/ any3 an) she 4as tiny3 4here Callie 4as tall' he ha) (iniat.re han)s an) /eet3 long eyelashes3 an) she carrie) aro.n) a bag that )i)n*t have big G.cci G*s +lastere) all over it' An) she*) as-e) hi( abo.t art' Callie 4o.l)n*t )rea( o/ as-ing hi( abo.t art' An) last night;4ell that ha) been a (irage too;a )r.n-en one' #e*) been abo.t to score 4ith Callie an) ha) 4o.n) .+ sc.rrying hal/%na-e) o.t o/ ,enny*s be)3 4ith 5ar)ee on his tail' !o4 ,enny;+retty little ,enny;4as in tro.ble beca.se o/ hi(' <.t he*) nee)e) to be near her' he loo-e) so +in- an) ne43 sort o/ li-e that <otticelli +ainting he*) seen in Ro(e last year@ The 5irth of :enus3 4ith the se:y chic- co(ing o.t o/ the cla(shell' #e )i)n*t 4ant her to be in tro.ble' <.t he )i)n*t 4ant Callie to /in) o.t he*) to.che) ,enny3 either' Easy gri++e) his hea) in his han)s to -ee+ his h.ngover brains /ro( s+illing o.t o/ his ears' 7 o listen3 I )on*t -no4 4hat*s going on here3 b.t as yo.r a)viser3 I have to 4arn yo.@ this sort o/ o//ense3 on to+ o/ yo.r (yria) other o//enses3 co.l) lea) to e:+.lsion'9 <rett s.c-e) in her breath an) shoo- her hea)3 +reten)ing to act.ally care' Easy barely blin-e)' 7O-ay'9 7Di) yo. hear 4hat I 0.st sai)89 Dalton as-e)' 7Yo. (ight be e:+elle)'9 7Yeah' I hear) yo.'9 7I/ I 4ere yo.3 I*) s+en) (ore ti(e thin-ing abo.t 4hy I 4as here39 Dalton s.ggeste) sternly3 7an) less ti(e getting in tro.ble'9

That 4as the -in) o/ )ic- thing one o/ his brothers (ight say' Easy 4as the yo.ngest o/ /o.r3 an) his three brothers ha) all gone to Waverly as 4ell' Whenever Easy co(+laine) to the( abo.t it3 they*) say that he 4o.l)n*t .n)erstan) the i(+ortance o/ Waverly .ntil he got o.t' Which 4as one o/ those b.llshit things +eo+le sai) 4hen they got ol)er an) brain4ashe)' #is brothers ha) alrea)y gra).ate) /ro( college an) la4 schoolT t4o 4ere (arrie) an) the other one 4as engage)' They 4ere +.ssy%4hi++e)3 boring a).lts an) )i)n*t -no4 a thing abo.t really living' 7$ine39 Easy re+lie) thro.gh his teeth' 7Yo. )one a)vising (e3 then89 Witho.t 4aiting /or an ans4er3 he stoo) .+ /orce%/.lly3 yan-e) the )oor o+en3 an) stro)e o.t' O.tsi)e tans/iel) #all3 he /elt s.))enly light%hea)e)' 2ou might be e3pelled' Was he serio.s8 I/ Easy got -ic-e) o.t o/ Waverly3 he co.l) /orget abo.t his year in 5aris' #e*) be /orce) to live at ho(e3 alone 4ith his cr.sty +arents3 4here he*) be schoole) by a +rivate t.tor an) his only contact 4ith the o.tsi)e 4orl) 4o.l) be the scary /roste)%blon) (ail la)y 4ho li-e) Easy a little too (.ch' Easy nee)e) to sit )o4n' 2aybe it 4as the vo)-a /ro( last night3 b.t he /elt a 4hoosh o/ na.sea' *oot, hoot' Easy loo-e) .+ into the trees' One o/ the great horne) o4ls 4as 4atching hi(3 its eyes ro.n) an) yello4' Easy (a)e a cooing so.n) at it3 li-e the one he (a)e 4hen he nee)e) Cre)o to cal( )o4n3 an) +.lle) a )ente) +rite bottle o.t o/ his school bag' #e too- a s4ig o/ the re(aining &etel One /ro( last night' Everyone 4as (a-ing their 4ay to the /irst classes o/ the year3 b.t Easy nee)e) to thin-' #e 4an)ere) along the 4orn stone +ath to4ar) the stables3 4ishing Callie 4o.l) be there to lie )o4n 4ith hi( in a h.(i) corral an) (a-e hi( /orget all abo.t Dalton*s threat' They*) stretch o.t on an ol) horse blan-et an) stay there all )ay3 not caring abo.t (issing the /irst )ay o/ classes' <.t +ict.ring Callie na-e) in the aban)one) stable 4asn*t getting hi( e:cite);he co.l)n*t sto+ $antasy Callie /ro( co(+laining abo.t hay in her hair an) i(aginary b.gs on the blan-et' Easy close) hi(sel/ into the 4ar(3 slightly (oist corral3 an) s6.ee>e) his eyes sh.t' <.t 4hen he revisite) his /antasy3 it 4asn*t Callie s+ra4le) across the horse blan-et3 staring .+ at hi(' It 4as ,enny'

To: Waverly t.)ents From: Dean2ary(o.ntR4averly'e). Date: Th.rs)ay3 e+te(ber I3 L@11 A'2' Subject: 5ro+erty )e/ace(ent

Dear t.)ents3

It has co(e to (y attention that +ony )ra4ings have sho4n .+ aro.n) ca(+.s;on the si)e4al-s3 on (ar-er boar)s3 an) on the sho4er 4alls o/ the girls* loc-er roo(' 5lease -no4 that )e/ace(ent o/ Waverly +ro+erty is a serio.s o//ense an) 4ill not be tolerate)' A /e4 st.)ents have anony(o.sly re+orte) e(otional )istress over the(3 as 4ell' 5lease be a)vise) that the (ental health center is o+en t4enty%/o.r ho.rs a )ay an) that anyone seen )e/acing school +ro+erty 4ill /ace )isci+linary conse6.ences' En0oy yo.r /irst )ay o/ classes3 Dean 2ary(o.nt

1=
!O WAVERLY OWL E CA5E H"E TIO!I!G; EVE! I$ #E I A GOVER!OR* DA"G#TER'

allie 4as s+acing o.t thro.gh /irst%+erio) Latin 4hen 2rs' T.llington3 the school*s

a)(inistrator3 interr.+te) class' 72s' Vernon39 2r' Gaston3 the teacher3 a))resse) her' 7Yo.r a)viser 4ants to see yo.'9 #er a)viser*s o//ice 4as only one /loor )o4n /ro( the Latin roo(' Callie nervo.sly r.bbe) her +al(s together' he an) 2s' E(ory 4eren*t e:actly b.))y%b.))y' 2s' E(ory 4as a short% haire)3 (i))le%age)3 )y-ey bitch /ro( Connectic.t 4ho ha) gone to Vassar 4ith Callie*s (other' The t4o 4o(en ha) been rivals3 al4ays vying /or the highest G5A an) a)(ission into 5hi <eta &a++a' They*) also /o.ght /or the sa(e s+ot at #arvar) La4;an) Callie*s (o( ha) 4on' <itter3 2s' E(ory ha) )eci)e) to /orgo la4 school an) instea) ha) gotten her (aster*s in e).cation at !Y"' he*) (a)e it very clear to Callie that (issing o.t on #arvar) ha) a//ecte) the entire co.rse o/ her li/e3 an) Callie s.s+ecte) she bla(e) this all on her (other' It 4as another a brilliant st.)ent%a)viser (atch by the Waverly a)(inistration' 2s' E(ory*s o//ice 4as /rea-y' he ha) absol.tely no boo-s or +ersonal a//ects on her shelves3 an) the only thing tac-e) to her b.lletin boar) 4as the Waverly call sheet3 4hich liste) all o/ the other /ac.lty (e(bers* o//ice n.(bers an) e:tensions' A lonely /lat%screen ony Vaio reste) on her )ar- 4oo)en )es-3 an) a sho++ing bag 4ith the 4or)s R#I!ECLI$$ YAR!

<AR! across the /ront sat on a bare table behin) her' Woo)en -nitting nee)les an) so(e tan yarn +ee-e) o.t /ro( the to+' 2s' E(ory3 a -nitter8 #o4 ran)o(' Callie sat )o4n 6.ic-ly on the blac- Aeron chair o++osite 2s' E(ory*s )es-' !e:t to her a)viser*s +artan%loo-ing all%blac- t.rtlenec- an) +ractical blac- +ants3 Callie*s sheer +in/lo.ncy Diane von $.rstenberg s-irt an) +in-%)ia(on)encr.ste) Cho+ar) 4atch see(e) ri)ic.lo.s' 7Yo. 4ante) to see (e89 2s' E(ory loo-e) .+ /ro( her co(+.ter -eyboar)' he s6.inte) one eye an) contorte) her gigantic (o.th into a sneer' he loo-e) li-e a )erange) /e(ale 5o+eye' Why co.l)n*t Callie have gotten a nice a)viser3 li-e 2rs' 4an3 4ho too- her a)visees to the 2etro+olitan O+era three ti(es a year3 or 2r' <.ngey3 4ho thre4 his -i)s cotch%tasting Christ(as +arties an) listene) to all their relationshi+ +roble(s8 Oh no3 she ha) to get the cra>y 5o+eye la)y3 4ho +robably .se) those -nitting nee)les to +o-e her a)visees in the ass 4hen they (isbehave)' 72r' 5ar)ee tol) (e I sho.l) tal- to yo.39 2s' E(ory anno.nce) /latly' 7#e sai) that yo.r boy/rien) 4as ca.ght in yo.r roo( last night' A/ter c.r/e4'9 Callie too- a )ee+ breath to +re+are hersel/' he*) ha) years o/ +ractice ben)ing the tr.th /or her (other3 b.t it al4ays (a)e her nervo.s' 7Well3 that*s the thing39 she began' 72y boy/rien) 4as there3 yes' <.t he 4asn*t visiting (e' #e 4as visiting (y roo((ate3 ,enny'9 7An) ho4 )o yo. -no4 that89 Callie /.rro4e) her bro4' 7<eca.se ' ' ' beca.se I 4asn*t there'9 2s' E(ory gave her a loo- o/ )isbelie/' 7;mhmm'9 he began to ty+e so(ething on her -eyboar)' Callie notice) she ha) very st.bby nails3 che4e) 4ay )o4n to the 6.ic-' hit' Di) 2s' E(ory*s umhmm (ean ,enny ha) tol) on her8 Callie )i)n*t thin- so@ she*) seen the glea( in her eye;,enny 4as h.ngry' Why else 4o.l) she have sho4n .+ at the Richar)s )or( +arty3 basically .ninvite)8 I/ she )i)n*t care abo.t the Waverly social or)er3 she*) go an) be /rien)s 4ith that )or-y Yvonne girl' !o3 ,enny 4ante) (ore than that3 Callie 4as certain' 7Loo-'9 Callie shr.gge)' 7I )on*t -no4 4hat 4ent on' I 4as st.)ying' It 4as right be/ore c.r/e43 an) I ca(e bac- an) only ,enny 4as there' Easy ha) le/t' 2r' 5ar)ee 4as tal-ing to her'9 72(((' o3 then' Yo. an) Easy3 yo.*re not a co.+le any(ore89 Callie 4ince)' With that horrible I love you still hanging o.t there3 .nans4ere)3 every secon) that 4ent by 4itho.t hi( saying it bac- (a)e her /eel ri)ic.lo.sly v.lnerable' I/ they )i)n*t have se: soon an) start tal-ing abo.t ho4 (.ch they love) each other3 Callie (ight have to chechersel/ into the (ental health center along 4ith all the girls tra.(ati>e) by the +onies on their boar)s' 7!o39 Callie lie)' 7We*re not together'9 7Really'9 2s' E(ory stare) at her over her s6.are blac- glasses' 7<eca.se so(eone s+otte) yo. an) 2r' Walsh at the stables only yester)ay'9 7We ' ' ' 4e 4ere brea-ing .+39 Callie (anage) to st.tter3 her voice )ry' 7I ' ' ' I )on*t really 4ant to tal- abo.t it3 i/ that*s o-ay'9 4amn that 5en/ Da(n the /ac.lty an) sta// /or living 4ith the st.)ents on ca(+.s an) -no4ing every /rea-ing inti(ate )etail o/ their lives? 72(39 2s' E(ory re+lie)3 loo-ing as i/ she )i)n*t believe Callie at all' 7Well3 behave' We haven*t /orgotten abo.t last year'9 7O-ay39 Callie s6.ea-e)'

Then 2s' E(ory began to ty+e /.rio.sly' Generally this 4as Callie*s c.e to leave' he ba)ly 4ante) to crane her nec- aro.n) to see 4hat she 4as ty+ing;+robably a three%+oint +lan /or ho4 to r.in Callie*s li/e' he race) bac- to class3 eager to be bac- in the soothing 4orl) o/ Latin verb )eclensions' eate) at her )es-3 she r.bbe) her han)s together' I/ 2s' E(ory /o.n) o.t she*) lie) an) that Easy ha) been there to see her3 she*) )e/initely be e:+elle)3 es+ecially a/ter last year*s E e+iso)e' Then her (other 4o.l) )iso4n her an) she*) have to go live 4ith her /ishy%s(elling A.nt <ren)a in the (ost boring s.b.rb o/ Atlanta' he*) be /orce) to go to Catholic school 4ith +ale3 >itty -i)s 4ho tho.ght a big night o.t 4as )rin-ing (irno// Ice in the Dairy H.een +ar-ing lot an) tra)ing !A CAR car)s' Callie*s sto(ach t.rne)' he ha) t4o challenges be/ore her@ one3 (a-ing s.re ,enny )i)n*t tal-3 an) t4o3 convincing 2s' E(ory that she an) Easy 4eren*t an ite(' #er li/e at Waverly )e+en)e) on it'

To: ,enny#.(+hreyR4averly'e). From: &iss&iss? Online Date: Th.rs)ay3 e+te(ber I3 1E@I1 5'2' Subject: .r+rise?

Dear ,enny #.(+hrey3 It*s yo.r l.c-y )ay? Yo.r /rien) Callie Vernon has selecte) a bea.ty gi/t bas-et /or yo.3 /.ll o/ PI1 4orth o/ (a-e.+' The bas-et co(es 4ith a /ree Le +ortsac tote? 5lease go to o.r Web site to +ic- the color yo.*) li-e' &iss -iss3 The &iss&iss? sta//

CallieVernon: Co(e 4ith (e to 5i(+ernels' !oon' "asyWalsh: ho++ing8 !o'

CallieVernon: It*s i(+ortant' We nee) to tal-' "asyWalsh: Can*t 4e tal- on ca(+.s8 CallieVernon: " can co(e into the )ressing roo( 4ith (e' ' ' ' "asyWalsh: Aren*t 4e in eno.gh shit alrea)y8

1I
A WAVERLY OWL #O"LD ALWAY TA&E T#E 2ORAL #IG# ROAD'

asy sa4 Callie leaning .+ against the store/ront3 nervo.sly /i))ling 4ith her ba(boo%

han)le) G.cci bag an) hol)ing an .nlit cigarette' It 4as a 4ar( a/ternoon3 an) she 4as 4earing a color/.l /li(sy shirt an) (atching s-irt' Rhinecli// locals;(ostly scraggly%haire) hi++ie artists;4ere (illing abo.t the cobblestone street3 eating stra4berry ice crea( cones /ro( the crea(ery an) sto++ing to tal- to #an-3 the g.y 4ho sol) tie%)ye) T%shirts an) incense on the si)e4al-' Easy )o.bte) the hi++ies 4ere tal-ing to #an- /or the incense3 tho.gh' #an- sol) +ot to +lenty o/ Waverly st.)ents3 incl.)ing Easy' #e*) alrea)y 4ave) his hello' 7Well3 loo- 4ho*s here39 Callie sai) sarcastically' Easy )i)n*t ans4er' They 4ere in /ront o/ 5i(+ernel*s3 a /ro.%/ro. bo.ti6.e Callie )eigne) to sho+ at' It 4as the only store in Rhinecli// that )i)n*t .s.ally sell tie%)ye) shirts;an) 4hen it )i)3 they 4ere sil-3 se6.ine)3 an) cost PF11' The last ti(e he*) been here3 Easy ha) s+ent the 4hole ti(e e:a(ining a tiny +in- -nitte) soc-li-e thing that cost PFM13 trying to /ig.re o.t 4hat it co.l) +ossibly be' A nose 4ar(er8 A bag /or +ot8 A sn.ggly con)o(8 Callie ha) /inally in/or(e) hi( that it 4as a cash(ere )og bootie' It 4as i(+ortant that he tal- to Callie3 tho.gh3 so here he 4as' 7We*re in tro.ble39 he anno.nce) /latly' Callie e:a(ine) her /reshly (anic.re) nails' 7We3 h.h89 Easy sco4le)' 7O/ co.rse we' An) 4hy )i) I see ,enny #.(+hrey co(e o.t o/ Dalton*s o//ice8 Was it /or last night8 he ha) nothing to )o 4ith this'9 7Well3 2s' E(ory calle) (e in too' An) i/ yo. (.st -no43 yes3 ,enny 4as in there beca.se o/ last night' It*s not li-e I can ta-e the ra+' The E thing3 re(e(ber8 2y +arents 4o.l) )is%o4n (e an) sen) (e to !A CAR school?9 7What are yo. tal-ing abo.t89 Easy )e(an)e)3 r.bbing the .nshaven si)es o/ his /ace'

Callie shoo- her (ane o/ blon) hair o// the bac- o/ her nec-' 7Loo-3 I )on*t 4ant to get -ic-e) o.t' o I sai) yo. 4ere there 4ith ,enny an) that 4e 4ere bro-en .+'9 <What%= Easy as-e)3 st.nne)' Callie shr.gge) an) +.she) o+en the )oor to the store' Chi(es 0ingle) to anno.nce their arrival' 7 4eetheart? Welco(e bac-?9 shrie-e) a very tall3 very thin 4o(an 4ith slic-e)%bac- blon) hair as soon as they ste++e) thro.gh the )oor' 7#i3 Tracey?9 Callie cooe)' They -isse) each other*s chee-s in a 4ell%rehearse) ro.tine' Easy h.ng bac-3 4anting o.t' I((e)iately' ho++ing3 screa(ing girls3 cash(ere )og booties; so not his thing' Why ha) he co(e8 #e sho.l) be en0oying his last )ays at Waverly' 7I hel) so(e things /or yo. over the s.((er'9 Tracey bec-%one)3 4his-ing Callie an) Easy into a little bac- alcove' he bro.ght o.t a gar(ent rac- o/ shiny )resses3 s-irts3 an) blo.ses' he hel) .+ an ivory Donna &aran go4n' 7Isn*t this +retty89 Easy t.rne) his hea) to the si)e to rea) the +rice tag@ PE3EI1' 7Oh3 yes39 Callie breathe)' he )i)n*t see( at all concerne) that she*) gotten her ne4 roo((ate in tro.ble or that she*) lie) to the a)(inistration' !o+e' All she 4as 4orrie) abo.t 4as 4hether this )ress ca(e in a s(all eno.gh si>e' 7Yo. co.l) +ractically 4ear this to yo.r 4e))ing?9 Tracey shove) the )ress .+ against Callie*s bo)y' 7I/ yo. 4ere a hoo-er39 Easy a))e) r.)ely' #e +lo++e) )o4n onto the laven)er co.ch3 +.lling a /rilly3 +in-%lace +illo4 o.t /ro( .n)er his ass' Callie rolle) her eyes' 7<oys39 she sighe) at Tracey' 7They -no4 nothing?9 Then she 4al-e) over an) stro-e) Easy*s ar(' 7 o3 4as Dalton (ean to yo.89 7#e sai) I (ight get -ic-e) o.t'9 7Oh3 b.t yo. 4on*t' Yo.*re a legacy' They never -ic- o.t legacies'9 Easy sa4 a /lic-er o/ 4orry cross her /ace as she gathere) .+ the )resses Tracey ha) given her to try on' 7I )on*t -no439 he res+on)e) as she close) the +in- )ressing roo( )oor' 7What i/ they )eci)e to set a ne4 +rece)ent89 7They 4on*t39 Callie insiste) )eter(ine)ly3 thro4ing her n.)e La 5erla bra over the to+ o/ the )ressing roo( )oor' It loo-e) /li(sy an) a little sa)' 7Yo.*re )e/initely sa/e'9 7 o yo.*re 0.st going to let ,enny ta-e the ra+ /or yo. then89 7Why not8 2r' 5ar)ee ca.ght her3 a/ter all' An) she*s +re%+are)' We )isc.sse) it'9 Easy sighe)' 7Yo. -no43 Dalton tol) (e she )i)n*t say one 4ay or another 4hat ha++ene)' o 4hat i/ she tells89 7 he 4on*t39 Callie calle) bac-3 her voice crac-ing 4ith /orce) )eter(ination' Easy sat bac-' The sho+-ee+er3 Tracey3 stare) at his Converse high%to+s3 4hich he*) +ro++e) .+ on the store*s laven)er velvet otto(an' What3 4as he not s.++ose) to +.t his /eet there8 To.gh' .))enly3 Callie st.c- her hea) o.t o/ the )ressing roo( )oor' 7 4eetie8 I nee) yo. to )o (e a teeny3 tiny little /avor'9 7What89 I/ it 4as to hel+ her .ntangle her thong or >i+ so(ething .+3 he really 4asn*t in the (oo)' Callie*s eyes (et his' 7Well ' ' '9 he c.rle) a stran) o/ blon) hair aro.n) her /ore/inger' 7I/ ,enny*s going to ta-e the ra+ /or (e;an) I*( s.re she 4ill;4e nee) things to loo- ' ' ' believable'9 7<elievable89 7Yo. -no4' Li-e so(ething actually ha++ene) bet4een yo. t4o'9

Easy rolle) his 0a4 aro.n) incre).lo.sly3 staring at her' 7 o39 Callie bree>e) ahea)3 7this (ight so.n) 4eir)3 b.t I*( 4on)ering i/ yo. (ight /lirt 4ith her a little' Yo. -no43 (aybe i/ yo. t4o acte) li-e yo. li-e) each other' ,.st a little'9 7Yo.*re as-ing (e to /lirt 4ith another girl89 Easy la.ghe)3 ta-ing his /eet o// the velvet otto(an' 7#ave yo. /orgotten yo.*re the (ost 0ealo.s +erson on the +lanet89 Callie close) the )oor again an) sl.ng the )ress she*) 0.st been 4earing over the to+' 7I a( not 0ealo.s39 she retorte)' 7What )o yo. 4ant (e to )o89 7I )on*t -no4' $lirt' <e nice to her' $rien)ly'9 With the )ressing roo( )oor close)3 Callie*s vie4 o/ Easy 4as obsc.re)' <.t i/ she co.l) have seen hi(3 she (ight have been con/.se) by the see(ingly h.ge3 googly grin on his /ace an) the rising color s+rea)ing .+ his nec- to his chee-s' When she st.c- her hea) o.t o/ the )oor again3 he*) (anage) to co(+ose hi(sel/' 7Does that really so.n) so ba)8 Yo.*re not going to get -ic-e) o.t o/ school' That*s 0.st silly' <.t yo. 4ere alrea)y seen by 2r' 5ar)ee in the )or(3 so yo.*re already in tro.ble' It 4o.l)n*t h.rt to (a-e it a teensy bit believable3 4o.l) it89 7Well3 they*re right?9 Easy +.t his han)s in the air hel+lessly' he 0iggle) .+ an) )o4n o.t o/ /r.stration3 an) Easy loo-e) at her chest /or a secon)' 7 4eetie3 +lease8 Wo.l)n*t that be a4/.l i/ I got -ic-e) o.t89 7<.t 4hat i/ I get -ic-e) o.t89 Callie scre4e) .+ her /ace' 7Yo. 4on*t39 she sai) /ir(ly' 7I alrea)y tol) yo. that'9 Easy hesitate)' Was it +ossible that Callie ha) so(eho4 seen hi( sitting on ,enny*s be) last night3 to.ching her bac-3 an) that this 4as all a test8 <etter to +lay it li-e he 4asn*t s.re abo.t the i)ea;altho.gh insi)e3 o/ co.rse3 his 4hole bo)y /elt li-e it ha) been str.c- by lightning' Was it really +ossible that his girl/rien) 4as act.ally as-ing hi( to get to -no4 the girl he 4as )igging8 7This )oesn*t so.n) very (oral39 he ans4ere) stoically3 -ee+ing the shit%eating s(ile o// his /ace' 72oral89 he sla((e) the )oor sh.t again' 7Are 4e /orgetting abo.t ho4 yo. stole (e a4ay /ro( <ran)on <.chanan last year8 Right o.t /ro( .n)er his nose89 7 o89 7That 4asn*t e:actly (oral3 4as it89 Easy shr.gge)' 7Any4ay39 Callie contin.e)3 7I*( going to tell ,enny abo.t it3 too' It*s not li-e I*( as-ing yo. to (a-e o.t 4ith her or anything' Will yo. please 0.st )o this /or (e89 7I ' ' '9 Easy croa-e)' he 4asn*t testing hi(' he 4as serio.s' #e really 4as the /.c-ing l.c-iest g.y in the 4orl)' Callie o+ene) the )oor3 4earing the 4hite Donna &aran )ress' he loo-e) li-e <oar)ing% chool%<itch <arbie on her 4e))ing )ay' 7 o yo.*ll )o it89 she as-e)' #e slo4ly no))e)3 an) she bro-e into a s(ile' 7Than- yo.3 s4eetie' It*ll be a h.(.ngo.s hel+'9 ,o, no3 Easy tho.ght' Than) you'

To: R./.s#.(+hreyR+oetsonline'co( From: ,enny#.(+hreyR4averly'e). Date: Th.rs)ay3 e+te(ber I3 1E@1I 5'2' Subject: 2iss yo.

#i Da)3 I 0.st ha) (y /irst English class' 2y teacher rea) +art o/ V#o4lV alo.) an) it (a)e (e thin- o/ 4hen 4e sn.c- yo.r gross%loo-ing b.t y.((y oat(eal coo-ies into that 4eir) (ovie +lace an) 4atche) that )oc.(entary on Allen Ginsberg' I love) that )ay' $iel) hoc-ey tryo.ts 4ere yester)ay an) yo.Wre not going to believe this b.t IW( a total nat.ral' Di) yo. secretly coach a hoc-ey /or beat +oets tea( or so(ething8 <eca.se I )on*t -no4 4here I get it /ro( ' ' ' ' I*( still a)0.sting to everything here;it*s )i//erent /ro( the city an) Constance in so (any 4ays' (ells (.ch better an) there are no roaches3 b.t there are lots o/ R"LE ;I*( still learning 4hat they are ' ' ' ' Let*s ho+e I +ic- .+ on the( as 6.ic-ly as /iel) hoc-ey' #ave yo. hear) /ro( Dan88 I a)(it I even (iss hi( so(eti(es' #.gs an) -isses? Love yo.3 ,enny 5' ' Can yo. sen) (y cell +hone8 I tho.ght they 4eren*t allo4e)3 b.t as it t.rns o.t3 everyone has the( here' It*s on to+ o/ (y b.rea. in (y roo(' An) i/ it ha++ene) to (agically t.rn into a Treo MI13 4ell3 I 4o.l)n*t sen) it bac-' ' ' ' Than-s3 Da)' Love yo. again'

1M
A CLEVER WAVERLY OWL CA! #A!DLE A!YT#I!G'

o tell (e abo.t this hot teacher39 <rett*s sister cooe)' <rett ha) ).c-e) behin) tans/iel)

#all to (a-e a 6.ic- cell +hone call to the Elle o//ices be/ore re0oining Eric /or l.nch' 7Yo.*re going to have lunch 4ith hi(89 7It*s a wor)ing l.nch39 <rett sai)' 7We ran o.t o/ ti(e this (orning' It )oesn*t mean anything'9 7 .re it )oes? What*s his na(e3 any4ay89 7Eric Dalton89 7What8 Yo. c.t o.t /or a sec'9 7Eric Dalton39 <rett contin.e) lo.)ly again3 an) then too- the +hone a4ay /ro( her ear to loo- at the screen' The screen /lashe) CALL LO T' he shove) her !o-ia bac- into her bag' <rett co.l)n*t hel+ b.t /eel nervo.s' he ha)n*t been able to sto+ thin-ing abo.t Eric since they*) (et yester)ay' #e 4as a little a4-4ar) an) aloo/3 4hich 4as a challenge' <rett also ha) a sense that he li-e) her b.t that he -ne4 that he sho.l)n*t; another challenge' <rett li-e) challenges' This (orning3 in calc3 as 2r' $arns4orth 4as e:+laining the conce+t o/ in/inity3 <rett ha) i(agine) the( snea-ing a4ay to !e4 Yor- City3 snagging the +resi)ential s.ite at the herry% !etherlan)3 or)ering Ve.ve Clic6.ot cha(+agne an) eggs <ene)ict /ro( roo( service3 an) having ho.rs an) ho.rs o/ s4eaty se: 4ith the c.rtains 4i)e o+en so they co.l) 4atch the horse% )ra4n carriages in the +ar-' The one ti(e she an) ,ere(iah ha) gone o.t in the city3 <rett ha) 4ante) to get a (artini at #arry Ci+riani3 4hich 4as right in the herry%!etherlan) #otel' <.t ,ere(iah ha) )e(an)e) they go to (ith K Wollens-y beca.se he -ne4 the Yan-ees% o: ga(e 4o.l) be blaring /ro( their +las(a%screen TV' #er sto(ach /lo++e) 4hen she tho.ght abo.t ,ere(iah co(ing over this a/ternoon' he 4asn*t in the right /ra(e o/ (in) to see hi(' <rett gritte) her teeth as she cli(be) .+ the stairs to4ar) Eric*s o//ice' All she 4ante) to )o 4as sit on Callie*s be)3 )rin- her signat.re banana )ai6.iri +rotein sha-e straight /ro( the blen)er3 an) tell her abo.t every /rec-le on Eric*s +er/ect /ace' <.t since they*) (ove) in3 she an) Callie ha) har)ly s+o-en' he*) trie) to as- Callie abo.t the ,ennySEasy thing 4hen she*) sto++e) by the )or( a/ter the (orning (eetings3 b.t Callie ha) 6.ic-ly r.she) to the sho4ers 4itho.t ans4ering' o 4hat3 they 4eren*t /rien)s no48 Or (aybe Callie 4as a/rai) that i/ she let her g.ar) )o4n3 she*) con/ess 4hat she*) )one to Tinsley8 5robably' <rett -noc-e) on Eric*s o//ice )oor an) s(elle) cha(o(ile tea bre4ing insi)e' #e /l.ng the )oor o+en an) bro-e into an a)orable grin' 7#ey39 he sai)3 ste++ing bac- to let her +ass' <rett s(ile) bac- at hi(3 4illing hersel/ not to thro4 her ar(s aro.n) his tan3 se:y nec-' #e loo-e) gorgeo.s3 /ro( his neatly -notte) tie to his ' ' ' argyle soc-s' !o shoes3 0.st green3 so/t% loo-ing argyle soc-s' #er insi)es 6.ivere)' <eca.se a/ter all3 right .n)erneath that layer o/ 4hat she bet 4as <roo-s <rothers cash(ere3 4ere his /eet' #e 4as basically one ste+ a4ay /ro( being na-e)' 7Than-s39 she re+lie)3 regaining her co(+os.re' Then she notice) an enor(o.s tray o/ cheese3 caviar3 olives3 s(o-e) sal(on3 crac-ers an) tea ca-es teetering on the e)ge o/ the cre)en>a' It 4as e:actly the -in) o/ o+.lent array o/ go.r(et goo)ies her /ather*s clients sent to her +arents* ho.se in a bas-et as than-s /or their li+o t.ne%.+s' 7Yo. li-e cheese8 2anchego8 Coach Tri+le Crea(89

As i/ she co.l) act.ally eat' 7 .re' All o/ it'9 7Olives3 too89 #e +ointe)' 7I li-e having little +icnics'9 <rett )e(.rely too- a tiny sliver o/ cheese an) +o++e) it bet4een her +l.(+ li+s' The salt coate) her (o.th an) she s4allo4e) noisily' 7I got into eating this 4ay /ro( (y /a(ily'9 Eric scratche) the si)e o/ his slen)er3 clean% shaven nec-' 72y /a(ily3 (an' They*re cra>y abo.t cheese'9 7Yeah39 <rett agree)3 (es(eri>e) by his classic !e4 Englan) accent' he )i)n*t have any i)ea 4here he 4as /ro(3 b.t it ha) to be so(e4here on the East Coast' <oston3 (aybe3 b.t he (ost )e/initely )i) not s+ea- 4ith a to4nie accent' 7What )o yo.r +arents )o89 he /inally (anage) to say' #e +a.se)' 7"h3 4ell3 (y )a) 4or-s in (aga>ine +.blishing' 2y (o( ' ' ' she has her little +ro0ects3 I g.ess' Yo.rs89 Tal- abo.t vag.e' 72y )a)*s a )octor'9 <rett shr.gge)' he 4asn*t abo.t to tell Dalton a )octor o/ 4hat' 7An) (y (o( ' ' ' yeah' he has her little +ro0ects too'9 One o/ those +ro0ects being b.ying )esigner s4eaters /or the seven /a(ily Chih.ah.as' 7 o3 (y so.rces say yo.*ve been to Italy39 Eric sai)3 s+rea)ing <rie onto a <reton 4a/er an) sitting bac- )o4n in his chair' <rett loo-e) .+ at hi(' 7Yeah' #o4*) yo. -no4 that89 #e ).c-e) his hea) a little shyly' 7Well3 I (ean3 I sa4 it in yo.r /ile'9 he /elt color rising to her chee-s' D.h' O/ co.rse he*) loo-e) at her /ile' That 4as ho4 he*) recogni>e) her in /irst +lace' Di) that (ean he -ne4 abo.t her +arents8 7I*( sorry39 he a))e) 6.ic-ly' 7I )i)n*t (ean to;9 7!o?9 she sai)' 7Go)' I )on*t care' I 4ent to E.ro+e thro.gh school' I s+ent so(e ti(e in o.th A(erica3 too3 4ith /a(ily'9 he )i)n*t a)) that her /a(ily ha) bo.ght the biggest3 tac-iest ho.se in <.>ios3 <ra>il3 an) /lo4n all the Chih.ah.as /irst class to s+en) the s.((er 4ith the(' #e loo-e) at her serio.sly' 7Yo.*re (o)est' Yo. 4ent to $rance 4ith the a)vance) $rench st.)ents;(ostly seniors; 4hen yo. 4ere a so+ho(ore;an) yo. 4ent to Crete 4ith the honors +rogra( 4hen yo. 4ere a /resh(an'9 he shr.gge)' It 4as 4eir) having so(eone re+eat yo.r achieve(ents bac- to yo.' <.t -in) o/ cool3 too' ,ere(iah +robably ha) no i)ea 4here Crete even 4as' 7Yo.*re s(art'9 #e s(ile)' 7I nee) a s(art 4o(an aro.n) hel+ing (e get thro.gh this /irst year'9 7Well3 that*s (e39 she sai) shee+ishly3 /eeling a little /.nny that he*) calle) her a 4o(an instea) o/ a girl' he 4atche) as he grace/.lly )e+osite) an olive +it on the e)ge o/ the Italian% loo-ing bl.e cera(ic tray' ,ere(iah 4o.l)*ve s+it it o.t in his han)' 7 o3 let*s get starte)'9 #e /li++e) his (anila /ol)er o+en an) reveale) a big stac- o/ +a+ers' 7I 4ant to sho4 yo. this;these are so(e o/ the case /iles' They*re li-e nine tho.san) +ages long' An) serio.sly3 -ee+ this 6.iet' Re(e(ber3 yo.*re not technically s.++ose) to be )oing this -in) o/ 4or-3 since yo. 4eren*t on DC last year' Everything in these /iles is con/i)ential' Thinyo. can han)le that89 7Absol.tely39 <rett ass.re) hi(' he la.ghe) lightly' 7I*( goo) 4ith secrets'9 7Yeah89 #e loo-e) .+ at her an) bro-e into a slo4 s(ile' <rett /elt her insi)es (elt' #e han)e) her a +ile o/ +a+ers3 his /ingers br.shing the bac- o/ her han)' <rett nearly cho-e) on her 2anchego' #e )i)n*t +.ll a4ay very /ast3 either' Ti(e slo4e) )o4n' <rett co.nte)@ #ne !ississippi, two !ississippi ' ' '

Three secon)s' Their han)s 4ere still to.ching' Tingles ran the 4hole 4ay .+ her bac- an) her han) h.((e) as i/ she 4ere to.ching an electric /ence' 7I 4as ho+ing yo. (ight be39 he (.r(.re)3 /inally brea-ing the silence' <rett loo-e) )o4n3 4illing her li+s not to brea- into an enor(o.s grin'

1O
WAVERLY OWL #O"LD <E CARE$"L W#O2 T#EY TELL T#EIR ECRET TO'

<

ran)on s+ie) ,enny in the )istance3 co(ing over the )e4y green hill /ro( #.nter #all3 the

English b.il)ing' he*) care/.lly arrange) her long c.rly hair into t4o +er-y brai)s an) 4as 4earing a +in- an) 4hite b.tton%)o4n shirt3 her Waverly 0ac-et3 an) a c.te little -ha-i s-irt' <ran)on co.l) al(ost i(agine her as a /ar( girl3 on her 4ay to (il- a co4 or sing on a hillto+' T4o blon) +onytaile) girls h.gge) their boo-s to their chests an) s(ile) at hi( as they +asse)' 7#ey3 <ran)on39 age $rancis3 an ice blon)e in an .ltrashort )ove%gray +leate) s-irt an) silver san)als3 cooe)' <ran)on s(ile) )istracte)ly' 7 a4 yo. eating )inner last night 4ith that ,enny girl' Di) she really slee+ 4ith the g.y /ro( the White tri+es89 7What89 <ran)on as-e)3 scratching an art/.lly t4ee>e) eyebro4' 7I hear) she sle+t 4ith the lea) singer /ro( the Raves3 ,ac- White3 an) Easy Walsh;all in one 4ee-?9 7An) )on*t /orget3 she 4as +onie)?9 shrie-e) age*s /rien)3 a girl na(e) #elena 4ho 4as 4ell -no4n /or starring in school +lays an) (a-ing o.t 4ith the st.)ent )irector at the cast +arties' <ran)on 4as a little tire) o/ the ter( pony' All the girls 4ere thro4ing it aro.n) an) acting co(+letely ri)ic.lo.s abo.t it' Worse3 #eath loved that they*) (a)e .+ a se: ter( 0.st /or hi(' Last night3 be/ore hea)ing to )inner3 #eath ha) +o-e) <ran)on in his +o4er yogaGtone) abs an) boaste)3 7Yo. 4anna bet I can +ony so(eone bet4een /irst an) secon) co.rses89 7 he )i)n*t say anything ha++ene) bet4een her an) Easy39 <ran)on re+lie) evenly3 trying to so.n) cal(' 7 he*s 4orse than Tinsley?9 age an) #elena giggle)3 then lin-e) han)s an) 4al-e) o//' 7!o she;9 <ran)on starte)' <.t they 4ere alrea)y gone' 5ersonally3 <ran)on /elt na.seate) over all the r.(ors abo.t ,enny' #e*) hear) she*) been ca.ght having lo.) se: 4ith Easy Walsh last night 4earing nothing b.t a lacy +.sh%.+ bra on the roo/ o/ her )or(;the r.(ors 4ere all over Waverly' !ot that he believe) ,enny ha) )one it;she 4as 4ay too s4eet to )o so(ething li-e that' Es+ecially 4ith a )og li-e Easy Walsh'

,enny 4as still 4al-ing to4ar) hi(3 loo-ing even (ore innocent an) 4i)e%eye) than 4hen <ran)on ha) /irst (et her' #e reache) o.t an) ca.ght her ar( as she +asse)' 7#ey'9 ,enny sto++e)3 )ee+ in a )a>e' 7Oh?9 she e:clai(e)' !o4 that she 4as loo-ing at hi(3 he co.l) see the )ar- +.r+le circles .n)er her eyes' #e 4ishe) he co.l) gently +at his L*Occitane O+en Eyes 2agic Eye <al( onto her )elicate s-in' 7#ey'9 7Yo. o-ay89 7"(3 s.re'9 7I got yo. this'9 #e searche) thro.gh his ,ohn Varvatos tan s.e)e satchel an) /o.n) a t.r-ey%an)%<rie san)4ich 4ra++e) in a )ining hall na+-in' 7I )i)n*t see yo. at l.nch3 an) I tho.ght yo. (ight be h.ngry'9 7Yeah3 I 4as e%(ailing (y )a)'9 ,enny +resse) her li+s together3 not loo-ing hi( in the eye' 7It*s 0.st ' ' ' I*( -in) o/ rea)y to crac- .n)er the +ress.re39 she a)(itte)3 her li+s tre(%bling' 7I )on*t -no4 4hat to )o'9 7What ha++ene)89 7!ever (in)'9 ,enny shoo- her hea)3 her chin 6.ivering' 7I*( all right' I 0.st have to thinabo.t things /or a 4hile3 yo. -no489 <ran)on 4on)ere) 4hat she (eant' Di) this (ean she ha) been 4ith Easy a/ter all8 Or that so(eone 4as 0.st s+rea)ing vicio.s .n/o.n)e) r.(ors abo.t her8 Easy3 +robably' Go)3 he hate) Easy' 7Don*t let hi( get to yo.39 <ran)on sai)3 trying to loo- into ,enny*s big bro4n eyes' 7Who89 7Yo. -no4' Easy'9 7Easy8 This really isn*t Easy*s /a.lt'9 ,enny -ic-e) at the +er/ectly (anic.re) green' 7!o8 Then is it the +ony st.//8 <eca.se yo. -no43 +ractically every girl at Waverly has (a)e the (ista-e o/ hoo-ing .+ 4ith #eath'9 <ran)on s(ile) a little' 7 erio.sly' They*ll /in) so(eone else to tal- abo.t soon'9 ,enny shoo- her hea) an) loo-e) .+ at hi( thro.gh her thin- blac- eyelashes' 7I )i)n*t even -no4 he 4as calle) 5ony39 she con/esse) )e0ecte)ly' 7<.t at least I -no4 4hat those )ra4ings (ean no4' Any4ay3 no3 it*s not only #eath' That 4as 0.st the start o/ it'9 7Then 4hat is it89 7I /eel li-e ' ' '9 ,enny s4allo4e) har)' he 4as sort o/ e(bar%rasse) to a)(it this to so(eone she har)ly -ne43 b.t she /elt li-e she co.l) tr.st <ran)on' 7I /eel li-e Easy an) I co.l) have a real connection' It*s 4eir)' I can*t e:+lain it'9 <ran)on /elt his throat close .+' What1 The1 Fuc)' 7 o39 he /inally got o.t' 7Yo. ' ' ' li-e hi(89 7Well3 I ' ' '9 #er voice traile) o//' <ran)on shoo- his hea) vigoro.sly' 7Yo. can*t li-e Easy'9 ,enny shr.gge)' 7Well3 yeah' I -no4' #e*s (y roo((ate*s boy/rien)'9 Yes3 he 4as 4ell a4are o/ that3 than- yo. very (.ch' 5ut no, you shouldn t li)e him because he s fuc)ing bad news' A/ter all3 Easy ha) stolen Callie /ro( hi( last year an) nothing ha) been the sa(e since' One (in.te3 she 4as stan)ing ne:t to hi( at the +arty at the library3 as-ing /or a Grey Goose an) tonic' The ne:t3 she 4as ascen)ing the library stairs3 4ith Easy*s tong.e +ractically )o4n her throat in +.blic' !o4 ,enny ha) so(e sort o/ connection 4ith hi(8 5.h%lease' 7It )oesn*t (atter3 any4ay'9 he stare) )o4n at her shoes an) s6.ee>e) her eyes sh.t' 7I sho.l)n*t have sai) anything'9

7!o ' ' '9 <ran)on o//ere) la(ely' 7I*( gla) yo. )i)'9 7I have to go39 she sai)3 still +o.ting at the gro.n)' 7I ho+e yo.r )ay goes o-ay'9 #er voice 6.ivere) again3 as i/ she 4ere abo.t to cry' $or (aybe the secon) ti(e in his li/e3 <ran)on 4ante) to +.nch a hole in so(ething' Why )i) Easy steal every cool girl8 An) )i) this (ean so(ething had ha++ene) bet4een the(8 <ran)on*s ne:t class 4as (olec.lar an) cell biology3 an) he 4as t4o (in.tes late' #e sli) into his seat an) glare) vicio.sly at the girl 4ith long blon) hair sitting in /ront o/ hi(' he 4ore a s+ar-ly a(ethyst ring on her right han) an) s(elle) vag.ely o/ cigarettes an) ,ean 5ato. ,oy +er/.(e' he t.rne) an) t4iste) the corners o/ her +retty3 +o.ty3 Chanel%glosse) (o.th .+ into a hal/%s(ile' 7#ey3 <ran)on39 Callie chir+e)' 72eet any nice girls this s.((er89 <ran)on shr.gge)3 averting his eyes to 4atch a /loc- o/ geese /la+ by the classroo(*s +ict.re 4in)o4 on their 4ay so.th3 hon-ing their hea)s o//' #e ha)n*t (et any nice girls over the s.((er3 b.t he*) (et one on his /irst )ay bac- at school' #o4 co.l) he +revent Waverly /ro( r.ining ,enny the 4ay it ha) r.ine) Callie8

BennyCunningham: o they*re not even s+ea-ing to each other any%(ore' CelineColista: Di) yo. see the AVE TI! LEY? on their boar)8 BennyCunningham: I thin- they both 4ante) her gone;yo. -no4 Easy 4as into Tinsley' CelineColista: !o4 C*s being nice to that sl.tty ,enny girl3 even tho.gh she +ractically ha) se: 4ith her <$' It*s 0.st to +iss < o//' BennyCunningham: Go)3 those bitches are cra>y?

SageFrancis: o Angelica 5ar)ee*s (ar-er boar) got +onie)? Do yo. thin-8 BennyCunningham: he*s (arrie)' An) ol)' SageFrancis: 2aybe she*s secretly 4il) /or #eath' ' ' ' BennyCunningham: Do yo. )are (e to as- her abo.t it at tonight*s chec-%in8 SageFrancis: O2G3 )o it?

1N
A WAVERLY OWL #O"LD !OT CLI!G TO T#E 5A T; E 5ECIALLY I$ IT* $"LL O$ EU%GIRL$RIE!D '

allie sat in biology class an) /elt eyes on her that 4ere )e/initely not 4elco(e' !ot the

vacant stares o/ the e(aciate) )ea) cats that lay on the (etal )issection trays at their lab stations' <ran)on <.chanan 4o.l)n*t sto+ staring at her' It ha) been al(ost a year since they*) bro-en .+' he*) gone to a +arty /or Waverly*s literary (aga>ine3 Absinthe3 at the library3 not inten)ing to brea- .+ at all' <.t the +arty ha) been classically ro(antic;they*) t.rne) the lights )o4n at the library an) covere) the 4alls in thicga.>y netting' Ol) t4enties /la++er (.sic lilte) lightly thro.gh the s+ea-ers3 an) everyone ha) been instr.cte) to 4ear creative blac- tie' Easy ha) been there' he*) -no4n Easy3 o/ co.rse; the eclectic circle o/ Waverly*s elite 4as s(all;b.t not 4ell' he*) al4ays /o.n) hi( se:y an) (ysterio.s in a sensitive%artist 4ay3 an) she*) ca.ght hi( chec-ing her o.t a co.+le o/ ti(es at cha+el' When <ran)on 4ent o// to get the( so(e )rin-s3 she (a)e eye contact3 thin-ing she*) innocently /lirt 4ith Easy /ro( across the roo(' <.t then he*) 4al-e) .+ to her' An) it ha) been li-e those nat.re sho4s on 5< 3 4ith a lion stri-ing a ga>elle' It ha) ha++ene) so /ast3 she ha)n*t even -no4n 4hat hit her' he 4o.l)*ve +lea)e) that Easy ha) sli++e) so(ething into her glass3 b.t she ha)n*t even ha) a )rin- yet' Only a /e4 secon)s later3 they snea-e) o// into the Waverly ancient%boo-s roo(3 as i/ they )es+erately nee)e) to /in) those ).sty to(es o/ lost ,ohn Donne sonnets' in-ing into one o/ the 4orn leather s(o-ing chairs3 they*) -isse) /or ho.rs3 co((.nicating by tele+athy as their tong.es t4iste) together' The ne:t )ay3 <ran)on -ne4;everybo)y -ne4;an) Callie an) <ran)on 4ere bro-en .+ by l.nch' 7<y the en) o/ the se(ester3 yo. 4ill have e:a(ine) the cat*s vario.s bo)ily syste(s an) i)enti/ie) every organ'9 Their han)so(ely 4eathere) teacher3 2r' hea3 +ace) the roo(' 7In Dece(ber yo. 4ill be given a /inal oral e:a( ).ring 4hich yo. (.st correctly i)enti/y all o/ the organs'9 $ro( the bac- o/ the roo(3 #eath $erro snic-ere) at the 4or)s oral e3am' 2r' hea s4itche) on the overhea) +ro0ector an) starte) to +oint at a line%)ra4n )iagra( o/ a cat' Callie +ee-e) at <ran)on again' #is eyes re(aine) /i:e) on her3 an) she 6.ic-ly 0er-e) her hea) a4ay' he )oo)le)3 &top staring at me, perv3 in elaborate c.rsive on a /resh +iece o/ noteboo- +a+er' As soon as she /inishe) the letters3 she scribble) over the( in broa) blac- stro-es' .))enly her cell +hone vibrate) in her bac- +oc-et' he slo4ly too- it o.t3 an) )iscreetly sli) it onto her la+ so that it 4as obsc.re) by the tableto+' It 4as a te:t (essage /ro( <enny3 4ho 4as sitting only three ro4s over' ; thin) about the cheer yet% ,o3 Callie te:te) bac-'

Every year on <lac- at.r)ay3 the .++erclass(en o/ the varsity girls* /iel) hoc-ey tea( +er/or(e) a cheer' $irst the 4hole tea( 4o.l) )o a really stan)ar) an) boring cheer' Then it 4as tra)ition /or the ol)er girls to +ic- one ne4 yo.nger varsity girl to )o another3 cra>ier3 sort o/ e(barrassing cheer3 having le) her to believe that all the girls 4ere )oing it together3 not 0.st her' "n)erstan)ably3 the girl beca(e co(+letely (orti/ie) 4hen she /o.n) hersel/ )oing the cheer all on her o4n' o(eti(es she 4o.l)n*t tal- to the other +layers /or 4ee-s' <.t as the season 4ent on3 she invariably la.ghe) abo.t it later3 gla) to have bon)e) 4ith the cool ol)er girls' It 4as a ha>ing rit.al that ha) starte) in the /i/ties3 an) as co%ca+tain this year3 Callie 4as res+onsible /or it' #er +hone b.>>e) again' I thin) we should ma)e yr new roomie do it3 <enny te:te)' Callie /ro>e3 her heart lea+ing in to her throat' !o 4ay' #a>ing ,enny (ight (a-e her (a)3 an) Callie ha) to -ee+ ,enny ha++y' I don t thin) so3 she 4rote bac-' Is she even varsity% <enny b.>>e) bac- 6.ic-ly' 2up, the list was posted today1 *ave u seen her play yet% &he s )ind of all over the place but good1 ,ot her3 Callie 6.ic-ly re+lie)' Callie 4atche) as <enny /.rio.sly ty+e) into her tiny !o-ia' 5ut aren t u mad at her b>c of E?% We can totally embarrass her1 Callie sat bac-' The 4hole school 4as tal-ing abo.t ,enny an) Easy an) 4his+ering abo.t Callie as they +asse) her on the stone +ath4ays aro.n) ca(+.s' he ha)n*t tol) anyone the tr.th abo.t Easy an) ,enny;it 4as too ris-y' E(barrassing ,enny 4as the last thing Callie nee)e)' I don t )now3 she te:te) bac-' &age and Celine and I all thin) she s the one to do it1 What does 5rett thin)% As i/ she an) <rett ha) )isc.sse) it' Or anything /or that (atter' he sighe) an) )ro++e) her +hone into her +ale yello4 Coach sa))le bag3 in)icating that the conversation 4as over' The bell /inally rang' Callie 0.(+e) .+ to her /eet an) grabbe) her noteboo-3 ho+ing that her hair )i)n*t s(ell li-e /or(al)ehy)e' he /elt a han) on her sho.l)er an) t.rne)' It 4as <ran)on3 )resse) in neatly +resse) olive green Zegna tro.sers an) 5ra)a loa/ers 4itho.t soc-s' #is hair 4as /lec-e) 4ith gol) an) she 4on)ere) i/ he*) .se) an at%ho(e highlight%ing -it last night or so(ething' 7#ey39 she greete) hi(' 7 o3 easy co(e3 easy go3 h.h89 <ran)on*s bro4n eyes loo-e) col)' 75ar)on89 she as-e) ca.tio.sly' 7#o4 )oes it /eel to have so(eone steal the one yo. love o.t /ro( .n)er yo.89 Callie stare) at hi( /or a (o(ent an) s(ir-e) insi)e' Good boy, Easy/ #e (.st have alrea)y starte) /lirting in +.blic 4ith ,enny' Even be/ore she*) ha) a chance to tell ,enny abo.t it' 7Well89 <ran)on coa:e)' 7Yeah3 it s.c-s39 Callie s4allo4e) har)3 trying to loo- heartbro-en' 7Yo. )on*t believe (e'9 <ran)on shr.gge)' 7<.t I -no4 so(ething yo. )on*t -no439 he singsonge)' 7What are 4e3 secon) gra)ers89 she sco//e)3 s.))enly hating ho4 +er/ectly +l.c-e) <ran)on*s eyebro4s 4ere' 7I have to go'9 hoving +ast a gaggle o/ e:tre(ely yo.ng%loo-ing /resh(an girls3 Callie sto++e) on the secon)%/loor lan)ing' t.)ents strea(e) +ast her as she +resse) hersel/ .+ against the bric- stair4ell 4all' Was <ran)on still ho+ing to get bac- together 4ith her8 $at chance' That 4as abo.t as li-ely as Easy act.ally /alling /or little ,enny #.(+hrey' As i/ that 4o.l) ever ha++en'

RyanReynolds: o3 yo. hear anything on 4here the <lac- at.r)ay +arty*s gonna be8 I hear) Tinsley*s thro4ing it' ' ' ' CelineColista: Really8 I hear) she 4as having a secret love geta4ay in La-e Co(o 4ith that g.y /ro( Ento.rage' RyanReynolds: Go)3 I ho+e not' I*) )ie /or that girl3 she*s so hot' CelineColista: Yo. an) every other boy at this school' RyanReynolds: Try +lanet'

1L
"5O! <EI!G WOOED WIT# RO E 5ETAL 3 A WAVERLY OWL #O"LD AT LEA T AY T#A!& YO"'

7#

ey?9 ,ere(iah yelle)3 lo+ing .+ the long hill /ro( Waverly*s +ractice /iel)s to the (ain

green' <rett s6.inte)' #e 4ore a /a)e) blac- T%shirt3 scr.//y beige cor).roys an) booger%green 5.(as' #e 4as s(iling so big that <rett co.l) see his croo-e) ro4 o/ botto( teeth' ,ere(iah +robably loo-e) )elicio.s to every other girl on ca(+.s3 b.t to <rett3 he loo-e) i((at.re an) slo++y' 7#ey39 she calle)3 noting the .n)eniable sha-iness in her voice' ,ere(iah bro-e into a r.n3 his /lo++y re) hair /lying behin) hi(' #e s(ac-e) into her an) 4ra++e) his strong ar(s aro.n) her 4aist' 7<abe39 he (.r(.re) aggressively' 7It see(s li-e a (illion yee0ahs since I sa4 yo.' I /eel li-e 4e*re so faahhh /ro( each other'9 ;gh1 7Well3 that*s silly39 <rett bl.she)3 ta-ing his han)' 7I 0.st tal-e) to yo. yester)ay'9 7Yo. o-ay89 ,ere(iah s6.ee>e) her' 7Yo. see( really ' ' ' I )on*t -no4' !ervo.s'9 7Oh3 no'9 <rett trie) to s(ile' 7I*( 0.st gi))y'9 Yeah3 she 4as gi))y' <.t not abo.t ,ere(iah' Abo.t her (in)%blo4ing3 absol.tely (agical l.nch 4ith 2r' Dalton' <e/ore she le/t his o//ice3 he*) to.che) her sho.l)er an) invite) her to go

to )inner so(eti(e' #is nervo.s3 t4itching li+s 4hen he*) as-e)3 his shining eyes 4hen she*) sai) yes' Dinner3 )inner3 )inner 4ith Eric? An) they 4ere going tonight? 7We*re going to the ga>ebo3 right89 <rett sna++e) bac- to attention' 7Yeah39 she s6.ea-e)' The ol) 4hite ga>ebo 4as nestle) into so(e 4ee+ing 4illo4 trees an) sat right on the ban- o/ the #.)son' It 4as a /a(e) Waverly (a-e%o.t s+ot;in /act3 it 4as so +o+.lar that last s+ring the st.)ents ha) +asse) aro.n) a ga>ebo sign%o.t sheet so nobo)y 4o.l) interr.+t another co.+le*s b.siness' It ha) a 4orn%in3 co(/y s4inging bench /or t4o' There 4as a c.to.t hole at the to+ o/ the ga>ebo3 so at night3 yo. co.l) loo- .+ at the stars' 7<.t 4e can*t stay too long3 *ca.se I have to get rea)y /or )inner in a little'9 7That*s cool'9 They 4al-e) along the stone +ath3 han) in han)3 acres o/ green la4n an) ancient re)bricb.il)ings 4ith bright 4hite tri( on either si)e o/ the(' The s-y 4as getting clo.)y3 an) <rett 4asn*t s.re i/ it 4as the h.(i)ity or her nerves3 b.t she 4as )e/initely s4eating a little' ,ere(iah s.))enly sto++e) an) grabbe) her by both han)s' t.)ents 4ere 4al-ing aro.n) ca(+.s3 hea)ing to the )or(s /or visiting ho.rs be/ore )inner3 all chec-ing o.t <rett an) her hot3 /lo++y% haire) boy/rien)' 7I really (isse) yo.'9 #e -isse) her /orehea)' 7I 4ish o.r schools 4ere closer3 yo. -no489 7They*re only abo.t ten (iles a4ay /ro( each other39 <rett s+.ttere)3 loo-ing aro.n) /rantically' They 4ere stan)ing right in the (i))le o/ the green3 in +lain vie4 o/ tans/iel) #all' I/ Eric loo-e) o.t his o//ice 4in)o4 right then3 he 4o.l) see the(' 7It*s really not that /ar'9 7Well3 that see(s to /ar to (e'9 7Let*s go to the ga>ebo'9 he grabbe) his ar( 6.ic-ly' 7We can tal- there'9 7O-ay'9 ,ere(iah +.t his big3 sn.ggly ar( aro.n) her' 7 o3 ho4 is it here8 Yo. got any /rea-y ne4 teachers89 7"( ' ' '9 7I hear) yo. g.ys got so(ebo)y ne4' That really rich ).)e89 7I )on*t -no4' ' ' '9 <rett sort o/ /ig.re) all teachers 4ere either really rich an) )i)n*t nee) high%+aying 0obs or else really +oor an) )es+erate' 7Eric Dalton' #ave yo. (et hi(89 #er heart /ro>e' he glance) at ,ere(iah*s /ace' Was he on to her% 7"h ' ' '9 7Yo.*) -no4 hi( i/ yo. (et hi(' #e*s a Dalton'9 7What )o yo. (ean3 he*s a 4alton89 ,ere(iah loo-e) at her li-e 4or(s 4ere gro4ing o.t o/ her nose' 7Is this 0.st a 2assach.setts thing8 Yo. -no4' A Dalton' #is gran)/ather 4as Reginal) Dalton' There*s ' ' ' there*s li-e3 a giant co(+le: na(e) a/ter hi( in <oston8 The one that al4ays has the big Christ(as tree89 At the 2essersch(i)ts* ho.se in R.(son3 there 4as a +ict.re o/ /o.r%year%ol) <rett3 4earing a re) velvet )ress3 hol)ing a st.//e) Chih.ah.a3 an) stan)ing .n)er the Dalton Christ(as tree' D.h? !y grandfather was into railroads1 !y family has a place in ,ewport' Eric*s 4or)s ca(e bac- to her' he*) never even consi)ere) that he 4as a 4alton Dalton' <rett ha) 4atche) s+ecials abo.t the( on TV3 /ro( historical bio+ics on 5< to scan)alo.s they*re%4orse%than%the%&enne)ys tell%alls on E? he*) learne) that the gran)/ather3 Reginal) Dalton3 4as an heir to a railroa) /ort.ne' #is /a(ily o4ne) Lin)is/arne3 the largest (ansion in !e4+ort3 an) ha) /or a h.n)re) years' The /ather3 2orris Dalton3 o4ne) an interna%tional

+.blishing co(+any that (a)e ga>illions o/ )ollars an) +.blishe) only the classiest boo-s an) (aga>ines' An) yes3 she -ne4 there 4as a son3 b.t he 4as +ress%shy an) )i)n*t li-e to be in the s+otlight' <rett ha) ass.(e) he 4as either .gly or a social (is/it or both an) that the /a(ily*s 5R secretary 4ante) to -ee+ hi( +rivate' #o4 4rong she*) been? 7I thin- they (ight*ve intro).ce) hi( at cha+el39 she /inally (.(ble) to ,ere(iah' 7Oh' Well3 at least <lac- at.r)ay*s co(ing .+39 ,ere(iah change) the s.b0ect3 bree>ing ahea)' 7That*ll be /.n3 h.h8 We*ve never really +artie) together3 li-e3 ).ring school'9 7Yeah'9 <rett too- her han) /ro( his3 /eigning a nee) to scratch her ar(' 7#ey3 so close yo.r eyes'9 They a++roache) the ga>ebo' ,eri(iah*s lacrosse%callo.se) han) covere) the to+ hal/ o/ her /ace' 7I have a s.r+rise'9 #e le) her a /e4 +aces thro.gh the grass3 breathing e:cite)ly' With every ste+3 <rett /elt a heavier an) heavier sense o/ )rea)' What she really nee)e) 4as /or ,ere(iah to go a4ay so she co.l) sit )o4n an) thin-' Eric 4as Eric 4alton8 $or real8 7O-ay3 yo. can o+en *e( no4'9 ,ere(iah 4his-e) his han) a4ay /ro( her /ace' <rett gas+e)' In the (i))le o/ the 4hite 4oo)en ga>ebo 4as a h.ge bo.6.et o/ blac- t.li+s s.rro.n)e) by hea+s o/ b.rg.n)y rose +etals' he*) never seen so (any /lo4ers in one +lace be/ore' There (.st have been a h.n)re) o/ the(' 7I li-e the blac- ones39 she s6.ea-e)' 'i)e% 2ore li-e she 4as obsesse) 4ith the(' 7Yo. sai) that once 4hen 4e +asse) that /lo4er sho+ in 2anhattan'9 #e bea(e)3 bo.ncing .+ an) )o4n e:cite)ly3 li-e a little -i) 4ho*) 0.st (a)e his +arents brea-/ast in be)' 7I ' ' '9 <rett starte)' This 4as the ty+e o/ thing Callie al4ays secretly +raye) /or Easy to )o /or her3 an) he never )i)' 7An) here'9 ,ere(iah hel) o.t a 4hite "nite) Airlines envelo+e' <rett o+ene) it3 an) sa4 that it 4as a /irst%class ro.n)%tri+ tic-et to an $rancisco' he loo-e) .+ at hi( 6.estioningly' 72y )a) is o+ening .+ a resta.rant on !e4b.ry treet in <oston3 an) he*s going to ono(a on a tasting to.r' #e sai) I co.l) bring yo.' #e*ll totally leave .s alone3 tho.gh' It*s over Than-sgiving'9 <rett o+ene) her (o.th3 b.t nothing ca(e o.t' Driving thro.gh Cali/ornia 4ine co.ntry so.n)e) a(a>ing3 b.t ,ere(iah )ran- beer' he close) her eyes an) trie) to i(agine the( together at a 4inery' Yo. 4ere s.++ose) to s+it o.t the 4ine a/ter yo. taste) it3 b.t ,ere(iah 4as the -in) i/ g.y 4ho 4o.l) rather s4allo4 it an) get trashe)' #e 4as trying too har)' Way too har)' 5l.s Than-sgiving see(e) so /ar a4ay' What i/ ' ' ' 4hat i/ she 4as s+en)ing Than-sgiving 4ith Eric8 *ello% They ha)n*t even -isse) yet' <.t she co.l) still )rea(' ' ' ' 7This is great'9 he /orce) a s(ile3 ga>ing 4on)ro.sly at the /lo4ers again' ,ere(iah 4ra++e) his ar(s aro.n) her /ro( behin) an) -isse) her nec- so/tly' 7It 4as (y 4ay o/ telling yo. I (isse) yo.3 baby'9 7Well3 it*s )e/initely ' ' ' something' I )on*t -no4 4hat to say'9 7#o4 abo.t than- yo.89 ,ere(iah*s voice so.n)e) a little e)gy all o/ a s.))en3 sort o/ li-e a scol)ing (other*s' <rett la.ghe) nervo.sly' 7O-ay' Than- yo.39 she re+lie)3 +.c-ering her li+s to give hi( a terse -iss on the chee-' #e t.rne) his hea) an) ca.ght her -iss 4ith his (o.th' 7Yo.*re (ost )e/initely 4elco(e'9

SageFrancis: o I 0.st sa4 <rett an) her hot <$ /ro( t' L.ci.s 4al-ing to4ar) the ga>ebo3 b.t she loo-e)' (iserable' <enny tol) (e she thin-s <rett li-es so(eone else' Do . -no4 4ho8 CallieVernon: "( ' ' ' SageFrancis: I hear) she*s been )oing so(e sn.ggling 4ith a g.y bet4een classes' CallieVernon: A g.y /ro( this school8 Who8 SageFrancis: D.nno3 b.t he (ight be ol)er' Li-e a senior' That*s 4hat <enny thin-s' CallieVernon: #.h' SageFrancis: Yo. )i)n*t -no48 Are yo. g.ys totally /ighting or 4hat8 CallieVernon: &in) o/' I g.ess'

To: All !e4 t.)ents From: Dean2ary(o.ntR4averly'e). Date: Th.rs)ay3 e+te(ber I3 I@11 5'2' Subject: Welco(e?

Dear !e4 t.)ents3 Welco(e to Waverly? I ho+e yo.r /irst )ay o/ classes 4ent 4ell to)ay' Yo.*re invite) to an ice crea( social /or all /resh(an an) trans/er st.)ents on $ri)ay evening a/ter )inner' The s.n)ae%(a-ing 4ill co((ence at N@11 5'2' This is a great o++ort.nity to (a-e ne4 /rien)s? Re(e(ber3 this is a (an)atory event' Don*t 4orry3 I*ll bring the s+rin-les? Dean 2ary(o.nt

E1
A WAVERLY OWL #O"LD RE I T TE25TATIO!; E 5ECIALLY I$ T#E TE25TATIO! I #ER ROO22ATE* <OY$RIE!D'

ater that evening3 be/ore )inner3 it began to +o.r' ,enny sn.ggle) .n)er the light bl.e (ohair

thro4 her gran)%(other ha) -nitte) /or her /ather 4hen he 4as at college at <er-eley an) rea) +assages o/ !adame 5ovary /or English class' The new boy had )ept in the bac)ground, in the corner behind the door, almost out of sight, cha+ter one began' Gloo(y tears /ille) ,enny*s eyes' he*s rea) the boo- last year at Constance <illar) an) -ne4 it 4asn*t even abo.t this boy;it 4as abo.t E((a <ovary3 4ho only 4ante) to go to +arties an) slee+ 4ith g.ys 4ho 4eren*t her h.sban);b.t still3 she e(+athi>e) 4ith this ne4 b.(+-in boy 4ho 4as being ta.nte) by +re+ school -i)s' he 4on)ere) i/ the b.(+-in ha) ever been 4rong/.lly acc.se) an) (a)e to choose bet4een +o+.larity an) having a big blac- )isci+linary @ ne:t to his na(e' A -ey 0ingle) in the )oor3 an) Callie b.rst in3 carrying a b.nch o/ sho++ing bags' ,enny 6.ic-ly 4i+e) her eyes on the scratchy 4ool o/ the thro43 (a-ing the( even re))er than they alrea)y 4ere' 7 .r+rise?9 Callie sang3 +.lling a vertical Lo.is V.itton sig%nat.re leather (a-e.+ tote o.t o/ one o/ the bags' 7I got ne4 nail +olish an) a 4hole b.nch o/ (a-e.+3 too' Are yo. going to be aro.n) /or a 4hile89 7"h3 yeah'9 ,enny +a.se)3 con/.se)' Was Callie tal-ing to her beca.se <rett 4asn*t here3 or 4as this +art o/ Callie*s little s.c-%.+ /est8 ,enny ha) gotten another e%gi/t certi/icate /ro( Callie that a/ternoon;PI1 to iT.nes' It 4as beginning to /eel li-e the t4elve )ays o/ <lac-(ail Christ(as' 7Cool'9 Callie sto++e) the CD +layer;,enny ha) been listening to a )reary Yo La Tengo song;an) +.t on 2o)est 2o.se instea)' 7 o3 ho4 4as yo.r /irst )ay o/ classes89 7"(3 goo)39 she res+on)e) (echanically3 leaning bac- against the 4all behin) her be)' 7Loo-3 I 0.st 4ant to than- yo. /or saving (y ass /ro( !A CAR #igh'9 Callie giggle)3 han)ing ,enny a +int o/ <en K ,erry*s 5hish $oo)3 her /avorite' #o4 )i) she -no48 7Well3 I (ean ' ' '9 ,enny traile) o//' 7I )i)n*t say anything3 one 4ay or another'9 7I -no439 Callie re+lie) gaily' 7An) that*s o-ay' Yo. )i)n*t have to say anything to 2r' Dalton' When )i) they say the DC hearing 4as3 any4ay89 72on)ay'9 Callie o+ene) her o4n +int o/ 5hish $oo) an) ).g into it 4ith a +lastic s+oon' he coc-e) her hea) an) st.)ie) ,enny care/.lly' 7Yo. -no43 yo.r hair loo-s really c.te li-e that39 she /inally sai)' 7Are yo. cra>y89 ,enny to.che) her hea)' It 4as raining3 an) her hair ha) e:+lo)e) into a /ri>> ball' he*) ta(e) it into a +onytail3 b.t c.rly 4is+s 4ere s+ro.ting o.t every4here3 )ancing (essily aro.n) her /ace'

7Yeah3 I really li-e it' It*s li-e ' ' ' )econstr.cte)39 she sai)' 7 o3 the (eeting 4ith Dalton 4as o-ay89 ,enny gr.nte)' 7I g.ess'9 Callie trie) to get a s+oon/.l o/ ice crea( o.t o/ the +int container3 b.t the ice crea( 4as too col) an) the +lastic s+oon -e+t ben)ing' 7 o )o yo. thin- (aybe yo.*ll cover /or (e in DC89 72aybe39 ,enny sai)' 7I*( not;9 7O/ co.rse yo. 4ill39 Callie interr.+te)' 7An) I nee) yo. to )o (e another /avor' Well3 it*s not a /avor3 really' It*ll be /.n'9 ,enny stare) at her' Another /avor8 Wasn*t Callie s.++ose) to be -issing her ass8 .re3 she ha)n*t e:actly given bac- the bea.ty bas-et or the iT.nes gi/t certi/icate3 b.t co(e on? Callie stabbe) her s+oon into the ice crea(3 /inally (a-ing a )ent' 7This (ight so.n) a little strange3 b.t I*( 4on)ering i/ yo.*ll /lirt 4ith (y boy/rien) a little'9 ,enny +a.se) an) s.c-e) in her breath' 7Yo. (ean ' ' ' Easy89 7Yeah' It*s 0.st3 /or this to 4or-3 it nee)s to loo- believable that yo. g.ys li-e each other3 yo. -no489 7Yo. 4ant (e to ' ' ' /lirt89 ,enny re+eate)' 7Yeah' Li-e3 I )on*t -no4' #ang o.t ).ring )inner' 2aybe bet4een classes' !othing big' ,.st so teachers can see yo.'9 ,enny stare) at her' he sho.l) /eel +isse) o//;/lirting 4ith Easy 4o.l) incri(inate her (ore3 4o.l)n*t it8 <.t instea)3 her heart +o.n)e) /everishly' 7Yo. )on*t 4ant to )o it3 )o yo.89 Callie*s sho.l)ers sl.(+e)' 7 o he )ran- a little too (.ch3 b.t he*s really s4eet once yo. get to -no4 hi('9 7I;9 A -noc- s.))enly so.n)e) on the )oor' 7#elloooo89 <enny C.nningha( crie)3 bo.n)ing into the roo(' 7A( I interr.+ting89 7We*re 0.st having so(e3 .(3 ice crea(39 Callie e:+laine) 6.ietly' 7I*) o//er yo. so(e3 b.t it*s still too col)'9 7#ere*s the girl I 4ant to see39 <enny e:clai(e)3 +ointing at ,enny' 72e89 ,enny as-e)3 +ointing at hersel/' 7Ye+'9 <enny +.she) .+ the sleeves o/ her &er(it%green thin%ga.ge cash(ere s4eater' 7Yo.*re +laying varsity /iel) hoc-ey3 right89 7Yeah3 I (a)e the tea( to)ay'9 ,enny still co.l)n*t believe she 4as going to +lay /iel) hoc-ey /or Waverly' It 4as so s.rreal' 7Great?9 <enny s6.eale)' 7We 4ere 4on)ering i/ yo. 4ante) to be +art o/ o.r <lacat.r)ay cheer' It*s .s.ally /or .++erclass(en3 b.t 4e +ic- so(e yo.nger girls3 too' Yo.*re a so+ho(ore3 right89 7Yeah'9 ,enny loo-e) at Callie' 7Cheer89 Callie /linche)' When ,enny t.rne) her bac-3 Callie (o.the) to <enny3 I said I didn t want her1 <enny ignore) her' 7Yeah' It*s really /.n' We (a-e a ne4 one .+ every year an) tor(ent t' L.ci.s 4ith it' <.t it*s only a certain gro.+ o/ girls3 yo. -no489 7,ee+ers'9 ,enny*s /ace brightene)' 7That so.n)s really /.n'9 7,ee+ers89 <enny as-e)' 7Yo. )i)n*t honestly 0.st say 9eepers3 )i) yo.89 he la.ghe)3 b.t ,enny sense) it 4asn*t act.ally /rien)ly'

7"(3 I (ean3 cool39 ,enny correcte) hersel/3 e(barrasse)' -eepers/ #o4 Ol) ,enny co.l) she get8 7Yeah89 <enny raise) her eyebro4s at Callie' Callie sco4le) bac-' 7A4eso(e?9 7Are yo. )oing the cheer too89 ,enny as-e) Callie' 7Act.ally3 since she*s ca+tain3 Callie 4rites the cheer39 <enny e:+laine)' 7Really89 ,enny as-e) c.rio.sly' It occ.rre) to her no4 that being on the /iel) ho-ey tea( 4o.l) be li-e being in a sorority' he ha) a 4hole ne4 /a(ily o/ sisters' It 4as -in) o/ cool' Callie s4allo4e) har)' 7I*( 4or-ing on it'9 7,.st get it )one be/ore at.r)ay39 <enny a))e)' 7O-ay3 so I have to get to the lit (ag (eeting' ,.st 4ante) to (a-e s.re ,enny 4as in' <ye%yee?9 he sla((e) the )oor sh.t' ,enny t.rne) bac- to Callie' 7Yo. g.ys )o really /.n st.// here'9 7Yeah39 Callie ans4ere) 6.ietly' 7I 4o.l)n*t ta-e it too serio.sly3 tho.gh3 yo. -no48 It*s 0.st a st.+i) cheer'9 ,enny shr.gge) an) lic-e) a tiny bit o/ too%col) ice crea( o// her +lastic s+oon' l.t r.(ors asi)e3 the cool varsity girls 4ante) her to )o the cheer 4ith the(' #o4 cool 4as that8 The )oor /le4 o+en again an) <rett stro)e in3 her bl.e t4ee) E.genia &i( cloche ca+ soa-ing 4et an) her bob%length re) hair (atte) aro.n) her /ace' As soon as she sa4 the(3 a +eeve) loo- settle) over her +er/ectly chisele) /ace' 7I tho.ght yo. g.ys 4ere both st.)ying tonight'9 7!o+e39 Callie re+lie)' 7We*re having a (a-eoverGice crea( +arty'9 7Oh'9 <rett thre4 her ca+ on the gro.n)' 7Why are yo. all 4et89 Callie as-e)3 so.n)ing (.ch bitchier than necessary' <rett too- o// her -ha-i thigh%length <.rberry raincoat an) tosse) it on the /loor' 7,ere(iah 4as here' We got st.c- in the rain'9 7,ere(iah89 Callie straightene) .+3 thin-ing abo.t the I2 she*) receive) /ro( age earlier' 7Di) yo. g.ys have the big tal-89 <rett loo-e) at her blan-ly' 7<ig tal-8 We ' ' ' 4hatever' We h.ng o.t'9 Callie stare) bac-3 a hal/%s(ir- on her /ace' Come on' They 4ere best /rien)s' I/ <rett li-e) so(e other g.y3 s.rely she*) tell Callie abo.t it' There 4ere +lenty o/ hot seniors at this school; 5ar-er D.<ois3 /or instance' 5ar-er 4as hal/ $rench3 ha) large3 +iercing bl.e eyes3 an) 4as a +hotogra+hy ingDn.e3 having s+ent the s.((er sna++ing shots o/ e)gy3 .+co(ing artists /or the ,ew 2or) Times .n)ay $ashion s.++le(ent' Callie co.l) totally see <rett li-ing 5ar-er' he 4aite)3 loc-ing her ha>el eyes 4ith <rett*s green ones3 .ntil <rett silently loo-e) )o4n' 7Who*s ,ere(iah89 ,enny bro-e the silence' 7I g.ess ,ere(iah is <rett*s boy/rien)'9 Callie trie) to catch <rett*s eye again b.t co.l)n*t' he sighe)' 7#e*s gorgeo.s an) athletic an) s4eet an) thro4s the best +arties at t' L.ci.s'9 7,ee+ers39 ,enny co.l)n*t hel+ e:clai(ing again3 trying to hi)e her s.r+rise' $ro( the /a4ning 4ay <rett ha) been acting in the (eeting this (orning 4ith 2r' Dalton in his o//ice3 ,enny ha) 0.st ass.(e) she 4as single' 7Why )i)n*t yo. bring hi( over to the roo(89 Callie as-e)' 7Or )i) yo. g.ys 0.st )o it in the rain in the (i))le o/ the +ractice /iel)s89 ,enny 4atche) Callie tal- at <rett' he 4as )oing that thing so(e +eo+le )o 4hen they act nice an) chi++er an) intereste)3 4hile 0.st belo4 the s.r/ace they*re thin-ing really (ean tho.ghts3 an) yo. can never call the( on it beca.se they*) 0.st acc.se yo. o/ being +aranoi)'

<rett rolle) her eyes' 7!o3 4e )i)n*t )o it any4here' Why 4o.l) anyone 4ant to )o it in a /iel)8 Gross' Do yo. an) Easy )o it in a /iel)8 Di) yo. an) <ran)on )o it in a /iel)89 <rett stor(e) over to her closet an) h.ng .+ her coat' 7Whoa' o(eone*s 52 ing39 Callie sco//e)3 e:a(ining her nails' ,enny 4as still thin-ing abo.t ho4 <rett ha) /lirte) 4ith 2r' Dalton 4hen she hear) <ran)on*s na(e' 7Di) she say <ran)on89 ,enny as-e) Callie' 7Li-e3 <ran)on <.chanan89 7Yeah' I 4ent o.t 4ith hi( /or al(ost a year' #e )i)n*t tell yo. that89 7!o'9 7#.h' I tho.ght he tol) everybo)y' One ti(e last 4inter3 a 4hole b.nch o/ .s 4ent to 5arCity to sno4boar)3 an) <ran)on (et a gro.+ o/ 4iss to.rists an) tol) the( every )etail o/ o.r tort.re) relationshi+3 even tho.gh 4e*) alrea)y bro-en .+ by that +oint' An) then he +lea)e) 4ith (e all night to go into the sa.na 4ith hi('9 ,enny 4rin-le) her nose' That )i)n*t so.n) li-e <ran)on at all' Callie shoo- her hea)' 7I -no4' #ello8 a.nas are so ger(y' !obo)y goes into the( e:ce+t ol) gay (en'9 7 a.nas are /ine3 Callie39 <rett contra)icte) /ro( her closet' 7Easy 4ent in the sa.na on that tri+'9 Callie bl.she) an) )re4 in her botto( li+' 7Any4ay39 she 4his+ere) to ,enny' 7Where 4ere 4e8 Oh' Easy' o3 4hat )o yo. thin-89 7Well3 I g.ess ' ' '9 ,enny began' he sort o/ 4ante) to as-3 Will me flirting with him frea) Easy out8 <.t (aybe that 4as an Ol) ,enny 6.estion' An) he ha) to.che) !e4 ,enny*s bac-' ' ' ' 7What are yo. tal-ing abo.t89 <rett )e(an)e)3 ste++ing o.t o/ her closet' 7!othing?9 ,enny an) Callie res+on)e) in .nison' 7A4eso(e39 Callie contin.e)3 t.rning bac- to ,enny' 7It*ll be /.n' Easy*s s4eet' An) it*ll all be over soon'9 ,enny bit her li+' !ot too soon3 she ho+e)'

E1
A WAVERLY OWL #O"LD <E TR"E TO #ER ROOT '

/e4 (in.tes later3 a/ter the rain cleare) an) the late%s.((er s-y began to t.rn a /a)e)

orange3 st.)ents 4al-e) in cli6.ish gro.+s /ro( their )or(s to the )ining hall3 an) <rett stro)e )o4n the stone +ath to4ar) Waverly*s /ront o//ice' A cris+ 4in) s.))enly li/te) the e)ges o/ her

)ove%gray sheer sil- #er(Js scar/3 4hich (a)e <rett thin- o/ 4inter' 2ost -i)s hate) 4inter at Waverly3 beca.se yo. 4ere st.c- in)oors an) there 4as nothing to )o e:ce+t 4atch ol) /il(s at the library an) go to class' <.t <rett love) it' The )or( (istresses lit /ires in the co((on roo(s3 an) the teachers cancele) classes on the /irst )ay o/ sno4' <y /o.r it 4as alrea)y )ar-3 an) she an) Callie 4o.l) )rin- +e++er(int schna++sGs+i-e) hot cocoa 4hile they gossi+e) abo.t their latest cr.shes' <rett 4as +retty s.re she 4asn*t going to be )rin-ing cocoa 4ith Callie this 4inter ;they 4ere barely tal-ing;b.t (aybe she*) have so(eone else to )rin- cocoa 4ith' !a-e)' As she si)este++e) a co.+le o/ /at bro4n s6.irrels /ighting over a Cheeto3 <rett*s cell +hone bee+e) 4ith a te:t (essage' &orry we got cut off before3 it sai)' 'uv you, &issy/ <rett 6.ic-ly calle) <ree bac- an) got her voice (ail' 7I*( abo.t to go o.t to )inner 4ith a 4alton39 she 4his+ere) )elighte)ly into her +hone' 7<e 0ealo.s' <e very 0ealo.s'9 Then she +resse) en)' <rett entere) the /ront o//ice3 a gi))y3 so.r /eeling /estering in the +it o/ her sto(ach' The lobby 4as e(+ty3 an) The ,ew 2or)er3 The Economist3 an) ,ational Geographic 4ere arrange) neatly on the h.ge tea- co//ee table' A Vival)i sy(+hony 4as +laying over the stereo' The ol) cherry /loors s6.ea-e) .n)er her three%inch blac- ,i((y Choo boots as <rett a++roache) the /i/tyish /ront )es- atten)ant3 2rs' T.llington' 7I nee) a +ass /or the night39 <rett sai) cas.ally' An)3 beca.se yo. al4ays nee)e) an a++ro+riate reason@ 7I*( acco(%+anying (y .ncle to a silent a.ction o/ ancient R.ssian arti/acts an) $abergD eggs in #.)son'9 <rett -ne4 that a lie so.n)e) (ore convincing 4hen yo. thre4 in a 4hole b.nch o/ ri)ic.lo.s )etails' 2rs' T.llington eye) <rett over her tortoiseshell%ri((e) glasses' The 4rin-les aro.n) her (o.th +.c-ere) in )isa+%+roval' <rett 4ore a blac- chal-%stri+e)3 slit%)o4n%the%si)e Ar(ani s-irt' #er Vincent LongoG+ainte) li+s 4ere bright re)3 her +ale ar(s 4ere bare3 an) the V in her blac- sil- shell to+ 4as so lo4 yo. co.l) al(ost see her blac- lace Eres bra' $inally 2rs' T' 4rote o.t the +ass' 7En0oy the eggs39 she sai) +ri(ly' 7An) yo.r .ncle' !ice that yo. girls stay close 4ith /a(ily'9 The thing 4as3 i/ 2rs' T ha) bothere) to loo- o.t the b.il)ing*s bay 4in)o43 she 4o.l) have seen <rett get into a h.nter green *IO ,ag.ar;a car that (ost )e/initely )i) not belong to <rett*s .ncle3 a /ortyish o.t%o/%4or-%actor%c.(%+ersonal%trainer 4ho 4or-e) o.t /labby ne4 (o(s at the <o)y Electric gy( in 5ara(.s' Eric 4ore )ar- bl.e +resse) Tr.e Religion 0eans an) a cris+ t.c-e)%in 4hite b.tton%)o4n' <rett covere) her -nees 4ith her s-irt3 /eeling slightly over)resse)' 7Yo. loo- nice'9 Eric grinne)3 gri++ing the gearshi/t se:ily' 7Oh' Than-s'9 A ig.r RXs song +laye) on the <ose CD +layer' The 4in)o4s 4ere )o4n3 an) a cool late% s.((er bree>e 4a/te) in' As they s4e+t )o4n Waverly*s /ront hill +ast the +ractice /iel)s3 <rett /elt a s.))en3 )isorienting thrill' 2aybe they 4ere leaving the school /or goo);an) never co(ing bac-' &uc)ers' he tho.ght abo.t everyone else sitting )o4n to )inner right no4 at the )ining hall' On Th.rs)ays it 4as +asta 4ith 4atery to(ato sa.ce an) nasty /rie) chic-en' he sn.c- a +ee- at Eric*s +ro/ile;his slightly .+t.rne) nose an) +er/ect3 0.st%st.bbly% eno.gh 0a4;an) then stare) )o4n at the +latin.(%engrave) gate%lin- bracelet he 4ore on his right 4rist' It see(e) li-e so(ething a girl (ight have given hi(' 7It*s (y great%great gran)/ather*s39 he e:+laine)3 noticing her stare' #e 0iggle) the bracelet aro.n) his 4rist' 7Li-e it89

7Yes39 she ans4ere) breathlessly' The bracelet 4as +ractically an A(erican treas.re' 7It*s bea.ti/.l'9 They )rove o.t o/ Waverly territory an) into to4n3 essentially one (ain street 4ith 6.aint little 4ro.ght%iron street la(+s3 an art store3 a /lorist3 a barbersho+ 4ith the s4irly +ole3 an) a /e4 bric- $e)eral%style ho.ses' <rett /ig.re) they 4ere going to Le 5etit Co6' It 4as the +lace that yo.r /a(ily al4ays )ragge) yo. to ).ring 5arents* Wee-en) beca.se it 4as ha.ghty an) $rench an) the only +lace /or (iles that serve) /oie gras' <.t the ,ag bree>e) right by 4itho.t slo4ing )o4n' It s+e) by the stri+ (all 0.st o.tsi)e o/ to4n3 +ast 2cDonal)*s an) the cine+le:3 too' 7I g.ess I sho.l)*ve as-e)'9 Eric t.rne) to <rett' 7#o4 late )i) yo. sign o.t /or89 72i)night39 <rett sai)' It 4as si: o*cloc- no4' Eric s(ile)' 7That gives .s si: ho.rs'9 #e +.lle) into a s+acio.s +ar-ing lot3 )rove thro.gh an alley3 an) then s4.ng aro.n) a large3 concrete s6.at b.il)ing' It 4as the Waverly air+ort3 the +lace she*) /lo4n into on her +arents* s(all +lane a co.+le o/ )ays ago' On the r.n4ay sat a +er-y little 5i+er C.b' A (an in a green bo(ber 0ac-et an) a <oston Re) o: ball ca+ stoo) che4ing on an .nlit cigar on the r.n4ay besi)e the +lane' #e 4ave) an) Eric 4ave) bac-' 7Where are 4e going89 <rett )e(an)e)' #er heart beat 6.ic-ly' he )i)n*t -no4 4hat to e:+ect3 b.t she -ne4 eno.gh to be e:cite)' I/ this o.ting involve) an air+lane;she co.l)n*t i(agine 4here they (ight go' #oly /.c-ing shit? Eric sh.t o// the car*s engine' 7I 4as thin-ing (aybe 4e co.l) get so(ething better than the early bir) s+ecial at the Little Rooster'9 7Going to Lin)is/arne89 the g.y in the bo(ber calle)' 7That*s right39 Eric calle) bac-' #f course1 They 4ere going to his /a(ily*s estate in !e4+ort' <rett co.l) har)ly contain hersel/' This 4as li-e that cheesy (ovie3 The +rincess 4iaries1 E:ce+t she 4as 4ay cooler than that (o.sy Anne #atha4ay3 an) he 4as a Dalton?

<rett ha) only seen Lin)is/arne on the E/ True *ollywood s+ecial3 so 4hen the 5i+er C.b to.che) )o4n on the +ro+erty*s r.n4ay3 a glittery3 .nreal /eeling 4ashe) over her' The ocean/ront (ansion 4as an ivy%covere) stone castle3 4ith t.rrets an) a (oat an) everything' he even re(e(bere) /ro( the E? s+ecial that rare tr.(+eter s4ans s4a( in the (oat s.rro.n)ing the (ansion instea) o/ alligators3 altho.gh <rett )i)n*t see s4ans no4' 2aybe they 4ere slee+ing' An) as she ste++e) o// the +lane onto the s+ongy3 +er/ectly (anic.re) la4n3 even the salty ocean air /elt regal' It too- <rett an) Eric nearly ten (in.tes to 4al- /ro( the lan)ing stri+ to the (anor' They 4ere greete) by the gro.n)s-ee+er*s /rien)ly3 rot.n) yello4 lab3 2o.se3 be/ore he 4as calle) o// by his o4ner in the )istance3 4ho 4ave) at Eric' $irst Eric sho4e) her aro.n) the +ro+erty3 ta-ing her into the ho.se thro.gh one o/ the heavy )ar- oa- /ront )oors an) into the $rench roo(3 4hich 4as ro.n)3 4ith a high rot.n)a an) 4hite scallo+e) )etailing' <rett co.l) barely breathe' Everything in her li/e that (ight co(e a/ter this (o(ent;say3 getting into any Ivy Leag.e school or (oving into a Tribeca lo/t or (eeting the +resi)ent o/ $rance;4o.l) +ale in co(+arison to stan)ing in the stately bl.e $rench roo(3 a)(iring the large3 bl.rry 2onets on the 4alls'

<rett 4as so over4hel(e)3 she co.l) barely /oc.s as he le) her /ro( roo( to roo(' Then he g.i)e) her bac- o.tsi)e to the g.est ho.se3 a 4eathere) green cottage 4ith a h.ge bac- )ec- an) 4oo)en stairs to the ocean' 2ost g.est ho.ses consiste) o/ a be)roo( an) a s(all living s+ace' The Lin)s/arne g.est ho.se 4as nearly the si>e o/ <rett*s +arents* not%at%all%s(all ho.se' Insi)e3 <rett sat in an oversi>e) chint> so/a3 ga>ing the 4hite3 Warhol%covere) 4alls as Eric /.sse) aro.n) in the -itchen' I/ the Daltons ha) sta//;an) she 4as s.re they ha) (any;they certainly -ne4 4hen to leave the (e(bers o/ the /a(ily alone' Eric e:+ertly +o.re) 1LN1 L*Evangile <or)ea.: into both o/ their oversi>e) Rie)el glasses' #e )i)n*t see( to care that <rett 4as blatantly .n)erage' 7This is 4here I live3 (ostly3 4hen I*( here39 he e:+laine)3 s4irling the 4ine in his glass as they ste++e) o.tsi)e onto the 4ra+aro.n) 4oo)en )ec-' Only a /e4 /eet a4ay3 4aves crashe) against the roc-s' <rett too- a big g.l+ o/ 4ine' What a li/e' 7 o39 Eric began' 7<rett 2essersch(i)t' What are yo. all abo.t89 #e loo-e) at her not in that 4ay a).lts )o 4hen they thin- yo.*re a silly teenager 4ho (ay gro4 .+ an) be so(ebo)y serio.s' Instea)3 he loo-e) at her intensely3 as i/ she really mattered' <rett too- a si+ o/ 4ine3 )es+erately trying to thin- o/ a brilliant b.t s.ccinct ans4er' Who 4as <rett 2essersch(i)t8 7Well3 I li-e Dorothy 5ar-er39 she re+lie)3 an) then 4ante) to s(ac- hersel/ /or so.n)ing li-e a st.c-%.+3 la(e3 i((at.re student' 7Really89 he as-e)3 biting his li+ as i/ to say3 That really wasn t what I wanted to )now' 7What else8 Tell (e so(ething abo.t yo.r /a(ily'9 72y /a(ily89 she g.l+e)3 the 4or)s sei>ing .+ in her throat' It 4as +robably the 4orst 6.estion Eric co.l) as-' he /elt her chee-s t.rning re)' 7I )on*t really li-e to tal- abo.t the('9 7Why89 #e too- a si+ o/ 4ine' 7Can I vent.re a g.ess89 he shr.gge)' 7Go /or it'9 he ho+e) she see(e) .nr.//le)3 even tho.gh she 4as /rea-ing o.t insi)e' 7Yo.r +arents treat yo. li-e a +rincess' Yo.*re s+oile) rotten'9 <rett too- another big si+ o/ 4ine' 7I s.++ose39 she sai) 4arily' 7Aren*t yo.89 Eric s(ile)' 7I s.++ose'9 7<.t yes3 to ans4er yo.r 6.estion3 yes3 I 4as s+oile)39 <rett began' #er /a-e /a(ily story abo.t living on an organic /ar( in East #a(+ton an) thro4ing bene/its /or en)angere) bir)s sat on ti+ o/ her tong.e3 rea)y3 b.t she sto++e)' o(ething abo.t the 4ay Eric 4as loo-ing at her (a)e her /eel li-e (aybe she co.l) tell hi( the tr.th3 as e(barrassing as it 4as' he 4as /ille) 4ith a sense o/ cal(' 72y +arents* ho.se ' ' ' (y (other (o)ele) it a/ter Versailles39 she began slo4ly' 7E:ce+t it*s in ' ' ' 4ell3 R.(son3 !e4 ,ersey'9 7I -no4 R.(son39 Eric c.t in' 7I saile) by there a co.+le o/ ti(es' It loo-s li-e a nice +lace to gro4 .+'9 <rett eye) hi( care/.lly' #e )i)n*t see( to be (a-ing /.n o/ her' he too- another si+ o/ 4ine an) then a big breath' 7Yo.*ve +robably seen (y +arents* ho.se3 then39 she 4ent on' 7It*s the biggest one on the shore' 2y +arents are -in) o/ li-e the &opranos' Yo. -no4 ho4 they*re all )ri++ing 4ith (oney b.t 0.st .se it in really st.+i) 4ays8 That*s the(' E:ce+t they*re legal' An) have less taste3 i/ that*s +ossible'9 7 o yo.r (other*s /avorite +attern is leo+ar) +rint89 Eric goa)e)'

7Oh3 (.ch 4orse' Zebra' On everything' tretch +ants' oc-s' <ar stools' It*s gross' 2y sister;she*s a /ashion e)itor; has threatene) (any ti(es to sece)e /ro( o.r /a(ily'9 Eric ch.c-le)' 72y (other li-es +aisleys' They loo- li-e little s+er(s'9 7E4?9 <rett s6.eale)' he /elt )i>>y3 altho.gh she*) ha) less than a glass o/ 4ine' Tal-ing abo.t her +arents 4ith Eric )i)n*t /eel 4eir) at all' he 4on)ere) 4hy she*) tho.ght3 all these years3 that things 4o.l) be better i/ she ha) a nor(al%si>e grey%shingle) Ca+e Co) an) a co.+le o/ Toyotas instea) o/ t4in gol) #.((ers 4ith (atching >ebra%+rint leather interiors an) big gol) !*s A/or 2essersch(i)tB e(broi)ere) on the hea)rests' O+ening .+ this (.ch 4as in/ectio.s' he 4ante) to -ee+ going' 72y (other 4ears +in- )ia(on)s an) eats only Lin)t tr.//les an) Zolo/t3 an) has seven teensy3 tiny Teac.+ Chih.ah.as 4ith (atching >ebra collars' he carries the( every4here' An) (y )a)3 he*s a +lastic s.rgeon'9 It all ca(e r.shing o.t o/ <rett' he co.l)n*t believe the things she 4as telling Eric' 7Really'9 Eric reste) his chin on the heel o/ his han)' 7Tell (e (ore'9 7O-ay39 she contin.e) eagerly' 7 o(eti(es at )inner Da) has these /a(o.s clients over3 an) they tal- abo.t really )isg.sting things' Li-e 4hat their boobs loo-e) li-e be/ore the s.rgery' An) 4hat ha++ens to all o/ the /at that they s.c- o.t o/ +eo+le'9 he /elt liberate)' It 4as li-e s-inny%)i++ing' Eric leane) /or4ar)' 7 o 4hat do they )o 4ith it89 7They .se cells /ro( it39 she 4his+ere)' 7Yo. -no43 /or research'9 7$ro( fat89 he 4his+ere) bac-3 so.n)ing sort o/ a++alle)' he no))e)' 7Well3 .(3 yeah3 b.t so(eti(es they 0.st thro4 it a4ay'9 #e leane) bac- an) loo-e) at her care/.lly 4ith a be(.se) grin on his /ace' 7Go)3 that*s re/reshing'9 7Re/reshing89 #e shi/te) in his seat an) stare) o.t at the 4ater' A s(all3 grace/.l 4hite sailboat bobbe) o.t in /ront o/ the g.est ho.se3 (aybe I11 /eet /ro( the shore' 7Everyone*s al4ays trying to talthe(selves .+;even the -i)s at Waverly3 4ho are a lot (ore +rivilege) than (ost' I (ean3 nobo)y is 0.st honest abo.t 4ho they are an) 4ho their /a(ily is' Who cares i/ yo.r )a) 4on the !obel 5ri>e or i/ he s.c-e) /at o.t o/ so(e ,ersey 4o(an*s ass8 What )oes that have to )o 4ith yo.89 he stare) at hi(' 7Yeah39 she agree)' 7It*s so tr.e'9 #e stare) bac- at her' 7Yo.*re )i//erent39 he concl.)e)' <rett (et his ga>e3 an) everything insi)e her /elt li-e it 4as abo.t to e:+lo)e' 7Will yo. e:c.se (e89 he cleare) her throat' 7I have to (a-e a +hone call'9 7 .re'9 Eric ti++e) his chair bac- an)3 as she stoo)3 he ever so lightly to.che) her le/t hi+' he +a.se) /or a secon) as her hair )i++e) into her eyes' #is han) lingere) there' Then a gran)/ather cloc- /ro( so(e /ar%o// roo( so.n)e) an) he +.lle) a4ay' he ste++e) o.t onto the )e4y grass3 lit a cigarette3 an) teetere) .+ the ste+s o/ a 4oo)en ga>ebo s.rro.n)e) by lilacs' he breathe) in the s4eet scent3 4illing hersel/ not to lose her nerve' he )iale)3 an) a/ter a single ring3 ,ere(iah*s voice (ail +ic-e) .+' 7Yo3 I*( not hee%ah' Leave a (essage3 losah?9 5eep' 7It*s <rett39 she bl.rte) hoarsely3 seething at the so.n) o/ his th.ggish recor)ing' 7I )on*t thin- 4e sho.l) see each other any(ore' o3 .(3 )on*t stay aro.n) /or the <lac- at.r)ay +arty a/ter the ga(e' I can*t e:+lain right no43 b.t it*s 4hat I 4ant' I*(3 .(3 really sorry' *<ye'9

<rett ste++e) bac- onto the grass' Eric ha) 4an)ere) o.t o/ the ho.se an) 4as absent(in)e)ly s4irling cognac in a sni/ter3 his )ar- 0eans rolle) .+ to his -nees' The vast s-y 4as )ar- an) +.r+le3 an) tiny lights t4in-le) o.t on the 4ater' he co.l) hear 4aves la++ing on the shore an) the gentle groan o/ a /ar%o// /oghorn' 7Everything all right89 he as-e)3 grabbing her cigarette to ta-e a )rag' he no))e)' Then3 4or)lessly3 he +ointe) o.t to the green t4in-ly light in the (i))le o/ the so.n)' 7That*s (y boat' I )on*t have class on $ri)ays3 so I 4as thin-ing o/ sailing it .+ to Waverly'9 7I li-e the little green light39 <rett (.se)' 7It re(in)s (e o/ The Great Gatsby;yo. -no43 4hen Gatsby 4o.l) loo- o.t to Daisy*s )oc- /or the light to be on89 7 .re39 he sai)' 72aybe I*ll have to leave the light on so(eti(es 4hen I )oc- at school'9 <rett trie) not to s(ile' 7Who )o yo. thin- 4ill be loo-ing /or it89 she as-e)' <.t /ro( the loo- on his /ace3 <rett s.s+ecte) he (eant it /or one very s+ecial girl /ro( R.(son3 !e4 ,ersey'

EE
ART CLA I T#E <E T 5LACE $OR WAVERLY OWL TO TELL ECRET '

ortrait.re class (et only t4ice a 4ee-3 on T.es)ays an) $ri)ays3 an) ,enny ha) been eagerly

antici+ating the /irst class o/ the year' Waverly ha) a stellar art +rogra( an) a glass%4alle) river/ront gallery 4ith st.)ent%c.rate) +.blic sho4s' O/ten st.)ent +ieces even sol) /or s.r+rising s.(s' !or(ally yo. ha) to s.b(it 4or- to be acce+te) to +ortrait.re class3 b.t since ,enny ha) been a)(itte) to Waverly on the strength o/ her art +ort/olio3 she*) been allo4e) into the class her /irst se(ester' Art 4as her /avorite s.b0ect an) she co.l)n*t 4ait to s(ell the +aint an) lose hersel/ in the +rocess o/ (a-ing so(ething ne4' An) yes3 seeing Easy Walsh 4o.l) be +retty e:citing too' Es+ecially no4 that she ha) +er(ission to /lirt 4ith hi(? The class 4as in a b.il)ing calle) ,a(eson #o.se3 a ra(bling co.ntry cottage 4ith bl.e cla+boar) si)ing3 a stone chi(ney3 an) a clothesline o.tsi)e o/ tie%)ye) A(erican /lags /ro( one o/ last year*s /abric%(a-ing +ro0ects' Insi)e3 the .n/inishe) /loors crea-e)3 an) all sorts o/ ran)o( )ra4ings an) hal/%/inishe) color st.)ies 4ere +inne) .+ to the 4hite4ashe) 4all' The /o.r giant roo(s s(elle) li-e t.r+entine3 aerosol /i:ative3 4et clay3 an) the ol)%/ashione) 4oo)% /ire) -iln' ,enny stoo) insi)e3 breathing it in'

7Welco(e3 4elco(e39 calle) 2rs' ilver3 her art teacher' he 4as )o.ghy an) h.ggable3 4ith +ale3 a(+le ar(s an) gray hair +ile) on the to+ o/ her hea) in an enor(o.s (essy b.n' he 4ore a 4hole b.nch o/ bangle bracelets on her le/t 4rist3 giant oversi>e) green an) yello4 stri+e) overalls3 an) an e:tra%large tie%)ye) rainbo4 T%shirt she*) )e/initely (a)e hersel/' The roo( ha) slo+ing ceilings3 slante) art )es-s3 an) a 4all o/ cathe)ral%si>e 4in)o4s +o.ring in light' 2rs' ilver*s )es- 4as a (ess o/ +aintbr.shes3 ol) lea)e) glass bottles3 little aro(athera+y vials3 thic- co//ee%table art boo-s3 yoga /lash car)s3 an) a t4o%liter 0.g o/ 2o.ntain De4' 2rs' ilver 4as (essier than ,enny*s /ather' he bet the t4o o/ the( 4o.l) really hit it o//' 7Oh3 Easy?9 2rs' ilver calle)' 7I*( so ha++y to see yo.? Di) yo. have a lovely s.((er89 ,enny t.rne)' Easy Walsh stro)e .+ to 2rs' ilver an) -isse) her ten)erly on her chee-' To)ay his Waverly 0ac-et 4as sl.ng over his ar(3 an) he 4ore a (.star)%yello4 T%shirt 4ith /raye) e)ges an) (e)i.(%gray Levi*s that /it his (.sc.lar b.tt +er/ectly' #is 4avy hair 4as all over the +lace3 an) ,enny notice) that a little yello4 (a+le lea/ 4as t.c-e) behin) his right ear' Easy scanne) the classroo(' #is +ale bl.e eyes lingere) on her /or a secon)' ,enny reali>e) that the only e(+ty )es- in the classroo( 4as right ne:t to hers' 7O-ay3 everyone39 2rs' ilver anno.nce)' 7Let*s get right to it3 beca.se I -no4 yo. -i)s are eager' I*( +assing o.t s-etch +a+er an) (irrors no4' We*ll start on ro.gh s-etches o/ o.r sel/% +ortraits'9 A collective groan rose .+' el/%+ortraits 4ere the 4orst' Easy slo4ly 4al-e) to the )es- ne:t to ,enny*s3 his eyes /oc.se) on her the 4hole ti(e' #e thre4 his crac-e) tan leather -na+sac- .n)er the )es- an) sat )o4n on the a)0acent short (etal stool' Then he slo4ly .nravele) his <ose hea)+hones /ro( his nec- an) 4ra++e) the cor) aro.n) his sli( 4hite i5o)' #e leane) over an) 4rote on ,enny*s )es- 4ith a st.b o/ charcoal3 *ey' #is han)4riting 4as boyish an) s+i-y' *ello3 ,enny 4rote right .n)erneath it in elegant calligra+hy' 2rs' ilver han)e) o.t charcoal3 5ris(acolor (ar-ers3 (irrors3 an) rolls o/ shel/ +a+er to each st.)ent' ,enny stare) at her re/lection' #er eyes belie) the sea o/ nerves insi)e o/ her' It s o)ay3 she tol) hersel/' Callie told you to flirt' <.t ha) Callie tol) her to have heart +al+itations8 7 o3 )i) Dalton give yo. a har) ti(e89 Easy 4his+ere)' 7!ot really39 ,enny 4his+ere) bac-' he 4on)ere) i/ Callie ha) tol) hi( that she ha)n*t (a)e a )ecision abo.t 4hether to ta-e the bla(e or not yet' 7Is Callie giving yo. a har) ti(e89 7Callie8 "h3 no ' ' '9 ,enny +.t the bl.nt en) o/ her (ar-er in her (o.th' 7 he*s been o-ay'9 7Well3 I ho+e she*s not +.tting yo. thro.gh too (.ch shit' he )oes that so(eti(es'9 ,enny 4on)ere) 4hat that (eant' he t.rne) bac- to her blan- s-etch +a+er3 4ell a4are that Easy see(e) to be snea-ing glances at her o.t o/ the corner o/ his eye' <e/ore Ol) ,enny co.l) sto+ her an) tell her that even tho.gh Callie ha) sai) she could /lirt3 she sho.l)n*t3 !e4 ,enny giggle) an) +o-e) Easy 4ith her 5ris(acolor (ar-er3 leaving a big re) (ar- on his /orear(' 7What 4as that /or89 he 4his+ere)3 e:a(ining the (ar-' 7I 4ante) to give yo. a tattoo'9 he )eci)e) that the (ar- 4as a nose an) a))e) t4o tiny eyes an) a (o.th' 7It*s bea.ti/.l39 he )eclare)' Then3 he grabbe) his o4n bl.e 5ris(acolor an) 4rote on her ar(3 *I -E,,23 an) )re4 a /ro4ning3 snaggletoothe) cartoon character3 co(+lete 4ith a c.rly s+rig o/ hair on the to+ o/ its hea)' 7Is it a +ortrait o/ (e89 ,enny la.ghe)'

7!o ' ' ' is yo.rs a +ortrait o/ (e89 7!ooo' <.t3 I once +ainte) (y boy/rien) in si: )i//erent styles3 /ro( 5olloc- to Chagall'9 72y )a) has a Chagall in his st.)y39 Easy tol) her' 7It loo-s -in) o/ li-e I and the :illage' I .se) to stare at that +ainting /or ho.rs 4hen I 4as little'9 ,enny blin-e)3 ca.ght o// g.ar)' I and the :illage 4as her /avorite' 7Yo. ' ' ' yo. ha) great taste /or a -i)'9 7 o3 are yo. still 4ith this boy/rien)89 Easy (.r(.re)3 shyly t.rning a4ay as he sai) it an) loo-ing care/.lly into his o4n little han)hel) (irror' #e (a)e bol) charcoal stro-es on the blan+age in /ront o/ hi(' It 4as e:citing to 4atch hi( )ra4' 7Oh3 no39 ,enny ans4ere) 6.ic-ly' he an) !ate ha) only been together /or abo.t three 4ee-s3 an) then he*) totally blo4n her o// on !e4 Year*s Eve' #e 4as ol)er an) ha) +robably 0.st been .sing her to get bac- at his real girl/rien)' 7Yo. (.st*ve li-e) hi(3 tho.gh' Yo. +ainte) hi( si: ti(es'9 ,enny sha)o4e) an area aro.n) her sel/%+ortrait*s nose3 revie4ing the slight lie in her hea) be/ore she sai) it o.t lo.)' 7Well3 he li-e) (e (ore than I li-e) hi('9 7I*( s.re39 Easy sai) so/tly' ,enny s.c-e) in her breath an) too- another +ee- at his a)orable +ro/ile' As she s4itche) charcoals3 she sa4 hi( +ee- at her3 too' o it 4asn*t e:actly right3 b.t she co.l)n*t sto+ hersel/' <esi)es3 it 4as 4hat Callie has as-e) her to )o3 4asn*t it8 7 o ,enny3 yo. -no4 any goo) secrets89 #er han) sli++e) an) (a)e a big blac- 4iggly line across her +ortrait*s chee-' #o4 abo.t <rett co(ing in at F A'2' a/ter ,enny ha) seen her leave ca(+.s 4ith 2r' Dalton earlier that night8 That 4as a +retty big secret' There 4as also the giganti%cally real cr.sh ,enny ha) on Easy ;another 0.icy one' 7"(3 not really39 she res+on)e) 6.ietly' 7I )o'9 Easy o//ere)' ,enny /elt her heart th.) in her throat' 7What is it89 #e lo4ere) his eyes3 then loo-e) at her again' 7I*ll 4rite it )o4n3 b.t yo. have to rea) it later'9 7Why can*t yo. say it89 7<eca.se it*s a secret'9 #e scribble) so(ething in charcoal on a +iece o/ scra+ +a+er3 /ol)e) it three ti(es3 an) han)e) it to her' ,enny too- the note an) shove) it into her +oc-et' Then so(ething s.))enly occ.rre) to her' Callie ha) brie/e) her on ho4 she sho.l) /lirt 4ith Easy3 b.t (aybe Callie ha) tol) Easy the e:act sa(e thing' -ust be nice to -enny$ hang out with her a little, ma)e it loo) li)e you guys li)e each other' ,enny co.l) totally see that ha++ening' #er heart san-' Was that it3 an) nothing (ore8 As soon as the bell rang3 she r.she) into the /irst stall o/ the ,a(eson #o.se girls* roo( an) o+ene) the note' In chic-en%scratche)3 bl.rry charcoal letters it sai)@ The owls at Waverly tal)1 !aybe they ll tal) to us together sometime1 ,enny crease) the note into s(aller an) s(aller /ol)s an) shove) it in her bag' There 4as no )enying that she ha) a /.ll%on cr.sh on Easy Walsh' Everything abo.t hi(3 /ro( his )ar- (essy hair to his s.(+t.o.s3 .neven (o.th3 to his love o/ Chagall3 to his navyGbl.eGin-Gstaine) han)s' he /inally e(erge) /ro( the stall an) stare) into the s(eare) sin- (irror' he )i)n*t -no4 4hat she 4as loo-ing /or;(aybe evi)ence3 li-e a +hysical sign3 that so(ething (on.(ental 4as ha++ening'

<eca.se she 4as +retty s.re Easy 4as honestly /lirting 4ith her' !ot beca.se Callie ha) tol) hi( to b.t beca.se he 4ante) to' he 4asn*t s.re ho4 she -ne43 b.t she )new'

To: <rett2essersch(i)tR4averly'e). From: EricDaltonR4averly'e). Date: $ri)ay3 e+te(ber M3 F@FF 5'2' Subject: $4@ "+co(ing Disci+linary Co((ittee hearing

<rett3 I*( /or4ar)ing yo. this e%(ail /ro( 2ary(o.nt3 belo43 since it*s abo.t the .+co(ing DC hearing' Tho.ght yo. sho.l) -no4' An) than- yo. /or 0oining (e /or )inner last night' It 4as very ' ' ' re/reshing' ee yo. soon3 E$D 5egin forwarded message$ To: EricDaltonR4averly'e). From: Dean2ary(o.ntR4averly'e). Date: $ri)ay3 e+te(ber M3 E@E1 A'2' Subject: "+co(ing Disci+linary Co((ittee hearing

Dear Eric3 As yo. -no43 the /irst DC case o/ the year3 involving Easy Walsh an) ,enni/er #.(+hrey3 is sche).le) /or 2on)ay' I*) li-e to (a-e s.re 4e set a no%tolerance +rece)ent 4ith this case' #o4ever3 2r' Walsh is a legacy an) his +arents are )onors3 4hich obvio.sly ca.ses so(e co(+lications' It*s a sha(e3 beca.se I +ersonally revie4e) 2iss #.(+hrey*s a++lication an)

thin- she*s a terri/ic a))ition to the Waverly art +rogra(3 b.t so(eone has to ta-e that /all /or this' I/ she*s /o.n) g.ilty3 I*( a/rai) 4e*ll have to e:+el her' Let*s (a-e s.re 4e start the year o// on the right /oot' Than-s in a)vance3 Dean 2ary(o.nt

EF
I! 2ATTER O$ 5ORT3 A WAVERLY OWL #O"LD ALWAY <E A TEA2 5LAYER'

ri)ay a/ternoon3 <rett sat in the loc-er roo( be/ore the /irst )ay o/ /iel) hoc-ey +ractice

t.gging at the silver Ti//any Atoile ring ,ere(iah ha) given her over the s.((er' The thing 4as st.c- on her /inger3 b.t she 4ante) it o//' As soon as she*) s.n- into the +l.sh blac- leather seats o/ Eric*s /a(ily li(o.sine;he*) ha) a car ta-e her bac- to Waverly since he 4as sailing bac- in his boat;she*) been in Eric 4ith)ra4al' They ha)n*t even -isse)3 b.t she /elt li-e she co.l) still s(ell hi( on her' That )elicio.s Ac6.a )i 5ar(a' An) this (orning*s ca/D a. lait ha) taste) li-e L*Evangile <or)ea.:' 7#ey39 a voice bec-one) shyly' <rett t.rne) to see ,enny sitting ne:t to her on the long3 /orest%green bench3 +.lling soc-s over her shin g.ar)s' #er 4il) bro4n hair 4as +.lle) bac- o// her /ace in a high +onytail3 an) she 4ore gray Cha(+ion s4eat shorts an) a c.to// laven)er%colore) T%shirt 4ith an orange Les <est logo3 4hich 4as an e)gy3 +re++y%girl%goes%cra>y label base) in 2anhattan*s 2eat+ac-ing District' <rett ha) /elt ba) /or ,enny 4hen she receive) Eric*s e%(ail3 b.t that 4as 4hat yo. got /or getting in be) 4ith Callie ' ' ' an) Easy' 7#ey39 <rett sai) bac-' ,enny s6.ir(e)3 +ret>eling her legs3 as i/ she ha) to +ee' 7 o3 I thin- there*s so(ething yo. sho.l) -no4'9 <rett stare) at ,enny' Was she going to /ess .+ abo.t 4hat ha) ha++ene) that night 4ith Easy8 Or (aybe Callie ha) con/esse) so(ething abo.t Tinsley*s e:+.lsion8 Whatever it 4as3 <rett )e/initely 4ante) to hear it' 7What89 7I ' ' ' I sa4 yo. get in' In the (i))le o/ the night' An) I -no4 4here yo. 4ere'9

<rett stare) at her3 /eeling her li+s c.rl .+ the 4ay they )i) 4hen she got scare)' 7What%9 #er voice 4as barely a.)ible' 7It*s o-ay39 ,enny sai) 6.ic-ly' <rett*s /ace gre4 +aler an) +aler3 (a-ing her eyes loo- h.ge an) )ar-' ,enny ha) conte(+late) 4hether or not it (a)e sense to say anything to <rett' The thing 4as3 ,enny 4asn*t so great at -ee+ing secrets' he 4asn*t so(eone 4ho 4o.l) tell the 4hole 4orl)3 b.t she al4ays ha) to tell at least one other +erson' It (a)e carrying the secret*s b.r)en a little easier' o 4hy not tell <rett*s secret bac- to <rett8 7Yo. )on*t -no4 anything39 <rett (.ttere)3 t.rning a4ay to loo- at the /reshly ra-e) +laying /iel)' 7Loo-3 +lease3 please )on*t 4orry39 ,enny +lea)e)3 her voice gro4ing s6.ea-y' 7Yo.r secret is sa/e 4ith (e' #onestly' 2aybe I sho.l)n*t have sai) anything'9 $ro( the (i))le o/ the /iel)3 Coach (ail ble4 the 4histle' 7Girls? Gather aro.n)?9 <rett stare) at ,enny' Was she serio.s3 or 4as this so(e sort o/ +loy8 Co.l) ,enny be tr.ste)8 Last year <rett an) Callie an) Tinsley .se) to sit aro.n) in their roo( at night an) talabo.t every )etail o/ their )ays3 no (atter ho4 (.n)ane or s+ectac.lar' They*) been the -in) o/ best /rien)s 4ho are al(ost li-e sisters3 beca.se they love) one another so (.ch that even 4hen they +isse) each other o//3 they -ne4 they 4ere still going to be each other*s bri)es(ai)s so(e)ay' <.t the TinsleySE /iasco ha) (a)e <rett a lot (ore s.s+icio.s' I/ Callie co.l) betray Tinsley li-e that;not that <rett -ne4 e:actly 4hat ha) gone )o4n3 b.t still;4ho -ne4 4hat she 4o.l) )o to <rett8 7Yo. better not tell anybo)y39 <rett 4arne)3 ignoring ,enny*s annoyingly innocent e:+ression' he co.l)n*t +ossibly be that innocent3 es+ecially i/ she 4as /ro( the city' 7Loo-3 as /ar as I*( concerne)3 4e never ha) this conversation39 ,enny insiste) loyally' 7<.t ' ' ' I 0.st 4ant to (a-e s.re' ' ' ' Are yo. o-ay8 *Ca.se yo. see(3 li-e3 a little )istracte)'9 <rett gri++e) her hoc-ey stic- an) stoo) .+' !o one ever as-e) her i/ she 4as o-ay3 not even her +arents3 an) she 4asn*t s.re ho4 to ans4er' 7"(3 I )on*t -no4' Can I get bac- to yo. on that89 ,enny s(ile) eagerly' 7 .re' ee ya?9 he +ic-e) .+ her stic- an) 0ogge) to4ar) the (i))le o/ the /iel)3 4here the tea( 4as 4aiting' 7#ey?9 <rett calle)' ,enny t.rne)3 an) <rett notice) that 4eir)3 /a(iliar gli((er abo.t ,enny again;li-e she 4as channeling Tinsley3 li-e they ha) the sa(e s+ecial so(ething see+ing o.t o/ their tiny +ores' ,enny t.rne) to /in) <rett 0ogging to4ar) her' 7Loo-3 4hat%ever ha++ene) 4ith yo. an)3 .(3 Easy89 <rett sai) 6.ietly' 7Well3 I sho.l)n*t tell yo. this3 b.t 2ary(o.nt 4ants to (a-e an e:a(+le o/ yo.3 to3 li-e3 set a +rece)ent /or the year' o ' ' ' I*ll try (y har)est to -ee+ yo. /ro( getting e:+elle)3 b.t3 4ell3 I )on*t -no4 4hat*s going to ha++en'9 7Oh'9 ,enny*s sho.l)ers sl.(+e)' E3pelled% 7"(3 than-s'9 Celine Colista3 4ho ha) olive s-in3 straight blac- hair3 an) /.ll li+s coate) 4ith 2AC Rabi) li+stic-3 ran .+ to the(3 -ic-ing .+ grass behin) her 4ith her cleats' 7,enny3 )i) Callie give yo. the cheer yet89 ,enny shoo- her hea)' 7Cheer89 <rett as-e)' 7Yeah' ,enny is going to be +art o/ o.r cheer39 Celine e:+laine) very slo4ly' <rett no))e) .neasily' Then Celine t.rne) bac- to ,enny' 7C*(on' Let*s go tal- to Callie'9

Callie 4as sitting on the long (etal bench alongsi)e the /iel)3 re4ra++ing her /iel) hoc-ey stic- 4ith ta+e' he loo-e) .+ 0.st in ti(e to see Celine an) ,enny r.nning over' &hit' <enny an) Celine 0.st 4eren*t going to let this cheer thing )ie' 7Callie39 Celine cooe)' 7Di) yo. 4rite the 4or)s yet89 7I*( 4or-ing on it'9 7Well3 yo. have to h.rry?9 Celine 4hine)' 7O-ay3 /ine3 4e can /inish the( at the +arty tonight'9 Celine 4in-e) at Callie an) then trotte) to center /iel)' ,enny t.rne) to Callie' 75arty89 7Yeah39 Callie re+lie)3 loo-ing )o4n at her /iel) hoc-ey stic-' 7It*s a +reG<lac- at.r)ay thing' Girls only' Yo. have to co(e' We all )ress .+?9 7As 4hat89 7Well3 it*s a secret .ntil the last (in.te' <.t it*s tonight3 +robably in D.(barton*s .+stairs co((on roo('9 7Tonight89 ,enny loo-e) crest/allen' 7I have to go to a ne4 st.)ents* ice crea( social thing tonight'9 7Whatever' Yo. can get o.t o/ that'9 7!o3 the e%(ail sai) it 4as (an)atory'9 ,enny shr.gge)' 7I sho.l) +robably go' <.t I*( really e:cite) abo.t <lac- at.r)ay' There*s a secret +arty then too3 right8 An) this cheer so.n)s cool'9 7Well3 the cheer*s so not a big )eal' Yo. )on*t have to )o it i/ yo. )on*t 4ant to'9 7!o3 I )o?9 ,enny co.l)n*t -ee+ the sha-iness o.t o/ her voice' The girls 4ere all tal-ing to her3 an) she /elt (ore incl.)e) than she ever ha) be/ore3 b.t she 4as also abo.t to be e:+elle)' Callie 4as te(+te) to con/ess that the cheer 4as a not%very/.nny 0o-e3 b.t a /e4 years ago3 4hen Tasha Te(+leton3 then the ca+tain o/ the tea(3 ha) tol) the ne4 girl3 &elly <ryers3 she 4as abo.t to be +.n-*)3 the 4hole tea( ha) .nleashe) on her' They*) c.t holes in her bras3 right 4here the ni++les 4ere' An) no one ha) s+o-en to her /or (onths' #er boy/rien) ha) bro-en .+ 4ith her3 an) she*) lost all her +o4er' Callie )i)n*t )are' .))enly3 Callie loo-e) )o4n at ,enny*s s-inny ar(s an) notice) the letters +ee-ing o.t /ro( .n)erneath her right sleeve' It loo-e) li-e ,enny ha) scr.bbe) at her ar( /or a 4hile to get the (ar-er o//3 b.t Callie co.l) still (a-e o.t the /a(iliar boyish3 (essy scri+t3 an) that st.+i) s+i-y%toothe) /ace that Easy al4ays )re4' I((e)iately3 a -not /or(e) in her sto(ach3 an) she /elt the hair on the bac- o/ her nec- rise' What was Easy doing writing on this bitch s arm% <.t then she sto++e) hersel/' Chill1 2ou as)ed him to do this' 7 o ho4*s Easy89 she in6.ire) instea)3 s4allo4ing her 4orry' 7Oh39 ,enny s6.ea-e)' 7Yo. getting along all right89 7"h3 yeah'9 7Goo)'9 With any l.c-3 the teachers 4o.l) thin- so too' <.t 4hy 4as Easy 4riting st.// on ,enny*s ar(8 That 4asn*t really necessary' Es+ecially that snaggletoothe) character o/ his' That 4as her character@ they*) (a)e it .+ that ti(e they sn.c- )o4n to <roo-lyn an) s+ent the 4hole )ay in Willia(sb.rg3 sho++ing /or vintage clothes an) avant%gar)e art' They*) gone to chiller*s Li6.or <ar on the Lo4er East i)e a/ter that3 an) he*) )ra4n the silly /ace right onto the bac- o/ the (en.' Then they*) sn.c- into the tiny bathroo( an) -isse)3 annoying all the i(+atient $rench to.rists'

All Callie ha) 4ante) 4as a little /lirting3 an)3 as .s.al3 Easy ha) gone overboar)' <.t whatever' I/ it (eant ,enny 4o.l) ta-e the /all /or her at DC3 then ,enny co.l) have the snaggle% toothe) ).)e' 7Co(e on'9 he s6.ee>e) ,enny*s ar(3 trying her har)est not to a++ear 0ealo.s' 7 (ail*s giving .s the evil eye'9

To: EasyWalshR4averly'e). From: CallieVernonR4averly'e). Date: $ri)ay3 e+te(ber M3 =@1I 5'2' Subject: 2iss yo.?

#i 4eetheart3 I (iss yo.? 5lease (eet (e at the library ste+s at I 5'2' to)ay' har+? :o:o:o::o:3 C 5' ' #o4*s ,enny8

To: ,enni/er#.(+hreyR4averly'e). From: C.sto(erCareRrhinecli//4oo)s'co( Date: $ri)ay3 e+te(ber M3 =@EF 5'2' Subject: +a treat(ent

Dear ,enny #.(+hrey3

Callie Vernon has sent yo. a gi/t certi/icate /or a rela:ing s+a treat(ent at o.r /acilities' Yo.*re all signe) .+ /or a shiats. (assage an) an o:ygen%blast /acial' 5lease call or e%(ail to sche).le yo.r a++oint(ent' Regar)s3 <ethany <ristol Rhinecli// Woo)s +a 2anager

E=
WAVERLY OWL 2" T " E T#E RARE%<OO& ROO2 $OR T"DYI!G O!LY'

7I

can*t see39 Easy (.(ble)3 as Callie le) hi( blin)/ol)e) .+ the s(ooth (arble stairs o/ the

library' 7That*s the +oint' I 4ant to s.r+rise yo.'9 he +.she) thro.gh the .n(ar-e)3 heavy oa- )oor' <eyon) it 4ere 4alls an) 4alls o/ boo-s3 glass cases o/ scrolls3 leather s(o-ing chairs3 an) a tiny3 2on)rian%+atterne) staine) glass 4in)o4' &o ro(antic' he +.lle) her han)s a4ay /ro( his eyes' 7The library89 #e loo-e) aro.n)3 con/.se)' 7!ot 0.st the library'9 he /ol)e) .+ the re) satin eye (as- she*) gotten /ro( /lying /irst class on Iberia' 7Don*t yo. re(e(ber8 It*s the rare%boo- roo(? It*s 4here 4e /irst ' ' '9 he traile) o//3 +.shing a loc- o/ blon) hair behin) her sho.l)er' What to say8 Where they /irst cons.((ate) their love8 They ha)n*t cons.((ate) anything' They*) (a)e o.t' he*) +.t her han) on the o.tsi)e o/ his +ants' he*) cheate) on her then%boy/rien)3 <ran)on' 7Yeah3 I reali>e that39 Easy re+lie)3 4al-ing aro.n) the roo(3 r.nning his han)s over a ro4 o/ rare3 ).sty boo-s' There 4ere /irst%e)ition teinbec-3 $a.l-ner3 an) #e(ing4ay novels in a large glass case3 than-s to a certain ,' L' Walsh an) an R' Dalton' There 4ere /o.r large Roth-os on the 4all3 all o/ the( st.)ies in )i//erent%si>e blac- an) re) s6.ares' Callie sat )o4n on one o/ the leather chairs' It 4as col) against the bac-s o/ her legs3 an) she i((e)iately got goose%b.(+s' 72aybe 4e co.l) reenact that night89 she sai) so/tly3 +.lling at Easy*s +ale gray T%shirt' 7#ere3 4hy )on*t yo. get co(/ortable89

he stoo) an) gently +.she) Easy into a bro4n leather cl.b chair' he sat in his la+ an) starte) -issing his nec-' Easy sli) his han) .n)er her +a+er%thin T E 4hite T%shirt an) /ingere) her 4hite )e la Renta bra' This 4as perfect' The (.sty s(ell o/ the ol) boo-s3 the sen%s.al glo4 o/ the Ti//any staine) glass la(+ in the corner3 the stillness o/ everything' Callie /elt li-e she 4as being na.ghty in her /ather*s rea)ing roo(3 or li-e she 4as a /r.strate) baroness /ro( the 1O11s 4ho 4as getting a little action be/ore they all ha) high tea' It see(e) li-e so(ething o.t o/ a D' #' La4rence novel' Women in 'ove3 (aybe' Then she notice) that Easy*s eyes 4ere o+en' Wi)e o+en' 7What89 she as-e)3 +.lling bac-' 7I thin- that*s a /irst%e)ition o/ :39 he (.r(.re)3 leaning /or4ar) to get a better loo-' 7I )i)n*t notice it here be/ore' ' ' '9 Callie let o.t a /r.strate) little s6.eal an) +.lle) her -nees .+ to her chin3 c.//ing Easy in the 0a4 as she )i)' 7What89 Easy shot bac-' 7!ever (in)39 she sai) 6.ietly3 reali>ing that the h.rt in her voice 4as co(ing thro.gh 4ay (ore than she 4ante) it to' he trie) not to let the /eeling that this +er/ect (o(ent 4ith Easy ha) 0.st been r.ine) settle into her conscio.sness' Too late' he trie) to stea)y her voice so it 4asn*t so sha-y' 7 o I notice) yo.*ve been /lirting 4ith ,enny' ' ' '9 Easy bac-e) a4ay /ro( her slightly' 7!otice)8 What )o yo. (ean89 7Well3 yo. 4rote all over her ar('9 #e lic-e) his li+s' 7Oh'9 7 o8 Is it going o-ay89 7I g.ess'9 7#ave any teachers seen yo.3 yo. -no43 /lirting89 7"(3 0.st 2rs' ilver3 I g.ess ' ' '9 Easy stoo) .+ an) scratche) his 0a4' !ot goo) eno.gh' It )i)n*t (atter i/ 2rs' ilver ha) seen the(;she 4asn*t /rien)s 4ith 2s' E(ory' 72aybe yo. g.ys co.l) /lirt near the orchestra +ractice roo(s89 2s' E(ory con).cte) Waverly*s orchestra3 the $er(atas3 on .n)ays3 T.es)ays3 an) Th.rs)ays' A long silence /ollo4e)' Callie co.l) hear the tree branches scra+e against the 4in)o4s' $inally3 Easy s+o-e' 7All yo. care abo.t is 4hether or not yo. get in tro.ble3 )on*t yo.89 7!o?9 she s6.ea-e)' 7O/ co.rse not? I 0.st;9 #e hel) .+ his han)' 7This isn*t right' It 4asn*t ,enny*s /a.lt' I )on*t thin- 4e sho.l) )rag her into this3 an) I )on*t thin- she sho.l) have to ta-e the /all /or yo.'9 7What are yo. saying89 Callie )e(an)e)' 7Yo. )on*t care i/ I get -ic-e) o.t89 he /elt tears s+ring to her eyes an) 6.ic-ly 0a((e) her /inger into her (o.th' he bit har)3 nearly )ra4ing bloo)' 7!o3 o/ co.rse I care3 b.t;9 Callie shoo- her hea)' he co.l) /eel her +.lse in her nec-' 7!o' Yo. obvio.sly )on*t' I/ yo. care)3 yo.*) )o 4hatever it too- to -ee+ (e here'9 7Well3 4hy 4o.l) I 4ant to -ee+ yo. here i/ all yo. )o is (ani+.late (e89 Easy retorte) lo.)ly3 his voice echoing thro.gh the silent library' Callie*s (o.th )ro++e) o+en' 7E:c.se (e89 7Yo. hear) 4hat I sai)39 he 4his+ere) /iercely' 7Ta-e that bac-'9

Easy sighe)' 7Callie ' ' ' 9 #e traile) o//3 loo-ing at her li-e he ha) no i)ea 4hat to )o 4ith her' he 4asn*t s.re 4hat +ossesse) her to say 4hat she sai) ne:t3 b.t she sai) it any4ay@ 7Yo. -no43 <ran)on 4o.l) )o this /or (e'9 7<ran)on89 Easy as-e)' 7<ran)on ' ' ' <.chanan89 he sco//e)' Callie sna++e) bac-' 7Yeah3 <ran)on? At least <ran)on;9 7At least he 4hat89 +aid attention to me3 Callie tho.ght' At least I )new where I stood' he s4allo4e) har) an) t.rne) to4ar) the 4in)o4' Right o.tsi)e3 t4o o4ls h.))le) together on a tree branch' They loo-e) li-e they 4ere -issing' Easy +ace) aro.n) the roo(' 7 o3 4hat3 yo. 4ant to brea- .+ 4ith (e to go o.t 4ith <ran)on again89 Callie gas+e)' 7I )i)n*t say that? Do yo. 4ant to brea- .+89 #er heart began to really +o.n)' Was this it8 All o/ a s.))en she /elt 4oo>y an) na.seate)3 as i/ she 4ere abo.t to /all o// an en)less cli// an) 4as scra(bling to hol) on to its roc-y si)e' 7,.st sto+ (ani+.lating (e39 Easy bl.rte) o.t sternly' 7I/ yo. thin- <ran)on;4ho3 by the 4ay3 is so gay;4o.l) )o this /or yo.3 (aybe yo. sho.l) be going o.t 4ith hi( a/ter all'9 7At least he love) (e?9 she +lea)e)' 7At least <ran)on 4ante) to have se:?9 #er 4or)s h.ng in the air /or a (o(ent' Easy*s li+s +arte)3 as i/ he 4ere abo.t to say so(ething' <.t then a -noc- so.n)e) at the heavy oa- )oor' They both /ro>e' 7#ello89 calle) a lo4 voice' It 4as 2r' #ai(3 the nasal%voice)3 gr.(+y general librarian' 75roble( in there89 Callie glare) at Easy3 baring her teeth be/ore ans4ering s4eetly3 7We*re 0.st st.)ying?9 7Yo. have to -ee+ it )o4n39 2r' #ai( 4his+ere)' #e o+ene) the )oor an) st.c- his <rillo% haire) hea) thro.gh the crac-' 7We )on*t tolerate noise in this roo('9 7Whatever39 Easy yelle)3 /li++ing his (i))le /inger .+ in the air an) straightening his shirt' 7I*( o.t o/ here'9 #e br.she) by 2r' #ai( 4itho.t even loo-ing bac- at Callie to say goo)bye' 7This is a +lace o/ +eace/.l research39 2r' #ai( recite)3 tightening his Waverly tie al(ost to the +oint o/ as+hy:iation' 7We )on*t tolerate yelling'9 7I sai) I 4as sorry?9 Callie screa(e)' 7Yo.*re still yelling'9 he rolle) her eyes' What the hell ha) 0.st ha++ene)8 he clo(+e) )o4n the (arble stairs that le) into the (ain lobby o/ the library' O.t a tall3 narro4 4in)o43 she sa4 the sa(e c.))ling o4ls3 this ti(e on a lo4er tree branch' he sto++e) an) -noc-e) on the +ane3 ca.sing the o4ls to r.//le their /eathers an) /l.tter to se+arate trees' 7Get a roo(?9 she yelle)'

To: "n)isclose) list From: CelineColistaR4averly'e). Time: $ri)ay3 e+te(ber M3 L@1E 5'2'

Subject: TO5 ECRET

D.(barton +reG<lac- at.r)ay 5arty@ Welcome to Agrabah% City o& 'ystery and "nchantment( GIRL O!LY? TE! 2I!"TE ? 2OVE YO"R A ?

EI
A WAVERLY OWL 2" T !EVER A! WER #ER ROO22ATE* CELL 5#O!E W#ILE DR"!&'

allie 4as 4earing the ne4 /ringe) &elly green 5ra)a )ress she*) bo.ght at 5i(+ernel*s3 a

(.lticolore) 5.cci hea)scar/3 an) /o.r%inch%high silver 2anolos' #er long stra4berry%blon) hair 4as s4e+t .+ into a se:y3 Asian%ins+ire) b.n3 an) she*) +.t thic- -ohl eyeliner aro.n) her eyes' he -ne4 the other girls 4o.l) be 0ealo.s3 b.t that 4as the +oint' o(eti(es it 4as (ore /.n to )ress .+ 4hen there weren t boys aro.n)' The +reG<lac- at.r)ay +arty 4as a tra)ition /or D.(barton girls' It 4as incre)ibly cool beca.se there 4as a select g.est list an) there 4as al4ays a 4il) the(e' <enny C.nningha( an) Celine Colista ha) s-i++e) o.t o/ /iel) hoc-ey +ractice early to convert the to+%level co((on roo( into an Arabian !ights 4on)erlan)' They*) close) the giant bay 4in)o4 c.rtains so the 4hole roo( 4as sha)o4y an) (ysterio.s' Then they a))e) t4in-ling lights3 can)les3 +illo4s3 incense3 Grey Goose vo)-a3 (ini 0oints3 +ict.res o/ ele+hants an) (.ltiar(e) go)s on the 4all3 an) care/.lly +lace) 7ama &utras3 4hich everybo)y -ne4 4ere ancient se: (an.als /ro( In)ia3

an) so(e bi>arre3 se:y <hangra (.sic <enny ha) gotten $e)E:e) /ro( A(a>on'co( the night be/ore' The roo( 4as all set .+ /or a 4il) orgy3 e:ce+t /or the /act that there 4ere no boys' Callie ha) arrive) early an) 4as )rin-ing 6.ic-ly an) stea)ily3 trying to +.t the 4hole Easy% in%the%rare%boo-%roo( night(are o.t o/ her (in)' he re/ille) her )rin- an) hea)e) to4ar) the little 4in)o4 seat in the corner an) s.))enly colli)e) 4ith <rett3 4ho ha) 0.st arrive)' 7Oh?9 They eye) one another intensely' <rett still ha) on 4hat she*) 4orn to class3 boring (aroon &atayone A)eli tro.sers an) a 4hite Calvin &lein b.tton%)o4n' *ello8 It 4as totally against the r.les to 4ear that -in) o/ thing to the +reG<lac- at.r)ay +arty? 7 o3 ho4*s ,ere(iah89 Callie as-e)' 7,ere(iah89 <rett gave her a blan- loo-' 7Yo.r boy/rien)89 7Oh3 yeah'9 7What3 is he not yo.r boy/rien) any(ore89 7!o3 he ' ' '9 <rett 4as really s6.ir(ing' Callie 4on)ere) i/ age 4as 4rong;(aybe instea) o/ <rett li-ing a senior boy3 she an) ,ere(iah ha) ha) really ba) se:' Or3 (aybe really good se:' Earth to <rett3 not )ishing on any -in) o/ se: to yo.r so%calle) best /rien) 4as so not o-ay' Then <rett narro4e) her eyes -eenly at Callie' 7An) ho4*s Easy89 7$ine'9 They sat a4-4ar)ly on the 4in)o4 seat3 loo-ing +ast each other3 si++ing /ro( their li6.or% /ille) Waverly (.gs' Last year3 Callie3 <rett3 an) Tinsley ha) sat aro.n) the +reG<lac- at.r)ay +arty in this very sa(e co((on roo(3 tal-ing abo.t their boy/rien)s an) ta-ing t.rns re/illing one another*s c.+s' What a )i//erence a year (a)e' Callie tosse) her hair behin) her sho.l)er3 eyeing her /rien)' Was it +ossible <rett 4as 0.st 4aiting /or her broach the Tinsley s.b0ect so that <rett co.l) a+ologi>e /or getting Tinsley -ic-e) o.t8 One thing that <rett ha) never been goo) at 4as (a-ing hersel/ v.lnerable' 7I bet Tinsley 4o.l)*ve been really into this +arty'9 <rett /linche)3 then (.r(.re)3 7Yeah3 she 4o.l)*ve'9 7It*s too ba) she*s not here39 Callie contin.e) 6.ietly' #)ay, now we re getting somewhere1 <rett straightene) .+' 7Yes3 it is too ba) she isn*t here3 isn*t it89 Wait, huh% That 4asn*t 4hat Callie ha) been e:+ecting <rett to say' Where 4as the I m so sorry, let me tell you what really happened or at least a 'et s forget all of this ever happened and go get drun) in our room and catch up8 Instea)3 the t4o girls stare) at each other li-e t4o )ogs sni//ing one another o.t3 trying to /ig.re o.t 4hether they 4ante) to bar- or not' .))enly3 a cra>y #in)i techno song blare) thro.gh the s+ea-ers' The rest o/ the g.ests ha) arrive)3 an) the roo( 4as 0a((e) 4ith bi>arrely )resse) girls 4ho stan- o/ Dior 5oison' 7Conga line?9 <enny s6.eale)' he 4ore a laven)er to4el t.rban on her hea) an) a -alei)osco+ic 5.cci scar/ aro.n) her (i)ri//' age grabbe) her 4aist an) giggle)3 a large Waverly crest /lag 4o.n) aro.n) her bo)y3 sari style' They +asse) Callie an) <rett an) giggle)' 7Co(e on3 la)ies?9 Celine s6.eale)' 7 to+ 4ith those +issy /aces?9 <rett3 4ho nor(ally 4o.l) have )ance) &wan 'a)e 4earing a rabbit%/.r (.// i/ it (eant being the li/e o/ the +arty3 stoo) .+3 br.she) o// her la+3 an) shr.gge)' 7I*( o.t'9 Then she t.rne) an) stro)e o.t o/ the roo(' Callie 4o.n) a thic- +iece o/ &elly green /ringe aro.n) her (i))le /inger an) 4atche) her go' o(ething b.>>e) ne:t to her' It 4as <rett*s tiny !o-ia' The caller ID sai) <rianna 2essersch(i)t' Callie loo-e) .+ an) starte) to call /or <rett b.t then sto++e)' Last year3 she

al4ays .se) to ans4er <rett*s +hone 4hen she le/t it so(e4here' Were things so )i//erent this year she co.l)n*t ta-e the call8 he sna++e) the +hone o+en' 7#ey3 it*s Callie?9 7Where are yo.89 crie) <ree in a se:y3 h.s-y s(o-er*s voice' 7 +ice 2ar-et8 It so.n)s /ab.lo.s?9 Callie san- bac- )o4n into the lo.nge chair' 7!o+e' ,.st a )or( +arty'9 7I*ve got to )o a shoot at yo.r school so(eti(e'9 7That 4o.l) be a4eso(e'9 Callie 4ishe) <ree 4o.l) give so(e o/ her enth.sias( to her nasty yo.nger sister' 7 ho.l) I /in) <rett89 7!ah3 tell her to call (e' I*( ho(e visiting o.r +arents in ,ersey this 4ee-en)'9 -ersey% As in ,ew -ersey% he*) al4ays tho.ght <rett 4as /ro( East #a(+ton ' ' ' 7<.t listen3 Callie8 That teacher (y sister*s been hanging aro.n)8 Li-e going to )inner 4ith an) st.//89 7"h;9 Callie +ractically cho-e) on a h.ge si+ o/ +.nch' What% 7Eric Dalton8 he tol) yo. abo.t this3 right89 7"(3 o/ co.rse'9 Callie*s 4hole bo)y began to s4eat' he*) only eaten a co.+le o/ s+oon/.ls o/ tony/iel) vanilla yog.rt this (orning' A (.g o/ vo)-a +.nch3 an) she 4as )r.n-' #er hea) s+.n@ <rett 4as -ee+ing (ore than a /e4 secrets /ro( her3 all right' <ree too- a )ee+ breath on the other en)' 7 o listen' When I 4as a senior at Col.(bia3 a /rien) o/ (ine 4as sort o/ Eric Dalton*s girl/rien)' An) she tol) (e he really gets aro.n)' Yo. -no4 4hat I*( saying89 7*Co.rse39 Callie re+lie) a.to(atically' 2aybe <rett 4asn*t acting s+acey beca.se she*) sle+t 4ith ,ere(iah' 2aybe she 4as o.t o/ it beca.se she*) sle+t 4ith Eric Dalton' Callie /.(ble) in her bag /or her cigarettes' #o4 )are <rett not tell her this (a0or ne4s? *ello3 4ere they 0.st complete strangers no48 7<.t ho4 /.nny39 <ree contin.e)3 snorting 4ith la.ghter' 72aybe they*ll get (arrie) at t' 5atric-*s? 2y sister 4ill be a Dalton?9 $orgetting her b.>>3 Callie too- another h.ge g.l+ o/ her )rin-' 7Don*t yo. thin- she*s a little yo.ng /or hi(89 7Oh3 o/ co.rse' I 4o.l) rather he stay /i/ty /eet a4ay /ro( her at all ti(es3 b.t <rett*s got a goo) hea) on her sho.l)ers' Any4ay3 0.st be s.re to +ass on the (essage8 An) tell her to call (e' Ciao'9 7"(3 o-ay' Ciao'9 Callie stare) at the +hone*s tiny LED 4in)o4 /or a long ti(e3 (ashing her li+s together' $inally3 she loo-e) .+' The conga line 4as still sna-ing aro.n) the roo(' Fuc) it' Vo)-a +.nch b.rning in her sto(ach3 she let o.t a 4hoo+3 grabbe) Alison H.entin3 4ho 4as 4earing a vintage co.t.re Ale:an)er 2cH.een )ress an) tiny little olive leaves in her hair3 an) /ollo4e) the line o/ gorgeo.s3 )r.n-3 )ancing girls o.t into the hall'

EM

A WAVERLY OWL #O"LD ALWAY RE I T ADVA!CE $RO2 #I DR"!& EU%GIRL$RIE!D'

<

ran)on 4as c.tting across D.(barton*s s+ra4ling la4n to4ar) Richar)s 4hen he sa4 a girl

in a /la++er%style green )ress s(o-ing a cigarette an) -ic-ing her legs in the air li-e a Roc-ette' 7#ey3 s4eetie?9 she calle)' 7Co(e )ance 4ith (e'9 <ran)on 4al-e) over an) s6.inte) in the light' It 4as Callie' Was she trashe)8 7#ey39 he calle) o.t' As soon as he got closer3 she l.nge) at hi( an) b.rie) her /ace in his nec-' he s(elle) o/ /r.it +.nch an) cigarettes an) that /resh cha(o(ile sha(+oo she al4ays .se)' <ran)on /elt a sh.))er r.n thro.gh hi(' (elling Callie*s hair con0.re) .+ (e(ories o/ last year' They*) .n)resse) each other .n)er a 6.ilt in the co((on roo( late one night an) s+elle) o.t se:y (essages on each other*s bare sto(achs' he loo-e) .+ at hi( 4ith giant3 4atery eyes' 7<ran)on' *iiiii19 That*s 4hen he got a 4hi// o/ her breath' 7Whoa'9 he 4as definitely trashe)' 7Yo. )rin- the 4hole bottle yo.rsel/89 Callie righte) hersel/ an) s(ile)' 7I*( cool39 she cooe)' 7Want so(e o/ (y cigarette89 7!o3 than-s'9 Callie shr.gge) an) st.c- it bac- in her (o.th' 7 o listen39 she sl.rre)3 r.nning her long3 (anic.re) /ingernails .+ an) )o4n his bare ar(' 7Why 4ere yo. so (ean to (e a/ter bio class yester)ay89 In the +orch light3 <ran)on co.l) see little gooseb.(+s on her bare3 crea(y legs' 7Abo.t Easy an) ,enny8 I 4as telling the tr.th'9 7!o3 yo. 4eren*t39 she tease)3 ti+sily to.ching his nose' 7!obo)y*s stealing anybo)y a4ay /ro( (e' I*( behin) the 4hole thing'9 <ran)on sco4le)' 7!o3 Callie' ,enny li)es hi(' They li-e each other'9 Callie giggle)' 7That*s beca.se I tol) the( to li-e each other'9 7#.h89 7I tol) the( to li-e each other'9 he covere) her (o.th an) giggle)' 7Oo+s' That 4as s.++ose) to be a secret'9 <ran)on shoo- his hea)' 7<.t ,enny does li-e hi(' An) he li-es her'9 7That*s 4hat they*) li-e yo. to believe?9 Callie yelle)3 an) then covere) her (o.th' 7Get it89 she sl.rre) (ore 6.ietly an) bro-e into a goo/y grin' 7They*re /a-ing it so that I 4on*t get in tro.ble /or having Easy in (y roo(?9 <ran)on stoo) bac- an) tho.ght /or a (o(ent' Yester)ay in the 6.a)3 ,enny ha) so.n)e) 4ay too gen.ine to be /a-ing it' 7An) they both 4ent along 4ith this89 7Yeah'9 7,enny too89 7 .re' ,enny*s cool'9 Callie /lic-e) the ash o// her cigarette3 b.t she 4as so )r.n- that it lan)e) right on her big toe3 blac-ening it'

<ran)on shoo- his hea)' #e loo-e) at Callie3 4ho3 tho.gh ha((ere)3 loo-e) as i/ she*) been secretly crying in the girls* bathroo( /or ho.rs' #e 4ante) to cra)le her an) roc- her to slee+' 7I (ean3 you d /lirt 4ith another girl i/ I as-e) yo. to3 4o.l)n*t yo.89 she as-e)3 sl.rring her 4or)s' 7"h ' ' 'no89 <ran)on st.c- his han)s in his +oc-ets' he loo-e) )o4n3 /r.strate)' 7Yo. 4o.l)n*t89 <ran)on lo4ere) his eyes' 7I/ I 4ere going o.t 4ith yo.3 I 4o.l)n*t even loo- at another girl'9 7Oh3 <ran)on39 she sighe)' 7Yo.*re so cheesy'9 $.nny' #e tho.ght girls li)ed ro(ance' he sna++e) her /ingers3 brightening' 7#ey? o 4hat )o yo. thin- abo.t <rett slee+ing 4ith that 2r' Dalton g.y89 7What8 I ha)n*t hear) that'9 Callie thre4 both her han)s over her (o.th an) then slo4ly re(ove) the(' 72aybe I sho.l)n*t have sai) that' ' ' '9 he bit her li+' 7Oo+s'9 7It*s3 li-e3 +.blic ne4s89 <ran)on ha)n*t really (et 2r' Dalton e:ce+t at cha+el the /irst )ay3 b.t it see(e) highly slea>y /or a teacher to hit on a st.)ent3 let alone slee+ 4ith one' 7I )on*t -no4'9 he loo-e) )o4n at the grass' 7I )i)n*t -no43 b.t <rett )oesn*t tell (e anything any(ore3 so ' ' '9 he traile) o//' <ran)on 4asn*t s.re3 b.t it see(e) li-e she 4as abo.t to b.rst into tears' 7#ey ' ' '9 #e reache) his han) o.t to her' 7Yo. o-ay89 .))enly3 Callie thre4 her cigarette into the grass3 grabbe) <ran)on3 an) gave hi( a h.ge3 4et -iss on the (o.th' At /irst he resiste)3 b.t a/ter tasting her D.Wo+ (int li+ gloss3 he co.l)n*t hel+ b.t (elt into her' The -iss /elt so goo)' War(3 so/t3 an) s4eet3 0.st li-e a year ago' #e tho.ght o/ /ootball ga(es 4ra++e) .n)er blan-ets3 the 4obbly 2etro%!orth train to the city 4here she*) /allen aslee+ in his la+3 an) +laying /oot%sie at /or(al )inner' <.t then he +.she) her a4ay' #e 4ante) this;he*) )rea(e) so (any ti(es o/ -issing Callie again;b.t this3 right no43 4as 4rong' All 4rong' 7What*s the (atter89 Callie shrie-e) )r.n-enly3 staggering bac-4ar)s' 7Yo.*re really 4aste)'9 <ran)on shoo- his hea)' 7We sho.l)n*t )o this ' ' ' no4'9 7I*ll tell yo. a secret39 she 4his+ere)3 leaning into hi(' 7Easy an) I ha) a big /ight' I thin4e (ight be oooooover'9 #e +a.se) /or a long ti(e' Again3 he*) 4aite) /orever to hear those 4or)s' <.t no3 not no4' !ot li-e this' <ran)on -ne4 he 4as cheesy3 b.t that 4as beca.se he 4as a ro(antic' An) /ooling aro.n) 4ith the girl he love) 4hile she 4as shit/ace) an) on the rebo.n) 4as totally /.c-ing ).(b' 7That*s ' ' ' 4hatever'9 #e +.lle) a4ay /ro( her' 7Co(e on39 Callie calle)' 7Don*t yo. 4ant to have se: 4ith (e89 7Yo.*re )r.n-' Yo. sho.l) slee+ this o//'9 An) 0.st li-e that3 he 4i+e) his (o.th o// an) 4al-e) a4ay'

BennyCunningham: #ey' Di) . sen) her the cheer 4or)s yet8 CallieVernon: !ot yet' BennyCunningham: Well3 )o it? CallieVernon: I 4ill' #ey3 4hat cheer are the rest o/ .s )oing8 BennyCunningham: I ).nno' What abo.t 7<e Aggressive98 CallieVernon: &' BennyCunningham: Don*t /orget to sen) her the cheer3 .nless yo. 4ant ni++leless bras?

To@ ,enni/er#.(+hreyR4averly'e). $ro(@ CallieVernonR4averly'e). Date@ at.r)ay3 e+te(ber O3 11@1I A'2' .b0ect@ Cheer

#ey ,enny3 Yo. (isse) a great +arty last night' #o4 4as yo.r ne4 st.)ents* thing8 Any4ay3 <enny as-e) (e to sen) yo. the 4or)s o/ the cheer' It involves so(e )ancing;se:y? An) yo. sing it to the t.ne o/ 7 o.n) O//'9 I*( attaching a Wor) )oc o/ the cheer lyrics here3 an) I*ll sho4 yo. the (ove(ents in the roo(3 &8 ;C 5' ' Di) the &iss&iss? bea.ty bas-et arrive to)ay8 En0oy? 5'5' ' Any (ore tho.ghts abo.t 4hat yo.*re going to say at DC8 Let (e -no4?

EO
WAVERLY OWL &!OW #OW;A!D W#E!; TO <E AGGRE IVE'

veryone 4as hanging o.t on the vast green hoc-ey /iel)3 4hich 4as s.rro.n)e) by thic-

4oo)s' The s.n 4as )irectly above the(3 an) the s-y 4as a /la4less bl.e3 4ith a tiny bit o/ bite in the air' 5arents3 st.)ents3 an) al.(ni cro4)e) the bleachers' The t' L.ci.s girls +ara)e) o.t to their si)e o/ the /iel)' They 4ere )resse) in their +.r+le an) 4hite s4eaters an) s-irts3 4ith (atching +.r+le shin g.ar)s' The t' L.ci.s (ascot3 a giant blac- an) 4hite Cana)ian goose3 /ollo4e) behin) the(3 /la++ing its 4ings (enacingly at the bes+ectacle) Waverly o4l' <rett +ic-e) so(e stray grass o// the botto( o/ one o/ her !i-e cleats an) snorte) at ho4 st.+i) the o4l loo-e)' he co.l)n*t hel+ thin-ing o/ the Dorothy 5ar-er 6.ote3 72en sel)o( (a-e +asses at girls 4ho 4ear glasses'9 An o4l in glasses see(e) li-e the ner)iest (ascot ever' ,enny sat ne:t to her3 tensely 4ra++ing an) .n4ra++ing the ).ct ta+e aro.n) her hoc-ey stic-' 7 o ho4 4as that +arty last night89 ,enny as-e)' 7I hear) yo. g.ys co(e in last night really late' ' ' '9 7That 4as Callie3 not (e39 <rett correcte) her' 7I trie) to sli)e in 4itho.t yo. noticing' Yo. )i)n*t (iss (.ch3 tho.gh' E:ce+t I lost (y cell +hone' #ave yo. seen it89 7!o'9 ,enny shr.gge)' <rett gritte) her teeth' !ot having her cell +hone;she 4as always losing it;(eant she ha) no i)ea i/ ,ere(iah or Eric ha) calle)' he 4on)ere) i/ ,ere(iah 4as here in the cro4)' he scanne) the gro.+ o/ +eo+le across the /iel) b.t )i)n*t see a tall3 c.te boy 4ith /lo++y re) hair any4here' he 4on)ere) ho4 he*) ta-en her (essage the other night' 7 o3 I*( e:cite) /or the cheer'9 ,enny grinne)' 7It so.n)s li-e it*s going to be really /.n'9 <rett abr.+tly t.rne) to her' 7Yo. -no4 it*s a set.+3 right89 &crew Callie' 7A set.+89 ,enny*s eyes 4i)ene)' 7Yeah3 it*s this;9 <rett starte)3 b.t 0.st then Callie ca(e .+ behin) the( an) lai) her han) on ,enny*s sho.l)er' <rett t.rne) a4ay' 7#ey3 girl39 Callie sai) s4eetly to ,enny' 7Yo. loo- so c.te to)ay' Is that (y tila li+ gloss yo.*re 4earing89 7"h3 no' It*s (ine' It*s 2AC'9 7It*s so +retty'9 <rett notice) Callie loo-e) slightly green3 +robably /ro( too (.ch o/ that vile +.nch last night' !ice ho4 she )i)n*t even say hi to her' he 4as too b.sy -issing ,enny*s ass' <enny ca(e .+ to the gro.+' 7We rea)y /or the cheer89 7Yeah39 Callie agree)' he loo-e) nervo.sly at ,enny' ,enny loo-e) nervo.sly at <rett' <rett shr.gge)' This 4as their shit to /ig.re o.t' 7Let*s go3 then?9 <enny s6.eale)'

All the girls on the bench 0.(+e) .+ an) began to bo.nce on the balls o/ their /eet' They*) as-e) Devin Ra.sch3 a senior 4hose )a) 4as a /a(o.s recor) +ro).cer3 to +lay )r.(s an) D,' Callie gave hi( a no)' The nee)le crac-le) on an ol) $.n-a)elic recor)@ he scratche) it a /e4 ti(es3 an) then the bac-beat 4a/te) o.t o/ the s+ea-ers' The girls starte) to sto(+ their /eet' 7<e' Aggressive' <%E aggressive' ' ' '9 <rett3 4ho stoo) at the bac- o/ the gang3 (o.the) the 4or)s' This 4as so ).(b' he glance) over at ,enny3 4ho la.nche) into her +art o/ the cheer' 7 t' L.ci.s girls thin- they*re all that3 b.t no one 4ants a girl that /lat?9 ,enny hear) her solo screechy voice an) i((e)iately covere) her (o.th' "n/ort.nately3 she 4as also at the +ortion o/ the )ance 4here she ha) to stic- o.t her chest' he loo-e) over an) notice) that no one else ha) thr.st their boobs o.t' #er tea((ates snorte) 4ith la.ghter' ,enny /ro>e3 boobs still thr.st o.t' o this 4as the set.+' #a3 ha' o not /.nny' Things began to (ove in slo4 (otion@ the la.ghing girls3 st.+i) (ean #eath $erro sla++ing his thigh in the /ront ro43 the entire school starting at her gigantic boobs' Then she reali>e) so(ething' he -ne4 she co.l) either /eel li-e total shit an) act li-e Ol) ,enny3 4ho3 (orti/ie)3 4o.l) sit bac- )o4n on the bench an) never s+ea- to anybo)y ever again' Or she co.l) try an) t.rn this sit.ation into so(ething interesting' A/ter all3 this (ight be her last 4ee-en) at Waverly' o be/ore she co.l) sto+ hersel/3 ,enny stro)e .+ to the /ront o/ the tea( an) starte) belting o.t the lyrics o/ the bog.s cheer Callie ha) e%(aile) her in her lo.)est voice' 7 t' L.ci.s girls thin- they*re all that3 b.t no one 4ants a girl that /lat?9 ,enny starte)3 shoving o.t her )o.ble%Ds again' 7Waverly girls get all the boys? C*(on3 +eo+le3 (a-e so(e noise?9 he (a)e a s4ishing (otion 4ith her hi+s' 7O.r eyebro4s are 4a:e) an) yo.rs are b.shyT o.r b.tts are c.te an) yo.rs are c.shy?9 Then she hit hersel/ har) on her a)orable little ro.n) b.tt' The other girls* (o.ths )ro++e) o+en' 7O.r (ascot*s an o4l an) yo.rs is a goose? We*ve got hooters an) y*all are loose?9 Again 4ith the boob%thr.sting' 7 o c*(on t' L.ci.s3 thro4 in the to4el' Yo.r ass is gonna get -ic-e) by an o4l?9 Then ,enny3 as she*) been instr.cte)3 ran cra>ily length4ise )o4n the /iel) an) )i) three cart4heels3 as best she co.l)3 sho4ing the cro4) 4hatever they ha)n*t alrea)y seen o/ her baby%bl.e boy shorts' A )a>e) silence /ollo4e)' Even tho.gh the 4or)s 4ere totally ri)ic.lo.s3 every single Waverly an) t' L.ci.s boy;not to (ention the /athers an) (ale teachers;4as ga>ing at her' Then3 across the /iel)3 Lance Van <rachel3 one o/ Waverly*s star /ootball +layers3 starte) to cla+' 7Yeah?9 he screa(e)' 7#ell yeah?9 Another boy cla++e) slo4ly' o(eone 4histle)' Then the 4hole other si)e o/ the /iel) er.+te) in a++la.se' Everyone began to go n.ts' <rett stare) at ,enny3 4ho 4as stan)ing 4ith her ar(s stretche) o.t3 staring )a>e)ly at the cro4)3 a h.ge s(ile on her /ace' ,enny ha) 0.st t4iste) Callie*s (ani+.lation3 so(ething even Tinsley ha) never (anage) to +.ll o//' ,enny see(e) so .na/rai) o/ +eo+le +aying attention to her3 an) her c.rvy3 tiny bo)y loo-e) great )ancing' he ha) a goo) sho.ting voice3 tooG hoarse an) -in) o/ se:y' ,enny loo-e) at her a)oring /ans across the /iel)' Wo43 this 4as /.n? Then she ha) a /lash o/ ins+iration' 7There is a boy 4ho they call 5ony? #e*s al4ays acting gross an) horny?9 she yelle) at the to+ o/ her l.ngs' 7#e thin-s he*s got a lot )o4n there3 b.t he s.re 4ears tiny .n)er4ear?9

The Waverly bleachers 4ent 4il)' A b.nch o/ boys covere) their (o.ths an) yelle) a collective 7Oh?9 in #eath*s )irection' Everyone 4as la.ghing' ,enny loo-e) at #eath in the /ront ro4;his /ace 4as an angry re)' Gotcha' 7Let*s )o it again?9 ,enny la.nche) bac- into the cheer3 har)ly noticing the other girls' They 4ere all +arty +oo+ers' I/ they )i)n*t 4ant to cheer 4ith her3 she )i)n*t care' he /elt /ree an) cra>y' <rett 4as ).(b/o.n)e)' .))enly3 she grinne)3 an) ran .+ to 0oin ,enny' 7 t' L.ci.s girls thin- they*re all that3 b.t no one 4ants a girl that /lat?9 they screa(e) together' ,enny s(ile) an) b.(+e) her b.tt against <rett*s hi+' At the en) o/ the cheer3 <rett even )i) the s-irt%li/t' The boys across the /iel) 4ent cra>y' Then Celine 0oine) in3 too' Then Alison3 then <enny' Then the rest o/ the girls' An) /inally3 beca.se it 4o.l) loo- 4eir) i/ she 4ere the only /iel) hoc-ey +layer not cheering3 Callie starte) sho.ting too'

EN
A WAVERLY OWL #O"LD &!OW T#AT $"!!ER I !*T A WORD'

<

.oye) by their cheer3 the Waverly O4ls beat the t' L.ci.s Geese M to F' As soon as the

/inal +erio)*s b.>>er so.n)e)3 <rett h.stle) to her )or( roo(' There3 on her be)3 4as her cell +hone' #a) she le/t it on her be) all this ti(e8 On it 4ere three .nans4ere) calls;all /ro( her sister;an) one te:t (essage@ I m in port1 Come by if you want1 6E41 he 6.ic-ly +.lle) on her (ost /lattering it*s%getting%cris+%at%night%4eight ,ose+h +ants an) slin-iest Diane von $.rstenberg sleeveless sil- to+ an) >i++e) on her +ointiest blac- +atent leather boots' he s+rinte) )o4n to the 4ater/ront' Eric stoo) on the 4hite sailboat*s s(all )ec- 4earing -ha-is an) a green long%sleeve) +olo' #e 4as hol)ing binoc.lars .+ to his eyes an) 4as ga>ing at so(ething in the trees' A /ishing +ole 4as +ro++e) against the boat*s railing' When he hear) her behin) hi(3 he t.rne) aro.n)3 the binoc.lars still +resse) to his eyes' <rett instinctively covere) her chest3 as i/ they 4ere :%ray glasses' 7!o /ootball ga(e /or yo.89 he as-e)3 +.tting the binoc.lars )o4n' 7!ah'9 7Isn*t the /ootball ga(e the biggest +art o/ the )ay89

Yeah3 e:ce+t her e:%boy/rien) ha++ene) to be the other tea(*s star 6.arterbac-' <rett 4asn*t e:actly s.re i/ ,ere(iah ha) even gotten the I%nee)%a%brea- (essage she*) le/t on his voice (ail3 b.t she -in) o/ )i)n*t care' 7I*( not really into /ootball39 she re+lie) coyly' 72ay I have +er(ission to boar)89 #e la.ghe)' 7Yeah3 s.re'9 7 o'9 he ran her han)s over the boat*s chro(e rails' 7Does this thing have a na(e89 7!ot yet' he*s bran)%ne439 Eric ans4ere)3 his +iercing gray eyes on her' 7I 4as thin-ing abo.t so(ething /ro( #e(ing4ay'9 <rett*s insi)es scra(ble) .+' 'i)e maybe something from The .n Also Rises% she 4ante) to as-' 7What /iel) hoc-ey +osition )o yo. +lay again89 7Oh3 center39 she res+on)e)3 as i/ it )i)n*t (atter3 even tho.gh she*) +laye) /iel) hoc-ey since she 4as seven an) ha) score) t4o o/ the si: goals to)ay' #e ch.c-le)3 then +ic-e) .+ the /ishing +ole' 7Why is that /.nny89 7It*s not' It*s 0.st3 I can*t i(agine yo. in a /iel) hoc-ey o.t/it'9 7#ave yo. trie)8 I(agining it3 I (ean'9 <rett s(ile) co6.ettishly' he 4as being bol)3 even /or her' 72aybe'9 Eric*s eyes 4ere on her' 7It*s a +retty short -ilt' Yo. girls shorten the(3 )on*t yo.89 7O/ co.rse not?9 <rett lie)' 7They*re that short to begin 4ith?9 he sat )o4n on one o/ the ca+tain*s chairs an) stare) o.t at the glistening 4ater' Waverly*s cha+el s+ire +ee-e) .+ thro.gh the elegant3 bl.e%green thic-et3 an) the o4ls criss%crosse) over% hea)3 as i/ (agnetically )ra4n to the yacht' Even the 4ater s(elle) se:y' 7 o3 I 4ante) to than- yo. /or the other night39 she /inally vent.re)' 7The +lane' Dinner' eeing yo.r /a(ily*s ho.se' It 4as really /.n'9 Dalton re(ove) the binoc.lars /ro( aro.n) his nec-' 7I*( gla)'9 A cheer rose .+ /ro( the /ootball sta)i.( in the )istance3 an) the ban) starte) to +lay' <rett glance) over in its )irection3 4on)ering 4ho ha) score)' ,ere(iah 4as +robably on the /iel) right this secon)' <rett loo-e) over at Eric' <iting her li+3 she stoo) .+ an) too- a tiny ste+ in his )irection' 7 o3 yeah3 it 4as /.n3 b.t ' ' '9 7<.t 4hat89 Eric +a.se)' <rett tho.ght she )etecte) so(ething /.nny in his voice' he /elt li-e she 4as stan)ing on the e)ge o/ a cli// that over%loo-e) the t.r6.oise Caribbean ea' It 4as either t.rn aro.n) an) hea) bac- to the b.ngalo4 to )rin- a Re) tri+e in the ha((oc- or )ive o// the cli//' he too- a h.ge g.l+ o/ air' 7Do yo. thin- that there 4as so(ething (aybe that co.l)*ve been funner89 <rett as-e)3 t4isting her hea) to the si)e' 7Funner isn*t a 4or)'9 Eric s(ir-e)' Water la++e) at the si)e o/ the boat' 7Yeah3 I -no439 she 4his+ere)3 lo4ering her eyes3 /eeling yo.ng an) ).(b' Go bac) to the bungalow/ ,ow/ $ighting her better 0.)g(ent3 she batte) her eyelashes an) st.c- o.t her chest' he ha) no i)ea 4here she 4as getting these (oves /ro(' ,enny3 (aybe8 he hear) Eric breathe in shar+ly'

$.c- it' he 4as )iving' he 4al-e) right .+ to 4here he stoo)3 still /ishing' #e 4as a /e4 inches taller than she 4as' #is blon)ish hair /ell (essily over his eyes3 an) he ha) a tiny scratch on the si)e o/ his nose' #e +ro++e) his /ishing +ole against the railing again' 72aybe this co.l) be ' ' ' /.nner89 Then she leane) her entire bo)y against his an) -isse) hi(' Ahh, yes' #is (o.th /elt a(a>ing' <rett trie) to restrain hersel/3 b.t +art o/ her 4ante) to )evo.r hi(3 li-e he 4as <el.ga caviar' he -e+t -issing hi(3 so/tly at /irst3 4illing his li+s to +art .ntil /inally his strong han)s circle) her 4aist an) his li+s (elte) aro.n) hers' #e +.lle) her closer' #er (o.th o+ene)' <rett 4orrie) that she taste) li-e s4eat /ro( the ga(e3 b.t she )i)n*t care' !or )i) she care that they 4ere in broa) )aylight3 on Waverly*s ca(+.s3 on <lac- at.r)ay3 an) the 4hole school 4as only hal/ a (ile a4ay' he sto++e) -issing hi( an) too- a ste+ bac-3 s(iling shyly' Eric lic-e) his li+s' It loo-e) li-e he 4as trying to hi)e a grin' 7"(3 4ell' That*s3 .h3 )e/initely ' ' '9 #e too- her han) in his3 an) his eyes (et hers' #e che4e) on his lo4er li+ a little' 7 o I thin- ' ' ' I thin- I sho.l) go bac- to (y o//ice /or a 4hile'9 7Great' Let*s go39 <rett re+lie)3 s(iling' 7!o4'9 Dalton steele) hi(sel/ against the railing' 7I (ean3 I thin- I sho.l) go bac- to (y o//ice an) I thin- you sho.l) go bac- to yo.r /ootball ga(e39 he 4his+ere)3 his han) br.shing her ear' <rett ste++e) a4ay /ro( hi( an) loo-e) /rantically bac- in the )irection o/ the sta)i.(' Eric ste++e) o// the yacht' #e reache) o.t /or her an) hel+e) her onto the )oc- too' 7I/ I co(e to yo.r o//ice3 yo. 4on*t regret it'9 he*) never sai) anything li-e that to anybo)y in her li/e' 7I reali>e that'9 Eric sighe)' 7<elieve (e' I (ost )e/initely reali>e that' <.t3 .( ' ' ' '9 #e loo-e) )o4n at his navy bl.e Doc-si)er boat shoes' 7I thin- ' ' ' I thin- I sho.l) go' <.t thanyo.'9 An) 4ith that3 he st.c- his th.(b o.t3 to.che) her on the chin3 an) t.rne)3 leaving <rett an) her bea.ti/.l blac- +ointy boots3 stan)ing on a st.+i) boat )oc-3 alone'

EL
WAVERLY OWL !EVER T"R! DOW! A GA2E O$ I !EVER;EVE! I$ IT 2EA! &I I!G #EAT# $ERRO'

<

ran)on stoo)3 gin an) tonic in han)3 tal-ing to <enny C.nningha( at the <lac- at.r)ay

+arty3 4hich 4as3 s.r+rise s.r+rise3 at #eath $erro*s co.ntry ho.se in Woo)stoc-3 abo.t an ho.r

a4ay /ro( Waverly' #e sa4 ,enny s+ill o.t o/ a #.((er 4ith a gro.+ o/ /iel) hoc-ey girls' They 4ere all )resse) .+ in (atching +.(+-in%colore) slo.chy V%nec- cash(ere s4eaters' ,enny*s s4eater sho4e) o// her bea.ti/.l +orcelain s-in an) e:+ose) so(e o/ her bare sho.l)ers3 an) he co.l) see a 4i)e3 crea(%colore) bra stra+' A/ter the /ootball ga(e3 #eath ha) han)e) Waverly*s elite overnight o//%ca(+.s +asses an) .shere) everyone to4ar) a /leet o/ blac- #.((er li(os that he*) borro4e) /ro( his )a)*s Wall treet I%ban-ing /ir(' <ran)on ha) 4atche) /ro( a )istance as #eath a++roache) ,enny3 4ho 4as /lan-e) by gaggle o/ a)(irers3 -isse) her +ri(ly on the chee-3 an) han)e) her a +ass' Even he ha) to give her +ro+s /or the cheer' The +arty too- +lace on the ho.se*s (assive bac- la4n' It 4as 4ar( an) still o.t3 an) #eath ha) ha) the gar)ener install a giant 4hite tent an) ro4s o/ t4in-ly Christ(as lights' #e*) also nabbe) si: giant sc.l+t.res /ro( his +arents* ever%gro4ing collection o/ ran)o( gallery +.rchases to )ecorate the e:+ansive tent' The sc.l+t.res 4ere gigantic bloo(ing lilies' Their l.stro.s /ol)s re(in)e) everyone not so s.bconscio.sly o/ se:' As i/ anyone nee)e) another re(in)er o/ se:' A/ter 4atching ,enny*s chest3 it 4as all anyone co.l) thin- abo.t' ,enny s+ie) <ran)on an) h.rrie) over' 7#ey? Where*) yo. go a/ter the ga(e89 she e:clai(e) brightly' 7,.st too- o// /or here a little early3 I g.ess39 he ans4ere)3 then loo-e) a4ay /ast' #e still /elt all (esse) .+ over this Callie%Easy%,enny b.siness' 7What*s the (atter89 she as-e)' 7!othing'9 7,enny3 that cheer 4as totally /.n'9 <enny s6.ee>e) ,enny*s han)' <enny*s 2i-i(oto /resh4ater +earl earrings 4ere so big they (a)e her earlobes )roo+' 7Than-s?9 ,enny crie)' 7<ran)on3 )i) yo. see it89 7I sa4 it'9 It 4o.l) have been har) not to see it' It ha) been -in) o/ sl.tty b.t -in) o/ hot at the sa(e ti(e' An) his brain ha) /elt li-e it 4as going to e:+lo)e3 4atching both ,enny an) Callie stic- o.t their chests an) s(ac- their b.tts at the sa(e ti(e' An) o/ co.rse he*) relishe) 4atching #eath shrivel in e(barrass(ent 4hen ,enny calle) hi( o.t on his s(all 4eenie' ,enny eye) hi( care/.lly' 7 erio.sly3 yo. all right89 7Eh39 <ran)on (.r(.re)' 7What*s the (atter89 she as-e) again' <enny shi((ie) a4ay to hang aro.n) so(eone else' 7Yo. can tell (e'9 #e (ashe) his li+s together' #e )i)n*t -no4 4hat he 4as /eeling' Was he con/.se) abo.t Callie8 5isse) at ,enny /or being so into Easy8 Annoye) to be bac- at school3 +erio)8 .))enly an alar(ingly high%+itche) voice +eale) over the cro4)' 7,enny?9 <ran)on an) ,enny*s hea)s s4ivele)' Celine sat across the roo(3 on a +ristine 4hite leather co.ch' <rett3 )resse) all in blac-3 sat on the co.ch*s ar(' Callie stoo) on the other si)e3 s(o-ing thro.gh a thin silver cigarette hol)er' <ran)on*s heart starte) th.))ing' 7,enny3 c*(ere?9 Celine cro4e)' ,enny loo-e) bac- at <ran)on' 7Yo. s.re yo.*re all right89 she as-e)' 7-en0ny/9 Celine s6.eale) again' ,enny loo-e) at hi( 6.estioningly a /e4 (o(ents (ore3 an) <ran)on reali>e) he 4as -in) o/ being a 0ac-ass' o Callie 4as scre4ing 4ith his e(otions' o ,enny )i)n*t li-e hi(' o 4hat8 he 4as still s4eet an) caring' An) right no43 she see(e) so happy' 7 erio.sly39 he or)ere)' 7Go'9

As ,enny s-i++e) over to the girls* co.ch3 a tall3 coc-s.re senior girl na(e) Chan)ler grabbe) her ar(' 7Cool cheer'9 7Than- yo.?9 Another blon) girl stan)ing ne:t to Chan)ler 4ho 4ore a slin-y silver to+ an) +egge) +inan) gray +instri+e) +ants3 s6.inte) at ,enny' 7Di) yo. ever (o)el8 Yo. loo- so /a(iliar'9 7I thin- she loo-s li-e Tinsley39 Chan)ler a))e)' 7Act.ally3 I (o)ele) /or a Les <est a)8 <.t it 4as only once'9 ,enny bea(e)' 7!o3 that*s it?9 the girl crie)' 7I love that a)' Yo. loo- so c.te in it3 all cra>y on the beach' Who 4as yo.r stylist89 7-enny/9 Celine calle) /ro( the co.ch again' 7I gotta go39 ,enny e:+laine) to Chan)ler an) the other girl' 7!ice (eeting yo.?9 As she 4as 4al-ing to4ar) the co.ch again3 it s.))enly hit her' he )i)n*t /eel co(+elle) to (a-e .+ so(e cra>y story abo.t a se(ina-e) /ashion sho4 or a )eba.che) night o.t 4ith the Raves' !o+e' ,enny;not Ol) ,enny or !e4 ,enny3 b.t this ,enny;4as goo) eno.gh /or these girls 0.st as she 4as' I love Waverly/ she tho.ght3 4ith a (o(entary shiver o/ +leas.re' Go)3 she 0.st co.l)n*t get -ic-e) o.t' !ot no4? he 0oine) the others on the co.ch' Celine i((e)iately han)e) her a Grey%Goose%an)%Re)% <.ll (artini' 7 o yo.*re not +isse) at .s89 Celine as-e)' 7Abo.t the cheer89 7Yeah'9 Callie shoo- her hea)' 7I 4ante) to tell yo.' ' ' '9 7Don*t 4orry abo.t it39 ,enny ass.re) the(' Even tho.gh it ha) been -in) o/ (ean3 she /elt li-e she 4as a +art o/ so(ething no4;a real3 e3clusive Waverly tra)ition' #o4 a4eso(e 4as that8 7That cheer 4as a(a>ing3 tho.gh39 Celine co((ente)' he 4as s.c-ing on a D.nhill "ltra Light an) a +astel can)y nec-lace at the sa(e ti(e' ,enny (ove) over to <rett3 4ho 4as sitting on the /ar en) o/ the co.ch an) loo-e) li-e she*) been .+ /or LM ho.rs' 7Yo. )isa++eare) a/ter the ga(e' Yo. all right89 7I )on*t -no439 <rett re+lie) (echanically' 7Is it;89 ,enny starte)' <rett +.t her /inger to her li+s b.t no))e) (iserably' 7What ha++ene)89 <rett shoo- her hea)' 7Can*t tal- abo.t it39 she 4his+ere) bet4een g.l+s' 7O-ay'9 Callie grabbe) <rett*s ar(' 7I sa4 ,ere(iah 4hen I 4as co(ing in' #e*s loo-ing /or yo.'9 <rett*s eyes 4i)ene) in /ear' 7Di) yo. tell hi( I 4as here89 7"h3 yeah' Why3 is there a reason I 4o.l)n*t89 she as-e)3 obvio.sly /eigning oblivio.sness' 7 hit39 <rett (.ttere)' 7What*s the big )eal8 It*s not li-e yo.*re seeing anyone else3 is it89 <rett shoo- her hea) /everishly' 7Yo. sho.l)n*t have tol) hi( I 4as here'9 7Well3 sorry? #o4 4as I s.++ose) to -no4 that89 Callie )e(an)e)' 7It*s not li-e yo. tell (e anything any(ore'9 7Yo. 0.st ' ' ' sho.l)n*t have'9 The other girls* hea)s s4ivele) /ro( Callie to <rett3 as i/ 4atching the /inal (atch at Wi(ble)on' ,enny 4on)ere) i/ Callie -ne4 abo.t <rett an) 2r' Dalton' Callie +.t her cigarette o.t 4ith the heel o/ her bl.e croc (.le' 7 o 4hy )on*t yo. 4ant to see ,ere(iah3 any4ay89 7I 0.st ' ' ' )on*t' ,.st beca.se'9

7Is he not cool eno.gh /or yo.8 Are we not cool eno.gh /or yo.89 Callie )e(an)e)3 rolling her tong.e against her chee-' 7Co(e on39 <rett retorte)' 7I )i)n*t say;9 7Yo. loo-ing /or so(e older +eo+le to hang o.t 4ith89 ,enny /ro>e' <rett sco4le)' 7What*s that s.++ose) to (ean89 Callie tilte) her hea)' 7Di) yo. /in) yo.r cell +hone89 7Yeah'9 <rett lit a cigarette' 7 o89 7 o ' ' ' nothing' I /o.n) it' ,.st (a-ing s.re yo. got it'9 7Di) yo. go thro.gh (y (essages89 <rett*s voice rose shar+ly' 7!o?9 Callie so.n)e) h.rt' 7I 4o.l)n*t )o that?9 7Li-e hell yo. 4o.l)n*t' Whatever' I have to get the /.c- o.t o/ here'9 7What*s she tal-ing abo.t89 Celine as-e) as <rett stor(e) a4ay' Callie stare) /.(ingly at <rett*s rece)ing /ig.re an) )i)n*t ans4er' 7 o.n)s li-e she*s having boy +roble(s;she )i)n*t even 4ant to see ,ere(iah?9 Celine a))e)' 7An) he*s so hot?9 7Oh3 it*s not ,ere(iah she*s having the +roble(s 4ith39 Callie 4his+ere)' 7It*s3 yo. -no4; !r1 4alton'9 ,enny*s (o.th )ro++e) o+en' Oh' 2y' Go)' o(e /rien) Callie 4as' 7Dalton89 Celine echoe)' The girls stare) at her in st.nne) silence' 7Totally' They*re really;9 Callie began s(.gly3 b.t she 4as interr.+te) by #eath $erro' #e 4ore a /a-e 4oo)en Vi-ing hel(et3 Y la $lava $lav3 on his hea) an) ha) ta-en his shirt o// to reveal a te(+orary Celtic sy(bol tattoo on his chest' 7#ey3 girls'9 #e sl.ng his ar(s aro.n) ,enny an) Callie' I guess he li)es me again3 ,enny tho.ght 4ryly' !ot that she care)' 7I*( horny'9 #e +ointe) to the horns' Celine giggle)' 7E4?9 7*Co.rse yo. are3 5ony39 crie) <enny3 4ho*) co(e .+ behin) the(' 7That*s right' o yo. 4ant to +lay I !ever89 #eath grabbe) a bottle o/ C.ervo /ro( a nearby table' 7De/initely39 Callie agree) 6.ic-ly3 4renching her eyes a4ay /ro( <rett3 4ho*) +a.se) at the tent*s )oor3 her 4hole bo)y 6.ivering' 7O-ay3 b.t ne4 r.les@ i/ yo.*ve never )one it yo. have to ta-e a shot an) -iss so(eone39 #eath anno.nce)3 /on)ling one o/ the horns on his hel(et' 7Yo.*re .nbelievable'9 <enny la.ghe)' 7$ine39 Callie sighe)' 7,.st no tong.e'9 ,enny3 #eath3 age3 Teag.e Willia(s3 an) <enny arrange) the(selves on the )e4y grass 0.st o.tsi)e the tent' The air 4as cool an) 4et3 b.t ,enny /elt 4ar( /ro( her belly o.t' #er Re) <.ll (artini 4as (a-ing her /eel a little 4eir)' 7Who 4ants to go /irst89 #eath as-e)3 ta-ing a long ch.g o/ #eine-en' 7I 4ill'9 ,enny shot her han) .+' he +o.re) o.t shots into s(all +lastic c.+s' 7O-ay' o' "( ' ' ' I*ve never (a)e o.t in a /iel)'9 Callie3 Celine3 an) <enny all shr.gge)' ,enny3 #eath3 an) Teag.e each )i) a shot' 7C*(ere3 ,enny39 #eath bec-one)3 cra4ling across the circle to4ar) her' 7Let*s see i/ 4e can re(e(ber ho4 to )o this'9 Ew, ew, ew' ,enny ti+sily +ec-e) #eath*s (o.th an) then s(ac-e) hi( +lay/.lly in the sto(ach'

7,ee+ers?9 she s6.eale)' An) instea) o/ la.ghing at her3 everyone cheere) an) )i) another shot3 0.st /or /.n'

F1
!OT ALL WAVERLY OWL !EED GLA E '

asy inhale) )ee+ly on the 0oint an) han)e) it to Alan t' Girar)' They 4ere sitting in a little

alcove that se+arate) the( /ro( the rest o/ the tent 4ith those )oor bea)s that a gran)(other (ight have in her +ool ho.se' 7This +arty*s la(e39 Easy (anage) to gr.(ble3 4hile trying to hol) the +ot s(o-e in his l.ngs' 7Aren*t they al4ays3 tho.gh89 Alan re+lie)' They tal-e) /or a /e4 (in.tes abo.t 4hich +arty ha) been the best3 an) )eci)e) that it 4as the one Tinsley Car(ichael ha) thro4n at her +arents* h.ge log cabin in Alas-a a year an) a hal/ ago' It ha) been over s+ring brea-3 an) (ost -i)s ha) been 4ith their +arents in 5ar- City or 2onte Carlo3 so not that (any o/ the( ha) gone to Alas-a' The ho.se 4as on the e)ge o/ an ice la-e3 ne:t to a giant3 +.r+le (o.ntain' They*) all )r.n- so (.ch re) 4ine3 they*) been co(+letely .ninhibite)' It 4as be/ore Easy an) Callie got together3 an) he*) coa:e) Tinsley into getting na-e) 4ith hi( an) sitting in her o.t)oor birch hot t.b3 4here they*) tal-e) all night' It ha) been the -in) o/ +arty 4here everything is serene an) +er/ect;nobo)y ha) gotten (a) at anybo)y3 an) everybo)y ha) staye) on that /.n3 4il) si)e o/ )r.n- 4itho.t crossing over an) vo(iting all over the tea- /loors' The bea)s +arte)3 an) <rett b.rst thro.gh' he 4as 4earing all blac- an) loo-e) craggy an) gr.(+y3 li-e that 4ic-e) ol) 4itch 4ith the a++le in &now White' 7What*s .+89 Easy as-e)3 as she +lo++e) )o4n ne:t to hi(' 7Can I hi)e o.t in here 4ith yo.89 he too- the 0oint3 4hich ha) b.rne) )o4n to a little -nobby roach' he too- a long )rag on it an) ble4 the s(o-e o.t her nose' 7 .re'9 7Yo. g.ys (a-e no sense39 she /inally sai) a/ter a long +a.se3 r.nning her han)s thro.gh her insanely re) hair' 7What3 (e an) Alan89 7!o'9 <rett t.rne) to Easy3 an) Easy re(e(bere) 4hy he li-e) her so (.ch' he ha) a 4i)e% 0a4e)3 4i)e%eye)3 bea.ti/.l /ace3 a little li-e 2an)y 2oore*s' 7I (eant ' ' ' 4hy is it that 4hen yo. g.ys 4ant so(ething3 an) 4hen yo. get it3 4hen 4e give it to yo.3 yo. /rea- o.t89 Alan too- a hit an) leane) bac-3 r.nning his han) along his very short bro4n cre4 c.t' 7That*s 4ay too )ee+ /or (e3 (an'9

<rett +.lle) o.t her cigarettes an) lit one' 7!ever (in)39 she sco//e)3 stan)ing .+ again' he s6.inte) at Easy' 7Are yo. still 4ith Callie89 7I )on*t -no4'9 he s(ir-e)' 7That*s 4hat I tho.ght' I*( o.tta here' #ave a goo) +arty3 boys'9 7 he*s so strange39 Alan (.ttere)' 7Yo. -no4 4hat I 0.st hear)8 I hear) she*s /.c-ing one o/ the teachers' That ne4 g.y'9 7<rett89 Easy as-e)3 loo-ing a/ter her' 7!ah'9 7I )on*t -no43 (an' Loo- at her' he*s a (ess'9 Easy gr.nte) an) rolle) one o/ the beige (arble )oor bea)s bet4een his /ingers' #is +ot% a))le) brain trie) to +rocess 4hat ha) gone )o4n 4ith Callie' Were they still together or not8 #e stoo) .+ an) +arte) the bea)s 4ith his han)3 /eeling totally (esse) .+' #e e:+ecte) love to /eel li-e so(ething st.%+en)o.s3 (aybe a little +ain/.l' Li-e the sore3 .se)%.+ 4ay his bacan) legs /elt a/ter ri)ing Cre)o all )ay' Or the /eeling he got 4hen he 4as in 5aris3 stan)ing on the eine3 4atching +eo+le 4al- by3 an) s.))enly reali>e) he 4as right there in the (o(ent an) not st.c- so(e4here in the +ast or the /.t.re' <.t he 4asn*t s.re i/ he /elt that 4ay abo.t Callie' Where 4as she3 any4ay8 An) that*s 4hen he sa4 the(' #eath $erro -issing Callie all over her /ace' he*) +.lle) )o4n #eath*s 0eans so lo4 that they*) sli) belo4 his hi+s' #e co.l) see a stri+ o/ his ass' As .s.al3 #eath 4as going co((an)o' Easy t.rne) into the alcove again' Well3 there 4as his ans4er'

F1
A WAVERLY OWL &!OW T#AT O2ETI2E IT* A GOOD IDEA TO IT I! T#E #ADOW '

7I

/eel all loose an) 4iggly'9 ,enny shoo- her ar(s aro.n)' he*) (ove) to the s.r+risingly

6.iet la4n behin) the tent' There 4as a tiny little ,a+anese roc- gar)en3 a (ossy stone bench3 an) a 0a)eGtileGline) +on)' A giant orange gol)/ish s4a( slo4ly in the +on)*s circle' A/ter a /e4 ro.n)s o/ I !ever3 <ran)on ha) ta++e) her on the sho.l)er an) as-e) her i/ she 4ante) to get so(e air' 7Yo. 4ere loo-ing a little green bac- there39 <ran)on sai)' 7I*( all right' <.t than-s /or getting (e o.t o/ that' It 4as getting a little strange'9 he 4asn*t really -een on seeing #eath $erro*s b.tt crac-3 4hich -e+t (a-ing (a0or a++earances' 7!o +roble('9

7#o4 co(e yo. )i)n*t +lay 4ith .s8 Yo. got so(ething against -issing ga(es89 7I ' ' '9 #e hesitate)' 7It*s co(+licate)'9 ,enny rolle) her hea) aro.n) on her nec-' 7O-ay39 she re+lie)' he 4as ha++y that <ran)on /elt o-ay 0.st sitting her 4ith her 6.ietly3 not e:+laining anything' $rien)s sat 6.ietly together3 a/ter all3 an) even tho.gh she 4as having a blast at this +arty3 so(ething in it see(e) e(+ty no4 that she 4as )r.n-' #o4 (any o/ these -i)s )i) she act.ally connect 4ith8 <ran)on 4as a real /rien)3 an) they co.l) be honest 4ith each other' he leane) her hea) on his sho.l)er an) stare) at their re/lection in the +on)' 7Yo. never tol) (e yo. 4ent o.t 4ith Callie last year'9 he glance) at hi(' #e loo-e) )o4n' 7Yeah'9 7Is that 4hy yo. hate Easy so (.ch89 #e no))e)' 7Well' That (a-es sense'9 7It*s so (esse) .+3 tho.gh39 <ran)on began slo4ly' 7I still really li-e her' I trie) to not li-e her b.t ' ' ' I can*t hel+ it'9 7I totally .n)erstan)39 she sai)3 thin-ing o/ Easy' Another re/lection a++eare) in the +on)' It 4as o/ a (essy%haire)3 irresistibly han)so(e boy 4ho3 )es+ite being at a +arty3 still ha) +aint s(.)ges on his nec-' ,enny )re4 in her breath' It 4as as i/ she ha) con0.re) Easy .+ by thin-ing abo.t hi(' Or (aybe she 4as 0.st a little ti+sy' 7#ey'9 #e greete) her so/tly' ,enny s6.inte)' #e 4ore a blac- /a)e) !A #VILLE 2" IC $E TIVAL T%shirt an) gr.bby3 +aint%staine) 0eans' #is thic-3 glossy3 al(ost%blac- hair3 ba)ly in nee) o/ c.tting3 c.rle) at the bac- o/ his nec-' <ran)on crease) his /ace in /r.stration3 then s6.ee>e) her han)' 7I sho.l) be going39 he anno.nce)' #e leane) over an) 4his+ere) in her ear3 7Goo) l.c-'9 <ran)on br.she) +ast Easy 4itho.t saying hello3 then slo4ly stro)e a4ay' Easy sat )o4n ne:t to ,enny' 7What are yo. )oing o.t here8 There*s all sorts o/ cra>y shit going on in this +lace'9 7Yeah3 I 4as +art o/ the cra>y shit3 b.t I )eci)e) to co(e o.t an) loo- at the +on)'9 75retty39 Easy (.r(.re)' 7It is3 isn*t it89 7I (ean yo.3 not the +on)39 he 4his+ere)' ,enny*s 4or)s got st.c- in her throat' he 4as too3 too )r.n-' <.t s.))enly she /elt too3 too sober' Easy lit a cigarette an) s(o-e) it silently3 letting a thin strea( o/ gray s(o-e )ri/t over the gar)ens an) (a-e a halo over the origa(i trees' 7I sa4 yo.r cheer at the ga(e to)ay'9 Easy bro-e the silence' 7That 4as ' ' ' so(ething'9 7Oh39 she (anage) to .tter3 loo-ing )o4n3 e(barrasse)' The )r.n-er ,enny ha) gotten3 the (ore she ha) 4on)ere) i/ she really belonge) here' o she*) t.rne) the cheer aro.n) to)ay3 b.t 4hat i/ she co.l)n*t -ee+ .+ that -in) o/ 6.ic- thin-ing all the ti(e8 he -e+t trying not to thinabo.t it3 b.t heavy tho.ghts abo.t the Disci+linary Co((ittee hearing -e+t snea-ing .+ on her' .re3 she 4as +o+.lar tonight3 b.t 4hat )i) that (atter i/ she 4as -ic-e) o.t o/ Waverly co(e 2on)ay8 Then again3 she co.l) tell on Callie3 b.t everyone 4o.l) )e/initely hate her i/ she got Callie -ic-e) o.t' There 4as no 4ay to 4in' 7Where*) yo. learn that89 7Act.ally ' ' ' it*s too 4eir) to e:+lain'9

7#.h39 Easy res+on)e)' 7 o3 yo. -no4 ho4 I tol) yo. abo.t those o4ls in that note89 7Yeah'9 ,enny 4as loo-ing at his +ro/ile o.t o/ the corner o/ her eye' The night 4as getting col)er3 an) she co.l) see )e4 /or(ing on the grass aro.n) the(' he 4on)ere) 4hat ti(e it 4as' 7Di) yo. thin- that 4as totally st.+i)89 ,enny crosse) her legs' 7What8 !o' Why89 7<eca.se ' ' ' I tol) yo. that I tho.ght they tal-e)'9 7!o' Act.ally3 I tho.ght it 4as really s4eet'9 7Yo. )i)89 #e s(ile) shyly at the gro.n)' 7Yeah'9 he s(ile) too3 loo-ing at hi( no4' Easy sli) slightly closer to her' 7Why89 ,enny tho.ght abo.t 4hy' 5ecause you re hot% 5ecause you re beautiful% 5ecause I can t stop thin)ing about how perfect you are for me% ,enny sat bac-' 7Easy8 Are yo. /lirting 4ith (e beca.se Callie tol) yo. to89 #e too- a )rag o// his cigarette' 7I 4as going to as- yo. the sa(e thing'9 7Oh39 she sai)3 con/.se)' he stare) at her re/lection in the +on)' 7Well3 are yo.89 7!o39 he /inally ans4ere)' ,enny notice) that his han) 4as tre(bling' 7Are yo.89 7!o39 ,enny re+lie) 6.ic-ly' 7I*( )e/initely not'9 7What are yo. going to )o abo.t DC89 he as-e) a/ter a /e4 secon)s3 st.bbing his cigarette o.t on a roc-' 7Are yo. going to say it 4as Callie*s /a.lt89 7I still haven*t )eci)e)'9 ,enny /elt her /ace s6.inch .+' he )i)n*t 4ant to r.in Callie*s li/e3 b.t she also )i)n*t 4ant to get -ic-e) o.t o/ Waverly' What i/ she 4al-e) o.t o/ DC an) never sa4 Easy again8 7Loo-39 Easy sighe)' 7I )on*t thin- any o/ this is right3 an) I )on*t thin- yo. sho.l) be in tro.ble' An) besi)es3 I*( not even together 4ith Callie any(ore'9 ,enny hel) her breath' 7It*s 4eir) that she*s (ani+.lating .s3 yo. -no489 he no))e) i(+erce+tibly' 7An) (ore than that ' ' ' things )on*t /eel right39 he 4his+ere)3 as i/ he 4ere tal-ing to hi(sel/' 7What )o yo. (ean89 ,enny as-e)3 4illing hi( to (eet her ga>e an) then3 (aybe ' ' ' her li+s' 7Well ' ' '9 Easy leane) bac- in the grass an) stare) .+ at the s-y' ,enny re(e(bere) ho4 he*) +ointe) o.t the even isters on their ceiling an) 4on)ere) 4here that constellation 4as tonight' 7Yo. -no4 ho4 those De <eers )ia(on) co((er%cials sho4 love as li-e this ' ' ' this really s+ar-ly3 cra>y thing89 7O-ay39 ,enny sai)3 lying )o4n on her bac- as 4ell' 7Well3 I 4ant that39 Easy e:+laine)3 tal-ing straight ahea)' 7I )on*t have that no43 b.t I 4ant it' !ot in a st.+i) 4ay3 b.t I 4ant all o/ that'9 ,enny*s insi)es shi((ere)' he .n)erstoo) 4hat he (eant co(+letely' An) as they stare) .+ at the s-y3 the stars above the( t4in-le)3 shiny an) s+ar-ly' &in) o/ li-e )ia(on)s'

To: 7+artygoers9 AEO (e(bers on listB From: #eath$erroR4averly'e). Date: .n)ay3 e+te(ber N3 11@=1 A'2' Subject: A4eso(e3 a4eso(e3 a4eso(e

G.ys' The <lac- at.r)ay +arty 4as 4hite%hot' o(e interesting n.(bers@ M@ !.(ber o/ girls I (a)e o.t 4ith last night' AThat*s the n.(ber I can re(e(ber3 any4ay'B 11@ <ottles o/ C.ervo 4e 4ent thro.gh' #ells yeah? 1@ Weir)ly 4ell%groo(e) g.y stan)ing on the si)elines o/ the I !ever ga(e3 loo-ing longingly at a certain blon) go))ess /ro( Atlanta' E@ Le/t%behin) +airs o/ girls* shoes' One +air o/ 2anolos3 one +air o/ To)*s' Who got so (esse) .+ she 4ent ho(e bare/oot8 E@ 5eo+le sitting by (y gol)/ish +on)3 loo-ing longingly into each other*s eyes' <.t I*( not gonna tell yo. 4ho' That*s only /or (y gol)/ish3 tanley3 to -no4 /or s.re' Later3 +arty +eo+le3 #eath 5' ' Can*t 4ait /or the ne:t blo4o.t' 5'5' ' It*s only three 4ee-s a4ay' Rest .+?

FE
5LAYI!G A 5ORT I A #EALT#Y WAY $OR WAVERLY OWL TO DEAL WIT# T#EIR AGGRE IO!'

he Waverly s+orts sta// 4as so evil that they (a)e every%one go to s+orts +ractice on

<lac-er .n)ay Acalle) that /or obvio.s reasonsB' Everyone hit the /iel) 4ith stale%(artini breath3 eye sha)o4 still s(eare) on their .++er li)s3 an) +in- tong.es3 co.rtesy o/ t4o big s4igs o/ 5e+to to cal( their g.rgling sto(achs' Callie sat on the hoc-ey bench 4ith her hea) bet4een her legs' he ha) a hic-ey on her nec-3 an) she 4as certain it 4asn*t /ro( Easy' he*) trie) to cover it 4ith her ,oey !e4 Yor- con% cealer stic-3 b.t the big +.r+le 4elt 4as still there' Really3 she /elt too shitty to care' he 4ante) to c.rl bac- .+ .n)er her )o.ble%thic- cash(ere blan-et an) s.c- her th.(b' he eye) ,enny an) <rett sitting on the grass3 stretching3 loo-ing as i/ they ha)n*t ha) a si+ o/ alcohol last night' ince 4hen 4ere they s.ch goo) /rien)s8 2rs' (ail ble4 her 4histle an) calle) the girls .+ to scri((age' O/ all things to )o at a +ostG<lac- at.r)ay +arty +ractice3 they 4ere act.ally going to play8 Why co.l)n*t everyone )o a co.+le o/ la+s an) go bac- to be)8 7Callie Vernon3 <rett 2essersch(i)t3 yo.*ll +lay centers39 2rs' (ail instr.cte)' A collective gas+ rose .+ /ro( the bench' Everyone*s hea)s s4ivele) bac- an) /orth3 /ro( Callie*s blon) +onytail to <rett*s /ire%re) bob' Callie heave) hersel/ .+ /ro( the bench3 /eeling bloate) an) )isg.sting' he 4atche) <rett stor( o// to the (i))le o/ the /iel)' $r.stration 4elle) .+ insi)e o/ her again' #o4 dare <rett not tell her abo.t 2r' Dalton? As soon as 2rs' (ail )ro++e) the s(all silver ball3 <rett 4hac-e) it3 /ollo4ing thro.gh so ro.ghly she hit Callie*s le/t shin g.ar)' Callie bac-e) .+ in +ain an) anger' he tore a/ter <rett3 4ho 4as no4 a /e4 ste+s ahea) o/ her3 )ribbling the ball' The so) 4as (.shy .n)er her /eet3 an) her blac- an) 4hite !i-e cleats ).g /iercely into the gro.n)' <rett*s s-irt rose so that yo. co.l) see the botto( o/ her TU (aroon bloo(ers an) her s-inny b.tt' Callie ca.ght .+ to her an) st.c- her stic- in bet4een <rett an) the ball' Then <rett*s han)s t4iste) an) she 4hac-e) the ball 4ith the ro.n)e) si)e o/ her hoc-ey stic-3 sen)ing it careening a4ay /ro( Callie3 to4ar) one o/ the (i)/iel)ers on <rett*s tea(' 7$o.l?9 Callie screa(e)3 sto++ing in her trac-s' 72rs' (ail? That 4as a /o.l?9 7I )i)n*t see it39 2rs' (ail res+on)e)' 7&ee+ +laying'9 he gest.re) to the other girls3 4ho ha) ta-en the ball an) s4e+t it )o4n to4ar) one o/ the goals' 7,es.s Christ?9 Callie thre4 her stic- to the gro.n) in )isg.st' 7 he hit the ball 4ith the 4rong si)e o/ the stic-?9 7Whatever39 2rs' (ail sai)' 7It*s only +ractice3 an) I )i)n*t see it'9 Callie t.rne) to <rett3 eyes narro4e)' 7They )on*t teach /iel) hoc-ey in !e4 ,ersey3 )o they89 Callie 4atche) as <rett*s (il-y%4hite s-in t.rne) 4hiter' 7Go to hell39 <rett /inally (.ttere)' 7Ooh3 the big co(ebac- /ro( class +re/ect3 <rett 2essersch(i)t' I tho.ght yo. ha) great )ebate s-ills? I tho.ght yo. co.l) tal- yo.r 4ay o.t o/ anything?9 7Girls39 2rs' (ail 4arne)' 75lay' <rett3 yo.r tea( 0.st score) a goal'9 <rett ste++e) aro.n) 2rs' (ail to /ace Callie' 7What is it3 Callie8 What*s the h.ge thing yo. have against (e8 I/ anything3 I*( the one 4ho sho.l) be angry at yo.;not the other 4ay aro.n)?9 7Oh3 yeah8 Why*s that89

7<eca.se yo.*re a (ani+.lative bitch3 that*s 4hy?9 <rett screa(e)' The other +layers gas+e)' 2rs' (ail trie) to ste+ bet4een the(3 b.t Callie shot her a loo- o/ 4arning that sai)3 &tay away' 2rs' (ail t.rne) an) began 4al-ing bris-ly to4ar) the /iel) ho.se' Callie t.rne) to <rett' 7Yo. ta-e that bac-' I*( not (ani+.lative'9 <rett bar-e) o.t a la.gh' 7!o8 o 4hat*s this 4hole ,enny%an)%Easy thing abo.t8 #o4 is that not (ani+.lation89 he shot a loo- over at ,enny3 4ho 4as stan)ing +er/ectly still3 stic+oise)3 4atching the( /ro( her (i)/iel) +osition' Callie glance) at ,enny too' Great' ,.st great' A co((ent li-e that 4o.l)n*t hel+ s4ay ,enny to stic- .+ /or her at DC' he glo4ere) at <rett' 7Yo. )on*t -no4 anything'9 7I )on*t have to -no4 anything39 <rett shot bac-' 7I -no4 yo. an) ho4 yo. o+erate' $ro( 4hat yo. )i) to Tinsley'9 7Tinsley8?89 Callie*s (o.th )ro++e) o+en' 7That*s right'9 <rett*s voice 4as h.she)' he ste++e) closer to her /or(er /rien)3 so close that their noses 4ere al(ost to.ching' 7Why )on*t yo. 0.st co(e clean8 Yo. set Tinsley .+ to ta-e the ra+' Yo. (a)e it so yo. 4o.l)n*t get in any tro.ble'9 Oh3 this 4as so(ething' 7I set it .+8 Who*s to say you )i)n*t set it .+89 Callie yelle)' Tears s+rang to her eyes' 7I )i)n*t even tal) to Tinsley be/ore she le/t? I 4as calle) into DC3 I le/t3 an) she 4as alrea)y gone?9 7Oh3 yeah' That*s a goo) one;9 7Why 4o.l) I set Tinsley .+8 We 4ere /rien)s?9 <rett ste++e) bac- an) glare) at Callie con/.se)ly' They both stare) at each other /or a /e4 long secon)s be/ore <rett*s sho.l)ers rela:e) a bit' 7Yo.*re serio.s3 aren*t yo.89 Callie no))e) /iercely' 7An) yo. thin- that I got Tinsley in tro.ble89 7Well I )i)n*t3 so you (.st have39 Callie e:+laine)3 b.t <rett co.l) hear her resolve 4ea-ening' 7I )i)n*t have a chance to tal- to Tinsley3 either' he 4as gone be/ore I co.l)'9 Callie loo-e) )o4n' 7Really89 7Yes'9 The other +layers hel) their breath' 7I )on*t get it39 <rett s.r(ise)' 7Tinsley 0.st ' ' ' too- the bla(e /or .s3 on her o4n89 7I g.ess' <.t 4hy 4o.l) she )o that89 7!o cl.e'9 Callie began to la.gh' 7That*s really /.c-e) .+'9 <rett slo4ly began to giggle too' 7Go)3 I totally tho.ght yo. )i) it'9 7An) I tho.ght you )i) it?9 7I tho.ght yo. 4ere going to trans/er roo(s on (e3 0.st to avoi) having to tal- abo.t Tinsley?9 <ehin) the(3 2rs' (ail ran .+ 4ith 2r' teinberg3 the boy*s soccer coach3 in to4' When she sa4 Callie an) <rett la.ghing an) then h.gging3 she sto++e) short in con/.sion' 7I s4ear they 4ere rea)y to -ill each other'9 7Girls39 2r' teinberg sighe) ho+elessly3 sha-ing his hea)'

FF
A WAVERLY OWL #O"LD <E CARE$"L !OT TO GET <" TED'

rs' (ail ran her /ingers thro.gh her short honey%blon) hair' 7Yo. -no43 4hy )oesn*t

everyone 0.st hit the sho4ers39 she s.ggeste) a/ter a (o(ent' Finally1 <rett /elt li-e she*) 0.st r.n a (arathon3 4hich 4as al4ays ho4 she /elt a/ter vigoro.sly /ighting 4ith so(ebo)y' he 4al-e) slo4ly bac- to the bleachers 4ith Callie3 neither o/ the( s+ea-ing' <.t it 4as a co(/ortable silence3 not a tense one' he thre4 her shin g.ar)s in her #ervD Cha+elier cabas gray nylon bag an) notice) her cell +hone b.>>ing' he ha) a te:t (essage@ Come meet me on my boat when you can1 We need to tal)1 6Eric1 he +.t her hea) in her han)s' That single lingering -iss' #is so/t li+s' The 4ay he*) /inally +.t his ar(s aro.n) her3 +.lling her closer to hi(' The 4ay he s(elle)3 li-e +e++er(int an) cigarettes an) $rench laven)er la.n)ry soa+' The 4ay he*) groane) a little 4hen they sto++e)' he*) /elt so re0ecte) a/ter their -iss yester)ay3 b.t (aybe he*) change) his (in)8 he -ne4 it 4as )angero.s3 b.t 4asn*t li/e abo.t ta-ing ris-s8 he only ho+e) Eric /elt the sa(e 4ay' #e 4as s+ra4le) on a (o)ern 4hite lo.nge chair on the boat*s )ec-3 a bag o/ honey (.star) +ret>els at his si)e3 4hen she arrive)' #e stoo) an) br.she) cr.(bs o// his cris+ chinos' 7#ey'9 7#ey39 she ans4ere)3 stan)ing at the 4ater*s e)ge' he*) 6.ic-ly thro4n on a blac- CKC Cali/ornia tee an) hi+%h.gging <l.e C.lt 0eans3 ho+ing to loo- cas.al an) .nass.(ing3 b.t no4 the o.t/it /elt all 4rong' #er shirt 4as too short an) her +ants 4ere too lo43 so too (.ch o/ her tone) (i)ri// 4in-e) .+ at hi(' It 4as too )DclassD /or Eric' he trie) to cover it .+ 4ith her han)' It )i)n*t hel+ that he loo-e) absol.tely gorgeo.s3 his blon)ish%bro4n hair c.rling against the e)ges o/ his 4hite +olo shirt' 7#ey'9 #e s(ile) )o4n at her' 7#ey again39 <rett sai) 6.ietly' They /ell silent3 loo-ing at each other /ro( a )istance' <rett /elt st.+i);obvio.sly he )i)n*t /eel the sa(e 4ay' #er sto(ach cl.n-e) insi)e o/ her3 irritate) that he 4o.l) (a-e her co(e here to tell her 4hat she alrea)y -ne4@ that they co.l)n*t see each other any(ore3 blah3 blah3 blah' $ine3 big /.c-ing )eal' he 4ante) it to be over 6.ic-ly' An) not ever see hi( again' he co.l) resign /ro( DC' Who care) i/ it loo-e) goo) on yo.r college a++lications8 There 4ere other 4ays to get into <ro4n' 7 o this is 4hat I*ve been thin-ing'9 #e interr.+te) her tho.ghts' 7Yo. have one (ore year here' An) yo.*re seventeen' I*( t4enty%three' That*s li-e3 si: years'9 7"h%h.h39 <rett res+on)e)3 t4isting a +iece o/ ro+e lying on one o/ the )oc-*s +ylons' 7 i: years' Li-e3 4hen 4e*re in o.r t4enties ' ' ' yo.*ll be3 say3 t4enty%t4o3 an) I*ll be t4enty%eight' An) 4hen I*( /i/ty3 yo.*ll be /orty%/o.r'9

<rett snorte)' 7 o 4hat are yo. saying8*9 7I;9 Eric starte)' 7!o o//ense39 <rett retorte) 6.ic-ly3 straightening .+' 7<.t I*( not3 li-e3 hol)ing o.t /or yo. .ntil I*( /orty%/o.r' #o+e/.lly I*ll be 4ith a yo.nger g.y by then'9 Eric stare) at her intensely' 7I )on*t thin- I co.l) 4ait .ntil yo. 4ere /orty%/o.r'9 7Oh39 she re+lie)3 4in)ing the ro+e aro.n) her /inger so tightly that it began c.tting o// the circ.lation' #e stare) at her3 then sighe)' 7Co(e into (y cabin89 <rett +a.se)' he 4asn*t +ositive3 b.t she s.s+ecte) that this 4as abo.t to be the biggest3 (ost i(+ortant (o(ent o/ her li/e so /ar' tan)ing there3 in a cra++y T%shirt an) her cra++iest 0eans3 on a ran)o( .n)ay a/ter /iel) hoc-ey +ractice3 slightly h.ngover3 seventeen years ol)3 a tiny +i(+le on the corner o/ her right chee- that 4as covere) .+ 4ith 2AC concealer3 A5 bio ho(e4or- to )o ' ' ' #er li/e a boring (ess3 other4ise' <.t i/ she 4ante) it to ha++en3 the ne:t (o(ents co.l) change her li/e /orever' 7Yeah3 I g.ess I can )o that'9 he s(ile) 6.ietly to hersel/ an) ran her han)s along the g.i)e rails on the )oc- to cli(b aboar)'

F=
O2ETI2E A WAVERLY OWL 2" T TA&E RI & '

s Callie ro.n)e) the corner to D.(barton3 she sa4 Easy bloc-ing the /ront )oor4ay' #er

/irst instinct 4as to t.rn in the other )irection an) go bac- to the +laying /iel)s' <.t Easy sa4 her' 7Wait'9 #e starte) )o4n the concrete ste+s' 7Co(e bac-'9 Callie t.rne) rel.ctantly aro.n)' he /lashe) bac- to bl.rry i(ages o/ the +arty last night@ a (ess o/ te6.ila bottles3 #eath*s .gly Celtic tattoo3 Easy +ee-ing o.t /ro( the )oor bea)s3 #eath*s 0.venile /ollo4%.+ e%(ail' Ever since the beginning o/ the year3 everyone ha) been (a-ing /.n o/ ho4 #eath +onie) all the girlsT an) s.re3 she*) been )r.n-3 angry 4ith <rett3 an) even angrier at Easy3 b.t 4hy ha) she let #eath +ony her3 too8 7#ey39 she ans4ere) gr.//ly' 7 o' Yo. have /.n last night89 he as-e)3 his eyebro4s raise)' 7I*( sorry'9 he /la++e) her han)s against her (aroon an) bl.e +lai) hoc-ey -ilt' 7Abo.t the ' ' ' yo. -no4' The thing' It 4as st.+i)' A )rin-ing ga(e'9 7It )e/initely ca.ght (e o// g.ar)'9 Easy sh.//le) his /oot against a +ebble on the 4al-4ay' eeing Easy a4-4ar) li-e this (a)e Callie (elt'

7That 4as a 4eir) +arty'9 he loo-e) )o4n' Easy )i)n*t ans4er' 7They 4eren*t li-e that last year39 Callie 4ent on' 7They 4ere 0.st /.n'9 he sat )o4n on the ste+s an) +resse) her -nees together3 /ighting bac- an over4hel(ing .rge to s6.ee>e her eyes sh.t' 7I 0.st 4ant things 4ith .s to be li-e last year3 too' We ha) so (.ch /.n'9 7Yeah39 Easy sai) so/tly' 7What*s ha++ene) 4ith .s89 7I )on*t -no4'9 72aybe 4e co.l) get it bac-'9 Callie raise) her hea) ho+e%/.lly' 72aybe i/ 4e 0.st3 I )on*t -no4' Go so(e4here o// ca(+.s an) tal-' o(e4here 4here nobo)y else is' Any4here yo. 4ant' I*ll even go ri)ing 4ith yo.39 she a))e) i(+.lsively' Easy .se) to al4ays try to get her to ri)e 4ith hi( an) she never ha)' 7Yo. 4o.l)89 7I/ they )on*t boot (e o.t o/ here3 yeah'9 he shi/te) on the ste+' 7I still )on*t -no4 4hat ,enny*s going to )o' I (ean3 I )on*t thin- she 4ants to tell on (e3 b.t she )oesn*t 4ant to get in tro.ble'9 Easy stare) at his snea-ers' 7I )on*t thin- ,enny should get in tro.ble'9 7Yeah3 yo.*ve (entione) that'9 Callie hear) the e)ge in her o4n voice' 7I thin- yo. sho.l) ta-e the bla(e' ,enny has nothing to )o 4ith this'9 7I/ I ta-e the bla(e3 I*ll be e:+elle)' Yo. 4ant that89 Easy shoo- his hea)' 7!o' I ' ' ' I )on*t -no4' I/ only there 4as a 4ay /or neither o/ yo. to get in tro.ble' ' ' '9 7I )on*t get it'9 Callie stare) at hi(' 7Why )o yo. care so (.ch 4hether or not she gets in tro.ble8 Yo. g.ys )i)n*t even -no4 each other .ntil I ' ' '9 .))enly3 it 4as as i/ a lightb.lb ha) gone o// over her hea)' What <ran)on ha) tol) her a/ter the +reG<lac- at.r)ay +arty' The 4riting on ,enny*s ar(' #eath*s gossi+y e%(ail;two people loo)ing lovingly into each other s eyes' They 4ere both so o+en to /lirting 4ith each other 4hen Callie as-e) the( to' Easy li-e) ,enny' !ot beca.se Callie ha) tol) hi( to li-e her3 either' <eca.se he really )i)' Callie shove) her th.(b into her (o.th an) t.rne) a4ay so that he co.l)n*t see the e:+ression on her /ace' Easy 4atche) her as she t.rne)3 4on)ering 4hat she 4as thin-ing' #o4 co.l) he save both ,enny an) Callie8 The only thing he co.l) thin- o/ (ight +.t his o4n +lace at Waverly in 0eo+ar)y' Was he (an eno.gh to )o that8 Callie t.rne) aro.n) again' 7I g.ess 4hatever ha++ens ha++ens'9 7Who -no4s' They still (ight -ic- (e o.t'9 he 4as 6.iet /or a secon)' 7I 4ish I co.l) 0.st3 li-e3 t.rn bac- ti(e'9 Easy lai) his han) over Callie*s' 7I -no439 he res+on)e)3 thin-ing' This ' ' ' 4hatever it 4as ' ' ' 4ith ,enny;it /elt too big /or hi( to .n)erstan)' An) (aybe too scary' Loo-ing at Callie3 sitting on the ste+s in her /iel) hoc-ey -ilt an) a/ter%+ractice /li+%/lo+s3 her hair +.lle) bac- in a (essy +onytail an) 4itho.t a stitch o/ (a-e.+3 she loo-e) li-e a -i)' !ot a 4orl)ly3 /.ll%o/% e(otion a).lt' he 4as s4eet an) sa/e an) so(ething he .n)erstoo)' #e hate) to thin- o/ leaving her; 4hether that (eant leaving her /or ,enny or leaving Waverly co(+letely' 72aybe I can (a-e that ha++en39 he sai)3 s6.ee>ing his /ingers aro.n) hers'

FI
WAVERLY OWL #O"LD TRY !OT TO LET T#EIR <OY$RIE!D CATC# T#E2 WIT# A!OT#ER G"Y'

n ho.r later3 <rett 4al-e) bac- )o4n the gang+lan-3 h.gging hersel/3 her (in) reeling /ro(

4hat she*) 0.st )one' Eric Dalton ha) ta-en o// her clothes an) -isse) her every%4here' Then he*) ta-en his o4n clothes o// slo4ly3 as i/ he 4ere in a stri+ cl.b' <rett ha) never seen a g.y ta-e his clothes o// in the daylight' #e*) -e+t his eyes on her the 4hole ti(e' They*) (assage) each other an) /oole) aro.n) an) then3 0.st 4hen things 4ere going to go ' ' ' /.rther3 she*) s.))enly tol) hi( she nee)e) so(e /resh air' <eing 4ith Eric 4as (ore than she ha) e:+ecte)' 2ore than her /antasy abo.t hi( ha) been' It /elt over4hel(ing' An) not necessarily entirely in a goo) 4ay' he nee)e) to thin-' An) then3 4ho )i) she see stan)ing at the en) o/ the )oc-8 $.c-' 7There she is39 ,ere(iah (.ttere) to hi(sel/' 7I tho.ght yo. 4eren*t into sailing'9 There 4ere h.ge circles .n)er his eyes' #e 4as 4earing 0eans an) a 4hite T%shirt that sai) C<G< O2$"G3 that +.n- cl.b in 2anhattan*s East Village3 an) he 4as carrying a giant L'L' <ean ).//el bag 4ith his initials e(broi)ere) into one si)e' <rett /elt a stab o/ g.ilt; so(ething abo.t ,ere(iah3 to.gh an) cool3 toting aro.n) a bag that no )o.bt his (o((y ha) gotten (onogra((e) /or hi(3 see(e) really v.lnerable an) s4eet' 7Oh' #ey'9 7#ey89 ,ere(iah shoo- his hea)' 7That*s all yo. can say3 *ey89 7Well39 <rett trie) to 4al- +ast hi(3 b.t he sto++e) her 4ith his ar(' #is han) gri++e) her bice+ tightly' $or a s+lit secon) she 4as a little a/rai) an) loo-e) bac- to the boat /or hel+' Then she reali>e);this 4as ,ere(iah' he 4renche) hersel/ /ro( his gras+' 7Don*t to.ch (e li-e that? Di)n*t yo. get (y (essage89 7What3 so yo. brea- .+ 4ith so(ebo)y on a voice (ail89 he yelle) bac-' 7That*s real classy' I tho.ght yo. 4ere better than that'9 <rett )i)n*t 4ant to have this o.t right in /ront o/ Eric*s boat;Eric3 4ho ha) .n)resse) very slo4ly' Eric3 4ho ha) to.che) her )e/tly an) (at.rely3 not in the /.(bling3 grabby 4ay boys her age )i)' Eric3 4ho ha)n*t gotten (a) 4hen <rett covere) hersel/ 4ith the Ral+h La.ren +aisley sheets an) sai) they sho.l) sto+' he starte) 4al-ing )o4n the +ath bac- to ca(+.s' 7$ine'9 he t.rne) bac-' 7I*( brea-ing .+ 4ith yo. in +erson3 then' Yo. ha++y89 7I )on*t s.++ose yo. co.l) give (e any /.c-ing reasons3 co.l) yo.89 7 .re39 <rett sco//e)' 7Di) yo. really thin- this 4as serio.s8 There' That*s one'9 ,ere(iah sto++e)' #is eyes 4ere all +.//y an) re)' It loo-e) as i/ he ha)n*t gone to be) yet' 7Yeah' I did thin- 4e 4ere serio.s' Why else 4o.l) I as- yo. to co(e to Cali/ornia 4ith (e89 7Well ' ' '9 he stare) at the gro.n)'

7<.t obvio.sly there*s so(ebo)y else39 he vent.re)' 7I 4as tol) to loo- /or yo. here' This is so(e g.y*s boat3 right8 Yo. 4ere 4ith so(e g.y )o4n there3 on his boat3 in his cabin8 C*(on3 <rett' That*s a little trashy3 )on*t yo. thin-89 <rett +ric-le) an) narro4e) her eyes' As i/ he 4ere one to tal- abo.t lo4 class3 .sing that st.+i) to4nie accent? Then it hit her' 7Wait3 4ho tol) yo. I*) be here89 ,ere(iah shr.gge)' 7Why )oes it (atter89 #e reache) into his bac-+ac- an) +.lle) o.t a +ac- o/ Ca(el Lights' 7The +oint is3 so(ebo)y tol) (e3 an) yo. (a)e it really clear' o /.c- it' It*s yo.r loss'9 #e t.rne) an) lo+e) bac- .+ to the green3 an .nlit cigarette )angling /ro( his (o.th' 7Wait39 <rett calle) hoarsely' A strea- o/ nerves ran thro.gh her' 7Who tol) yo. I*) be;89 <.t he 4as too /ar a4ay to hear3 an) she )i)n*t 4ant to yell' he t.rne) bac- an) stare) )o4n at the )oc-s' Eric*s boat bobbe) +laci)ly on the 4ater3 as i/ it ha)n*t 0.st al(ost been 4itness to the (ost li/e%changing (o(ent o/ <rett*s e:istence' With a /e4 short ste+s3 she co.l) go bac- )o4n there an) cli(b bac- into be) ne:t to Eric' They co.l) )rin- 4ine an) tal- abo.t things an) he co.l) (a-e her /eel better abo.t everything' Then she co.l) have se: 4ith hi(3 /or her /irst ti(e ever' <.t she co.l)n*t' An) she 4asn*t s.re 4hy'

FM
A! #O!E T OWL I A WAVERLY OWL'

n 2on)ay (orning3 ,enny sat at the large3 ro.n) oa- table in Dean 2ary(o.nt*s o//ice3 a

/e4 (in.tes into her Disci+linary Co((ittee (eeting' The roo( s(elle) li-e a co(bination o/ ol) boo-s an) ne4 +aint' Easy sat only a /e4 chairs a4ayT <rett3 Ryan3 Celine3 an) the other DC (e(bers3 as 4ell as 2r' 5ar)ee3 2r' Dalton3 an) Dean 2ary(o.nt3 sat in a line on the other si)e o/ the table3 their han)s /ol)e) an) their eyes /i:e) care/.lly on her' <eca.se it 4as DC (e(bers only3 Callie 4asn*t allo4e) to be at the hearing' ,enny +ict.re) Callie nervo.sly s(o-ing a 4hole +ac- o/ cigarettes insi)e D.(barton right no43 in antici+ation o/ the ver)ict' On the 4all across /ro( ,enny 4ere silver%/ra(e) +aintings create) by Waverly*s gra).ating classes3 1LNI thro.gh +resent' They 4ere han)+rints3 in )i//erent +oster%+aint colors3 each /ootnote) 4ith the st.)ent*s na(e' Even Waverly st.)ents* han)s ha) a 4ealthy loo- abo.t the(' he 4on)ere) 4hat hers 4o.l) loo- li-e .+ there 4ith the others' Then she 4on)ere) i/ she*) be at Waverly long eno.gh to even to +.t her han)+rint on her class*s +ainting'

Tal- abo.t )o4n to the 4ire' he still ha)n*t )eci)e) 4hat she 4as going to say in DC yet3 an) no4 it 4as ti(e' 2ary(o.nt3 loo-ing es+ecially s.b.rban in a navy argyle s4eater vest .n)er his (aroon Waverly bla>er an) his gol) 4ire%ri((e) ro.n) glasses3 lic-e) his /inger to t.rn the +age o/ his steno +a)' 7O-ay' 2r' 5ar)ee3 the notes here say that 2r' Walsh 4as ca.ght in 2iss #.(+hrey*s roo(' They 4ere tal-ing3 an) 2r' Walsh 4as nearly na-e)' That*s correct89 7That*s right39 con/ir(e) 2r' 5ar)ee' 7I ca.ght the(3 an) it loo-e) as i/ so(e se:.al activity ha) ta-en +lace'9 #e loo-e) )o4n at the table then3 color rising on his nec-' ,enny bit the insi)e o/ her chee-' 2ary(o.nt s4.ng his ga>e over to ,enny' 72iss #.(+hrey89 This was it' Ti(e to either sell o.t Callie3 or sell o.t hersel/ an) her ne4 li/e' he too- a )ee+ breath3 even tho.gh she ha) no i)ea 4hat she 4as abo.t to say' 7It 4as all (y /a.lt'9 Everyone in the roo( t.rne) to Easy' #e cleare) his throat' 7E:c.se (e89 2ary(o.nt as-e)' 7It 4as all (y /a.lt39 he re+eate)' 7 ee3 I 4as loo-ing /or Callie' I*) been aslee+3 in (y bo:ers3 an) I 4ent over li-e that' I 4an)ere) into their roo(3 b.t Callie 4asn*t there' o I starte) tal-ing to ,enny3 b.t she in no 4ay invite) (e in' That*s 4hen 5ar)ee ca.ght .s' It (ight have loo-e) li-e ,enny an) I 4ere together3 b.t 4e 4eren*t' he really ha) nothing to )o 4ith this'9 ,enny*s (o.th /ell o+en' 7I sat on her be)39 he 4ent on' 7 he )i)n*t as- (e to' I 0.st 4ent ahea) an) )i) it'9 2ary(o.nt ran his han) thro.gh his thinning san)y hair' 7Do yo. reali>e the re+erc.ssions o/ that8 The ina++ro+riateness89 7Yeah'9 Easy h.ng his hea)' ,enny bit her li+ an) sat on her han)s' The st.)ent +art o/ the co((ittee stare) at her blan-ly3 their /aces co(+letely )evoi) o/ e(otion' 2ost li-ely beca.se everyone 4as still h.n% gover /ro( at.r)ay night' Altho.gh she 4as trying her har)est to be .ne(otional3 insi)e3 she /elt li-e a (al/.nctioning +inball (achine' he 4as o// the hoo-3 b.t no4 Easy 4as in (a0or tro.ble' What i/ he got -ic-e) o.t8 Wo.l) everyone bla(e her8 2ore i(+ortant3 )i) ,enny rislosing the /irst boy she (ight even ' ' ' love8* 2ary(o.nt straightene) .+ an) rolle) his -n.c-les on the )es-' 72iss #.(+hrey8 This is 4hat ha++ene)89 ,enny no))e) slightly' It 4as tr.e3 a/ter all' ort o/' 7Well3 even so3 this isn*t the best 4ay to start o// the year3 es+ecially 4ith yo.r cheer at the /iel) hoc-ey ga(e' I 4ant yo. to re+ort to (y o//ice ne:t 4ee-'9 2ary(o.nt /ro4ne)' 7I thin4e*ll have to /ig.re o.t so(ething to -ee+ yo. o.t o/ tro.ble'9 ,enny no))e)' 7O-ay'9 2ary(o.nt t.rne) bac- to Easy' 7,.st so 4e*re clear' 2r' Walsh3 yo.*re ta-ing all the bla(e /or this89 Easy too- a )ee+ breath' #e*) )rea(e) o/ this (o(ent3 the very secon) they actually -ic-e) hi( o.t o/ Waverly' o(e4here insi)e o/ hi( it ha) al4ays /elt sort o/ inevitable' #e*) i(agine) 4hat he*) say3 4hat he*) be 4earing' #e*) cra>ily i(agine) that he*) have on this re) 2ighty 2or+hin 5o4er Rangers o.t/it he ha) as a -i) an) 4o.l) 4ave aro.n) one o/ his )a)*s .nloa)e) vintage ri/les3 0.st to /rea- the( o.t a little' #e*) have his oversi>e) Terminator Dolce K Gabbana s.n%glasses on his /orehea)' #e*) tell all the Waverly sta// +recisely 4hat he tho.ght o/ the( an) then he*) cli(b on Cre)o an) ri)e o// into the s.nset'

<.t things never ha++ene) as yo. i(agine) the(' !o4 he bro-e o.t in a col) s4eat in his 4hite <roo-s <rothers b.tton%)o4n an) (aroon +resse) Waverly 0ac-et' #e tho.ght o/ all the st.// he*) (iss i/ they boote) hi( o.t' The o4ls' The 4ay the s.n set orange an) +.r+le over the #.)son' #is /avorite staine) glass 4in)o4 in the cha+el' 5laying soccer 4ith Alan 4hen they )i)n*t /eel li-e st.)ying' The ca/eteria*s cherry +ie an) the cheer/.l ca/eteria 4or-er 2abel3 4ho 4as /ro( a little to4n near Le:ington' Callie' ,enny' #e*) (iss everything he sa4 in ,enny' 7Well89 2ary(o.nt +ro(+te) again' 7Yes'9 #e no))e)' 7I a('9 7Well3 then39 2ary(o.nt contin.e) in a s(all3 )isa++ointe) voice' 7Co((ittee3 )o 4e /in) 2r' Walsh g.ilty8 All in /avor89 <rett3 2r' Dalton3 2r' 5ar)ee3 an) <enny raise) their han)s' The /resh(an an) so+ho(ore DC co((ittee (e(bers shr.gge) a+ologetically b.t raise) their han)s too' $inally3 Alan rel.ctantly raise) his han)3 an) so )i) the t4o senior girl (e(bers' A )rea)/.l +a.se h.ng over the air as 2ary(o.nt s.rveye) each o/ the DC (e(bers* han)s' Easy stare) at the /loor' $inally 2ary(o.nt sighe)' 7All right' This is 4hat 4e*re going to )o' 2r' Walsh3 this is yo.r absol.te last 4arning' We*re going to +.t yo. on +robation' Again' T4o 4ee-s' Yo. can*t go to the stables .nless there*s an e(ergency 4ith yo.r horse' !o to4n +rivileges3 an) no visitation +rivileges' Yo.*ll go to cha+el3 to class3 an) to (eals3 b.t that*s it'9 #e -e+t tal-ing3 b.t nobo)y co.l) hear hi(' Alan3 <enny3 an) the t4o senior girls let o.t collective3 grate/.l sighs' <rett s6.ea-e) bac- in her chair an) crosse) her ar(s over her chest3 trying not to s(ile' 7Wait39 ,enny 4his+ere) to no one in +artic.lar' 7What*s ha++ening89 7It (eans the ol) bastar)*s letting (e stay39 Easy (.r(.re)' <.t in his voice3 she co.l) tell ho4 gla) he 4as' An) /ro( the (eaning/.l loo- he gave her3 ,enny tho.ght (aybe3 0.st (aybe3 it ha) so(ething to )o 4ith her'

FO
LOT O$ WAVERLY OWL CA! <E $A<"LO" ' ' ' <"T O!LY O!E CA! <E IT'

<

rett ri/le) thro.gh her gray nylon #ervD /iel) hoc-ey bag an) +.lle) o.t a si:teen%o.nce

bottle o/ Gosling r.(' 7We have to celebrate39 she anno.nce) )ra(atically' The three girls sat

e:ha.ste) on the /loor o/ D.(barton )or( roo( F1F3 ,enny an) <rett /ro( the stress o/ DC3 Callie /ro( the stress o/ not being at DC' ,enny 4atche) as <rett +o.re) r.( slo4ly into each o/ their chi++e) Crate K <arrel highball glasses' he -in) o/ /elt li-e she ha) at the <lac- at.r)ay +arty;4ar(3 gooey3 an) incl.)e)' This 4as 4hat she*) )rea(e) li/e at Waverly 4o.l) be li-e3 an) no4 it 4as real' #er )rea(s ha) co(e tr.e' At least3 she /elt that 4ith <rett' Callie still see(e) a little col)' .re3 as soon as ,enny ha) co(e bac- in the roo( an) tol) Callie the ne4s3 she*) 6.ic-ly r.n over an) given ,enny a h.ge h.g3 saying ho4 eternally grate/.l she 4as that she ha)n*t na(e) her' <.t there 4as still so(e .n/inishe) b.siness bet4een the(' 7To the ne4 year at Waverly39 <rett toaste)' They clin-e) glasses' 7An)39 Callie inter0ecte)3 7to .s +.tting this 4hole Tinsley thing behin) .s'9 7Right39 <rett agree)' 7I )i)n*t even -no4 that 4as .+setting yo. g.ys so (.ch39 ,enny vent.re)' 7It*s a long story'9 7There 4ere r.(ors39 Callie e:+laine)' 75eo+le 4ere tal-ing abo.t 4hy Tinsley 4as -ic-e) o.t' o(e sai) I )i) it3 others sai) <rett )i)' !either o/ .s -ne4 4hat to believe'9 7 +ea-ing o/ r.(ors39 <rett began' ,enny notice) that <rett*s eyes 4ere tinge) +in-3 an) her /ingernails3 nor(ally +olishe) an) b.//e) to +er/ection3 4ere bitten )o4n to n.bs' 7"(3 )i) either o/ yo. hear anything abo.t (e an) Eric Dalton89 7!o39 Callie ans4ere) a little too 6.ic-ly' ,enny gave her a +.>>le) loo-' <rett rolle) her eyes' 7I (ean3 I -no4 yo. both -no4' Any4ay3 I*ve been having this ' ' ' this thing 4ith 2r' Dalton'9 7Di) yo. slee+ 4ith hi(89 Callie as-e)' 7!o' <.t I al(ost )i)'9 They 4ere silent /or a (o(ent' 7<.t3 .(3 ,ere(iah ca.ght (e co(ing o// his boat yester)ay39 <rett contin.e) evenly3 +.shing her hair behin) her ear' ,enny notice) a h.ge hic-ey on her nec-' 7An) I*( 4on)ering ho4 he -ne4 I*) be there'9 ,enny (ashe) her li+s together an) notice) Callie 4as )oing the sa(e thing' he ha)n*t sai) a 4or) to anyone3 b.t Callie certainly ha)' Altho.gh ' ' ' ho4 ha) Callie /o.n) o.t8 Di) <rett thin- she ha) tol) on her8 7I ha) no i)ea39 Callie re+eate)3 not loo-ing at <rett )irectly' 7O-ay39 <rett (.ttere)' 7Are yo. o-ay89 ,enny as-e)' 7With 2r' Dalton an) everything89 <rett shr.gge)' he 4asn*t s.re 4hat to say' he 4ishe) she co.l) be (ore a).lt an) tell the( the tr.th3 that 4hile she*) been 4atching Eric .n)ress3 she*) act.ally (isse) the 4ay boys her age 4ith /.(ble) aro.n) nervo.sly3 getting tangle) in their clothes3 li-e they co.l)n*t believe their l.c-3 being 4ith a girl li-e <rett' Eric*s obvio.s e:+erience ha) /rea-e) her o.t' he 4ishe) she co.l) go bac- to hi( an) con/i)ently say3 *ey, big boy, ta)e me now' <.t she co.l)n*t' he 4asn*t rea)y' O/ co.rse3 she 4ante) to tell Callie an) ,enny all o/ that3 b.t she*) tol) Callie that she*) lost her virginity years ago to that 4iss boy in Gstaa)' What 4o.l) she thin- i/ <rett a)(itte) the tr.th no48 The girls silently si++e) their )rin-s3 4aiting /or <rett to res+on)' ,enny leane) bac-' he /elt l.c-y' he 4asn*t Easy*s girl%/rien)3 b.t she -ne4 that i/ anything en)e) .+ ha++ening bet4een

the(3 it 4o.l)n*t /eel 4rong at all' It 4o.l) /eel e:actly right' !o4 i/ only Callie 4o.l) get bactogether 4ith <ran)on' ' ' ' 7#ey'9 Callie bro-e the silence' 7I have an i)ea'9 he scra(ble) to her /eet an) ran o.t o/ the roo(' H.ic-ly3 she ret.rne) hol)ing a thic-3 re)3 leather%bo.n) boo-' It sai) WAVERLY OWL 3 E111' 7The lo.nge has these )ating bac- to the /i/ties'9 7An ol) yearboo-89 <rett as-e)' 7We*re not in this one yet'9 7!o3 b.t 2r' Dalton is'9 Callie s(ile) 4ryly' 7Oh (y Go)3 o+en it39 ,enny e:clai(e)' They o+ene) the boo- to seniors3 then 43 /or 4alton' There he 4as3 in a gra).ation t.:3 4ith that sa(e3 I*(%.+%to%so(e%thing%b.t%yo.*ll%never%/in)%o.t s(ile' #e )i) loo- /ive years yo.nger b.t still every bit as c.te' They stare) at it in silence' 7I tho.ght (aybe 4e*) /in) o.t he 4as a h.ge )or- 4ho 4as obsesse) 4ith 5lay tation an) ha) a 4hole b.nch o/ >its39 Callie a)(itte) sole(nly' 7I tho.ght that (ight hel+'9 he shr.gge)3 7That )e/initely )oesn*t a++ear to be the case'9 75lease39 ,enny co.ntere)' 7All 4e have to )o is /in) his /resh(an yearboo-' I g.arantee he loo-e) li-e a total /rea-' I (ean3 everybo)y loo-s )or-y 4hen they*re a /resh(an'9 7Even yo.89 Callie as-e) goo)%nat.re)ly' 7Oh3 no' I 4as never a )or-' Yo. sho.l) see (y +ict.res /ro( seventh gra)e' I ha) this Ol) !avy /leece thing ha++ening' It 4as totally hot'9 7E4'9 Callie la.ghe)' 7Yeah' When yo. (eet (y )a)3 he*ll )e/initely sho4 yo. +ict.res'9 <rett hit her 4ith a +illo4' 7Yo.*re so 4eir)'9 ,enny starte) giggling an) hit <rett bac-' A /eather shot o.t o/ the +illo4 an) lan)e) on Callie*s stic-y 2AC%li+%gloss%coate) li+3 ca.sing ,enny to la.gh even har)er' 2aybe it 4as the r.(3 b.t she /elt (anic' .))enly3 there 4as a -noc- on the )oor' The girls /ro>e' 7The r.(39 Callie 4his+ere)' 7"n)er the be)'9 They scra(ble) to hi)e the c.+s an)3 in their h.rry3 even hi) the E111 yearboo-' Callie /l.ng the )oor o+en to see 2ary(o.nt3 Angelica 5ar)ee3 an) 2r' 5ar)ee3 all cro4)e) by the 4oo)en threshol)' #h God3 ,enny tho.ght' They ve changed their minds1 We re all getting e3pelled anyway1 &hit, shit, shit' 7This roo( is )e/initely big eno.gh /or /o.r39 Angelica (.se)3 loo-ing aro.n)' 7All 4e*) nee) is an e:tra be)39 2r' 5ar)ee a))e)' 7There*s alrea)y a /ree )es-'9 Callie3 ,enny3 an) <rett loo-e) at one another' Four% 7"(3 can 4e hel+ yo.89 <rett as-e)' he trie) to -ee+ her (o.th as close) as +ossible 4hile she tal-e)3 so the teachers 4o.l)n*t s(ell her r.((y breath' 7Girls39 2ary(o.nt anno.nce)3 7I have so(e interesting ne4s that I thin- yo.*ll be ha++y abo.t'9 7What89 Callie 4as +er+le:e)' 7Yo.*re stic-ing another girl in here 4ith .s89 7!ot 0.st another girl'9 2r' 5ar)ee s(ile)' 7Yo.r ol) /rien) Tinsley'9 All three roo((ates /ell silent' Callie an) <rett stare) at each other3 eyes 4i)ening' ,enny*s eyes )arte) bac- an) /orth3 bet4een the(' Tinsley% 7Wait39 Callie s6.ea-e)' 7What are yo. saying89 7Yo. hear) .s39 2ary(o.nt boo(e)' 7The /ac.lty has )eci)e) to reinstate Tinsley'9 7An) she*s (oving bac- in ' ' ' here89

7That*s right'9 7Wo439 4as all <rett co.l) say' The other girls no))e)' 7,ee+ers39 ,enny a))e)' -eepers +retty (.ch sai) it all'

CallieVernon: Yo.*re 0.st across the roo(3 b.t I )on*t 4ant ,enny to hear 4hat I have to say' Brett'esserschmidt: O-ay3 shoot' CallieVernon: I )on*t -no4 i/ there*s roo( on this ca(+.s /or Tinsley an) ,enny' Brett'esserschmidt: What )o yo. (ean8 CallieVernon: I -no4 yo. -no4 4hat I (ean' Brett'esserschmidt: O-ay3 yeah3 they both have that ' ' ' so(ething' <.t (aybe they*ll be <$$8 CallieVernon: Or scratch each other*s eyes o.t' Brett'esserschmidt: It*s going to be an interesting year ' ' ' CallieVernon: I*ll say' Brett'esserschmidt: #o4 )o . thin- Tinsley got bac- in3 any4ay8 CallieVernon: 2aybe she gave 2ary(o.nt a la+ )ance ' ' ' I hear he li-es that' Brett'esserschmidt: Yo.*re so )irty' CallieVernon: <.t that*s 4hy yo. love (e? Brett'esserschmidt: I )o' $or no43 any4ay ' ' '