n hour later I paused on Bolton’s front steps, dreading what awaited me inside the doors.

Jason was in my first period class. Last night I’d ditched him, with all his friends watching. Not to mention that I’d knocked him silly.

Would he be furious? What would he say? The encounter promised to be super-awkward.

Bolton’s hallways always hum with gossip. Normally I manage to avoid the limelight. Not likely this time. The story of the Pink Monster was sure to top the playlist.

I caught a break. Lecture in biology. Our lab group wouldn’t meet. Lucky. Given Chance’s flirtatious comments, I wanted to see Hannah even less than Jason.

And I still hadn’t completed my DNA comparisons. Due tomorrow.

Jason’s attention strayed to my desk several times. I kept my head down, eyes glued to my laptop. My lecture notes were detailed enough to sell to a publisher.

At the bell, I shot out the door. For the rest of the morning, I kept a low profile.

During lunch I hid in the computer lab, working on my part of the presentation. Comparing the sequences took most of the hour. When I’d finished, I emailed my results to Jason and Hannah.!!!You’ve got mail! See, I’m not avoiding you.

Passing through the halls, I picked up whispered comments. Noted hidden smiles. My flight from the dance hadn’t gone unnoticed.

Inevitably, my luck ran out. After the final bell Jason spotted me scooting out the main doors.

“Tory! Hold up.”

Run? Bad form.

I waited, trying to act natural.

“Where have you been all day?” Jason said. “I looked all over.”

“Sorry! I had to finish the DNA project. I sent the results to your Gmail account.”

“Oh? Great.” Jason ran a hand across the back of his neck. “But I wanted to talk about something else.”!!!Here it comes.

“Chance needs to see you, says it’s serious. He got a hit off that print you gave him.”

That’s it? I didn’t know whether to be relieved or offended.

Jason seemed puzzled by my silence. “You still need the fingerprint, right?”

“Yes. Absolutely. Thanks.” Before I could stop myself. “I thought you wanted to talk about the dance.”

Cringe.!!!What in the world was I thinking?

“Now that you mention it, you did split early.” Jason laughed. “Sorry I’m such a klutz.”

“You’ve got nothing to apologize for.” What was he talking about? “I’m sorry. I pushed you.”

“I didn’t know you got migraines,” Jason said. “I shouldn’t have grabbed you; those things can be a killer.”

“Mm.”

“I can’t believe I tripped. I have a knot on my head the size of a kiwi.” He snickered. “I’m telling everyone it’s a lacrosse injury to save myself the embarrassment.”

My breath caught. Jason didn’t realize what really happened. If no one else saw, I was in the clear.

“Anyway,” Jason said, “Chance wants to meet before practice tomorrow to give you the info. That work?”

“Definitely. Tell him I really appreciate his help. And thank him for the ride last night. Mr. Baravetto was a godsend.”

“No problem. And don’t worry about the gossip girls.”

Ahh. So I hadn’t escaped.

“Oh?” Feigned indifference. “What’s the word on the street?”

“It’s nothing.” Jason had assumed I already knew. “Those chicks just like to pick on people. Makes them feel better about themselves.”

“Tell me. I can take it.” Lie.

“It’s nonsense.” Jason sighed, clearly uncomfortable. “A few of them said you pulled a Cinderella. That you had to return your outfit before the stores closed.”

I felt my face flame. How humiliating. Worse, it was kind of true.

I wanted to crawl under a rock. To transfer. To die. But anger pushed aside the embarrassment.

“Who said that?”

“Forget it. You looked great. They were just jealous.”

“Jason, please. Who?”

“Madison and company. Courtney and Ashley.”

The Tripod again. No matter what I did, those three had it in for me.!!!I’m not letting this one slide. Game on.

“Whatever floats their boat, I guess. Thanks for telling me.” I forced a smile. “Tell Chance I’ll meet him right here, if that works.”

“Will do. Take care.” Jason walked a few paces, turned. “And don’t worry about Maddy’s BS. No one believes it.”

“Thanks,” I said.

Walking toward the marina, I vowed to take action against the Tripod. I was done being badmouthed.

But not today.

Today I had a crime to commit.