Privilege 3 - Perfect Mistake (18 page)

"So, how's everything going?" Palmer asked. "I hear you went to the Ash meeting on Monday. April Corrigan thinks you're going to be her new star editor."

"Really?" Ariana said, her cheeks flushing pink. "That was nice of her to say."

"So things are good?" Palmer asked.

"I suppose," Ariana said, adjusting the thick strap on her white Lacoste tennis bag. Her first week of classes had gone well, but keeping up with her work was about the only thing she had achieved on her long list of goals.

"That's convincing," Palmer said sarcastically, tossing the ball up and catching it. "I hope . . . You're not regretting the other night, are you?"

Ariana's toes curled at the mere thought of "the other night." "No," she said. "I'm not. I promise."

"Good." Palmer looked genuinely relieved. "Because I've kind of

186 been waiting for you to show up at my door again," he whispered, his voice low and sexy.

Ariana smiled. "I will. I mean ... eventually. I just... There's been a lot going on."

Palmer paused and looked down at her, his face creased with concern. "Is everything okay?"

Ariana thought of Stone and Grave, and how Allison had closed one of the spots. She thought of Kaitlynn wielding her bloody knife in the middle of the night. Thought of how Lexa and Conrad were taking it so slow they were practically glacial. Thought of that stupid slip of black paper and the task upon it, which she had yet to get up the guts to complete. When it came to life at APH, she wasn't exactly overachieving.

"I guess I just didn't expect everything to be so hard," she summed up finally, pausing at a bend in the path.

"Ah." Palmer paused as well. He turned to face her, dropped the ball back into his bag, and crossed his arms over his chest. "Ana Covington, you are about to get one of Palmer Liriano's patented pep talks."

Ariana smiled. "Am I? Lucky me."

"Y ou're lucky. I don't just give these out to anyone," he said. Then he reached up and tucked an errant hair behind her ear. A pleasant shiver shot down her side. "But for you, anything."

Ariana beamed.

"The first day I met you, Ana, I knew you could do anything," Palmer said. "You just have that look about you. Like nothing's ever

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going to stand in your way. So whatever speed bumps you think you've hit since you've been here, just drive over them. Bulldoze over them. Because I know you can."

"Wow," Ariana breathed, her heart full. "That was one sucky metaphor, Palmer Liriano."

He laughed. "All right. Y got me. My pep talks suck. How's this." He took her hand, lifted it so that her palm was facing his, and laced his fingers

ou through hers. "Will you go to the NoBash with me?"

Ariana bit her lip, her mind flitting over Lexa. Over Lexa and Palmer together at the beginning of the year. Over Lexa's tears in the bathroom and then again in her dorm room. And then the images were gone. And once they were gone, she was left staring at her own hand entwined with Palmer's. And suddenly, she didn't care about anything else.

"Yes," she said firmly.

Palmer's eyes widened in surprise. "Yes?"

"Y Ariana said with a nod. Then Tahira came around the corner and Ariana instinctively dropped Palmer's hand. A look of confusion crossed

es," his face. "But let's keep it quiet. Just for now," she said, glancing at Tahira.

She couldn't let anyone know she was with Palmer until Lexa made it official with Conrad. People would think she'd moved in too fast.

Palmer's jaw set, and for a moment Ariana was afraid he was going to rescind the invite, but he simply nodded. "Okay. If that's the way you want it. I'll see you later, Ana."

'"Bye," Ariana said, feeling a whoosh of loss as he turned to go.

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He greeted Tahira as he walked by her and strolled off, plucking his baseball out of his bag again.

"Hello Ana," Tahira said, stopping in front of her.

Her thick hair was up in a high ponytail, and gaudy gold earrings dangled from her ears. She was wearing the exact same practice uniform as Ariana, but several of the buttons on her polo were undone. The girl just couldn't handle the idea of modesty, even while working out.

"What do you want?" Ariana asked.

"Touchy, touchy," Tahira said, twirling the handle of her aluminum racket with one hand. "Have I done something to upset you?"

"Not today," Ariana replied coolly. She started to walk toward the courts again and Tahira fell into step at her side. There were already several people warming up, lobbing balls across the nets, and Ariana felt a thrill of anticipation rush through her. After her encounter with Palmer, she was very much in the mood to kick a little tennis ass.

He thought she could do anything. Bulldoze over anyone. Actually, now that she thought about it, she kind of liked that metaphor.

"I think you mean, 'Not yet,'" Tahira corrected. She placed her fingers firmly on Ariana's arm, stopping her.

Ariana narrowed her eyes at Tahira. Where, exactly, was this going?

"I know it was you who set up Allison," Tahira said.

Ariana didn't move, didn't blink, didn't breathe. She didn't betray one hint of nervousness over the fact that she'd just been very, very snagged.

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"Oh, really?" she said.

Tahira laughed. "Like it was just some coincidence that you happened to be in that hallway? I saw you bump into Justina and practically shove her into Allison. You're not as stealthy as you think you are."

Ariana's jaw clenched.

"Besides, I know Justina Cruz," Tahira said, twirling her racket again. "She doesn't have the balls to go up against me and Allison, even if it is for membership in Scarlet Key."

A sizzle of intrigue shot through Ariana. The third society was named Scarlet Key?

"You have no proof," Ariana replied finally, clutching the strap on her tennis bag.

Tahira laughed. "I don't need proof. I don't intend to turn you in. Not for this, anyway."

Something in her tone made Ariana's blood turn to icy slush.

"What does that mean?"

Tahira took a step toward her, so close her breasts grazed Ariana's arm. Ariana flinched at the intimate contact but didn't back away. She couldn't let Tahira see her sweat.

"Here's the deal, Ana," Tahira said. "Stay away from me, stay away from my friends, and I might consider not telling the administration who was responsible for all those thefts at the beginning of the year."

Ariana took an instinctive step back. She couldn't help it. But the moment she did, she realized her mistake. Her action made her look as guilty as she was. And Tahira slowly smiled.

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"How did you--"

"Let's just say a little bird told me," Tahira said snootily. "It would be so fun to bring you down. Problem is, we're both up for membership in Stone and Grave, and they kind of frown upon things like turning on a potential sister or brother."

Ariana blinked.

"I guess you didn't know that, since you've already done it," Tahira said, clearly enjoying every ounce of misery she was spreading on so thick. "Still, would be justified turning you in, A, if I really wanted to."

There was no air. Gray spots started to form before Ariana's eyes, obscuring her view of Tahira. Suddenly, Ariana was grateful for the cool breeze skittering over her hot--as--tar skin.

"See, my task is to humiliate a donor," Tahira continued. "And I just happen to know that you and your grandma donated a ton of cash to get your ass into this place, so you qualify. If I have to, I'm going to see that it's you who gets humiliated. And probably arrested. So like I said, back off."

Ariana tried to think of something to say. Something that would save even the tiniest bit of dignity, but her mind was a complete, panicked, blank.

"Good," Tahira said with a smirk. "I'm glad we had this little chat."

Then she turned and flounced away, her tennis skirt swishing with every step. Ariana slowly backed onto a stone bench that was positioned off to the side of the walkway and sat down, her mind

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racing. Who had told Tahira? Who else knew what she had done other than-- Kaitlynn. Of course. She must have told Tahira just to amuse her. Just to win her over. And now Tahira was going to use the information to hold Ariana under her manicured thumb.

But not for long.

Just like that, everything snapped back into focus. Tahira hadn't completed her task yet. Her spot was still open.

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THE SPECTACLE

Ariana walked into the dining hall on Wednesday morning, her shoulders back, her jaw set in grim determination. Huge, white--framed sunglasses covered her eyes and she wore a hot pink feather boa around her neck, over her uniform. In one hand she gripped the leather handle of a small but powerful speaker. In the other were her iPod and a microphone.

Now that she had decided to do away with Tahira, it was time to ensure her own spot in Stone and Grave--time to get this spectacle thing over with. Time to show Lexa and Palmer and Soomie and Maria and whoever the hell else was in Stone and Grave just how serious she was about getting in.

She caught a few curious looks and snickers of interest as she wove her way to her usual table, smack--dab in the center of the action. Soomie and Maria were already seated, Soomie reading a book, Maria texting on her phone, but everyone else was loitering around, getting

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the morning gossip. As soon as Ariana dropped the speaker on the table with a clang and climbed atop the wooden surface next to it, however, conversation quieted considerably.

Ariana looked down at the two girls, wondering if they had known she was going to sabotage Allison and if they had been sabotaging her by encouraging it. Or had they simply assumed Ariana was too smart to get caught? She wasn't sure, but either way, now was not the time to try to figure it out. She had a task to complete.

"Um, Ana?" Soomie said, placing her book aside and sitting forward. "What the hell are you doing?"

"This," Ariana replied.

She bent down, attached the iPod and mic to the speaker, and flipped on the power. Her heart was pounding harder than it had in a long time. Definitely since the night she'd made her harrowing escape from the Brenda T. But at least then she'd had a plan. At least then she'd known what she was doing. Right now, she was flying by the seat of her lacy La Perlas.

"Good morning, Atherton--Pryce Hall!" Ariana shouted into the microphone.

An earsplitting peal of feedback sent everyone in a ten--table radius wincing, but it had the desired effect. Every student and teacher in the dining hall, every waiter and custodian, stopped and stared. Lexa, who was standing near the far wall with April, Brigit, and Conrad, took a few steps forward, her jaw dropped in confusion. Oddly, no one made a move to stop her.

"My name is Ana Covington and this is my favorite song," Ariana

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continued, holding the microphone a bit farther away from her mouth to avoid the feedback issue. Her palm was so slick with sweat she was certain the mic was going to fall from her hand at any second and bounce onto the floor. She hit the play button on the iPod and the opening, electronic notes of Metro Stations "Shake It" blasted through the speaker.

At her feet, Maria and Soomie exchanged a dumbfounded glance. Ariana took a deep breath . . . and started to dance.

That was when the laughter rose up in earnest.

You can do this, Ariana. You can, you can, you can.

Soomie covered her mouth with both hands. Maria laughed and shook her head, looking down at her lap. All across the cafeteria, people were either pointing and laughing or shooting her looks of obvious pity. Ariana tuned it all out and concentrated on the end that would definitely justify these means.

Stone and Grave. This ridiculous spectacle was going to get her into Stone and Grave.

And then Ariana started to sing.

"Til take you home if you don't leave me by the front door. . . .'"

"Whoo! Go Ana!" Brigit shouted, raising her hands above her head.

Ariana smiled her thanks, but at this point her eyes were so blurred over by tense tears and sweat, she couldn't entirely make her out in the crowd.

'"Your body's cold, but boy we're getting so warm.

This elicited cheers and hollers from the guys nearest to her table.

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Students started to crowd forward from every corner of the room, wanting to get to the table first, wanting to see this outrageous display up close. Ariana could hardly stand the attention, all the eyes on her, the expectant grins and the cheers, but she kept on working it. Kept singing and dancing, doing a little twist, taking it down toward the table and back up again. Every new move inspired more cheers, and soon the student body was clapping to the beat. By the time Ariana reached the chorus, they were singing along.

'"Shake shake! Shake shake shake it!'"

The table gyrated under Ariana's feet. She took a second to steady herself and realized with some gratification that it was the result of dozens of people jumping up and down in support. Her heart was still slamming painfully, but her body heat began to normalize and her vision cleared. That was when she spotted Palmer and couldn't help laughing. He was holding up his cell phone like a lighter at the back of the crowd, waving it slowly back and forth with a faux--dazed look of admiration on his face.

After that, Ariana really let loose.

And in less than three minutes it was over. The dining hall erupted in appreciative applause. Ariana took a quick bow and jumped down from the table. She looked at her friends. Maria held up a torn sheet of notebook paper on which she'd hastily scribbled a 10. Soomie held up a 9.5.

"Thank you, thank you," Ariana said.

"What the heck was that all about?" Lexa asked, grabbing her hand.

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As if she didn't know.

"The other day Brigit reminded me of those duets we used to do at camp and I guess I just felt inspired," Ariana replied, playing the game.

"Well, then you should have asked me to sing with you," Lexa said. "I definitely would have backed you up."