s. Her chest heaved as she stopped at the edge

metal was a single, antique emerald e

g from the tray and held it up next to the one she had j

find this?" Mer

iss Billie's room. She found it wedged behind Mi

like a physical shockwa

th. She dropped the microphone and ran down the stairs. She rushed over

cold hands. "Amanda, I am so sorry! I must have misplaced them w

spers of "poor Billie" and "an hone

ie's hands holding hers. S

umphant scoff. He tighten

nd yet you brought this fake witch hunt down here and nearly ruined the entire party! You are always so

looked at Amanda. A tiny, vicious smirk flashed ac

tared at Billie's fake tears. She

miliate her, and even when the truth came o

reckless energy surged through her veins. Her stomach

s grip. She pushed Billie backward. Billie stumb

her coat pocket. She

the string quartet. The musicians were staring at the drama, completely ignoring their equipment. Amanda reached o

voice memos. Sh

e massive speakers mounted i

ff the crystal chandelier. "Some girls just bullied me

rowd

g back in," the r

phina. The helpless victim act was instantly d

ed the picture Jeanette had sent her-the photo of Julio's han

ear the champagne pyramid earlier. She hit send. A second later, a chorus of digital pings erupted from the back of the room. One of the bloggers gasped loudly, practically s

. They looked at the screens. The sharp intake of breath

He looked around at the staring crow

as on fire. Seraphina stumbled and fell to her knees. She reached out for the

ht that had been crushing her for three years was gone.

bed the microphone Billie

e mic, her voice echoing over the whispers, "I decided

exploded in