NA'

Erod since

this was real. At least, it felt real to me. But talking to him? Approaching him? That always felt like asking to

- the Elena everyone knew, the girl with confidence, charm, and a fan club of admirers

I d

m in class, asked him questions I already knew the answers to just so we could talk. I even baked him co

ys ago, it all ca

nowhere, his voice low but firm, ey

nked.

en look up.

er

er

ook from his hands and throw it across the library. B

d. I tried to stay calm, to sound sweet. But

won't chang

know. But at least let me know the b

that, he sto

he middle of the libra

El

es me feel

o

ole, I had one mission: find out who the hell

ly understood the art of vengean

more dramatic one, the type who could find out wha

xt day, my

ister," Mariam said wit

od wen

asked, already

, her voice sing-so

essing games, especially whe

ke Erod," I muttered.

one of t

oom. "Could

ng for him," M

uys love younger girls these d

But no- it'

"Then tell

was delivering a death sentence, sh

n't bel

idding me?

her. In one of those abandoned

bye. I ended the call

My own

very flutter, every hope, every plan I had for

needed to feel what betrayal tasted like.

ith, he'd have to

o wou

found Erod alone, cornered him when he least expected it. I leaned in

nica's camera cli

Judith

th," Erod said, stumbling afte

between th

el about this?" I asked, pulling up th

What is thi

hat you love," I said, voi

like yo

like a slap, bu

d, I s

," I said. "You're mine.

and wal

aused, glancing bac

e right

torn, confused, exact