Clique Bait - Ann Valett Page 0,16

drowning out the conversation occurring across the café.

It was fascinating to see their body language, to see the dynamics in action. Maddy sat opposite Lola and Sophie, completely oblivious to their scheming. As much as I wanted to stare openly at them, I tried to remain inconspicuous. I was supposed to be Will’s latest love interest, not a not-so-secret agent.

“They won’t stop looking at us,” I said to William. “They want your attention.”

“They can wait,” he said simply. “Like I said, this needs to take time. We should leave.”

“Already?” I asked, looking from our table to theirs.

“We’ve planted the seed, now we have to let them water it,” he explained. He then looked to his watch. “I also have practice in twenty-five minutes.”

I rolled my eyes. “What is it? Lacrosse or swimming?”

“Neither, actually. Tennis.”

“Are you serious?” I asked. Did he sleep?

He shrugged, scooping his keys from the table and standing up. I followed suit, grabbing my purse and smoothing my skirt over my tights.

He nodded goodbye to the girls, and my heart thudded heavily as they gave me a final once-over. Little smiles remained on their lips as their hungry eyes searched for flaws. The scrutiny made my insides squirm.

The car ride back to my house was silent. For one day, I had a whole lot of information to digest. I was finally activating my plan, and tomorrow would be my first official day as William Bishop’s girlfriend.

“I’ll see you tomorrow, Whittaker,” he said as he pulled up outside the front of my house.

“You too, Bishop,” I murmured, my thoughts far away. His comment about the contrast between Monica and me was still a heavy weight on my mind. I’d thought of us as sisters. Yes, we were different, but we balanced each other. Didn’t we?

“Join us for lunch tomorrow,” he said. “I’ll save you a seat.”

Six

Mon,

Earlier today I was thinking about how we used to think we were sisters. Separated at birth, remember? I don’t know if it is sad or funny that we thought our parents had an affair together. After all, in retrospect, considering how much they get around, it wasn’t outside the realms of possibility.

Anyway, as we grew up, I guess we’ve sort of become opposites, haven’t we? You like fashion and pop music and hanging out at the mall, while I prefer my few edgy thrift finds and buying vinyls at street sales. I’d rather eat my lunch while doodling in a notebook on the lawn, and you’d rather gossip about the most recent party or watch the jocks play sports. I didn’t mind that so much, as long as we were still best friends.

We balanced one another.

Hope you’re doing okay.

Love, Chloe

MY PEN DREW spirals down the margin of my binder as I waited for first period to start. The sooner lunch came the sooner I could make progress. I was detailing flourishes in the corner of the paper when a hand tapped my shoulder, pulling me from my focus.

“Chloe, good morning!” Jack said with unnecessary enthusiasm.

“Hi, Jack,” I said warily. Nobody ever spoke to me in physics. I was renowned for keeping to myself, preferring the company of my own mind when it came to understanding Newton’s law of universal gravitation.

His smile crept into a curious look. “I heard some interesting news this morning.”

“Did you?” I asked, raising a brow. My eyes darted to the desk he sat at with his friends on the other side of the laboratory.

“I did. Why didn’t you tell me you were dating Will Bishop?”

I was surprised. Though Arlington’s rumor mill worked fast, I didn’t realize it worked that fast. But then again, if anyone was the first to know gossip, it was Jack. “Who told you that?”

He rolled his eyes, like it was a stupid question. “Everyone. So, are you confirming it?”

Instead of replying I gave him a bashful smile, looking back down to my notebook and adding today’s date in the corner of the page.

“No way.” His eyes widened, and he rested his palms on the table. “When did it happen? Why didn’t you tell me?”

I shrugged. “Summer. I didn’t think it was a big deal.”

“Are you serious? He’s William freaking Bishop!”

“Please be quiet,” I said under my breath. Though the attention was important, I was starting to feel uncomfortable.

“Why wouldn’t you have mentioned it . . .” he pressed. “Monica would be—”

“Why are you so interested?” I snapped, regretting it instantly when I saw his face fall. “I’m sorry, it’s just—it’s still a relatively new thing,