Clique Bait - Ann Valett Page 0,94

my trance, blaring across the empty quad. It threw me into action. Damage control.

I had to find William.

My boots clattered down the mezzanine steps and into the cafeteria. It was empty. There were still a few minutes before students would start heading to lunch. My mind was haywire, trying to work out what class he was coming from.

I darted into the hallway, running head-on into a wave of students who were all talking excitedly. I heard whispers about Mr. Hammond, gasps about Lola and Sophie’s games, Francis’s secret hookup, but, most important of all, Monica’s name. People were talking about her again—of that night again. It wasn’t just a drunken stunt. People knew the truth.

I saw Sophie’s Barbie-doll figure walking determinedly down the hall, her glare aimed directly ahead. A phone was pressed to her ear. I was ready for her to attack me, darting out of her way as she passed, but she barely registered my presence.

“Yes, Daddy, a lawyer. We need a lawyer. And you need to send a car to get us right away—”

Behind her, students gawked, some even laughing.

Nobody ever dared laugh at a Level One.

Pandemonium continued, my eyes searching every face hoping it was William’s. From behind, arms flung around me and I stiffened.

“Chloe!” It was Maddy. “I’m so sorry. So sorry, Lola told me you were friends with her. We didn’t mean it, what we did. I can’t believe that video exists.”

I couldn’t form words as Maddy hugged me tight. I wormed my way out of her grip. “You’re not mad?”

“You’re not mad?” She looked at me, confused.

Of course. They didn’t know it was me behind the video. Maddy probably didn’t even know about the hairpin. Jack had posted it under his Facebook account.

Did this mean William was safe?

“Maddy, I need to go,” I said. I didn’t know how to feel. Her eyes shone with guilt. She mustn’t have realized I already knew she played a part. I’d known this whole time.

I couldn’t believe the takedown was really happening, the control I’d tried so hard to gain yanked from my fingertips. I found my locker, and sure enough the lock was busted, people darting past it obliviously. Did that mean Jack wanted this more than I did? Did the constant torment of never being enough drive him to stealing it from me anyway? I shook my head in disbelief, backing away and continuing on down the hallway.

A commotion blocked my way. Standing in a clearing of students was Lola Davenport and Francis Rutherford.

“Francis,” Lola said sternly. Her bag was slung over her shoulder, her jaw tight. She must have been just about to leave. “Move.”

“You’re not going anywhere,” Francis said. He looked furious, his black eye from his fight with William still far from fading. “You can’t just walk away from this.”

“Do I have to say it again?” She threw her hand in the air, turning in a circle so she could address the crowd surrounding her. “I’m leaving. We’re over. I can’t believe you. Of all people, it was her. Monica.”

Francis grabbed her elbow as she attempted to pass him.

“Let her go, Francis.”

Finally. William Bishop walked forward, nudging Francis aside.

“Out of my way, Bishop,” he said. “Unless you never wanna play another game again.”

William didn’t flinch. He stepped forward, making Francis drop Lola’s arm. “I’d leave her alone. Unless you want another black eye.”

Francis scowled, but I saw him falter as he took a step backward. “This isn’t over.”

William looked unconcerned as Francis disappeared into the crowd. I wondered if Francis had seen the footage—the damning evidence of his sister and the potential of his own downfall driving him to the edge.

I watched as William moved closer to Lola. “Are you okay?”

She nodded, before looking over her shoulder and finding me in the crowd. “I’m fine. In fact, I’m great. You should see your girlfriend.”

His eyes finally met mine, and a tension within me was immediately relieved.

Then it finally started sinking in. Jack had taken responsibility for the video, leaving me intact. Even if Lola knew I was behind it, nobody had any proof that it was really me. I could erase everything I had in an instant, destroy the hard drives.

William would be safe.

“Finally,” he said, moving toward me and taking me into a hug. I could feel the eyes of students around us watching. “I’ve been trying to find you.”

I pressed my cheek to his chest, inhaling deeply, as if his aura could relieve the panic that had been running through