Rival Revenge by Jessica Burkhart

in,” I said.
    He nodded and I sidestepped Callie, hurrying back to my table with Paige. I felt Callie’s glare burning into my back as I walked away. I sat across from Paige and gulped my smoothie to stop the flush in my cheeks.
    â€œLet’s go,” Paige said.
    We grabbed our plastic cups and walked out of the Sweet Shoppe. For once, I was glad Paige could read me so well. She just knew it was time to go.
    â€œI’ve got to run over to Geena’s for a sec,” Paige said. “So, meet you back at Winchester?”
    â€œSure,” I said. “See you later.”
    Paige and I split up and I started for Winchester, taking the prettiest route through the courtyard. I started to walk by the benches, but I felt so tired. What was my problem? I sat on one of the benches and drew up my legs, resting my chin on my knees. I closed my eyes for a second.
    â€œSilver.”
    I looked up and Heather was staring at me—arms folded.
    â€œWhat?” I asked.
    â€œYou’ve been a hot mess for days,” Heather said.
    â€œWow,” I said. “Thanks.”
    â€œSo what’s your deal?” Heather asked, an eyebrow raised.
    â€œJust … tired,” I said, honestly.
    â€œWell, maybe it’s time to take it easy.”
    â€œWhatever,” I said. “I’m fine.”
    Heather sighed. “Clearly. Look, why don’t you come sleep over with Julia, Alison, and me.”
    I almost fell off my bench.
    â€œNot because we like you or because we’re going to do some big dumb girly sleepover,” Heather added quickly. “Just so you can relax. Just this once.”
    â€œSo you do care,” I teased.
    Heather snorted. “Puh-lease. I just don’t want to be alone with Jasmine if you get sick or something and have to skip a lesson. At least she focuses most of her attention on you.” Heather gave me a sweet smile.
    â€œOh, nice,” I said.
    â€œAre you coming over or what?” Heather asked.
    I was surprised when I didn’t even pause. “Yeah, I think I will. I mean, I have to ask my dorm monitor, but if she says okay, I’ll pack a bag.”
    â€œSee you in, like, an hour?” Heather said. I nodded, not saying anything as she walked off.
    I sat there for a second, stunned. What had just happened? And how was I going to explain to Paige that I was going to spend the night at the Trio’s?
    When I got back to Winchester, I paused in Livvie’s doorway.
    â€œCan I ask you something?” I asked.
    â€œSure,” she said. “What’s up?”
    â€œI know it’s a school night,” I said, realizing that would be the first thing she’d question. “But I was wondering if I could go sleepover in Orchard. Just for one night. I … kind of need to get out of Winchester.”
    â€œAre you and Paige having problems?” Livvie asked.
    â€œNo,” I said quickly. “It’s just Jasmine. If I sleep over in Orchard with Heather, Julia, and Alison, I won’t have to see her.”
    Livvie nodded slowly. She was probably thinking about my past with the Trio. “It’s fine with me. But like you said it is a school night and you’d still have to follow the rules and go to bed on time.”
    â€œPromise,” I said.
    â€œLet me call Stephanie and see if it’s okay with her,” Livvie said.
    I waited while she called Orchard’s dorm monitor. When she hung up the phone a few minutes later, Livvie smiled. “It’s fine with her. Have fun and relax a little, Sash. You’ve been working so hard lately.”
    â€œI will,” I said. “I’ll be back tomorrow morning before class.”
    Livvie nodded.
    When I got to my room, Paige was already inside.
    â€œThat was fast,” I said. I’d needed more time to work out my I’m-staying-with-the-Trio speech.
    â€œYeah, I just needed to grab a recipe from her,” Paige said.
    I