Meanwhile, Brandon was good to her. Always. He cared about her, and he would never treat her the way Easy had treated her—or even the way she’d treated him. He was funny and sweet, and they’d spent all of last month together. Could she really throw that away, just because Easy was back? It would crush Brandon. Besides, she and Easy would probably implode the way they always did. Their relationship was way too volatile.
“What am I going to do?” she moaned, dropping her head into her hands.
Jenny stopped fussing with her school books and turned.
“You need to follow your heart,” Jenny said staunchly.
Callie looked up, and absently touched the area over her heart with her hand.
“What if I want both of them?” she asked, looking from Jenny to the bright, hard winter sunlight pouring in their windows. Outside, she could see the cold ribbon of the Hudson River snaking through the winter landscape.
“I don’t think they’d go for that,” Jenny said with a little giggle.
Callie sighed. “Wouldn’t it be easier if they would?” she asked wistfully.
Jenny frowned for a moment, leaning back against her desk, her messenger bag at her feet. Her eyes lit up suddenly. “Perfect Match!” she cried, like she was saying ta da!
Callie blinked. She had never been a fan of silly magazine quizzes that told you who you should be with. What did they know? She especially hadn’t enjoyed last year’s Perfect Match, when Tinsley had matched herself up with Easy. She’d claimed she was just teasing Callie, but Callie had always doubted the truth of that story. Tinsley just liked to cause trouble. Callie had filled out the survey this year, just because everybody did, but it wasn’t like she really put stock in the results.
“I don’t know what people told you, but it’s just a bunch of computer geeks messing around with people for a week,” Callie said gently, not wanting to shatter Jenny’s little fantasy. She probably still believed in Santa Claus. “It’s not like the matches really mean anything.”
“You’ll get paired with one of them, Brandon or Easy, on Perfect Match, and then you’ll know what you’re supposed to do,” Jenny said firmly, putting her hands on her tiny hips. “It can’t be a coincidence that the matches come out today, can it?”
Her petite roommate’s determination forced a smile out of Callie. She scraped her wet hair back from her face. “Okay,” she said, shrugging. “Sure. Perfect Match will solve all my problems.”
“It will!” Jenny cried. And her own, too. She was sure of it. Last night, when she’d gotten back from her solo walk across the quad to find their room empty, she’d had nothing to distract herself from obsessing at great length over Isaac’s weird behavior. Had she come on too strong? Did he not like her as much as she liked him? But then she’d remembered that the Perfect Match e-mails were coming out this morning. She’d never experienced Perfect Match before—but what wasn’t to love about the idea?
Obviously, Perfect Match would pair her with Isaac, because they were perfect for each other. And it wasn’t that Jenny suddenly believed a computer program could see into people’s hearts or tell the future or anything, but she figured being proven perfect for someone had to be worth something. It would clear up any hesitation on Isaac’s part, wouldn’t it? It had to.
“Maybe it really will,” Callie said, warming to the idea. Her eyes looked dreamy. “Maybe I don’t have to make a decision—maybe Perfect Match already knows the answer.”
“Speaking of which…” Jenny said, waggling her eyebrows.
They both giggled and then dove for their laptops.
Callie pulled her MacBook onto her bed and opened it up, suddenly feeling jittery with anticipation. She scrolled through her e-mail until she found the one she was looking for and couldn’t help grinning as she clicked on it. Maybe Jenny was right to put her faith in Perfect Match. Why not?
She blinked and read the e-mail again.
“So much for Perfect Match being a fortune-teller,” she said, slapping her laptop closed and getting to her feet. “It thinks Alan St. Girard is my one true love.” Callie shook her head. She couldn’t believe she’d been paired with the biggest pothead on the Waverly campus. Seriously? “Did I fill the survey out while I was high?”
Jenny sat completely still in her hard desk chair, staring at the screen of her Dell. She blinked a few times, but the e-mail didn’t change. Even though she knew it was silly, she couldn’t help but feel disappointed. She didn’t want Callie to see her expression, so she didn’t turn around. She’d just been so sure that Isaac would be her Perfect Match. They were meant to be together, weren’t they? She scowled at the screen of her computer, but the fact was, his name wasn’t the one in her inbox.
“Let me guess,” Callie said, rolling her eyes. “You got Isaac because the two of you are destined to live happily ever after.”
“Actually, no,” Jenny said. She turned her laptop so Callie could read the screen. Callie got up and came to peer over Jenny’s shoulder. Together, they both gaped at the name.
“No way,” Callie said, leaning closer.
“Yeah.” Jenny slumped in her seat. “Julian McCafferty.”
* * *
OwlNet
Instant Message Inbox
* * *
SageFrancis: I got Drew Gately. Um, what?
BennyCunningham: Ew.
SageFrancis: Why am I being punished?? Alison Quentin gets Parker DuBois. Rifat Jones gets Teague Williams. Brett Messerschmidt gets Isaac Dresden…
BennyCunningham: Tinsley Carmichael got Heath Ferro.
SageFrancis: I would happily take Heath.
BennyCunningham: I know you would. Slut.
SageFrancis: Whatever, like you can talk!
* * *
OwlNet
Email Inbox
* * *
From: From:
[email protected] To: To: [Waverly Student Body list]
Date: Date: Mon, February 9, 10:24 am
Subject: Subject: Re: Holiday Week
Dear Owls,
It is my pleasure to welcome you to the spring term.
As many of you already know (and, freshmen, please take note), February means it is time for our annual weeklong celebration of Valentine’s Day, which will culminate in the Valentine’s Day Ball. The ball will be held this Saturday evening in the Reynolds Atrium, which will be suitably transformed from cozy lounge space into a romantic, starlit escape for one night only. Get ready to fall in love with our beautiful campus in a whole new way!
In the meantime, I hope you are all enjoying getting to know your “Perfect Match,” courtesy of the enterprising members of the Waverly Computer Society. Owls who did not receive their matches via e-mail, please contact Brian Johannsen at
[email protected].
We have a number of love-inspired events this week to get us all ready for our romantic Valentine’s Day celebration this weekend. Please know that while these events are not mandatory, a Waverly Owl always gives back to the Waverly community by participating with enthusiasm in Academy events!
Monday night (tonight!): Come to a viewing of Love Story in the Cinephiles screening room. Get ready to have your heartstrings tugged by this classic film! (Please note that Owls are reminded to treat Cinephiles screenings as movie-theater outings rather than private viewings; disruptive behavior will result in the appropriate disciplinary action.)
Tuesday afternoon: The traditional “Perfect Match” Three-Legged Race! Come to the Field House with your Perfect Match and your competitive spirit. Races begin at 3 p.m.; conflicting sports team practices will be rescheduled accordingly.
Wednesday evening: Listen to some of the most beautiful words ever written. The Drama Club is sponsoring this year’s Love Poetry Reading. Bring your favorite love poem and an open heart to Maxwell at 6:30 p.m.; original poems accepted. (Please note that original poems cannot, because of time constraints, exceed one page in length.)
Thursday evening: The Dining Hall is goin
g red! From borscht soup to red velvet cupcakes, enjoy all your favorite “red foods,” brought to you with love by your friendly Food Services Staff.
Saturday night: The Annual Valentine’s Day Ball begins at 7:30. Party attire is required. Please attend with your Perfect Match. This is your opportunity to step outside your everyday life here at Waverly, and fall in love with a whole new aspect of the Waverly experience. Rise to the challenge, Owls!
All week: As per hallowed Waverly tradition, “owl hearts” have been hidden in various locations all over campus. The Owl who collects the most hearts will be presented with the much-coveted crystal “Sweet Heart” at the ball. And then the winner will present the Sweet Heart to his or her True Waverly Love before they dance to this year’s first dance. Who will the lucky recipient be? Could it be you? Come to the ball and see!
The Annual Waverly Valentine’s Day Ball Slideshow is open for your submissions! Please send your favorite photos of “Love at Waverly” to Deanna Sebring. What is Love at Waverly to you? Is it your friends, your sweetheart, or is it Waverly itself? Share your pictures with all your fellow Owls—the slideshow will be shown during the ball. (Please note that Owls are expected to exercise discretion in the selection of photographs.)
Happy Valentine’s Day!
MP
* * *
OwlNet
Instant Message Inbox
* * *
HeathFerro: Yo, who’d you get? Don’t tell me it’s Callie. I’ll puke.
EasyWalsh: … um… Are you already drunk?
HeathFerro: Perfect Match, bro. True love and V-Day. I’m stocking up on the Jack. Consider me flasked and dangerous.
EasyWalsh I’m not in this year.
HeathFerro:: Dude. You fill out a survey and get hooked up with a hot chick for the week. It’s like Craigslist.
EasyWalsh: Yeah, I know, but I never filled out the survey. I wasn’t here.
HeathFerro: I wonder who Callie got matched with?
HeathFerro: EZ?
7
A WAVERLY OWL IS ALWAYS PREPARED TO MAKE
LEMONADE FROM LEMONS.
Brett strode into the Cinephiles screening room in the basement of Hopkins Hall and inhaled one of her favorite smells in the whole wide world: hot, buttered popcorn. She couldn’t wait to curl up next to Sebastian in the comfortable movie theater seats and steal hot, buttered kisses from him when the lights were dimmed. Already, half the campus seemed to be packed into the screening room. Ryan Reynolds and some guys from the soccer team jostled for position in the coveted center of the theater’s rows of reclining leather seats while a pack of sophomore girls giggled at their antics. Clearly, everyone was thrilled to be off probation. Brett pictured Sebastian’s hand on hers, his mouth moving close in the darkened theater…
“How great is this movie going to be?” Rifat Jones came to a stop beside Brett in the entryway. Her curly black hair was tied up in a ribbon, and her long, dark legs looked even more impressive than usual in gray suede peep-toe Dolce Vita ankle boots and a sleeveless violet-colored Hanii Y dress. Brett suddenly felt underdressed in her black skinny J Brand cords and peacock blue cowlneck sweater. They were watching a movie, for God’s sake, not going to dinner at Le Petit Coq, the fanciest restaurant in Rhinecliff.
“Have you seen it before?” Brett asked. “It’s really old. My parents used to talk about it when I was little.”
Love means never having to say you’re sorry, her mom would sometimes quote at their ornate marble dinner table in Rumson, New Jersey. Unless you’re the man, her father would say, like they were a comedy routine. Then it means always having to say you’re sorry. Brett and her sister, Brianna, would roll their eyes at each other while their parents laughed like it was the wittiest thing they’d ever heard.
Somehow, hearing her parents riff on the movie had not inspired Brett to Netflix it herself.
“I’ve never seen it,” Rifat said with a wave of her hand. She smiled conspiratorially. “I’m much more interested in who I’m seeing the movie with than what I’m seeing!” She jutted her chin out, indicating Teague Williams, the good-looking senior swim-team captain, who was waiting for her near the refreshments table with a big smile and a bag of Twizzlers. Rifat gave Brett a conspiratorial wink, then turned her attention to her date.
Brett scanned the room as she searched for a seat. Rifat wasn’t alone—there were certainly some new couples on display tonight, sitting next to each other or chatting shyly—like Alison Quentin and the famously aloof Parker DuBois or Kirin Choate and some baby-faced freshman Brett couldn’t even name. Ugh. Who decided Perfect Match was a good idea?
“Did I miss something?” Tinsley asked in a low voice, walking over to Brett and handing her a Diet Coke. Her curtain of nearly black hair blended with the rich black sweater dress she wore over chunky motorcycle boots. The dress looked like it had been designed for Tinsley specifically, which Brett knew meant it probably had. “When did a movie in the screening room become date night?”
“Perfect Match events start tonight,” Brett said, frowning. She made a face and clenched the icy-cold Diet Coke can between her hands. “Does it really have to ruin the entire week?”
Tinsley scanned the rows of leather seats, noting with distaste that a lot of people seemed to be having fun with their matches. Her gaze traveled over far too many laughing, joking, delighted Owls, searching for one messy golden brown head. She finally picked out Heath from the crowd—but he wasn’t alone. Sitting right beside him, her glossy curls still loose and wild around her shoulders as she leaned in to giggle at whatever Heath was saying, was Little Miss Two Faces herself.
“At least your date isn’t—” Tinsley began, but then cut herself off.
Because Sebastian was sitting on Isla’s other side. Tinsley heard Brett’s sharp intake of breath.
For a moment, both girls stood there, taking in the view. Sebastian and Heath were taking turns tossing popcorn into the air for Isla’s benefit. She leaned forward to try to catch every piece, displaying her cleavage each and every time she moved.
Heath and Sebastian’s interest in Isla had nothing to do with the skintight fire-engine red Rag & Bone sleeveless sheath she wore, Tinsley thought sarcastically. Clearly, she was stimulating them intellectually. When Isla laughed, Heath and Sebastian both exploded in a chorus of laughter. When she spoke, they both leaned closer and hung on her every word—so close that they could probably identify which shampoo she used and how much Frédéric Malle Outrageous! perfume she’d dabbed on the cleavage she kept flashing.
Tinsley was so infuriated that her nails dug into her palms, leaving little crescent-moon marks. How could Heath be fawning all over that girl instead of checking out Tinsley in her biker boots? Ordinarily, he could be depended upon to notice her from half the quad away. Tonight he didn’t even glance up. She might as well still be out in the cold, picking up trash, for all the attention she was getting.
The movie still hadn’t started, and as more and more people crowded into the screening room, some were forced to take seats along the edges of the theater. Tinsley fumed. She was in danger of being forced into standing room only while Isla had popcorn fed to her by Heath? She studied her nails for a moment, as if entranced by the matte charcoal shimmer of her Zoya Dovima polish, until she was slightly calmer.
But when she looked up again, she saw Brett still staring straight at Sebastian and Isla. Her green eyes narrowed and a bright flush highlighted her cheeks. She looked like she was about to climb over the seats and start throwing punches. Which might have been entertaining, but a fight would no doubt backfire and leave Isla once again smelling like roses.
“You look about as thrilled with this little display as I am,” Tinsley managed to say through gritted teeth.
“Why doesn’t she just make out with him already?” Brett asked, fuming. “It would be quicker! She’s already practically sitting in his lap!”
Tinsley blinked. It had never occurred to her that other peo
ple might hate Isla as much as she did.
Which gave her an idea.
“I think you and I need to put our heads together,” Tinsley said, linking her elbow with Brett’s and leaning in close, so no one could overhear.
“About what?” Brett asked distractedly, her gaze still fixed on Isla and her hopelessly devoted admirers.
Tinsley nodded her head at the trio. Heath now had his arm stretched out along the back of Isla’s seat, while Sebastian leaned over the armrest he shared with her—both of them grinning while Isla told a story. Tinsley narrowed her eyes. Isla had to pay. Isla would pay, if it was the last thing Tinsley ever did. “I think it’s time we taught her how things work here at Waverly, don’t you?”
Brett turned then and met Tinsley’s gaze. The determined expression in her green eyes was fierce.
“Let’s do it,” she said.
* * *
OwlNet
Instant Message Inbox
* * *
JennyHumphrey: I’m already at the Love Story screening! I got us great seats in a darkened corner. ;) And I even brought snacks!
IsaacDresden: Sorry. I can’t make it tonight. C U tomorrow?
8
A WAVERLY OWL IS NEVER TOO CAUGHT UP IN THE
PRESENT TO FORGET ABOUT THE PAST.
Jenny tossed her phone into her messenger bag and flopped back against her seat, completely disappointed by Isaac’s text. She’d come early to the screening just to stake out the best, most private seats in the entire Cinephiles screening room. She’d had to fight off several seniors, Celene Colista, and Benny Cunningham to keep her spot. And now Isaac wasn’t even coming?