“Leona!” Kira snapped.
“What?” she asked, holding up her hands. “I said hopefully.”
My brain was spinning like a pinwheel. Who would have had the nerve to break into my house? I closed my eyes. It was sort of like, how did I have the nerve to break into the houses of cheaters so many times? Could this be karma?
Leona tapped her shoe. “Tessa, you sure you didn’t know about the e-mails? I mean, they did come from your computer.”
She sounded completely suspicious! I couldn’t believe she’d ask me that. “No! Of course not.”
“You have been different lately, Tess,” Izzie agreed. “Maybe you have PTSOSD.”
“I don’t have post-traumatic SOS disorder! Girls, I promise you. I had nothing to do with this.”
“I believe her,” Kira said loudly. “I checked everyone’s phone records and social calendars against the dates of the e-mails. As far as I can tell, none of us could have done it.”
I exhaled. At least Kira was making sense.
“Sorry,” Izzie apologized to me. “I guess I’m just a little paranoid.”
“We all are,” Leona added.
Suddenly the muscle spasm struck again and I groaned, clutching my lower back.
“Oh, no!” Izzie screamed, nearly falling on top of me. “She’s having a seizure! Does anyone know CPR?”
“Stop,” I tried to say over the frantic squeals of the squad. “I’m fine, girls. Really. It’s just a muscle spasm.”
“Do you want us to call a chiropractor?” Izzie asked, her eyes wide with concern. I couldn’t help but think she felt a little guilty for accusing me of being the copy-Kitten.
“No. I’ll be okay.”
“You sure?” Kira asked me, pushing Izzie aside to squat down in front of me.
I nodded to her, but I could tell by her dimple-free expression that she knew how scared I was.
“I’m freaking out a little,” I whispered, glancing around the room. “Who knew our names?”
Kira shook her head, her hair swishing over her shoulders. “I don’t know. But I think we need to think about homecoming. And what we want to—”
“It’s totally Chloe,” Leona announced, snapping her gum. “That bitch is crazy. Always has been. I mean, she threw a clock at your head! This wouldn’t be too far off.”
“Very true,” Kira echoed. “It could be Chloe. But Tessa has already agreed to investigate her while we get ready for the game. We don’t want to screw up the plan.”
“Kira’s right,” I said, trying to stretch out my back. “And besides, I promised Aiden that SOS was over and—”
“Here we go,” Leona mumbled, turning away.
“What?” Her tone bothered me.
Leona groaned. “Aiden. Don’t take this the wrong way, but our lives do not revolve around the promises you made to your ex-boyfriend.”
My eyes stung, but I blinked quickly, brushing off her comment. “Keep things in perspective, Leona,” I said. “SOS didn’t do any of us any good, and reviving it now would be a horrible way to start the senior year.”
“Well, somebody doesn’t agree,” Kira said under her breath, beginning to bite at the skin around her thumbnail. Then she gasped and looked up. “Wait! What if the copy-Kitten is a guy? Could it be Christian?”
Just the mention of his name buried me in guilt. “He wouldn’t,” I said. “He hasn’t said a word to me yet this year. I haven’t even seen him since he started taking classes at Redmond Community College. Besides, I think he learned his lesson. Especially after Aiden punched him in the face at playoffs last year.”
“Right.” Izzie giggled. “He totally coldcocked him.”
“Cold what?” Kira asked, spinning around to look at her.
“Oh my God, you two!” Leona snapped. “Stay on topic. Tessa has been violated!”
“Don’t make it sound so graphic,” I murmured. But that was exactly how I felt. My mouth was drying up from the anxiety. “Do you have any gum?” I asked.
Kira gasped. “You…you never chew gum. You said it was disrespectful to the skirt!”
“Well,” I replied, taking a piece that Leona held out. “I don’t wear the uniform anymore.” I popped it in my mouth, the berry blast of it sweetening my breath. “And besides, this is unlike any problem we’ve faced before. We’re not falling off of roofs, K. Someone was in my room! Someone’s been watching me!”
My eyes became blurry with tears, but I didn’t have enough time to blink them away. Before the first tear dripped down, my squad huddled around, promising to high kick anyone that came close to me.
I felt sacked. Someone had figured us out, stolen our files, and sent e-mails from my computer. That meant they knew everything. About Mary Rudick and our beginning. About last year with Chloe and Aiden. Maybe even about Christian and me. They could expose us at any moment.
I’d worked hard to put that part of my life behind me. I’d seen countless therapists. Well, beauticians. But now, it was like the wound was fresh. And without the power of the skirt, I wasn’t sure I could cheer us through this latest drama. Right about now, I wasn’t even sure I could cheer us out of a paper bag.
The first warning bell rang. “Dang it!” Kira said, promptly unhugging me. “We just blew our practice. And I was supposed to meet Joel before class.”
I sniffled, wiping at my cheeks as I looked up at her. “Doesn’t he usually meet you before lunch?” I’d only met Kira’s boyfriend a handful of times since they usually left campus for lunch, but I was completely supportive of their courtship. He didn’t have tattoos or a rap sheet.
Kira ran her red-polished finger across her lips, smoothing out her gloss. “Uh-huh. But we were going to have a talk before class, something about space.” She looked up at the ceiling. “Maybe astronauts or something? I don’t know. Anyway, I’ll catch you up on it later. But call me as soon as the surveillance is set on Chloe, okay?” Kira didn’t wait for an answer before she winked and turned to dash toward the gymnasium’s double doors.
“Sure,” I murmured, although she was gone before I had the chance.
“I have to go too, Tess,” Leona said, climbing up off the bleacher and combing through her bangs with her fingers. She looked down at me as if I were a scared child. I felt like one. “Don’t stress,” she said. “We’ve got your back.”
“Thanks.” As I watched her and the rest of the squad leave, Izzie came to sit next to me. I exhaled and looked sideways at her. She grinned.
“We can ditch?” she said, her green eyes sparkling with a devious plan surely involving the mall and her grandma’s credit card. “I have Sam’s car today.”
Sam, her college-age boyfriend, let her keep his car every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday while he had classes on the community-college campus. He was a total keeper. Long sandy hair, light eyes. Yeah, Izzie scored an A-plus with him.
“Can’t go,” I said, after considering it. “I have a test in language arts this period.”
She sighed. “I should probably stay too. We’re having gym out in the field today. At least it’s soccer.” She beamed. Izzie had been one of the best forwards on Washington High’s soccer team for the past three years. It was totally her calling. Well, besides cheerleading. “Do you want me to walk with you to class?” she asked, looking worried. She was such a doll—porcelain, not Barbie.
“It’s okay,” I said, touching her arm. “I don’t want you to be late. I’ll catch up with you at lunch, though?”
Izzie nodded before turning to jog across the wood floor. When she was gone, I flopped back down on the bleacher and brought my knees to my chest, hugging my legs. Right now, language arts was the least of my concerns. I was…confused.
Someone knew about us. But who? Methodically, I ran down the line of every cheat we’d ever caught, every awkward moment I’d ever had, every—
Suddenly I realized that I was completely alone in the gymnasium. The overhead lights buzzed, and I darted an uncomfortable glance around t
he empty room. I swallowed hard, listening and scanning the court. There was no one here, but I felt like I was being watched.
“Hello?” I called out, painfully aware that this was exactly how every horror movie started out. I let go of my legs and struggled to stand up. The pain in my back was returning with poorly timed vengeance. The room was silent.
Then I heard it. From the locker room there was a loud banging sound. Crab cakes! I spun, walking quickly to the double doors, becoming more and more paranoid with each step. I broke into a run. My heart was pumping, and my blood flowed to my face as the feeling of being chased crawled over my skin. I wanted to yell for Izzie, but she was long gone by now.
When I got to the heavy metal door, I ran against it, pushing it open as hard as I could. And screamed.
“Ah!” Joel Fletcher screamed back. He was just outside the doorway, standing in the hall, clutching his chest. “What the hell, Tessa?” he said, bending over to take a deep breath as he rested his palms on his knees. “You nearly killed me with the door.”
I was still gasping, staring at him. When he wasn’t doubled over in fear, Kira’s boyfriend was quite a catch. He had short, messy-but-cute brown hair, big hazel eyes, and a killer T-shirt collection. “Sorry,” I said absently, letting the door close behind me with a clank. My mind was fuzzy from the adrenaline rush.
He raised his head to look at me, exhaling loudly. “I didn’t mean to freak out. I was just coming to find Kira and—”
“She went looking for you. She said you guys were going to talk about outer space.” Which—in my opinion—was a weird conversation. But I didn’t judge. My ex-boyfriend (sort of) was into toes.
Joel stepped back and laughed, shaking his head. He smiled, his lips revealing one slightly crooked tooth. It was adorable. “Like, astronauts outer space?” he asked.
I nodded, glancing behind him into the crowded hallway. I must have looked distressed because Joel reached out to touch my hand. I quickly yanked it away, thrown off by the contact.
He apologized. “I’m so sorry! I didn’t mean…I…Are you okay?” His eyebrows were pulled together; he seemed concerned. I felt bad for acting like a spaz, but I couldn’t shake my anxiety.
“No,” I said, then paused. “I mean, yes, I’m fine. Thank you for asking. And again, sorry for almost hitting you with the door.”
Joel watched me. “Eh, no big deal.” He shrugged. “A broken nose would have added character.” He grinned at me, setting me at ease again. Something about him was just nice. He hadn’t meant anything by the hand touch. I was just on edge. I sighed.
“Are you heading down the English hallway?” I asked, motioning in that direction.
“Uh…sure.”
I couldn’t remember where Kira’s first class was, but I knew it wasn’t in that direction. Still, I was just happy for any company after my self-induced scare.
The crowded hallways had nearly emptied by the time we started walking. I was going to be totally tardy, but in light of all the drama that just went down, I didn’t mind. At least in detention I couldn’t be stalked. Wait. Could I?
“Can I ask you something?” Joel said, turning to look at me.
“Of course.” It was so polite of him to check!
“What exactly did Kira tell you she and I were meeting about? I’m pretty sure I’m not going to space camp anytime soon.”
“She said it was something about space.” I paused, just realizing how silly that sounded. Why would Joel want to talk about outer—“Oh,” I held up one finger. “You meant…space, space?” I gasped. “Joel? Are you breaking up with her?” My heart nearly leapt from my chest. He couldn’t break up with Kira—they were perfect together.
“No!” Joel put his hand on my bare upper arm, warming my skin.
“Oh.”
“Definitely not.”
“Sorry I—”
“It’s just—”
“Sorry. Go ahead—”
“You talk—”
I reached up to cover his mouth with my hand. Just then, the late bell rang and I paused, my palm slightly damp from the wetness of his mouth.
“Mm hm mm hm mmmm,” he said, tickling my fingers.
I scrunched my nose. “What?”
Joel pointed to my hand. I widened my eyes and dropped my arm. “Sorry!”
When I wiped my palm on my jeans, he smiled. “I said you can probably take your hand off my mouth now.”
“Right.”
“Yep.”
Joel and I faced each other, late for class. The sleeve of his black vintage Aerosmith T-shirt was folded slightly where it met his bicep, and I had to fight the urge to smooth it out. Instead I pressed my lips together in a smile.
“For the record,” Joel said quietly. “I was meeting Kira to ask if she wanted some space. Not outer space.” He shrugged. “She hasn’t been around much lately. She calls it ‘captain stress.’ ”
A potent combination of guilt and sadness filled me. I hated to think of Kira becoming distraught over cheerleading. Cheerleading was meant to embody positivity and school spirit. To feel stressed over it was completely tragic.
“I’m sure she doesn’t want space,” I confided, leaning close enough to Joel to bump his shoulder encouragingly with my own. “It’s probably just because homecoming is in a few weeks. Things will get back to normal soon.” I hoped I looked more convincing than I felt.
He studied me. “You’re probably right.”
“Right? I definitely haven’t heard that in a while.”
Joel gave me a strange look, as though he was about to say something. Instead, he just smiled. “I’ll see you around, Tess.” He turned to walk back the way we’d come.
“Nice talking with you,” I called after him. Then I watched as he rounded the corner, leaving me alone in the hallway.
ASSIGNMENT 2
1:00 A.M., SEPTEMBER 15
The operative drove aimlessly around the city, thinking about Jenn’s case. Something wasn’t sitting right. The operative hadn’t gotten proof of either suspect actually cheating, but she was sure that whatever they were up to wasn’t so innocent. Did the original SOS have problems like this? Weren’t all cheats one-hundred percent?
Snapping back to reality, the operative realized where she’d inadvertently taken herself. She pulled to the side of the road and shifted into park, killing the engine. Unease filled her chest, and she began to tap her dark nails on the steering wheel, constructing a plan.
She had to give Tessa credit: organizing an entire fleet of spies took a lot of work and dedication. But she knew she could do it better, especially since Tessa was distracted with Aiden. Her relationship blunder had left open the perfect opportunity for the operative to take SOS from her—and do it right.
The operative looked out the driver’s window to the quaint little house across the street, its bedroom light still on despite the hour. She’d slipped in there weeks ago, slowly gathering all the templates from Tessa’s computer in order to take over SOS. She’d sent out e-mails—some on a time delay—and then found her way to Izzie’s grandparents’ garage for the equipment.
The cell phone on the passenger seat vibrated. The operative snatched it up and scrolled through the message. Her alert had gone off, retrieving all of Riley’s texts from the past two weeks. It was good, since the listening device she’d planted under his desk hadn’t worked. She wondered if her lipstick had deactivated it. Her heart pounded as she waited to see what she’d find on her phone. She needed something.
“I love you, M.”
The operative’s red lips parted as she hitched in a breath. She waited for a response, and when nothing registered, she felt a bit of sadness touch her. She’d known what it was like to love someone and have it not returned. In a way, she felt bad for Riley.
The operative turned again to look at Tessa’s house, unsure why she was even here.
She had an assignment. One she was determined to finish.
The operative started
her car, glancing once more out the window. Then she saw her. Tessa Crimson standing in front of her full-length mirror—in her cheerleading uniform. The operative’s mouth opened. Tessa wasn’t even on the squad anymore, but…she wore her cheer uniform at home? Something about this little secret both pleased and irritated the operative. It was sad—pathetic almost—and it made her feel sorry for Tessa. And that wouldn’t do. Tessa had already lost Aiden, the squad, and SOS. Now the operative just needed to make sure things stayed that way. It was the only way to achieve her goal.
Shifting gears, she swung out into the road, illuminating her interior with the streetlights, and headed for home.
The cheaters would be caught. She’d make sure of it.
CHAPTER FIVE
THERE WERE WHISPERS. SINCE SCHOOL HAD started last month, there had been lots of gossip about Aiden and me—about why we broke up and why I’d left the cheerleading squad. And because the most popular rumor was that Kira had been dating Christian until I’d “stolen” him away, it had been really hard to defend myself. Not without exposing the Smitten Kittens as SOS.
So I kept my mouth shut. I denied what I could, hoping the rest would eventually fade away. It was amazing how differently people treated me now that I wasn’t their spirit savior. I was…ordinary.
“Hey, Tessa,” Chris Townsend said as I walked into language arts. The sound of his deep voice startled me. Gosh, I was really on edge!
“Oh, hi.” I glanced around the classroom, the circular arrangement of the desks, the stacks of books that overflowed from the shelves, feeling a little lost.
“You okay?” Chris asked, tilting his head toward mine.
“Uh-huh.” But I wasn’t. I was decidedly not okay. Chris was nice enough; I didn’t want to worry him. He was on the football team—a meaty linebacker with a great chance at a scholarship. He had light blond hair and a perfect speckling of freckles across the bridge of his nose. And lucky for him, he looked fantastic in uniform. Kira had pointed it out on a number of occasions. The ladies of Washington High were crazy about him. Maybe I would have been too, if I didn’t have Aiden.