Scarlet stood there, fuming, wondering how to respond. She was too furious to even know what to say. A part of her wanted to punch Vivian and all of her disgusting friends. But of course, she wouldn’t do that. She was classier than that. She had to fight fire with fire, to use her words.
“Well, if you’re going to post again, why don’t you try the truth: that Blake’s not into you, that you made up all those things about me—and that you’re a miserable person.”
“You little witch,” she hissed, taking a step forward.
Scarlet prepared to defend herself. She could feel a sudden power surging through her veins, and sensed that she could really hurt Vivian if she wanted to. But she didn’t want to. She just wanted her to disappear.
Suddenly the sliding glass door opened, and out strutted Maria.
“Well oh well, look who it is,” Maria said to Vivian. “If it isn’t the wicked witch herself!”
Vivian and her friends turned and looked as Maria walked out.
“Well, if it isn’t the second loser of the pair,” Vivian snapped back.
Maria didn’t hesitate. She hoisted her plastic cup, filled with beer, and to Scarlet’s surprise, threw it right in Vivian’s face.
Vivian screamed, her face and hair and clothes soaked.
Everyone on the deck, a good dozen people, turned and watched, stunned into silence.
Then they burst out into laughter, laughing in Vivian’s face.
Vivian suddenly shrieked and leapt for Maria, raising her claws high and aiming them right for her face. Vivian was a big girl, nearly six feet tall, and Maria was short and petite, and Scarlet sensed that it would be a disaster.
Scarlet burst into action. Without even realizing what she was doing, she reacted lightning fast. As Vivian brought her hand down for Maria’s face, Scarlet caught it at the last second.
Scarlet held Vivian’s wrist with her super-strength, preventing her hand from reaching Maria.
And then, she pushed Vivian back.
It wasn’t a hard push, but it nonetheless sent her flying back, into her two friends. The three of them fell, like dominoes, falling on top of each other on the deck.
Scarlet stood over them, seething with rage, wanting to finish them off.
But she didn’t. As the three of them sat up, looking at her, wide-eyed, everyone else on the deck stared at Scarlet, too, as if she were some kind of freak.
“OMG, Scarlet, how did you do that?” Maria asked, with a trembling voice.
But Scarlet had enough. This party was going from bad to worse, and she felt out of control. She stormed into the house, weaved her way through all the pulsating bodies, out the front door, and across the front lawn. She had to get away. Not to mention her phone wouldn’t stop vibrating in her pocket, and her parents wouldn’t leave her alone. She realized it was time to go, and face the fire.
Suddenly, a voice stopped her from behind.
“Hey,” said the voice.
Scarlet stopped in her tracks.
No. It can’t be. Not him. Not now.
She turned slowly, hoping it would be anybody but him.
Her heart was pounding in her throat as she saw him standing there.
Sage.
Dressed in his leather jacket, jeans and leather boots, Sage’s longish hair framed his gray eyes, which sparkled down at her.
“Where were you going?” he asked.
“I don’t know,” she replied, caught off guard, not thinking clearly.
“Surely you must have been going somewhere,” he said, and broke into a smile. It was the most beautiful smile she had ever seen.
It was contagious; she found herself smiling back.
“I guess, anywhere but here. I’ve had my drama for the day.”
“I know what you mean. I’m not really one for parties myself.”
“So why are you here?” she asked, surprised.
“I was hoping to find someone,” he said.
She stared back, mesmerized, wondering.
“Who?” she asked.
He paused, then, in his soft voice, he said, “You, actually.”
Me? Scarlet thought. Why?
Her throat went dry.
So. He felt the same way.
Scarlet started to worry what would happen if Maria came out and saw the two of them talking. It would be a disaster. She felt she had to get out of here. But she couldn’t pull herself away.
“I wanted to talk today,” he said. “After class. But you never gave me a chance.”
Scarlet didn’t know how to respond. She could hardly believe this was happening.
“I’m sorry,” she said, knowing how he felt. “I really didn’t mean to be rude. It’s just that…well…my friend, Maria. She really likes you.”
There. She said it. Now he had his chance to go after Maria, if he wanted to.
“But you’re the one that I like,” he said, staring into her eyes.
As he said it, he took a step closer, reached up with his palm and caressed her cheek. Scarlet’s heart was pounding in her throat. She felt frozen in time.
“Scarlet?” came an outraged voice.
She turned, and her heart dropped to see Maria standing there, just a few feet away, staring with a mix of confusion and outrage. Maria looked utterly horrified, as if Scarlet had just stabbed her in the back. Scarlet could see in her eyes how deeply betrayed she felt.
Scarlet immediately felt guilty, even though she knew she hadn’t done anything wrong.
“Maria, you don’t understand—” Scarlet began.
But it was too late. Maria burst into tears and stormed off. She disappeared back into the crowd.
Scarlet felt a pit in her stomach. She knew Maria, and knew she would never forgive something like this. She would perceive it as a betrayal, and would never get over it. Scarlet felt wracked by guilt and sadness, as she had a sinking feeling that Maria would never talk to her again—and would also turn all her friends against her. She felt more alone than ever.
“You okay?” Sage asked.
Scarlet wiped a tear, and turned and looked back at Sage, who was still staring at her with his haunting, gray eyes. She nodded, trying to snap out of it and back into the moment. But it wasn’t working.
“I have to get home,” she said. “I’m sorry.”
“Home can wait,” he said. “Come with me.”
He held out a hand.
Scarlet was stunned. She looked down at his open hand. Her relationship with Maria was already ruined, and clearly, nothing would fix that. At the same time, her feelings for Blake were almost nonexistent. Sage was the one who mesmerized her. He was the one who cared. He was the one she wanted to be with.