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“That ive you a call,” Lark says, edging one leg slowly back into our booth in the universal sign for “I’o away,” but Vicky continues to linger

“And how are you doing?” Vicky asks, with a pointed look in aze connects with mine, the warmth vanishes from her expression

Well, if this woht as well be properly introduced

“Hi, I’m Mason Stewart” I stand and extend my hand

“Oh, I knoho you are I sat behind you in Algebra II junior year,” Vicky says, her lips pruning “But even if I hadn’t, I would know Mason Stewart Everyone in Bliss River knoho you are…and what you did”

“Vicky, please,” Lark murmurs beneath her breath

“You know I’m not one to keep my mouth shut, Lark You’re like a little sister to me,” she says “And I wouldn’t consider myself much of a friend to you, or Aria, if I didn’t look this one right in the eye and say sha who just peed on the carpet “Shame! On you!”

Lark sighs “Vicky—”

“You’re right,” I say, cutting her off before she’s forced to defend ain “What I did to Lark was shaest iveto spend the rest of ht call”

Vicky sniffs, looking somewhat mollified “Well, at least you know you’re a rat”

“Was a rat,” I correct with ood friend to Lark I’ me in public”

Vicky’sher eyebrows “He alas too sood, but you keep hi enough to blind people fro Lark one last tiet to tell your sister to call me”

By the time Vicky finally hustles away to the opposite corner of the restaurant, Lark’s cheeks are bright pink with embarrassment

“I a back into the booth, clutching her coffee like a lifeline

“Why are you sorry? I’m the rat”