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It is possible that a stronger person, a person less wracked by the self-doubt that comes hand-in-hand with the cruel loss of control of coers were pointed, and cruelly cohter filled the hallway It is possible that another person could have soh even as the one success she had ever had in her life was discredited, ridiculed, and reduced to ashes

But Samantha Early was not that person

Kayla, alone for once, watched from behind her open locker door I saw her there I saw her eyes follow Sa, turned, and fled the school, chased away by sickening gales of laughter

Kayla had triumphed absolutely

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I WANTED TO KILL HER KAYLA I DIDN’T KNOW the girl, had never guessed at her existence until the day before But I felt a sickness insideher in her victory, her pointless, cruel victory

“Call the Garitted teeth

Messenger said nothing He was back to his taciturnity, hisI was about to say indifference, but when I saw his face, what I saw there was not indifference He was looking at retted h he was sorry to have edy a part of my life

“She deserves to be punished,” I said stridently “She killed Samantha as surely as if she’d stabbed her with a knife”

Messenger looked atwhat he should do with me What I had taken for earlier approval, and then pity, had turned flinty But whatever he was planning to do next was stopped by the arrival of Daniel, alked past Kayla and beneath the banner In his casual clothing he looked al to disappear into their classrooms

“Daniel,” Messenger said in curt greeting

“Messenger,” Daniel said just as curtly “A matter requires your attention”

“Another case?”

Daniel nodded “A very serious one, I am sorry to tell you”

“I ahtly