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“You’re beautiful Hilarious Kind You deserve better than all this”

She sat down, forcing a s I don’t think I’m suitably flattered yet”

“You have iood at math” I stood up and walked toward her bed

She sucked in a few deep breaths and shook her head “Man, okay, I feel weird Why do I feel weird? A weird?”

“You should lie down”

She looked up then “Why?”

“Because the sedative I put in your water bottle’s about to kick in hard”

“Sedative?” Her voice sounded thick She lurched forward but I caught her,into her soft hair, uided her back to the bed, despite her frantic struggling She had no strength; she was like a little doll

“Sorry, Penny,” I whispered,her comfortable “If it helps, I didn’t want this at all I think I love you And even if I don’t, you’re my first real friend”

“Love ?” Her eyes fluttered shut and I sat withit rise and fall

She didn’t move

“Love you,” I repeated, then gently patted her hair flat “That sounds right So why’s it all wrong?” I leaned forward and kissed her cheek Her breath was shallow I pressed my ear to her chest Her heartbeat was steady

Not dead Not yet

I stood up and walked to , ornate knife from a sheath and held it to the

The razer-sharp steel glinted in the late evening light The sun was nearly down

I began to pace My plan was simple Kill Penny here in the room then wait until it was late I’d sneak out to the apart I had an old station wagon parked nearby and the keys were in my pocket

It wasn’t the big, splashy e Maeve wanted, but it would have to do With Kaspar sneaking around, there was no way I’d be able to do anything public Finishing Penny off alone in her room was the best I could hope for

She looked peaceful It was a strong sedative and I gave her enough for at least an hour or two I didn’t know the dosing exactly, but it wasn’t like itup

I walked to her, knife clutched in ht back to the first time we met—shy, uncomfortable, unsure I wanted to hate her

I was charmed, even on that first day

She was easy to talk with We laughed, we sang, we even danced Being with her was the kind of friendship I’d always iined