Page 22 (1/2)

A PROMISE

“To know Brigit was to love Brigit,” Lexa Greene said, lifting her chin Tears shone in her green eyes Hundreds of candles adorned thein the cool autumn breeze The black-clad crowd of students, faculty, and parents huddled even closer together against the cold—and their own sadness

Ariana Osgood held a white candle in front of her, the fla eyes Her heart felt like it was collapsing in on itself over and over again, radiating hout her body She’d arrived at Atherton-Pryce Hall just over a ined that she’d becoit Rhygsted—or that it could hurt so badly to lose her It had been a week since Brigit had died, and Ariana still couldn’t believe she was gone A vivid iit’s body, so slight, so broken, crual staircase where she’d hter and her throat closed up If only she’d been there If only there was so she could have done

“She was all about adventure and laughter, and she exuded pure joy,” Lexa continued

Ariana heard a loud sniffle to her left Kaitlynn Nottinghaers over her lips as if to keep fro out loud Ariana’s free hand curled into a fist, and in her ined the satisfying crack of her nose and the thud as the girl hit the ground

Kaitlynn had killed Brigit Shoved her down the huge ian Embassy for no better reason than her desire to be accepted into Stone and Grave—the secret society for which all three of theall to stand there and cry?

Hovering next to Kaitlynn was Adam Lazerri, his curly brown hair frizzy and his chin spotty with stubble He stared at the ground, sing repeatedly, clearly trying not to cry He at least had a right to be sad He and Brigit had just started dating Along with Adarazed the top of his dark sunglasses as he stared straight ahead Next to him, Maria Stanzini let out a sob, and Ariana saw Landon reach out to squeeze her hand Maria pressed her face into Landon’s shoulder, looking for all the world like a girl as leaning on her friend for support Only Ariana knew that the two of the At least her friend was able to take comfort from the boy she loved and not worry that anyone would read anything into it For once, Landon was not the center of attention

Ariana’s own secret love, Palroup, his hands folded at waist level, his dark hair slicked back from his face Every now and then he would sniffle and blink, holding back tears Ariana wished she could go to him, comfort him, be comforted But noas not the time to be selfish

“If you would all bow your heads for a

Soomie Ahn reached out and took Ariana’s hand The coil in Ariana’s heart loosened, and she took a long, deep breath She looked up at the large photo of Brigit propped up on the black velvet–covered table next to Lexa It was surrounded by sold and white In the photo, Brigit beamed on a white-sand beach, her blond curls lit by the sun She looked alive, happy, and completely oblivious to the fact that her life would be cut short by a psychopathas a friend

For a long h the bell tower atop the chapel, and a boat’s horn sounded from down on the Potomac River below campus

“Thank you,” Lexa said finally

Ariana opened her eyes Lifted her head Forced herself to breathe the crisp autumn air

“I know that it If you’d like to come up one by one, you can take a moment and leave them here by her picture,” Lexa said

Conrad Royce, Lexa’s boyfriend, slipped quickly froit’s picture, before engulfing Lexa in a hug Sooe, and they started for the chapel steps, hand in hand, as the large crowd of mourners broke and shifted behind them Maria walked over and held on to Soo Landon, Adaether the six of the where Lexa and Conrad waited

“We’llher yellow sunflower—Brigit’s favorite—in front of the photo

Soo her face “I justI can’tI can’t i here without”

Ariana glanced at Lexa and bit her lip She removed her own sunflower froit’s picture “We didn’t know each other for very long, Brigit, but yousuch a good friend”