“Interesting,” I say, watching leaves skitter across the pavement. “How do you feel about Zoe? I know most of the people at school aren’t my biggest fan, and I’ve been wondering if it’s the same for her.”

“To be honest,” Iris says, glancing around the front lawn to make sure nobody is within earshot, “Zoe has always creeped me out. She’s deluded herself into thinking she’s the top tier of the social hierarchy, but it’s all just a fantasy. She doesn’t realize that nobody really cares about social standing, we’re all just trying to get through high school.”

I let out a scoff of amusement, thinking back to all the times Zoe explained the school system as if it was fact, making it clear that people like Mason weren’t supposed to associate with people like us. But it never occurred to me that she was the only one playing her convoluted games. Or maybe it was the two of us playing together, locked in a perpetual battle of trying to one-up the other.

“She does take her reputation pretty seriously,” I admit, trying to remain diplomatic.

“A little too much, if you ask me.” Iris leans forward, obscuring the view of the eyes on the page. “She’s been acting so weird ever since my party. When I saw you guys fighting, it was pretty obvious you’d never speak to each other again. And then suddenly she started acting like nothing even happened. She got a fancy new car and pretended she didn’t know what people were talking about whenever they brought up the fight.”

“That’s definitely strange.” The words “fancy new car” strike me. I vaguely remember Zoe making a comment about that when she nearly hit the fence. Seems like an odd time to buy a new vehicle out of the blue.

Iris blushes again and shakes her head. “She’s your best friend, I don’t know why I’m saying this to you. I’m sorry.”

“Don’t apologize,” I say quickly. She’s turned out to be a bigger fountain of information than I thought, and it would be a shame for her to stop now. “I appreciate the honesty.”

Her shoulders sink slightly in relief. Overhead, the lunch bell rings, startling both of us. Iris stands, closing her book and brushing off the front cover, and I do the same, stifling a sigh.

She’s about to head into the school when she hesitates. “A bunch of us are going to Boulder Trail tonight,” she announces. “I don’t know if you heard about it already. It’s just for the seniors, and it’s the first party we’ve had since everything happened. It might be weird for you, but you’re welcome to come if you feel up for it.”

“Thanks, Iris.”