I suddenly remember Big Dave at school, asking about private photo sessions … blowing me a kiss in the hallway like Adrian just did. Now I realize that’s truly what people think I do. Not just the dimwits in my school like Big Dave, but the Goldens. I wonder how far this photo has spread. Does everyone in town believe they’ve seen me in the buff?

I don’t know whether I want to punch something or cry.

“I’m fine,” I tell Evie, even though I’m not. “Are you?”

“Just typical drama.” She glances around at everyone staring at us and calls out to the pool house: “Nothing to see here. That photo is a fake. Adrian’s just drunk and spouting off because his feelings are hurt. What else is new? Enjoy your evening, folks.”

Um, this is not typical for me, thankyouverymuch. I want to ask her more. I want to tell her that I’m ready to leave and get away from these people. She can tell me everything on the walk home and, and—

“I’m so sorry I dragged you into this shit. Don’t listen to what he said or worry about the photo.”

“Evie,” I whisper. “You know that wasn’t me, right?”

“Hush. I know. I’m going to see if I can find out where he got it.” She looks toward her friends who are saying something to her. “Can you hang on for a while? It’s just, I need to … I’ll be right back, I promise.”

Before I can protest, she’s striding away, being comforted by Vanessa from Barcelona.

And now I’m alone. Stunned. Confused. Enduring stares and whispers.

And very angry.

I see Lucky though the crowd, but I can’t handle him right now. I can’t handle any of this. I’m completely overwhelmed, and I can’t “hang on.” I just need to get out of here. Away from all of it. I could call Mom to come pick me up, but honestly, she’s the last person I want to see right now. So I don’t call her. I just stride out of the pool house, around the pool, and across the perfectly manicured lawn, listening to the sounds of the party fade as I trudge around a curving gravel driveway filled with parked cars. In a few minutes, I’m out of the gate and walking down the dark sidewalk into town.

It’s not midnight yet, and Beauty prides itself on being safe, so I’m not all that worried about walking home alone—it’s not far. Still, I try to stay aware and stick to the gas streetlamps, following the main road through the historic district.