“Ha ha,” he retorts, but it’s mostly drowned out by everyone laughing at him. They might be laughing at me, too, but at least I know my face isn’t turning beet red like his is.

Dr. Bock calls everyone to order, which means the end of that, and I take my seat, but not before glancing back at the door. It could just be my imagination, but I swear I catch a glimpse of Salem smirking behind the small window before he disappears.

I try to keep my own smile under control as I pull out my notebook, my eyes on my desk.

I don’t know that it’ll shut Duncan up tomorrow, but it’s nice to have hope.

Pact, 1; rich tools, 0.

The Community Service Club meets by the main parking lot every Friday afternoon, since it’s pretty much always being shuttled to one spot or another. Today it’s the local soup kitchen, and in addition to Isabel and her three stunning friends, the van that takes us there also contains Mrs. Dodd, the faculty advisor; Kayla Alton from my English class; a senior couple who at no point tear their eyes or mouths off each other; two freshman boys who are clearly there to stare at Isabel and Co.; and, as I probably should’ve guessed, Heather, who cheerfully sits down next to me and tells me all about the people I’m going to meet, because of course she did community service all of last year as well.

The van pulls up just as she’s telling me about “Bobby, who’s hilarious and always wears this hat with a frog on it.” At no point has there been an opportune moment to ask her whether she knows her boyfriend is a scumbag. Which means I could be forgiven for letting the entire ride go by without telling her, right?

“Hey! Evie!” A hand lands on my arm, and I’m shaken out of my upset by Isabel McEvoy’s glossy smile. “So glad you made it.”

“Happy to serve my new community,” I reply, acutely aware of both her friends and Heather watching us. “Have you met Heather?”

“Yeah, we—” Heather starts, right as Isabel says, “No, I don’t think so!” She holds out a hand toward Heather, who pastes on a smile as she shakes it. “And this is Jenna, Ashleigh, and Priya.” She turns to me. “Girls, this is Evie.”