I turn away and yawn for the hundredth time this morning, trying to catch it in my hand so Xander doesn’t notice.

“Didn’t sleep well?” Xander asks.

Nadine stands on the other side of me. I cut my eyes toward her, and she gives me a soft, tentative smile as she runs a hand over her hair and fidgets with the messy bun at the nape of her neck.

Willow and Nadine came back last night and invited me to a girls’ sleepover in Willow’s room. They called it that, like we were at summer camp or something and hadn’t just finished clawing our way through blood and horror for a chance at power. I was surprised to see them at my door again after we’d parted for the night, but I understood why they were there—and I can’t say I wasn’t grateful for it. They needed to forget for a while. I recognized it on their faces because I felt the same desire. Still, I almost said no. It made sense that Willow had made a new friend. I would just be the spectator again, watching on the outside like I was with Parker and Jacob. It would be everything I was trying to escape. But Willow linked her arm in mine and practically dragged me to her room.

I sensed the same reluctance in Nadine, but anytime one of us tried to pull in on ourselves, Willow was there bringing us back into the moment.

Xander takes us both in, jaw tightening. “Making friends, I see.”

“I’m a friendly girl.”

“You’re not,” he mutters, eyeing Nadine like she’s a potential threat. She is, of course. She’s my competitor. I haven’t forgotten.

Xander leans in and drops his voice so only I can hear. “Don’t trust anyone.”

I shrug him off. I’m not a fool.

I shoot Nadine an apologetic smile as the crowd hushes.

Willow drew the first performance slot. I remember her saying that she has stage fright and am glad she doesn’t have to sit and stew in her anxiety while the rest of us go. She takes the stage, regal and calm in a flowing dress made of all the greens of spring and speckled with soft pink rosebuds. She nods her head toward the audience before sitting on the piano bench and arching her fingers over the keys. She holds the pose, giving no explanation, just allowing us a moment to look and anticipate.