“Allegra is much prettier and has class,” Claire pointed out. “You should make a move. Guys adore it when girls ask them out.”

“You’ve never asked a guy out,” Bonnie squealed.

Claire rolled her eyes. “I’m waiting for the right one. Hey, did you check out the new Gucci dress that just got released from the runway? I already asked my mom to get it for prom.”

“You didn’t! Bitch—my mother never lets me wear what I want. Your and Allegra’s moms are the coolest. I’ll get stuck with last year’s Vera Wang. What are you wearing, Allegra?”

I was already bored out of my mind with the conversation. Once again, I had the strange feeling of being outside my body, not meant to be trapped in a tiny, rich town. But as usual, I cranked to autopilot and answered. “Not sure. I’ll figure it out later.”

“Well, don’t wait too long or Claire will buy all the good stuff. Hey, who’s that?”

I watched as the faded black Dodge sports car pulled up to the school and idled right in front of us. A girl with shocking-pink hair and a nose ring stuck her head out the window. She flicked a gaze over all the pretentious outfits and brown loafers and long wavy hair because God forbid any girl wears a short cut.

Oh my God. I knew her. It was Freda.

I’d met her at the party I’d begged my friends to crash a week ago. It’d been a mix of people from various high schools and usually not our scene, but I was dying to do something different. I loved her pink hair, ripped jeans, and cool shoulder tat of a bleeding rose. I figured she’d be a bitch, but we’d actually talked for a while. She introduced me to David and Connor, her two friends, and they seemed really cool. They went to the public high school a few blocks away from Riverview. We got into some good conversations before my friends came looking for me, demanding we leave because of the trashy crowd. I’d apologized but figured they were done with me after such a crappy comment.

“Hey,” she greeted me, ignoring my friends. “Whatcha doing?”

Bonnie and Claire stared in shocked silence. For the first time in a while, excitement pumped through my veins. “Waiting to go back inside.”

“We’re bouncing for the rest of the day. Wanna come?”

I looked at her as she waited for my answer. Connor leaned over from the driver’s seat and motioned me in with a grin. “Come on, rich girl. Come play with us.”

I didn’t take offense. Ignoring Bonnie’s gasp, I hitched my backpack tighter over my shoulder and made my decision. “I’m going to go with them. Cover me. If anyone asks, I went home with a stomachache.”