Something sharp and merciless began to cut its way to the forefront of Stella’s brain. She was raised to be nothing short of the best. Her parents controlled her every move, ensuring they raised her to not only know her worth, but to worship it. She balanced it with skill, executing everything she did with precision and grace. It would have been all too easy to turn into a rebellious teenage dropout runaway. She didn’t for a reason.

Stella reveled in her superiority because she’d worked so hard for it. Made her peace with sacrificing everything to have it. She had leaned so far into her parental suffocation it became fuel that would always drive her to be better than the best.

No one would best her. Ever.

Jewel continued, “I wasn’t able to dig up, as you so aptly put it, enough on you in time to incorporate it into the game. Any distress you experience is purely your own doing.”

“You caught me off guard, I can admit that,” Stella said. “That was a mistake on your part, though. I hope you’re ready.”

“Ready for what?”

“Me. Because I’m playing for real now.”

“The End isn’t set in stone.” Jewel sighed. “Unfortunately, I don’t think I’ll see you there. Sorry.”

“Stop flirting with me when I’m being serious,” Stella shot back. “It’s not fair to the others. They’ll think you’re playing favorites and pretending that you aren’t.”

Once more, she had made Jewel laugh. “I’ve decided I do like you, Stella At All Times, but you’re all wrong for what I’m trying to do here. I need someone who will make me a better person. And here she comes.”

Stella followed her gaze toward the door, landing on Luna just as she exclaimed, “Oh wow!” while walking into the room, her left arm in a dark blue sling with a very harried Alex next to her. They’d taken the time to change into matching pink and baby-blue floral jumpsuits—probably Jewel’s creativity and not their own. Ethan and Olive weren’t far behind them.

“All good things,” Stella said, standing up. She made it to them at the same time as Nicole, and asked Luna, “And how did this happen, young lady?”

“I fell,” Luna said. “I’m toooooootally fine, though.”

Nicole bent down in front of Luna, hands on her knees. “Hey, look at me for a second?”

“Okay.” Luna had trouble focusing, blinking too often. “How are you so pretty?”

“Genetics,” Nicole answered, and then whispered to Stella, “She’s high as shit.”

“I’m not high! I have a prescription! The doctor gave it to me!”

Stella cackled, threw her head back and everything. “You bring me so much joy. So much.” She turned to Alex. “The doctor should have given you one too. You look stressed.”

Alex sighed. “I honestly wouldn’t have said no.”