Stella considered that—she had a point. “We probably will, but Jewel never said we only get them for challenges. They like word games here.” Whatever the Gamemaster Trio wasn’t saying would be just as important as what they were. “It’s equally possible there was a challenge when we got here and we just didn’t know it. Maybe I earned this by agreeing to play.”

“We all agreed to play, so we should’ve all gotten one.”

“I don’t like you,” Stella said, deciding on the spot to not invest any more of her time in Harlow. Not worth it—too whiny and entitled for her liking. “You all were willing pawns, down for whatever. I’m not. We have contact with the outside because of me. I challenged Jewel, and I won.”

“You’re making that up. That’s way too convenient.”

“All theories are made up,” Stella said. “And if my color was in the same sentence as the words too bad and sacrifice, I’d be worried about what comes next, not why didn’t I get one.”

“Whatever. Everyone else already went downstairs.”

“Not so fast.” She gripped Harlow’s arm, yanking her to a standstill. “Give it back. It was in front of my door with my name on it. You may not steal another player’s presents, remember?”

“I wasn’t stealing,” Harlow furiously whispered, looking around as if to check to see if someone else had heard the accusation. “We’re supposed to work together for the game.”

“Are we? Did Jewel say that?”

“She implied it.”

“No, you interpreted it that way.”

“Same difference.” Harlow shrugged. “We need a leader to make sure everyone stays on track.”

“And you think that’s you?” Stella stretched her arms upward, yawning. “I don’t know what kind of Sweet Valley High you came from, but you’re not leadership material by any stretch of the imagination.”

Harlow scoffed, rolling her eyes again—an interesting reaction and habit that her parents obviously didn’t help her break. “You’re such a bitch.”

“Thank you.”

“That wasn’t a compliment.”

“Are you sure? I think it was.” Stella winked. “You need to calm down.”

“Don’t tell me to calm down,” Harlow said, fuming. “From the second you got here you’ve been nothing but bitchy to me. And now you’re going to hold us all back in the game.”

Stella raised an eyebrow. “That was quite the little speech. Remind me to pay attention next time.” She laughed, and then said, “Look. You can’t out sass me, so don’t try. If you want to talk about perceptions? We can do that. Your attitude has been absolute condescending and sycophantic trash. Let’s be honest with each other: If I’m a bitch, so are you. I’m just better at it.”

“Whatever. I truly hope you get sent home for not coming to breakfast.”