I ignored her, handing everyone napkins. Ellen liked to act all sweet, but the girl wasn’t as innocent as she made out to be. I needed to warn Theresa about her, if she was hanging out with Lily. Cole had never admitted it to me, but I strongly suspected that Ellen had been the one to lure him to the football field last year to drink when he was caught and suspended. She’d gotten away with it, like she always did. Too bad we hadn’t had the principal and his wife living across the street at that point.

“There’s still a ton to do for the party, of course,” I said. “Mr. McCaul needs to hang the orange lights on the garage roof.”

“Well, if you need any help with the party, I can do it,” Ellen said, ever the wannabe adult.

“That’s generous of you, but we’re good. Plus, I know you have a lot going on with your senior year.”

“Not really,” she said. “I mean, I got my early decision applications in. My counselor says I’m pretty much guaranteed to get into NYU and Oberlin, but I’d much rather Princeton.” Ellen shrugged. “I’ve worked hard enough that I deserve Ivy League. Just depends on how much financial aid they can give me.”

“We need to get Cole motivated like you are,” said Paul, pointing his fork in their direction. He’d already finished his plate. Was he going to get seconds himself or wait until I offered to get them for him? My money was on the second.

But Paul was right. Cole could use motivation. A kick-in-the-ass reminder to keep him going. We all needed that sometimes. I tried my best to be there for him, but I’d been distracted with work and party planning. When was the last time I’d told Cole how proud of him I was?

“Cole is motivated,” I said to Paul. “You should’ve seen him tear through the water the other day. He’s going to get his school record back. Right?” I winked at Cole.

Cole grinned. “I’ll let him have it for another week or so,” he said.

“Bo won’t let it go that easily,” Ellen said, taking another small bite of ravioli. “He’s so freaking competitive. It’s like Suzanne Jennings thinking she’s going to snatch valedictorian out from under me. Please.”

“Could she?” Paul asked, curious.

Ellen’s eyes narrowed as she shook her head. “No way. I could probably coast the rest of the year and still make valedictorian.”

“Oh lord.” Cole poked her with his finger. “Turn down the humbleness.”

“What? It’s true. Once I hear back from Princeton, it’s pretty much a done deal.” Ellen looked over at me as she sipped her water, then smiled. “Unless I, like, murder someone before graduation or something.”