All her false warnings to stay away—is it because she has something going on with him herself? Did she leave the jacket there deliberately to have an excuse to come back? Exactly how grateful is she for that camera he gave her? The hot jealousy has solidified into sharp needles that stab and stab. I clutch the clippers I brought back with me tight in my hand, wanting to stab something myself. She already has Max mooning around after her, plus all the boys at school. Is this where she’s been every night when she told me she was up at the amusement park with her friends? Here, alone in Dean House with Greg?

I hate her sometimes. I do, I do.

March 2008

“He likes you, you know,” Bella says, leaning down to pick up a stone, smiling back at me over her shoulder. We’re cutting through the woods on the way to Dean House. Well, I am, gardening tools in a messenger bag, scruffiest jeans on. Bella’s dressed up to go out. But she insisted on walking me over there first. Because apparently it’s not safe for me to be out in the woods alone, but it’s fine for her.

“Who?” I say, my heart beating faster. Max, I’m thinking. Tell me it’s Max.

“Sean.”

“Sean? Really? Urgh—no. Are you winding me up?”

Bella laughs. “I see him watching you. And why are you looking so horrified? He is gorgeous—you should be thrilled.”

“But he’s so scowly and brooding. He scares me a bit, to be honest. I can’t imagine ever…you know.” I blush, glad it’s dark in the woods so she can’t see.

She smiles. “Brooding and scowly is sexy—like Heathcliff.”

“Heathcliff was a total psycho. And anyway, it doesn’t matter because I don’t like Sean.”

She turns and faces me. “Who do you like, then?”

I frown. “You know who I like.”

The smile drops from her face. She looks…what? What’s that look on her face? Goose bumps rise on my arms.

“Still? It’s still Max?”

“It’ll always be Max.”

“He’s all wrong for you, Tess. I know you like him because he’s so kind to you, but I don’t think he sees you that way. He sees you like a sister.”

“You don’t know that.”

I recognize the look on her face this time. It’s pity. “I do know,” she says. “He told me. He’s embarrassed by the way you moon around after him. It makes him uncomfortable. It’s why he hasn’t been hanging out at our house so much.”