Before I could even contemplate Dick Click’s version of history, I had to have a cigarette. I ducked into the bathroom and before I could even get my lighter out, two girls came in. What was it with this place? Didn’t they know students weren’t supposed to be in here?

I assumed the toilet-bowl squat position as quietly as possible.

“Do you have that new Anna Sui lipstick?”

Brittney DaSalvo.

“Which one?”

Chelsea Westad.

Crap. Nothing was worse than getting trapped in the bathroom with the Blond Bitches.

“Did you see Marci scarfing the caf food? My gawd!”

“I know!” Chelsea cackled. “She’s totally freaking out over Adrian and Cole.”

“Whatever, like she has a chance anymore. Have you seen her stomach? Hello? No. You have to do something.”

“What? Why me?”

“Because! You’re the captain of the squad. We can’t have a cheerleader with a muffin top oozing over her skirt. It’s too gross. We just can’t! This is a crisis.”

I just shook my head, imagining her calling in to Colorado Cares: “Um, hello? Yes, this is Brittney DaSalvo. Well, see, here’s the thing … I have this friend who has gained five-point-five pounds. No, really, it is a friend. No, it’s not me! Ugh! Hello? Yes, just five-point-five pounds. Well, what do you mean not to worry? This is a crisis!”

Brittney clicked her lipstick cap back on. “She must be stopped.”

Chelsea extracted something from her purse. Through the crack I could see her blotting her nose with powder. Blah, blah, blah, I tried to follow the logic of their discussion on lipstick names. It was unreal to hear people talking and behaving normally—well, normal for demented cheerleaders. Normal for me was long gone.

“So, Marci said you went to Kori’s funeral. You’re so random anymore.”

I pressed my lips together, my heart hammering at just the sound of Kori’s name.

“Our families go way back. You know that.”

“That’s right. Didn’t she, like, hook up with your brother in seventh grade?”

“Who didn’t she hook up with?” The edge to Chelsea’s voice was undeniable. She smacked her lips. “How’s this color on me? Cute?”

“Oh, beyond.”

I wondered if I could puke and not make any noise.

“I heard Parker Walsh is paralyzed. Can you believe that? His family’s going to sue the school for putting in that speed bump and not putting up any signs.”

“Just because they sue the school doesn’t mean they’ll get any money.” Chelsea smacked her newly polished lips. “Everyone knows it was all Parker’s fault.”

My lighter slipped in my sweating hand, and I had to press it into my thigh to keep it from falling as I waited on each word. All I wanted was an answer, and I didn’t want the answer for why Kori was gone to be: because of Parker Walsh.