“I swear—Kismet needs more crime to chill people out,” I said. “But the worst of it was my mom totally freaking out on me, like I’d brought this on or something.” Which, I guess I had, but I still shot Lexi a look to let her know that I knew she’d played a major role in my mom’s hysterics.

As I walked to Doc’s class, I saw Anthony Beck’s T-shirted back as he pulled a book out of his locker and I stopped cold.

He hadn’t been overbearing or clingy or aloof or any of the conditions that commonly plague high school boys. In fact, I hadn’t really spoken to him since I’d been snippy with him, but whenever he passed behind me in the evil hallway, he’d stroke his hand down my hair. A subtle reminder that he was there, that he understood something of what I was going through.

I knew if things between us were going to work at all, I needed to make the next move. And everything about Anthony—the way his eyes would go soft, the way his lips would curve, the way his hand would linger on me as he walked past—told me there wasn’t any risk. He was a sure thing, a safe place to fall.

And I desperately needed to fall.

He turned and caught me staring. “Hi,” I said quickly.

“Hey,” he said, flashing me a smile.

“So, yeah.” I took a tentative step toward him. “How’ve you been?”

A metallic bang sounded as he shut his locker. He gave me a quick, apologetic grimace. “I’m sorry, Serena, I have to run, I’ve got an exam next period. Can’t be late.” When I nodded, he was already walking away. He turned and pointed at me. “Don’t get mugged.”

I grimaced. Don’t get mugged? So much for my soft, safe nest.

At least I had Doc’s class to look forward to. Ever since the car wreck, classes consisted of lame group discussions to talk about our fears and feelings. I didn’t say a word, even when people who had never so much as said hi to Kori cried about her death. Let’s just say the forced group therapy bored the crap out of me. My fingernails have never been so clean. But I’d expected Doc’s class to be of help. To make something as illogical as Kori being gone make sense to me. To make that vulnerable feeling that seemed to drip from the school walls go away. To make me feel safe about what might happen next.