The Dolls(96)

“Well, folks,” the host cuts back in. “Thanks for coming tonight. Please get home safely!”

The band launches into a slow version of “New York, New York,” which makes me homesick, and above us, the houselights come on. “It’s only ten thirty,” I say, puzzled.

Peregrine shakes her head at me. “The ball always ends early so that the controlling sosyete has plenty of time to make it to New Orleans. The rest of the town just thinks it’s because the Main Street district has an eleven o’clock noise ordinance curfew.

“Meet us outside in ten minutes,” Peregrine adds before disappearing into the crowd.

I’m escorted off stage, and I head over to find Liv, who’s been dancing with Drew all night. She’s smiling in disbelief as I approach.

“Congratulations, girl!” she exclaims.

She hugs me, and I hug tightly back. “Thanks,” I say, a little embarrassed. “It’s no big deal.”

“I beg to differ,” she says. “Dude, you just got crowned queen of the biggest ball of the year!”

“Co-queen,” I say.

“A mere technicality,” she replies.

I change the subject. “So where’d Drew go? I wanted to say good-bye to him too.”

“He just went to the bathroom. He’ll be right back. Where’s Caleb?”

I frown. “I don’t know.”

“Did you two have a fight?”

“Something like that,” I mumble.

“Do you need a ride home?”

“Peregrine and Chloe can drive me,” I promise. “But enough about me. So has Drew kissed you yet?”

She looks so excited that I can’t help but smile as she exclaims, “Yes! Totally! And Eveny, he is such a good kisser! I think there’s really a future in this.”

I pull her into a fierce hug. “I’m so happy for you,” I murmur. I hold on just a moment longer than I have to, because who knows what will happen tonight? “Thanks for being my friend,” I say.

She pulls away and looks at me with concern. “What’s wrong, Eveny?”

I shake my head. “Nothing.”

I turn to walk away and collide with Arelia, who’s hurrying in the opposite direction. “What, now that you’ve been voted the queen of the ball, you’re too good to watch where you’re going?” she demands.

I realize that she looks like she’s been crying. “What’s wrong?” I ask. “Are you okay?”

“What do you care?” she asks, sniffling.

That’s when I realize that she’s one of the few people at the ball I haven’t kissed yet. Knowing she’ll think I’m completely nuts since I’ve already seen and ignored her several times tonight, I dive in and give her a quick peck on the cheek. “What the hell?” she demands, her hand flying to her face like I’ve burned her.

But I’m too frozen to reply. That’s because a raspberry red mark has bloomed on her cheek, exactly where my lips met her skin.

“It’s you,” I breathe.

She narrows her eyes. “What’s me?”

“You’re the one who killed Glory,” I say, my voice hollow with disbelief.

Her gaze slides away from me. “Oh, honestly, Eveny, haven’t we been through this already? Just because Glory mentioned my name doesn’t mean anything.”

“No,” I say. “But the red stain on your cheek does. You’ve been lying about what happened that night.”

She reaches up and touches her face in confusion just as I spot Caleb across the room. “Caleb!” I cry, gesturing wildly. He looks confused, but he hurries over.

“You okay?” he asks.

“It was Arelia,” I tell him tersely.

He looks at her, and she winds her finger in a circle around her ear to indicate that I’m crazy. “What are you talking about, Eveny?” he asks.

“The red mark from my lip gloss,” is all I need to say to make him understand.

“She’s obviously losing her mind,” Arelia begins to protest.

But Caleb interrupts her, his eyes blazing. “You’re absolutely sure?” he asks me.

“Positive,” I say.

“Okay, I’ll take care of it,” he says, already grabbing her arm. She’s struggling and trying to tell us something, but we both ignore her. The red mark speaks for itself. “Hurry. Go join the others and explain. I’ll be along as soon as I can,” he says.

I hesitate. “Will you be okay?”

“I’m fine, Eveny. Just go. Tell Peregrine and Chloe what’s going on.”

I pause and look Arelia in the eye. “I don’t know what your game is, or what you hoped to accomplish here,” I say. “But it’s over. You’re done.”