be wrong about anything, even gossip.
?Please. She?s nowhere near thin enough to be a model,?
Gretchen hissed bitterly, before catching herself and adding, ?
?Of
course I think she?s pretty, if you go for that exotic, voluptuous
look. But she?s nothing compared to her twin, Jason?or her cousin!
Lucas is just unreal,? she gushed.
The boys shared a knowing look, but silently agreed that they
were outnumbered by girls and should probably let it go.
?Jason is almost too pretty,? Claire decided solemnly, after giving
it a moment?s thought. ?Lucas, however, is an über-babe. Quite
possibly the most beautiful boy I?ve ever seen. And Ariadne is a
stone-cold fox, Gretchen. You?re just jealous.?
Gretchen gave an exasperated huff and rested a fist on her hip.
?Like you?re not,? was all she had for a comeback.
?Of course I am. I?m almost as jealous of her as I am of Lennie.
But not quite.? Helen felt Claire turn to her to see her response, but
28/395
she had her elbows on the table and her head cradled in her hands,
rubbing her temples.
?Lennie?? Matt said, sitting down next to her. ?Does your head
hurt?? He reached out to touch her shoulder. She stood up abruptly,
muttering an excuse, and hurried away.
By the time she got to the girls? room she felt better, but she
splashed a little cold water on her face for good measure. Then she
remembered that she had put mascara on that morning in an attempt
to make an effort. She looked at her raccoon eyes in the mirror
and burst out laughing. This was the worst first day of school
ever.
Somehow she made it through the last three periods, and when