“How do you know all of this?” I asked curiously. Had she been one of those standby girls? I couldn’t believe it. Mads was too damn proud and sure of herself, but she had slept with Micah, so maybe she wasn’t as immune to the Elite as she appeared.
“Let's just say, I’ve been around the Elite my entire life. I hear and see things.”
“Even if it works, I still have no idea how to weasel my way into the Elite. Brock was pretty clear when he warned me to stay away from him.”
Mads rolled her eyes. “Please. That’s just asshole for ‘I want you in my bed.’ And as far as the details, we have time to brainstorm.”
“We?” I echoed.
Mads smile grew wide. “Yes, girl. I so want in on this. If you succeed in infiltrating the Elite, you will make history, and I am so a part of that. We are going to change this school. And as your new best friend, I want all the perks that go with being an Elite friend.”
A laugh bubbled out of me, and it sounded a little insane. “This is utterly crazy, you know that, right?”
Mads turned to face the mirror, checking out her reflection. “Probably. But it is so much fun. You in?” Her eyes found mine.
I should absolutely say no. No way I could pull this off. They would never let me into their little circle. I was a stranger. And the Elite had been friends since forever. They trusted no one but each other. And yet I heard myself say, “Yeah, I’m in.”
Mads let out a squeal of delight and hugged me.
Only the best ideas were formed in the girls’ bathroom.
Said no one ever.
Chapter Seven
Iplanned to meet up with Mads tonight and didn’t have the heart to bail on Ainsley, so I invited her along. It might not be the best idea to involve her in this stupid plan, but Ainsley would be hurt and pissed if I left her in the dark. Revenge and secret missions. These were right up her alley. She would eat up this idea of me infiltrating the Elite.
I glanced over at Ains sitting in the passenger seat. “Are you sure you wouldn’t rather go to Trevor’s party?” I asked.
“Definitely not. I want to meet this Mads. I told you that you would have no problem making friends.” She flipped up the vanity, assured that there was more than enough eyeliner encircling her eyes, and sat back in the seat.
Right. I knew she meant it in the nicest way possible—she did want me to make friends, but she also didn’t want to be forgotten. I could never forget her. “Thanks to my stepbrother, the entire school basically hates me.” I turned her way when we reached a stoplight. “I’m almost afraid Mads being nice to me is some kind of joke I’m not in on.”
“I could get some of the guys on our football team to beat the living shit out of Carter and his friends for you,” she offered sympathetically. I’d told her about the incident by the pool. Ainsley did not take the news well. She flipped the F out. But what are best friends for if not to feel outraged on your behalf? “And that is why I’m here.” She grinned. “If she isn’t genuine, I will call her ass out on it. But to be honest, this idea of hers makes me like her already. I want to know more.”
I seriously hoped the two of them got along. It would make my life a bit easier for once. The light turned green, and I stepped on the gas, the Lexus cruising smoothly along the road. “She isn’t like all the other rich girls,” I informed her, trying to find a way to describe Maddy Clarke. “She doesn’t seem to care about money or status.” Or following rules.
“Is she an alien?” she joked, flipping the radio station to one without commercials.
“Maybe,” I replied, smiling, my fingers loosening their grip on the wheel. Being with Ainsley allowed me to relax, truly let my guard down for the first time in days.
It felt so good to be out of the house. My mother was prepping for a party she was holding next Saturday—another desperate attempt at fitting in with the snobbish country club ladies. I didn’t doubt they all snickered and talked behind her back when she wasn’t looking. Or maybe they were as ruthless as their daughters and gossiped about Angie to her face.
My compassionate soul couldn’t help but feel a little bit sorry for my mother. In a way, we were both in the same boat, in a new place, looking to fit in and make friends. The only difference: this hadn’t been my choice, but it had been hers.
Ainsley settled into her seat and crossed her legs. “Alien or not, she better be nice to you. I missed you all week. It’s not the same at school without you.”
I gritted my teeth, keeping my eyes focused on the road ahead of us. “I know what you mean.”
A few minutes later, I swung the Lexus into the Pizza Shack parking lot. It was a local hangout in the old downtown part of Elmwood. The side streets were paved in bricks, and rustic black lantern lamplights framed the square. The town always went all out decorating for holidays downtown. I adored the specialty shops and family-owned restaurants. Coming here with Ainsley felt like coming home.
This was what I needed. Familiarity. Gooey cheese. And my best friend.
Mads was leaning against one of the charming light poles, smoking a cigarette. Her lips curved wickedly when she spotted me. She had partially pulled up her hair, accenting defined cheekbones and those cute freckles dusting her nose. Dressed from head-to-toe in black, she looked as if she was ready to go on an undercover stakeout.
My lips curled as Ainsley and I got out of the car.
Ainsley grabbed the side of my shirt and tugged me closer as she whispered, “You didn’t tell me she smokes.”