the girls? room to hide. She managed to make it through the day
without seeing any of the Delos kids, but in exchange she had become
the bull?s-eye on everyone else?s target. By the time she was
changing for track, she was such a nervous wreck she didn?t know
if she was going to cry or throw up. Once outside, she caught up to
Claire on wobbly legs. Thankfully, the other girls gave them a wide
berth as they ran the trail.
?Why do they even care?? Helen burst out in frustration. ?What
does it matter if I like the Delos kids or not??
?Because that?s not the whole story,? Claire said gently.
?What did you hear?? Helen asked, desperate for any
explanation.
?There?s this rumor that Lucas and Hector are fighting over you,
so of course all the girls hate you now,? Claire said like she hoped
the rumor was ridiculous, but wasn?t entirely sure if it was.
?You?re joking, right??
Claire shook her head. ?I guess Lucas and Hector got into an actual
fistfight after school yesterday at football practice. That?s why
they weren?t in school today. They got suspended.?
?What happened?? Helen asked, stunned quiet.
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?Lucas saw Hector following you out of the girl?s locker room and
he lost it. He started yelling at Hector to stay awa
y from you. I
guess Lucas sort of said . . . that you were his,? Claire said timidly.
Helen shook her head. Lucas had meant that Helen was his to kill,
but she couldn?t exactly explain that to Claire.
?All the girls hate me because Lucas is a delusional stalker? How
is that fair? I loathe him,? Helen said passionately. She paused.
Another thought occurred to her. ?But that only explains the girls