"Hey!"
Brigit jogged up from behind a maple tree and joined Ariana, her many plastic bracelets doing a noisy dance.
"Well? Did you get what we need?" she whispered.
"Got it," Ariana said with a grin, glancing around the circle casually.
"Yes!" Brigit cheered under her breath. "I felt like a superspy or something. So what's next?"
"All I need is a sample of Allison's handwriting," Ariana replied coolly.
"You think you can copy it?" Brigit asked.
"I know I can," Ariana replied. "Remember that time you asked what my thing was?"
"Yeah," Brigit said excitedly.
"Well, it's forgery," Ariana said with a smirk.
"Sweet," Brigit replied, completely unscandalized. "I bet that will come in handy once we get into . . . you know."
117
Ariana's step lightened. She hadn't thought of that. "I bet it will."
"I'll get you something of Allison's," Brigit said confidently.
"Thanks, Brigit," Ariana said, nudging her in a friendly way. "I knew I could count on you."
Brigit smiled happily. "Oh, hey. There's Lillian!" she said, waving Kaitlynn down.
Ariana scowled as her roommate approached. She hadn't seen Kaitlynn since she'd woken up to the girl's surprise gift that morning.
"Hey, ladies," Kaitlynn greeted them. "Brigit, I love that necklace," she said. "Where'd you get it?"
Suck--up, Ariana thought.
"Thanks. It's a family heirloom," Brigit said, fingering the gold, diamonds, and aquamarines at her throat.
"So pretty," Kaitlynn replied. Then she looked at Ariana, her eyes dancing. "Nice haircut, A," she said. "I heard a few people got their hair chopped. Bizarre, huh?"
"Yeah. Bizarre," Ariana replied flatly. "You're so lucky they didn't get you."
"Yeah. I guess so," Kaitlynn tilted her head to the side, pretending to study the cut. "Maybe I can help you shape it later. I know a little something about short hair." She tossed her head to punctuate her point.
"Gee. Thanks. I bet you're good with scissors," Ariana replied.
"Oh, I am," Kaitlynn said. "Well, see you guys later. I just found
118
out I placed into honors Spanish, so I have to get to the bookstore before lunch."
She twiddled her fingers and practically pranced away.
"See? That was sweet of her. She's making an effort," Brigit said.
Ariana clenched her teeth. "Yeah. Really sweet."