“Okay, but if you change your mind, let Beck know. He knows how to get ahold of me. And be prepared to play a game of cards with me.” He stands there for a moment longer before he hurries off toward the front of the school.

Why would Beck know how to get ahold of him? The two of them have never been close or anything, and now Beck’s suddenly the one who knows how to get ahold of him and is giving him envelopes before class?

By the time I make it back to my friends, Willow and Wynter have taken off, and Ari is collecting his things to head inside the school. Beck, however, is still sprawled across the grass, looking as though he has every intention of staying where he is forever.

“Beck, can I talk to you for a sec?” I ask as I pick up my bag and the half eaten bag of crackers off the grass.

He sits up, stretching out his arms. “Sure. What’s up?”

“See you guys later,” Ari says as he gathers the last of his books. “And, Lu, give me a shout later. I think I might have a solution to your tracking problem.”

“Already?” I ask and he nods. “Thanks, Ari. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

“Probably be stalked by your mom a lot more.” He glances at the school as the bell echoes through the air. “I should get to class, but text me around seven or eight.”

I wave good-bye to him before he turns on his heels and gets swept up in the crowd as he rushes for the entrance doors.

“Man, your mom’s doing that crazy tracking thing again?” Beck gripes as he reaches for his backpack propped against a nearby tree. “What was it about this time?”

“My new choice in clothes,” I say with a sigh.

“She really has control issues, doesn’t she?”

I swallow down the lump in my throat. So do I, Beck. So do I. “Yeah, I guess so.”

He yawns. “So, what did you want to talk to me about?” He holds up his hands in front of him, his eyes sparkling mischievously. “No, wait, let me guess. You want to start dating me so you can bring a bad boy home and drive your mother crazy.”

“I thought Willow said you were a good boy.” I tease. “Or is that just when you’re around her?”

“I’m whoever I need be at the given moment,” he quips, flashing me his pearly whites. “And right now, I think you need a bad boy.”

“Speaking of bad boys, what was up with that envelope you gave Grey this morning? There wasn’t . . .”—I look around at all the people nearby then scoot closer to him and lower my voice—“drugs in there, were there?”

“Luna, you’ve known me forever. Do really think I’d deal drugs in school?”

“I really don’t want to think you’d deal drugs at all, but Beck, I’ve seen you give people stuff.”

“I never charge for stuff, though, so it’s technically not dealing. I just share with those who want to partake,” he says with a devious grin. “And to answer your question about Grey, no, there weren’t drugs in that envelope, but that’s all I can tell you.”

“How come?”

“Because it’s not my thing to tell.” Beck squints against the sunlight as he studies me. “What I really want to know is why you two are suddenly spending time together. I thought you hated him.”

“Hate’s a strong word. I don’t think I’ve ever hated him.” And, if I’m honest with myself, I still have a crush on him after all these years, even after what he did to me. “I’ve just never talked to him because of that dance thing.”

He reaches up to pat my arm. “It’s okay not to like everyone, especially when they treat you badly.”

“I know. But, at the same time, I don’t think I should not like Grey unless you know of a reason I shouldn’t like him or shouldn’t be hanging out with him.” It’s a lame attempt at getting him to confess what was in the envelope. I don’t even know why I care so much. Maybe it’s because Grey knows stuff about me. Or maybe it’s because I’m turning into a nosey person.

“Sorry, but I’m not going to tell you what was in that envelope.” He stands up, picking up his backpack from the ground. “But I will tell you that you should probably be careful around Grey. He’s an okay guy and everything, but you’re too good for him, for anyone if you ask me.”

“I’m just tutoring him,” I remind him as we start toward the school. “And you’re the one who got me into that mess.

“Yeah, I really shouldn’t talk to people when I’m high. I become this weird, all about the love kind of guy,” he says with an innocent shrug. “But I think you’ll be all right. Just don’t date him or anything, especially when he never apologized for what he did to you.”

“Trust me, this isn’t a date. We’re meeting at the library, and he has a girlfriend.”

“Oh, you can have a date at the library. I once dated this girl whose mom would only let her go to the library when she was with me because she thought we couldn’t do anything but study there. We did a lot of naughty things in the aisle where the encyclopedias are. There was this one time—”

I throw my hands over my ears. “I never, ever want to hear about your sex life, Beck. Ever.”

Beck laughs but drops the subject.

We make the rest of the walk to school chatting about the party he’s having this weekend and how I need to find a way to get there no matter what because he needs me to DJ for him.

“Beck, I’m not a DJ,” I say. “I don’t know why you keep saying that.”

“I know you’re not technically a DJ, but you’re really good at putting mixes together and running the stereo.” He winks at me. “No one else can rock it like you.”

“I’ll try to make it, but I can’t make any promises.” I’m already on thin ice as it is.

Still, I find myself feeling depressed that I probably won’t be able to go. Again, I’ll be the one missing out on all the fun. Even with the tracking app off my phone, my parents will never allow me out of the house that late at night, which leaves sneaking out as the only option.

Maybe I deserve things to be this way, though, for all the lies I’ve told lately and for all the stealing I’ve done. Maybe I deserve worse.

As we reach the entrance of the school, Beck holds the door open.

“Why thank you, sir.” I laugh as I step into the hallway.

My phone suddenly vibrates from inside my pocket, and I fish it out.

Mom: You are to come straight home after school.

Sighing, I type a reply.

Me: I was already planning on it.

Mom: I know, but sometimes you dilly-dally around with those friends of yours. You better walk through the front door within 15 minutes after school gets out and not a minute later. I know how long it takes to make the drive home. I even clocked it myself today just to make sure.

I shake my head. She really is insane.

Me: Okay, I get it. I’ll be there at 3:45.

Mom: I’m serious about this, Luna. You, me, and your father have a lot of talking to do about what I found in your floorboard this morning.

I almost drop the phone. They found my secret hiding place. Oh. My. God. I feel sick. All the things I’ve hidden in there, things I can’t explain how I got, things I’m not supposed to have, like makeup and nail polish and a pair of lacy panties that I’ve never worn, but she’s going to think I did.

“No, God. No, no, no.”

“What’s wrong?” Beckett asks from right behind me.

“I . . . um . . .” I’m too speechless to form words.

Another text buzzes through.

Mom: You’re lucky I didn’t come pick you up from school already, but I don’t want you to get behind on your schoolwork. Just know that there will be severe punishments, young lady. I’m not going to let you fall into the darkness. You won’t become that girl.

“Tell me what’s wrong.” Beck lowers his head to level our gazes. “You look like you’re about to throw up.”

“I think I am.” I fold my arm around my stomach. “I-I have to get to class.” I run down the hallway before he presses me for answers, wishing I could keep running forever without looking back.