nfidence was a

ge," he clearly thought sen

asses, the ones crucial f

arking lot with Jessica, or hear about

Jessica with gifts I knew he couldn't af

week, then new designer sn

dden maturity" in declaring his love for Jessica, but s

with arrogant promises of a bri

pped up the attention

character" fantasy, fue

ibrary, deep into SAT prep, w

clinging to his arm, showing off

oice laced with mockery. "Don't you know, some of

Sarah, some of us alr

limy, conspira

ook up fro

said, my voice calm. "And some of us are heading for

htened. "Oh, please,

ur boyfriend who' s failing three classes? Or the fact that h

ward. "Watch you

. "Enjoy your shopping sprees, Jessica, I hear Mike' s about t

cery store complaining about Mike'

nd she looked at Mike, a f

ser. "Don't listen to her

seed was

is promises of a golden future, a

the way Mike' s eyes darted around nervously when Jessica

ge was cracking, and I w