The two girls, heads together and whispering, nearly jumped out of their skins when they heard someone behind them.
James had appeared out of nowhere, so quietly it was almost creepy. One hand was in his pocket and he looked at them with that lazy, unreadable expression of his—but somehow, the air felt heavier.
Abriella spun around, forcing a nervous laugh. “I-it’s nothing! Really!”
Emmy collected herself and met his gaze with a playful smile. “Just girl stuff. Secrets we’re definitely not sharing with you.”
James raised an eyebrow but didn’t say anything else. He walked right over, took the laptop bag from Emmy without missing a beat, and headed upstairs like it was the most natural thing in the world.
Abriella leaned closer to Emmy, whispering as she patted her chest. “He scared the life out of me. My cousin moves like a cat.”
They were just about to follow when a sharp, bossy voice rang out from across the street.
“Abriella! So you really do live here!”
Abriella turned and her whole expression changed.
Mandy was striding over in a bubblegum-pink varsity jacket, looking smug as ever. Behind her came Isabel and a whole squad of girls, all in pastel jackets and perfect makeup, like they’d just come from some exclusive sports club.
Mandy marched up, glaring. “Now it makes sense why you were so desperate to move out. Who’s the guy you hooked up with, huh? Living in Applewood Estate? Must be nice to have a sugar daddy!”
Abriella rolled her eyes, her patience obviously gone. “This is my own place. Say another word and I’ll shut you up for real.”
Mandy flinched but glanced at her friends—and her confidence came rushing back. She scoffed, loud enough for everyone to hear.
“Yeah, right. Since when do you own anything?”
“You’re just some country stray the family dragged in. Do you even know how a credit card works? You think you deserve a house like this?”
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