She Came to Conquer

across my bed with a wicked grin. "This party i

es. "You know I can't. My parents

nts don't have to know. Just say you're staying at my place t

foreign, like it

voice lilting with mischief, "this

pped. "What

him what he's been missing. Trust me, Lizzie-g

their way into my already fra

rom the corner of the room. "I've al

k. The tight jeans clung to my legs like a second skin, and the crop top

. "You look amazing. Daniel's going

ered, tugging at t

ng my hands away. "You look i

r-or myself-but I let her

•

vibrating through the floorboards. I clung to Stephanie l

aid, laughing.

s-they all felt amplified in the dim l

ghting up the room. He looked perfect, as always, his effo

tephanie whispered,

at?

ur moment," she sai

d to cross the room. Daniel looked up as I app

h," he said, h

ered, feeling m

ight," he said, his gaze ling

ed, twisting my f

ed beside me, her usual confident grin in place. "

smile widening. "I was won

warmth he'd shown me moments ago was gone, replaced by

added, his voice

ing him a dazzling smile.

e face, but what came next shattere

ng?" Daniel asked, lean

said, tilt

nie," he said, his

room spinning as his w

ught off guard. "Oh . . . um,

er. Mumbling an excuse, I bolted for

me outside, her face a mi

ie, w

to face her. "What

arms. "I didn't know he

trembling. "You knew he didn't

"You built this whole thing up in your head, Liz

eeper than I th

ven my friend?

ause you're smart," she said finally. "You're brilliant, Lizzie. That's why I kept y

lace. The homework. The compliments. The s

" I said, my

Don't be so dramatic. You're

respond.

s was everywhere: Daniel and St

g my head down and pretending not t

niel finally aske

perfect t

een flirti

each one a painful remin

llapsed onto my bed, staring at the ceil

hope, my heart-and for what? To be left

deep in my chest, anothe

rmin

sed myself one thing: I would never le