Even though nobody asked him, Charlie picks up the remote and aims it at the television. “Let’s finish watching this,” he says.
Before I can protest, the screen springs to life and Ishaan Mittal is talking again. “The thing about Ivy is, she’s like, super intense,” he says earnestly. “And she really wanted to be senior class president. It’s the most important thing in the world to her.”
“You don’t even know me,” I mutter, folding my arms as I glare at the screen. Somehow, though, my televised humiliation is slightly less horrifying the second time around. Maybe I’ve become used to bad news.
Dale Hawkins angles the microphone closer and gives a solemn, respectful nod, like Ishaan’s a renowned scientist explaining the cure for cancer. Ishaan plays it up, pausing for effect before he stares directly into the camera. “So when she lost the election to Boney yesterday, she flipped out.”
“Excuse me? I did not flip out,” I yell at the screen, so loudly that I almost miss Emily saying the exact same thing.
“What did I tell you?” Charlie says approvingly. “Ride or die.”
“I don’t know what happened to Boney this morning,” Ishaan continues somberly. “But I can’t help but wonder: Did Ivy decide to go scorched earth on him?”
“Scorched earth?” Dale repeats.
“Yeah, you know,” Ishaan says. Then he throws his hands over his head while making an explosion sound. Beside him, Emily mouths Oh my God and closes her eyes.
Even Dale doesn’t seem to know what to do with that, and Zack quickly leans forward. “That is, of course, just one theory,” he says.
“And a chilling one,” Dale says, recovering. “I’m Dale Hawkins, reporting live for The Hawkins Report.”
His theme music starts up, and Charlie lifts the remote. “We gotta watch that again,” he says as he hits the rewind button.
I ignore him, because once was more than enough to make a few things obvious. One, Dale Hawkins is every bit the hack my father always said he was. Two, Emily is a better friend than I deserve. And three, I should’ve texted her back way before now.
Better late than never, I think, pulling out my phone.
I’m so sorry I’ve been out of touch.
I swear I didn’t do anything to Boney.
Thanks for being such a good friend.
I’ll explain everything later.
As soon as I fix this.
Then, just for the hell of it, I look for Daniel’s name among my notifications. My brother has been prolific since I asked him for Charlie’s number; I have three missed calls and a long string of texts.
Call me back, or I really will tell M&D.
Do you realize you were ON THE NEWS???
This is going to fuck up Mom’s night so bad.
I’m still going to lax after school. Then to Olive Garden with Trevor.
Like you care.
Jesus, Ivy. ANSWER ME.
I feel a sharp stab of guilt—not for Daniel, but for Mom. He’s absolutely right that I’m wreaking havoc on her night, and knowing that was the worst part of watching The Hawkins Report. But I don’t owe Daniel answers; I don’t owe him anything. As far as I know, he hasn’t said a word to defend me all day, and he definitely didn’t go to bat for me the way Emily did. The only thing he seems to care about is getting to Olive Garden on time.
“What the hell is he doing?” I turn to see Mateo behind me, staring at Ishaan miming scorched earth on-screen.
I suppress a sigh as Cal grabs the remote from Charlie and finally, blessedly, turns off the television. “Never mind. Did you get Autumn’s route?” I ask.
“No, Mr. Sorrento wouldn’t give it out over the phone,” Mateo says, looking überstressed. “I have to go there in person and show ID that proves I’m related to her. It’s in Roslindale, so…” He turns to Cal. “Can you drive me there?”
“Us there,” I say quickly. I’m even less inclined to split up now than I was an hour ago.
Cal hesitates too long for Mateo’s liking. “Please,” he adds, dark eyes flashing. I don’t know what Cal’s problem is because I, personally, would be giving Mateo whatever he wanted right now. “I need to know she’s okay. And she needs to know what’s going on. It’s not safe for her to be driving around with no clue.”
“Yeah, it’s just…” Cal tugs at his hair with both hands. “This is a lot. Don’t you think? I feel like it’s too much. Maybe it’s time to go to the police.”
“No!” Mateo, Charlie, and I all say it in unison, loud and forceful.
Cal takes a step back, blinking. “But…but there’s drugs involved, and…”
“And you want to get us all arrested?” Charlie asks, flicking white-blond bangs out of his eyes. “No thanks. I’m too pretty for jail.”
Mateo snorts. “You’re, what, seventeen? And rich. You’ll be fine. But Autumn’s a legal adult. She could actually go to prison.”
“Or I could,” I say. “I’m the one who allegedly went scorched earth.”
Charlie shoots Cal a speculative gaze. “O’Shea-Wallace,” he says abruptly. “Your dad’s the dean of Carlton College, isn’t he?”
“Yeah,” Cal says warily. “So?”
“So, Stefan goes there,” Charlie says. “He says your dad’s really popular.”