Chapter 4

Just as I predicted, Tiffany didn't waste time.

Later that afternoon, as David was packing his bag after football practice, I saw her approach him near the bleachers.

I watched from a distance, my heart pounding.

Her shoulders were slumped, her head bowed. She was dabbing at her eyes with a tissue. The picture of misery.

I couldn't hear their words, but I saw David' s expression soften. He nodded, patted her arm.

My stomach dropped.

He walked over to me a few minutes later, a frown creasing his forehead.

"Hey, Sarah," he said, "I told Tiffany she could stay over tonight and tomorrow."

My blood ran cold. "David, no! I told her she couldn't."

He looked surprised. "Why not? She' s really upset. Said her home life is a nightmare right now, and she' s terrified of bombing the SATs. It' s just for a couple of nights. What' s the big deal?"

"The big deal, David," I said, trying to keep the panic out of my voice, "is that you have the most important weekend of your life coming up! You need to focus. No distractions."

"She won't be a distraction," David argued, ever the good guy. "She' ll just study in the guest room. I felt bad for her, Sarah. She was crying."

Frustration gnawed at me. He didn't understand. He couldn't.

I took a deep breath. Arguing with David when he thought he was doing a good deed was pointless.

"Okay," I said, forcing a calm I didn't feel. "Okay, David."

He smiled, relieved. "Thanks, sis. I knew you' d understand."

I didn't understand. I was terrified.

But a new plan was already forming in my mind. Tiffany was coming. Fine.

But things would be very different this time.