The Good Girls

Chapter 26

FRIDAY AFTERNOON, EVIE SAT AT her desk, staring blankly at her computer, while Mal sat on the bed behind her, leafing through Us Weekly. It was midday and still so weird to be home while everyone else she knew was at school. But whatever. She was never going again. No one could make her.

Evie logged on to Facebook. She wasn't even sure why—it wasn't like she was going to just start messaging people or posting like nothing had happened. She could just imagine the post: Sorry I haven't updated in a few days! Been too busy recovering from public humiliation, avoiding the cops, and covering up for my best friend—the serial murderer. Good times!

She had barely finished typing in her password when dozens of notifications popped up. One after the other, they delivered the happy banalities of normal life—the life she and Mal would never have again. She read the messages about Freddie's Halloween party. Who's ready to start the party early? See you at my place in 3 hours! Only the costumed need apply! Freddie had written. A bunch of people had replied with enthusiastic likes.

Evie had forgotten it was her old friend's Halloween party tonight. For a brief moment, she was transported to parties of years past—such happier times. Like the one two years ago: She'd dressed up as a Vegas showgirl, with a plume on top of her head and a sparkly dress that showed off her toned body. People had taken tons of pictures of her for Facebook, and she'd been unofficially voted best outfit of the night. She'd danced all night with her friends—including Mal . Mal hadn't been at last year's, though—her attack had happened only weeks before. Evie vaguely remembered going, but not really having that great of a time—she'd still been so shaken.

She felt Mal's hand brush against her shoulder and turned. Her best friend was leaning over Evie, reading the post. "Looks like everyone's going," Mal murmured, pointing to a list of comments under the invite.

Evie stared at the post, too. Her gaze focused on a particular name: There, halfway down the page, Li Lonnie had written Count me in! She whipped around and stared at Mal, her heart beating hard. Had Mal seen Lonnie's name? Was that a whisper of a determined smile on her face? Evie remembered how adamantly Mal had said that Lonnie deserved justice, too.

"We're not going," she said emphatically.

Mal gave Evie a crazy look, then held up her hands in a back off gesture. "Since when do I want to go to a party?"

Evie swallowed hard. "Okay," she said slowly. "Just making sure."

Then she shut her eyes. This Parker thing was getting to her at the best of times and putting her in full-on, hyperventilating, major-insomnia-panic mode in the worst. Just two days ago, she thought there was nothing she wouldn't do for her friend, and she'd sworn that she would protect her at any cost. But now Julie wasn't so sure. Parker had killed people, with her own hands. Just knowing that made Julie feel so guilty and responsible. Keeping this secret—even for Parker—was wrong.

On the other hand, how could she turn in her best friend? The only person who had been there for her through everything? Evie wished there was someone she could go to for guidance. She had even considered talking to Fielder about it, despite his questionable behavior toward Mal, but eventually she'd decided it was just too risky. She couldn't trust him, and if anything happened to Mal, she'd never forgive herself.

"Sorry," Evie said, casting Mal a smile. "I'm just tired and stressed. Don't mind me."

"Hey, I totally understand," Mal said. "But don't you think that being cooped up in here is probably not helping?"

Evie stiffened. "We have to stay here . . . at least until we figure out what comes next."

"How long is that going to be?"