Unwanted Peace

THREE

I clean mascara residue off my eyelid with a Q-tip and my saliva.

"Is that even clean?" Prue asks.

"No, but it's quicker," Lavina answers for me.

"I asked Phoebe," Prue rolls her eyes sassily.

Kari and I snicker. Prue and Lavina have always had small and puckish arguments. Since Lavina and I are bonded like sisters, they argue like sisters.

Lavina sticks her tongue out teasingly and Prue sticks her tongue out in return, crossing her arms.

Kari and Lavina returned to my house to get ready for the game night. Kari lives farther from Mason's, Lavina doesn't like being home, and they just enjoy coming over.

"I think Bella is coming," Kari says.

I catch Kari's glance at Lavina in the mirror's reflection as I add a bit of highlight to my nose.

"What's she like now?" I ask.

"She's nice," Lavina replies.

"But she's still a Core Four," Kari says almost as an opposition.

"At least she chooses to be nice and doesn't have to be forced," Lavina says with nonchalance, but her eyes give Kari a dark glare.

I note it in my head. Kari isn't the only observant one.

"Are you guys ready?" I ask, grabbing my purse.

"Yeah," Lavina says in a hard tone.

***

The car ride there was silent, but I felt the unspoken tension. We had to drive to Mason's since she lives in the suburban area of Halton and Kari recently got her license. It's sort of like Scarsdale, but wealthier.

I call Mason as we pull into the driveway.

She comes out to help unload all the food and drinks Kari and Lavina brought. I feel bad for not bringing anything, but I already know my mom wasn't going to give me money.

Kari made her famous batch of "Crownies" which is a tray of half cookie mix and half brownie mix. Lavina brought a sushi bake and games.

"You made Crownies!" Mason squeals, jumping with her knees to her chest.

I carry the games into the house. It's just how I remember: a glass chandelier hangs above the entryway, the curving grand staircase, and an arch on your left and right, leading into different halls, but all connecting to the kitchen.

Mason's parents are wealthy influential businesspeople who come from an old powerful family. Since they're always on business trips, the house is free reign. Even though her parents are rich, they hardly even give her a dime, not even for groceries, only enough for bills.

I flick the light on in the dining room and set the board games down on the table. I purposely brought Monopoly knowing the Core Fours are going to be here.

After the girls put all the food and drinks in the kitchen, they all sit around the table.

"When do the Core Fours get here?" I ask Mason.

"They'll be here soon," Mason says with guilt.

"We saw them on the subway," Lavina says to Mason.

"I heard," Mason frowns. "Emery talked to them after."

"What did he say?" I ask.

Mason shrugs, unsure herself.

"Do you still have the Dare or Dare jar?" Kari questions, shifting the subject.