Pretty When We Fall

10 - Team Petty

Emmy Barker

Sometimes trying to understand Meghan's moods is like trying to decode Shakespeare with a concussion. What girl randomly decides that going to a school football game is the be-all and end-all of Showcase Day? She's hiding something.

But not something as big as Scar.

She's practically glowing. Like one of those Disney princesses mid-spin in a meadow. Every time her phone buzzes, she lights up. I know it's not Nick.

And that? That means it's time for me to earn my imaginary spy badge.

When he said I owed him a favour, becoming his inside source was technically my idea—which he now claims makes it a volunteer role. Apparently, because I "offered," it no longer counts as payment. Rude.

I sent him a message anyway:

You: yo
have u been txting apple

Spy Bud: the fuck is apple?

You: code names
we talked abt this

Spy Bud: ofc it is

You: anyway
she's grinning at her phone again
if it's not you then idk who

Spy Bud: well who else would be messaging her?
this is literally your only job

You: if i knew i wouldn't be asking????

Spy Bud: figure it out
i want a name

You: ??????

Spy Bud: why the ?

You: 6 letter word
starts with P

Spy Bud: please

You: ofc!
love u x

Spy Bud: piss off

I giggled. It's actually so fun annoying this boy - no wonder Scar does it constantly.

Operation Phone Search (OPS) was officially in motion.

I figured Meghan would still be sulking, so I'd have to go solo. Step one? Confrontation. Subtlety was never my thing.

I strolled up to Scarlet's new room and flung the door open.

"I'm bored and you're stuck with me!"

She was lying face-down, her phone inches from her face, and scrambled to shove it under the duvet like an ambushed cat.

"Jesus, Emmy! Don't give me a heart attack - I have the dinner tonight!"

"Speaking of," I said, flopping onto her mattress. "Dress? Makeup? More importantly... date?"

She hesitated.

"No. Yes. And... yes."

Oh no.

Oh no, no, no.

I narrowed my eyes. "Who are you going with?"

Scarlet looked guilty. "Someone I don't think you really like."

No.

Not him.

"Scar. You are not back on that emotionally manipulative fake-prince-of-a-human again."

But she was already defending him. Said they'd 'cleared the air' at the stables. Said it was a misunderstanding. Said she was 'basically in a situationship'.

Situationship. Disgusting. Watch her cling to that term like it's a boyfriend badge.

I tried to reason with her, but it was like arguing with a brick wall in clear shimmer lip gloss.

"Forget about it," she said breezily, tossing two dresses onto the bed. "Red or blue?"

But I wasn't looking at the dresses.

My gaze had landed on something else.

A rugby jersey.

"Whose is that?"

"Tom's."

"Oh, so it's Tom now?" I raised an eyebrow.

Scarlet tensed. "You know what, Emmy? You're really starting to get on my nerves. I understand why Meghan had to get away from you."

Ouch.

That one landed.

I stood, smoothing down my skirt like I was brushing off the insult. "Well, that's my cue."

I sauntered out, letting the door slam just hard enough to make a point.

Sure, I didn't get to snoop through her messages - but I got what I came for. And the jersey? That told me everything.

Scarlet Collins was going to the sponsor dinner practically wearing his name.

Absolutely not.

I turned on my heel, raced down the hall, and knocked on the opposite door.

Nick opened it, looking like he'd just rolled out of a three-hour sulk.

"What?" he snapped.

I smiled sweetly. "I have a new plan to help you win her back."

He looked like he wanted to slam the door.

Instead, he let me in.

———

Nick Owens

Sometimes I wonder if Emmy was born for chaos.

She practically twirled into my room like she was in a telenovela.

"It's brilliant," she said. "All we do is make it look like Miss Grenton paired you and Scar up to 'represent the leadership board' at the dinner. You show up alone. You make an entrance. Thomas never sees it coming."

"And you're telling Thomas this why?" I asked, rubbing a hand down my face.

"So he doesn't get suspicious when Scar changes her mind."

"And you're having Meghan tell Scar?"

"Obviously. She still thinks I'm the enemy." Emmy flopped onto my desk chair like she owned the place. "Face it, Nick. This is peak strategy."

I should've laughed.

It was ridiculous.

Childish.

Petty.

I agreed instantly.

Because Scarlet shouldn't be going with him. Not after what happened at No. 1. Not when there's even a chance he put something in her drink. And even if he didn't - he let her leave with no memory of the night.

He's not good for her.

But maybe that's the point.

Maybe she doesn't want someone good.

Maybe she wants the chaos. The drama. The guy who says what she wants to hear, not what's true.

And that makes Thomas dangerous.

"Fine," I said. "Let's play."

Emmy left my room grinning like she'd just rewritten the school year with eyeliner and bad intentions.

I rolled my eyes.

The plan was dumb.

The plan was petty.

And I was going to let it happen anyway.

Because if Scarlet wants to turn this year into a game - then I'll be the one who wins.