Molly waited for me to finish up at the library so that we could walk to EJ's together. According to her, it's the best spot in town for thin-crust pizza. The second that we step inside, I spot several different crews from school.

I soon notice Henry waving at me. He's sitting at a table that's covered in a red and white checkered tablecloth. I wave back, and then Molly nudges my shoulder.

"Do not tell me you're already crushing on Henry Astor."

"I'm not crushing on anyone," I laugh because her comment is absurd. "I just met the guy. He walked me to 1st period because I was lost."

"Interesting...," she says, her eyes glowing like she's insinuating something.

"Don't give me that look. I'm telling you the truth."

"Should we join him?"

"What? No. We're not going to intrude."

"How are we intruding when he's the one calling us over?"

"Huh?" I ask before glancing his way again to find that he is, in fact, waving us over.

"Let's go!" Molly exclaims, dragging me by the arm until we get to his table. He's sitting there with another guy. 

"Hey," Henry says.

"Astor," Molly greets him.

"Lawson," he greets her back by her last name. "Scoot over, man. Make some room," he tells his friend.

I take the seat to Henry's right and Molly sits beside me.

"So, how'd it go with Withers? Was she pissed in the end?" Henry asks me.

"Nope. You were very convincing."

"Nice," he nods, making a victorious fist. "This is Shawn, by the way."

"Hi," I wave.

"Shawn, Stassie. Stassie's new to Sinclair."

"Nice to meet you," he says.

The waitress comes over and asks us what we want to eat, so Henry orders for the table. He goes with 3 margherita pizzas, a caesar salad, and 2 orders of mozzarella sticks.

"Did you guys hear...Rafe's having a party this weekend," Shawn says.

"Pass," Molly states as she picks up a mozzarella stick. "Plus, what makes you think we're getting in?"

"It's an open-house..."

"So was his party last week yet I happened to watch our dear Henry get denied at the door."

"Yeah, thanks to Carrington. That guy is such a dick it's not even funny," Henry says.

"He wouldn't let you in?" I find myself chiming in out of genuine curiosity.

"No," Shawn answers for him as Henry looks on uncomfortably. "For no reason, too. Like Henry said, the guy's a dick. Thinks his shit doesn't stink because of who his family is."

"Hey, hey, hey, ease up, man," Henry says to his friend. "It really wasn't a big deal. Wasn't my scene anyway."

"It's none of our scenes. Which is why we're not going," Molly interjects.

"Speak for yourself, Lawson," Shawn says.  

"You know what? Fine. I'll go. But only so that I get to see The Royals turn your ass down at the door."

"Great. Henry, Stassie, what do you say?"

"Um...I can't," I respond.

"What? Why not?" Shawn asks, but it's Henry who seems the most curious.

"I have to work on my college application."

"You mean your college application that isn't due until January?"

"I mean my application that's due in November. I'm ED-ing to Dartmouth College."

"ED-ing?"

"Early decision-ing, genius. Meaning if she gets in, she has to go," Henry responds, then glances my way. "My cousin goes to Dartmouth."

"Why would you want to commit to something like that?" Shawn asks.

"Geez, Shawn, leave her alone," Henry says, looking at me. "Don't mind him. He has to be in everyone's business all the time."

"Oh. It's okay," I say. "Dartmouth is my number one choice. No matter what."

"You seem confident."

"Hopeful," I correct him.

"You were right, Henry," Shawn says with a smile, keeping his eyes on me. "I do like this girl."

The guys covered our bill, which was really sweet and unexpected, and Shawn left right after. But Henry, Molly, and I stayed for a little bit longer.

"You girls need a ride home?" Henry asks as we exit EJ's.

"You drive?" I ask.

"Henry's the oldest of our grade. He'll tell you it's because his parents wanted it that way, but we both know it's because he was held back," Molly teases with her tongue out.

"Ha-ha, very funny, Mol. Hope those combat boots are comfortable because you're walking home." She sticks her middle finger up at him, but we're all laughing, and then Henry nudges my shoulder with his. "What do you say, Stassie? Need a ride home?"

"Sure, if you don't mind."

"Of course he doesn't," Molly interjects. "Not only is Henry the grandpa of our grade, but he's also the designated driver."

"Stassie, don't believe a word this girl says," Henry teases.

"Yeah, yeah, yeah, I'm the least of her problems."

"What's that supposed to mean?" I can't help but ask.

"The people at Sinclair Prep are vicious. You have to watch your back. Surround yourself with the right people and don't get in the wrong one's way."

"Why do I get the feeling that you're referring to Jordana when you say 'wrong one'?"

"Because I am."

"Don't scare the poor girl, Mol," Henry says.

"I'm not trying to scare her, I'm trying to prepare her. You saw what she did to Shelley Michaels last year."

"Mol-"

"Who's Shelley Michaels and what did Jordana do to her?" I ask.

We all stop in place and Molly tips her eyebrow up at Henry. "See, the girl wants to know. Shelley used to be Jordana's best friend. They were like sisters."

"What happened?"

Molly glances over at Henry, who turns his head the other way, and then looks back at me. "Jordana and Jack used to be a thing."

"Like date?"

She laughs. "Jack Carrington doesn't date. He...hooks up."

"Okay..."

"He and Jordana were hooking up for a few months. He never saw her as anything serious, but she was and has always been in love with him. Like she for sure thinks that they're destined for each other. Anyway, Shelley obviously knew about Jordana and Jack...I mean, everyone did, Jordana made sure of it...but this past summer, Jordana caught them together. In her bed. At her birthday party."

I shake my head in disgust. "That's so messed up."

"Yeah, and wanna hear the worst part? Jack didn't even apologize. Shelley practically got on her hands and knees, begging Jordana to forgive her, but she's not one to forgive. Or forget. Since then, Jordana's made it her life mission to humiliate Shelley every chance she gets. I won't even get into the details of how cruel the girl can be."

"Wow..."

"Yeah. To this day, she still tries to get Jack back. Not that she ever really had him. The guy makes it known that he belongs to no one."

"He's not a good guy," Henry adds on.

"Yeah, doesn't sound like it," I say.

"I've seen him do fucked up shit. And not even have the decency to apologize for it."

"It makes sense, though," Molly says. "It's always the rich, hot guys that are the worst for our souls."