22 
22 ON SUNDAY MORNING I WOKE UP AND STARED at the ceiling. I’d spent my last night here, and tonight I’d be in my own bed in my dorm with Paige. I didn’t want to think about that this early in the day, but I was going to be seeing her soon. And now I thought I was finally ready to talk. I didn’t want life with my roommate and BFF to be uncomfortable, and I was sure Paige and I could work it out—I’d just needed time to see that.
Then I thought about the good things about going back to school. Like seeing Charm, prepping for the show, and figuring out my new friendship with the Trio.
I got out of bed and pulled a robe on over my T-shirt and pajama pants. Heather’s door was open and her room was empty. She had suitcases open, and a pile of clothes was on her already made bed.
I walked to the breakfast table and found her eating Greek yogurt with granola.
“Hey,” I said.
“Hey,” she said back. “I can’t believe it’s the last day of break. It went by so fast.”
“I know.” I put a plain bagel on my plate and reached for the strawberry-flavored cream cheese. “We’re going to be so busy when we get back. I have all of my homework to do today and tonight.”
Heather laughed. “Me too. It was ridiculous to assign homework over break. But whatev—that’s Canterwood for you.”
We ate our breakfast and I smiled at Helen when she started clearing our plates.
“Thank you for everything,” I said to her. “I appreciate it.”
Helen nodded. “Of course, Sasha. It was great to have you as a guest. I hope to see you again soon.”
Heather stretched her arms toward the ceiling. “We need to start packing. Paul’s picking us up in a couple of hours.”
“Okay,” I said. I noticed that the apartment was quiet except for the kitchen, where Helen was doing dishes. “Are your parents up yet?”
Heather pushed back her chair and got up. “They were up hours ago. They both left early this morning for a trip to Los Angeles.”
“Did you get to say good-bye?” I asked. There was no way they’d just leave without—
“Oh, they said good-bye—in a sticky note on the counter,” Heather said. “Good enough.”
“Heather.” I got up and followed her to her room. “I’m sorry.”
“I’m not upset, really,” Heather said. She walked into her closet. “They do this all the time. They just don’t think to tell me when they’re doing something because they’re so used to me not being here. It was a big deal that they wrote a note, believe me.”
“Still. Sorry,” I said.
“Omigod!” Heather walked out of her closet, carrying an armload of clothes. “Stop! Seriously! Go pack or you’ll go back to Canterwood without your stuff.”
“Okay, okay.” I looked at her for another second, and then left her room. She really didn’t seem upset. And that made me sad, because it meant she was used to her parents acting like that. I went into the bathroom first and gathered my shampoo, conditioner, body wash, and other toiletries. Before I put everything away, I washed my face and brushed my teeth. Then I put them in a Ziploc in case something leaked and put the bag in my suitcase.
Back in my room I pulled on jeans and a plain white T-shirt. It would be a comfy outfit for the ride back to school.
It didn’t take me long to pack my clothes, since I hadn’t brought too much. I had to squeeze in my new clothes, but I got the zipper to go all the way around the suitcase.
I checked the time on my phone—I’d made it with half an hour to spare. I noticed my text alert icon near my clock.
Paige, I thought. Since we were on our way to making up, I needed to at least read the text.
So glad we got 2 email so much over break. Rlly hope u show up @ the fountain.
What? Then I almost hyperventilated when I read the name.
Jacob.
My brain went into overdrive. I hadn’t e-mailed him once over break! I’d barely checked my e-mail. Why would he write me and say he was glad we’d e-mailed when we hadn’t? And what was he talking about, me meeting him? Had he meant to text someone else?
I sat at the end of the bed and stared at the phone. Minutes ticked by.
Then, in a rush, it all made sense.
The frequent IMs to “Julia” or “Alison.”
The freaking out when I used her computer.
The error message when I tried to check my e-mail from my phone.
Heather Fox had hacked into my e-mail.
I ran out of my room and almost knocked over a table as I darted to her room.
“Were. You. On. My. E-mail?” I punctuated each word with force.
Heather looked up from her suitcase and her eyes met mine.
“Yes,” she said. No hesitation, no lying. Just a simple yes that made the room spin.
My breath was ragged. “Did you e-mail Jacob?”
Heather nodded. “As you. Almost every day.”
I stood, frozen, in her doorway. I couldn’t formulate a sentence. I tried to breathe, but I couldn’t do that either.
Then all of my strength came back. I stepped into Heather’s room, slamming the door so hard behind me that her mirror shuddered.