CHAPTER 18

MAGGIE’S STOMACH WAS churning the moment she woke up. But she had to go to school, no matter what. Staying home would only prove Katrina and Alexa and Jo were getting to her —and fuel them on. And they’d be waiting when she returned. Relentless. That’s what they were. She didn’t dare miss school today.

Maggie looked at the clothes she’d laid out the night before. She kept the jeans, switched shirts —twice —before settling on a plain white T-shirt with Escape to Wisconsin screened across the front. Any kind of escape sounded good.

She eyed her red shoes. Clown shoes. High-tops hold the smell in. Maybe she shouldn’t wear them today. But wouldn’t the litter see that as a victory?

Maggie’s mom would be crushed if she knew how the girls tormented her about them. Mom actually thought they were a classic kind of trendy that never went out of style. Maybe they were when Mom was in school a million years ago. But now? She picked up one shoe and loosened the laces. To wear or not to wear? She read the Sharpie message scrawled across the insole.

Remember Mom loves you —every step of the way.

Right now Maggie could use a little love.