Juliet Immortal

selfish, spoiled girl who doesn’t deserve Ariel and certainly doesn’t deserve Ben’s love.
    I suddenly
hate
her.
Hate
. It’s tempting to tell her so, to tell her that Ben won’t even admit to being her boyfriend and doesn’t think he’s in love with her, to destroy any chance of reaching her with a few sharp, deadly words.
    Instead, I fist my hands so tight my nails cut into my palms.
    Gemma isn’t just any girl. She’s the soul mate I’ve beensent to protect. Until Ben’s aura is as bright as hers, I can’t afford to burn any bridges. And as for Ariel … I have to let her make this decision, to hopefully work up the nerve to end things with this “friend” who reminds me more and more of my worst enemy.
    “Later, Ariel,” Gemma says, snatching her keys from the table as she backs away. “It’s been real.”
    “Wait, Gemma!” I lower my voice as heads turn in our direction. “Gemma.”
    But secretly, I’m relieved to see her rush out the door and run through the rain to where I parked her car down the street. I don’t know what I would have said, and in a way Gemma isn’t my problem anymore. Her heart is secure. Once an aura goes red, there’s no going back. Now I just have to find Ben and say whatever has to be said to help him finish falling for this girl who’s just treated me like garbage.
    The thought makes me want to weep with frustration, to rage at the universe for its unfairness. Instead, I grab my backpack and head for the door, ignoring the stares of the other students scattered throughout the coffee shop. I step outside and pause under the awning, cursing when I see how hard it’s raining and realize I left my umbrella in the backseat of Gemma’s car. Just another little thing to hate her for.
    The door tinkles behind me. “Hey. What’s up?” I turn to see Jason Kim, Dylan’s friend, easing through the door. I hadn’t noticed him inside, but then, snakes are good at camouflage. He lifts his chin as he comes to stand beside me, carrying the musty smell of leather along with him. Today he’s wearing a brown motorcycle jacket with patches stitched on the arms, and jeans so dark they’re nearly black.
    His eyes track up and down, and he wrinkles his nose at my cheap sweater. “You’re looking good.”
    “Thanks.” I ignore his sarcastic tone and drop my gaze to the sidewalk. Ariel is afraid of this boy. She wouldn’t want to attract any more of his attention. Maybe if I stand here under the awning staring at the ground long enough he’ll get the hint and go away.
    “You are
so
welcome.” I can hear his grin even before I look up. His teeth shine so white they’re almost blue. “You know, Dylan’s been talking about you. A lot.”
    “Really?” My stomach cramps. Just what I need, more Romeo-inspired drama to deal with. For a man who says he wants to “work together,” he’s done his share to make my borrowed life a misery.
    “Yeah. He had a really good time Monday night.” He hesitates, smile spoiling into a smirk. “What about you? You have a good time?”
    “It was fine.”
    “Fine?” His thin black eyebrows arch closer to his spiked hair. “That’s it?”
    “Yes, it was fine.”
    “Wow, I’d think a night like that …” He takes a step closer to the edge of the awning, holding a hand out to play in the water spilling down to the road. “For a guy that would be a huge deal. In the cool way. I think it should be the same for a girl. I’m all about women’s rights. My mom’s a lawyer.”
    I tilt my head to one side, trying to find some logic in what Jason has just said. He turns back to me, leaning so close I can smell the hint of coffee on his breath. “Dylan and the new guy. You did them both, right? On the same night?”
    “What?” Romeo. I’m going to kill him.
    “I didn’t believe it at first. Dylan’s my boy, but he’s a liar.” Jason’s voice drops to a whisper. “But that Luna kid is in my gym class, and he said it was true too.”
    I don’t believe it. Not for second. “You’re lying.”
    “I swear that’s what he said. And he seems like an honest guy. Don’t you think?”
    Behind us, the door dings—once, twice—teachers and students starting toward school. I give Jason my blankest stare. “Why are you talking to me?”
    “We’ve gone to school together since third grade, Ariel,” he says with a condescending laugh. “Why shouldn’t I talk to you?”
    “Because you’ve never talked to me before.