By the time Hanna and Lucas got to the Hastingses' house, the grand living room was packed with people. A string quartet had just finished playing, and a jazz band was setting up. Waitresses offered appetizers, and bartenders poured Scotches, G&Ts, and big glasses of red wine. Hanna could smell alcohol on almost everyone's breath. They were all probably horrified that this Ian thing was even happening. Before Ali had disappeared, the most crime anyone in Rosewood ever saw was when one of their neighbors quietly got audited by the IRS.
Lucas undid the lens cap on his Olympus SLR camera—he was covering the event for the Rosewood Day newspaper. "Do you want me to get you a drink?"
"Not yet," Hanna said, thinking about all the empty calories in alcohol. She ran her fingers nervously over her lipstick-red, chiffon-and-silk Catherine Malandrino party dress. Last week, the silk band around her waist had fit perfectly, but now it was the teensiest bit snug. She'd made herself scarce all day, trying to ignore Kate, Naomi, and Riley's constant calls and texts, all invitations to the pre-party primping session at Naomi's house. Finally, Hanna had answered, saying she was too upset about Ian skipping town to pre-party.
"Oh, kids, hi." Mrs. Hastings rushed over to them, looking irritated that they were here. "The young people are in the library. This way."
She began steering them toward the library, as if they were pesky clutter that needed to be stuffers into a closet. Hanna shot Lucas a helpless look. She wasn't ready to face Kate. "Don't you need to take photos of the adults?" she squeaked desperately.
"We have a society photographer for that," Mrs. Hastings snapped. "You just take pictures of your friends."
As soon as Mrs. Hastings threw open the library's big double doors, someone cried, "Oh, shit." There were whispers and a flurry of activity, and then the entire room looked up at Spencer's mom with big I'm not drinking smiles on their faces. A Quaker girl quickly slid off Noel Kahn's lap. Mike Montgomery tried to hide his wineglass behind his back. Sean Ackard—who probably wasn't drinking—was talking to Gemma Curran. Kate, Naomi, and Riley were holding court in the corner. Kate was in a white strapless gown; Naomi wore a multicolored, knee-length halter dress; and Riley wore the green Foley + Corinna Hanna had picked out for her in Teen Vogue.
Mrs. Hastings closed the door again, and everyone brought out their bottles, glasses, and champagne flutes. Kate, Naomi, and Riley hadn't seen her yet, but in seconds, they would.
It's almost time! Kate had cackled. I can't wait!
Lucas noticed Kate and the others across the room. "Should we go say hi?"
Kate's head was now bent toward Naomi's ear. Then they both broke away and laughed raucously. Hanna made no effort to move.
"Aren't you going to go talk to them?" Lucas asked.
Hanna stared at her Dior sling-backs. "I've changed my mind about Kate."
Lucas's eyebrows raised so high, they practically merged with his hairline.
"I don't think she's what she seems," Hanna added.
She could feel Lucas's eyes on her, waiting for an explanation. "She tried to destroy my relationship with my dad back in the fall," she whispered, pulling him into the far corner. "This whole let's be friends thing…I think I jumped into it way too soon. It's all been too easy. I've been enemies with Naomi and Riley for years, and suddenly everything's perfect between us, just because Kate's here?" She shook her head forcefully. "Uh-uh. This is not how it works."
Lucas narrowed his eyes. "That's not how what works?"
"I think Kate's up to something," Hanna explained, gritting her teeth as Noel Kahn shouted at James Freed to chug the rest of a bottle of vodka. "And I think she, Naomi, and Riley are banding together to ruin me for good. But I have to figure out a way to call Kate out on it first. I have to figure out a way to get her before she gets me."
Lucas stared at her. The jazz band in the living room was a few measures into their next number before he spoke again. "This is because of Mona, right?" Lucas's voice softened. "I understand that you might think every person you become friends with after her is going to ruin you. But they're not, Hanna. No one wants to hurt you. Seriously."
Hanna fought the urge to stomp her pointy heel. How dare he patronize her! She'd been considering telling him about Maybe-Not-So-Faux A, too—but not now. He'd probably patronize her about that as well. "This isn't some paranoid little thing in my head," she said angrily. "It has nothing to do with Mona and everything to do with Kate. What about that don't you get?"
Lucas blinked rapidly. A disappointed feeling washed over Hanna. He didn't get it because this wasn't his world. Suddenly, Hanna realized how different she and Lucas really were.
She sighed. "This is popularity we're talking about, Lucas," she said in an overly simplistic voice. "It's very…calculated. It's not something you'd understand."
Lucas's eyes widened. He pressed himself against the French doors. "I wouldn't understand because I'm not popular, right? Well, sorry, Hanna. Sorry I'm not cool enough for you."
He waved his hand dismissively and stalked to the window. A sour, oil taste filled Hanna's mouth. She'd just made things worse.
Kate's thin arm shot up through the crowd. "Omigod, Hanna! You're here!"
Hanna whipped her head around. Naomi and Riley were waving her over too, their smiles wide. It would look ridiculous if she just turned around and walked away, after she'd so obviously seen them. At least she was in her own dress tonight, and not some seam-popping thing Mona had sent her.
Steeling herself, Hanna slowly walked toward them. Naomi moved over, clearing a space for Hanna on the big leather couch. "Where have you been?" she asked, giving Hanna an enormous hug.
"Oh, around," Hanna said vaguely. Across the room, Lucas was watching her. She looked away fast.
"I've been worried about you," Kate said, her eyes solemn and serious. "This whole Ian thing is scary. I totally don't blame you for going MIA."
"Well, we're so glad you're here now," Naomi said. "You missed an awesome pre-party." She bent down and whispered in Hanna's ear. "Both Eric Kahn and Mason Byers came. They're both totally into Kate."
Hanna licked her lips, shrugging, not really wanting to get into an actual conversation. But Kate was now fluffing the chiffon hem of Hanna's dress. "Naomi took me to the best boutique called Otter yesterday, which is where I got this." She pointed to the bold Swarovski crystal pendant around her neck. "We wanted you to come too, but you weren't picking up your phone." She stuck out her lip in a pout. "But we'll have to go next week, right? They have these super-dark William Rast jeans there that would look so cute on you."
"Uh-huh," Hanna mumbled. "Sure." She reached for a wine bottle that was tucked behind one of the chairs. Unfortunately, it was empty.
"Here, have the rest of my glass," Kate said quickly, handing over her half-filled goblet. "I'm buzzed from the pre-party anyway."
Hanna stared dizzily into Kate's glass, the dark red wine reminding her of blood. It'll work, Kate had whispered. It's almost time! I can't wait! So what the hell was all this friendliness? Was it possible Hanna had made a mistake?
And then it hit her. Of course. Kate was fake-friending her. Hanna felt silly for not realizing it before.
The rules of fake-friending were simple. If Hanna wanted to get revenge on someone for something she had done to Mona, she acted as if she and Mona were fighting, infiltrated the other girl's group, and bided her time until she could stab the girl in the back. Maybe Mona had told Kate about fake-friending back when she'd become A.
Eric Kahn walked over and plopped down on a big paisley cushion on the floor next to the couch. He was taller and lankier than Noel, but had the same big, brown eyes and toothy smile. "Hey, Hanna," he said. "Where have you been hiding this pretty stepsister of yours?"
"You make it sound like she had me stuffed in a closet," Kate giggled, her eyes sparkling.
"Did you?" Eric asked Hanna, which made Kate giggle even harder.
Noel and Mason sat down, too, and Mike Montgomery and his date crowded in next to Riley and Naomi. There were so many people around them, Hanna couldn't get up if she tried. She searched the room for Lucas, but he had vanished.
Eric leaned forward, stroking Kate's wrist. "So, how long have you girls known each other?"
Kate looked at Hanna, thinking. "I guess…four years ago, was it? We were in seventh grade. But we didn't speak for a long time. Hanna only came to my house in Annapolis once. I think she was too cool for me—she brought Alison DiLaurentis. Remember that huge lunch we had, Hanna?"
Kate gave Hanna a wide, smirking smile, Hanna's binging secret probably on the tip of her tongue. Hanna felt like she was on a roller coaster that was slowly climbing to the top of a hill. Any minute now, it would spill down the other side, and she'd lose her stomach…and her reputation.
Fake-friending is simple, Mona probably said to Kate, as if she already knew that one day, Kate and Hanna would be forced to live under the same roof. Just get one little secret from Hanna. That's all it'll take to ruin her for good.
She thought of A's note, too. Ruin her before she ruins you.
"Did you guys know Kate has herpes?" Hanna blurted out. It didn't even sound like her voice, but the voice of someone who was far meaner.
Everyone looked up sharply. Wine spewed out of Mike Montgomery's mouth onto the carpet. Eric Kahn quickly dropped Kate's hand.
"She told me earlier this week," Hanna went on, a toxic, black feeling metastasizing through her body. "Some guy gave it to her in Annapolis. You should probably know that, Eric, before you try and get in her pants."
"Hanna," Kate whispered desperately. Her face had turned as white as her gown. "What are you doing?"
Hanna smiled smugly. You were going to do the same thing to me, bitch. Noel Kahn took another bug swig of wine, shuddering. Naomi and Riley glanced at each other uneasily and stood up. "Is that true?" Mike Montgomery wrinkled his nose. "Nasty."
"It's not true," Kate squealed, looking around at everyone. "Really, guys, Hanna just made that up!"
But the damage was already done. "Ugh," someone whispered behind them.
"Valtrex," James Freed coughed into his hand. Kate stood up. Everyone took another big step back away from her, as if the herpes virus could jump off her body and onto theirs.
Kate shot Hanna a horrified look. "Why did you just do that?"
"'It's almost time,'" Hanna recited in a monotone voice. "'I can't wait.'"
Kate gawked at her, confused. Then she took a few steps back, fumbling for the library door. When she slammed it shut, the crystals on the chandelier tinkled together melodically.
Someone gradually turned the music back up. "Wow," Naomi murmured, sidling up to Hanna. "No wonder you haven't wanted to spend time with her the past couple days."
"So who's the guy who gave it to her?" Riley whispered, instantly at Naomi's side.
"I knew there was something skanky about her," Naomi sneered.
Hanna brushed a piece of hair out of her eyes. She'd expected to feel amazing and powerful, but instead she felt kind of shitty. Something about what had just happened seemed a little…off. She set Kate's wineglass down on the floor and started for the door, just wanting to get out of there. Only, someone was blocking her way.
Lucas glowered at her, his lips small and pursed. It was obvious he'd seen everything. "Oh," Hanna said in a meek voice. "Hi."
Lucas crossed his arms over his chest. There was a sour look on his face. "Bravo, Hanna. I guess you got her before she got you, huh?"
"You don't understand," Hanna protested. She took a step toward him to put her arm around his shoulders, but Lucas held up his hand to stop her.
"I understand completely," he said icily. "And I think I liked you better when you weren't popular. When you were just…normal." He slung his camera back around his neck and walked toward the door.
"Lucas, wait!" Hanna cried, stunned.
Lucas stopped in the middle of the enormous Oriental rug. There were a few strands of dog hair on his dark suit jacket—he'd probably snuggled with his Saint Bernard, Clarissa, after he got dressed. All of a sudden, Hanna loved him for not caring about looking perfect. She loved him for not caring about popularity. She loved him for every dorky thing he did.
"I'm sorry." Hanna's eyes filled with tears, not caring that everyone was watching.
Lucas's face was stony and impassive. "We're done, Hanna." He turned the doorknob that led to the foyer.
"Lucas!" Hanna beseeched, her heart lurching. But he was gone.