Chapter 3

I used to be super sensitive about his "jokes" like that. Every time he threatened to break up, I'd beg him to take it back.

But this time, I just smiled:

"Sure."

Then I actually turned to leave.

Jaxon's smile froze.

Before he could speak, Skylar grabbed me:

"Ugh, stop acting like I'm stealing your man. Hey, guys, drag Violet along."

A couple guys grabbed my arms. I struggled wildly:

"I'm not going! Let me go!"

"Come on, stop pretending. You were just waiting for us to invite you, right?"

"If it's so normal, why don't you come see for yourself?"

Jaxon and Kai started to say something to Skylar, but she tossed her hair, looking smug:

"If I don't let you come, you'll probably go around saying I stole your boyfriend or something.

"I usually can't be bothered with people like you, but I won't let you slander me either."

Jaxon and Kai hesitated, then slowly lowered their hands.

"Relax, Violet. Only by going yourself will you believe Skylar's innocent. Stop making a scene."

Others chimed in:

"Yeah, you can keep an eye on your boyfriend. I'm sure Jaxon wouldn't do anything wrong with you there."

"I broke up with him! I'm not going!!"

I thrashed harder, but Jaxon laughed:

"Just for one day, stop being difficult."

Then everyone hurried toward Skylar's house, too excited to wait.

I fought desperately, but more kids held me down and forced me into a car.

In despair, I grabbed Kai's shirt:

"Kai! If we go, we can't turn back! You know this isn't just a swimsuit show! The cops will come, and we'll all lose our college offers!"

"Stop causing trouble!"

Kai frowned.

My breath caught—

Wait, wasn't he from the future too?

Why was he so willing to accept this fate?

"I know what might happen,"

he whispered, so only I could hear:

"But Skylar isn't like that. Someone must be setting her up. I need to find out who."

"Nobody's setting her up! She's doing it on purpose— Mmmph!"

A rag got shoved in my mouth. A jock snapped:

"You're ruining the music! Shut up!"

Tied to the seat, I stared at Kai, hoping he'd understand my silent pleading.

But he got up and took a seat where he could see Skylar, never looking back.

When we finally got to Skylar's place and everyone saw the bikinis, they all gasped.