"Want me to kill her for you?" Alex asked.

"Maybe for my birthday," Isabel answered. She gave him a quick gotta-go kiss and jumped away before he could get his hands on her again.

"Remember tonight's the night you're having dinner at my house," Alex said.

"Like I'd forget," Isabel answered. How could she? She'd been trying to think of a good excuse to get out of it all week. She'd met his mom once for about two seconds, and she seemed nice enough. But his dad sounded obnoxious. And then there were two of his brothers. Alex hardly ever talked about them, so she didn't really know what to expect.

"I'll see you in a few hours." She turned around and headed to the locker room. She was careful not to hurry. Stacey was holding the door for her, giving her a little frown that was meant to be intimidating. Isabel flashed a quick smile to show that it wasn't.

"Everyone, Isabel needs our help," Stacey called as she followed Isabel down the row of lockers. "She has a new boy who is in serious need of a makeover. I know you've all seen him. Any suggestions? I was thinking maybe an 'I heart Isabel' tattoo."

Isabel thought about saying she'd just been doing a little charity work, giving Alex a thrill. It's not like he could hear her or anything. He'd never know.

But she'd feel like scum. It wasn't worth it.

"Yeah, a tattoo's a great idea. Isabel could get a matching one," someone called from the next row.

One of Stacey's court. They all copied that affected little voice of hers. Pathetic sheep.

"He doesn't look like he has a lot of money, going by his clothes, anyway," another Staceyette commented. "I say he should go with something cheap. Like a nice paper bag over the head."

Yeah, and if Stacey was going out with him, you'd be saying how gorgeous he was, Isabel thought. She sat down on the wooden bench in front of her locker and twisted in the combination. It wouldn't open. She tried it again. Still wouldn't open. Then she realized that her locker was the next one over.