Riley’s giddy when we’re back in the room; she bounces back and forth and juggles random objects as she gets ready for bed. When she stops and actually looks at me, however, her energy drops a few notches.

“What’s wrong?” she asks. She flops back on the bed, suddenly serious.

“I don’t know,” I respond. I turn away and start taking off the layers of makeup.

“Was he a bad kisser?” Riley giggles.

I shrug.

“Like, you’re not sure or it was so bad you don’t want to think about it?”

I set down the makeup wipes.

“Like, he didn’t kiss me.”

“Oh,” she responds. Her tone goes flat. “What happened?”

I shake my head and go to the closet to change into pajamas. “Nothing happened,” I say as I pull off the glittery top. “We were backstage, and I thought we were sharing a moment and then Leena appeared and ruined it. And then Branden just disappeared, like he was embarrassed to be seen in the same room as me. Oh, also, apparently he was talking to Megan and accidentally told her what we were doing. That’s how she and her sisters found out.”

I throw the dirty clothes in the hamper and turn to her.

“Am I crazy?” I ask. “I mean, I want to punch him and I want to kiss him and I hate that he and Megan are like old friends or something. This was supposed to be a fun week of flying trapeze. Why did it have to get all complicated all of a sudden?”

“If boys are involved, it’s bound to be complicated.” Riley pats the bed beside her. I flop down and lean against her shoulder. “And no,” she continues. “You aren’t crazy. It sounds like Branden’s torn right now. But I really do think he likes you. It’s not like he told Megan our routine and then joined her side. He still followed you.”

“So why does it hurt?”

“No one likes feeling like their trust was broken,” she says. She wraps an arm around my shoulder. “Especially girls like us, who’ve had it broken before. Maybe he doesn’t actually know what he wants,” she says. “Boys are terrible at figuring out emotions. It’s in their genes or something.”

“What would you do, if you were me?” I ask. “I’ve tried to impress him, I’ve tried playing hard to get. And an hour ago we were dancing onstage together. I don’t really know what else to do.”

“You could always tell him you like him,” she recommends. “I mean, maybe he’s scared?”

“Scared? Of me? That’s ridiculous.”

“Boys fear rejection too, you know,” she says. “At least, that’s what Sandy says. According to him, boys and girls are actually pretty even in the emotional uncertainty department. Maybe that’s why he still talks to Megan—she’s his fallback.”

“I can’t believe your boyfriend actually admits to stuff like that.”

“Oh, we talk about everything. Honesty’s the best policy and all.”

“So you’re saying I should just come out and tell him I think he’s cute and I daydream about him kissing me?”

This makes Riley laugh.

“No, that sounds creepy. We don’t want to scare the poor boy off. I’m just saying that maybe you need to step up to the plate on this one. Tell him you like him.”

“That’s supposed to be his job,” I say grumpily.

“Yeah, well, this is showbiz. Everything’s topsy-turvy here.”

•  •  •

In spite of the congratulations that still come my way at breakfast, I feel sluggish. Depressed. I even take a mug of coffee in hopes it will give me a bit of energy. I never drink coffee. It tastes like mud.

“Couldn’t sleep?” Tyler asks. I pour another packet of sugar into my coffee, hoping it will help. Another sip. It doesn’t. How do people drink this stuff?

“Yeah,” I grumble.

“Must be all the adrenaline,” he says. “Makes it hard to get any shut-eye.”

He himself looks perfectly chipper—gym shorts, jersey shirt, and hair still damp from the shower. Kevin’s in line for breakfast. They did an omelet bar today, which is pretty cool, save for the fact that I’m really not hungry.

“Anyway,” Riley says, bursting through my sluggish thoughts. “Did you see what’s on the schedule for tonight?”

“Not another talent show,” I mutter.

She laughs. “Nope. Better. We’re going to see a circus!”

I look at her, raising an eyebrow.

“There’s another show in town?”

“Not really. It’s, like, an hour away. But I’ve heard all about it. It’s supposed to be really good. It’s about a penguin trying to get back to the Antarctic.”

“They made a show about that?” Tyler asks. “Also, Jennifer, you’re ruining your coffee.” He reaches across the table, slides my mug over to himself, and takes a delicate sip. The face he pulls is comically disgusted. “Ugh. Way too much sugar. You’ve officially turned this into candy.” He slides the mug back over to me. “Speaking of candy . . . how did things go with Branden after the show? I saw the way he was looking at you.”

I shrug. Out of habit, I glance around the dining room, but I don’t see him anywhere. I didn’t really scare him off, did I?

“Nothing happened,” I mutter. “He just left. Riley says I should man up and ask him out myself.”

“You could,” Tyler says. “I’m all for gender role reversal.”

At that moment I feel someone stand beside me. I figure it’s just Kevin, back from breakfast, but then Tyler’s eyes narrow.

“What do you want?” he asks.

I look over then, to see Sara, one of Megan’s sisters, standing beside me.

“I’m just here to tell you, and I quote, ‘You should maybe find yourself another man.’ ” She looks at me dead on when she says it; her accent is just as thick as her sister’s, albeit a bit more annoying.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I say.

She sighs.

“I don’t want to drag this out. I really hate it when Megan makes me the messenger. But she says to tell you that she’s done playing games. He’s choosing her and there’s nothing you can do about it.”

“Branden’s a big boy,” Riley says, sticking up for me while I try to untangle my tongue and my wits. “He can choose for himself.”

“And he did. Last night. At the trapeze rig. Where he and Megan were making out.”

“You’re lying,” Riley says.

“Trust me, I like it about as much as you. Megan’s vicious. I’ve seen what happens to the girls who get in her way. If I were you, I’d just let this one go. There are only a few days left. You don’t want to deal with the fallout for the rest of your life.” She sighs again. “It’s so stupid.” She gives me what looks like an apologetic smile. “I thought your act went really well, by the way. She never told me she stole the routine. You did better. But it’s not a fight you can win.”

Chapter

Eighteen

She’s lying,” Riley tries to convince me for the hundredth time. “She has to be.”

I shake my head. We’re walking toward the practice tent and all I can think about is Josh standing me up at the restaurant. I should have known Branden was playing me like that guy. I should have known this wasn’t going to be the spring of love or spotlights. I’ll be lucky if I make it out of this camp without making a complete fool of myself. How many people know about Branden and Megan already? How many people has she told?

“She’s not lying,” I say. “It makes sense. It’s why he never made a move. Megan said he thinks of me like a sister. Obviously, she was telling the truth. He fell for her. He told her about our routine. Clearly, he wasn’t that impressed at the end, and he went for her instead. He just felt sorry for me.”

I feel sick saying it, but there’s a note of truth in the words, like a part of me knows reason when I hear it.

Riley sighs.

“Just try not to think about it,” she says. “You’ve got an act to prep and a show to rock. Don’t let one boy ruin your entire vacation.”