i spun around. "that's it. one more word, and i'll ..." we both knew it was an empty threat.

marcie simpered. "you'll what?"

"skank," i said.

"geek."

"slut."

"freak."

"anorexic pig."

"wow," said marcie, staggering back melodramatically with a hand pressed to her heart. "am i supposed to act offended? try this on for size. old news. at least i know how to exercise a little selfcontrol."

the security guard standing at the doors cleared his throat. "all right, break it up. take this outside or i'm going to cart the both of you inside my office and start calling parents."

"talk to her," marcie said, pointing a finger at me. "i'm the one who's trying to be nice. she verbally attacked me. i was just offering my condolences to her friend."

"i said outside."

"you look good in uniform," marcie told him, flashing her trademark toxic smile.

he jerked his head at the doors. "get out of here." but it didn't sound half so gruff.

marcie sashayed up to the doors. "mind getting the door for me? i'm short on hands." she was holding one book. a paperback.

the guard pushed on the handicapped button, and the doors automatically glided open.

"why, thank you," marcie said, blowing him a kiss.

i didn't follow her. i wasn't sure what would happen if i did, but i was filled with enough negative emotion that i just might do something i'd regret. name