I think the death of Ickle-Fuzzy-Wuzzy-Flowerkins did that all on its own.
Veah crouches down next to Skullcrusher, touching her shoulder. Come on, Sakura. I’ll help you plant a new one.
My stomach is not clenching, and I am not jealous.
No, there is no way I’m jealous of someone who is crying over a plant they named Snuffly Cute Poo Poo. Absolutely not.
Let’s get you all cleaned up, Veah says soothingly.
What is there to be jealous of ?
Skullcrusher clings to Veah like a limp doll, and Veah lifts her into her arms. Thanks, Skullcrusher says, and she bursts into tears again.
Jealousy is for people who find the deadly Yakuza boss sent to kill her cute. And I don’t think she’s cute. At all. Not one bit.
Which way is your bedroom ? Veah asks.
Jealousy is for people who actually care about the girl with the smoke-grey eyes and the sharp-edged smile.
Second door to the left, Skullcrusher says, laying her cheek against Veah’s chest.
That’s my property ! That’s my girl ! my common sense screams. Get your hands off her before I rip them off !
Actually, on second thought . . . I don’t think that was my common sense.
I am not jealous, I think.
Not jealous.
Not jealous.
Not jealous.
Standing in the ashes of Baby-Bugga-Boo, all I can do is watch as Veah and the girl in her armswho is not me, for a changedisappear through the second door to the left.
I hate Skullcrusher. With good reasons that have nothing at all to do with the fact that she is flirting with the Yakuza boss who brought me here.
I clench my teeth as she trails one finger down Veah’s arm, keeping one hand on the stack of papers in front of her.
It’s probably bad to hate people, but I do have good reasons.
And just so you know, they’re really, really good reasons.
I’m not sure what they are yet, but they’re good.
With any luck, they’ll send a few people from the Cai gang to Poland, Skullcrusher tells Veah. They’ll be a short a few men, which might be helpful when you have the whole city looking for you.
So you set up a fake location for Kaya and I ?
Skullcrusher blinks. Right. I should add Kaya to that, too. Good idea.
See ? I hate her.
Once she finishes on her laptop, she focuses again on the documents in front of her. The paper is glossy, thick. She presses a stamp onto the top of each corner.
Done ! Skullcrusher announces. I have officially forged you a new identity, Kaya Lee Rivers.
Already ? I say. Butwhat about my name ?
Skullcrusher smiles. I hate that she has adorable little dimples in her round cheeks. I picked your name myself. You will now answer to Anita Hanjaab.
Slowly, I repeat, Anita Hanjaab.
That’s right ! Skullcrusher beams.
Veah makes a sound of approval as she scans the documents. They look good. You did great, Sakura. I can’t thank you enough.
Two dimples pierce Skullcrusher’s cheeks.
I can definitely think of ways you can thank me, she says, turning a delicate shade of pink.
In this moment, I hate the colour pink.
Skullcrusher moves to stand up, but I say, Are you telling me my new name is Anita Hanjaab ?
Veah narrows her eyes at me. Kaya, she warns. Sakura did us a favour, we should be thanking
You named me Anita Hanjaab ! I snap.
Sakura bites her lip, her eyes filling with tears.
I liked the name, she says, her lower lip trembling.
Can you believe that ? Her lower lip actually trembled.
I cannot just start a new life named Anita Hanjaab ! You did that on purpose !
A tear slithers down Skullcrusher’s cheek. What did I do ? I don’t get it.
Repeat after me, I say, gritting my teeth. Anita Hanjaab.
Anita Hanjaab.
Anita Hanjaab.
Anita Hanjaab ?
I ball my hands into fists. Anita Hanjaab. I need a hand job.
Kaya ! Skullcrusher says, shocked.
That’s it. I have never hated someone more in my life.
Veah stands up. We should probably get going.
I refuse to leave without a new identity that isn’t named Anita Hanjaab.
Sakura can’t make another document that quickly. Let’s go.
Skullcrusher wraps her fingers around Veah’s forearm. Oh, not so soon ! I missed you.
For a fraction of a second, Veah softens. I missed you, too. But Kaya and I have another errand to run.
Be careful, Skullcrusher pouts. Who else is going to say a eulogy at Baby-Bugga-Boo’s funeral ?
You promised her what ? I hiss, as Veah drags me towards the apartment door.
Veah ignores me. I’ll come back soon, Sakura. I promise.
And here’s one really, really good reason why I should hate Skullcrusher.
She leans forward and kisses Veah right on the mouth.
Goodbye ! she chirps, and as Veah turns away, she slams the door right in my face.