by Lacey Heart
“Me? A distraction?” I ask, regretting speaking out more and more. “I’d love to but now I think about it I have heaps of work that I need to get finished and I really need to call my mom too. Maybe some other time?” My voice is hopeful and light but it sure looks like Jessica has already made up her mind.
“Oh, no you don’t.” She smiles back at me bigger this time and a shiver runs down my spine letting me know that whatever she has planned is definitely a bad idea and I need to get the hell out of it if I can. “You and I both know you have no plans to speak to your mom and work can wait.”
“What do you want me to do?” I finally ask when I realize she isn’t about to let this drop.
“We’re going out, and you’re coming with me.” Jessica looks me up and down a few times before wriggling her nose in disgust. “But first we’ll need to do something with your appearance. We need to make you fit in and look the part.”
Jessica raises her flawless eyebrows at me as if daring me to argue with her. Obviously, my plane Jane vibe isn’t sitting well with her. “I’m not sure I’m following you.” Honestly, I’m starting to think she’s lost her damn mind. This girl thinks she can just walk into this house and start throwing out her demands. I don’t think so. She might get away with it with everyone else in her life—but not me. And cousin or not, she doesn’t know me well enough to start dishing out her demands.
Either way, I’m not going anywhere with this crazy ass bitch stood before me.
My mom’s out of town and I’ve been looking forward to enjoying the peace and quiet whilst it lasted.
“Avery, please. I’m begging you. I need your help so how about you quit bitching and help a girl out? We have work to do.”
I don’t know how or why it’s happened but around thirty minutes later I’m dressed and almost ready to go. To go to only god knows where.
I don’t even recognize the girl staring back at me in the bathroom mirror.
She looks at least four years my senior, enhanced by flawlessly applied make-up. Her skin is smooth and dewy, and not so much as a freckle in sight. Her eyes are shining bright, framed by super long black lashes. This girl looks insane.
She looks like the type of girl who could have any guy she wanted—even the likes of Cole Ashford.
“Looking good, huh?” Jessica appears beside me and she looks just as glamorous as she always does and the thought of making myself up like that everyday sends waves of exhaustion running through my body.
I raise my eyes in the mirror and fix them on hers, which makes her overly enhanced smile grow wider.
“So, where are we going?” I ask her even though I know she won’t tell me because I have been trying to get it out of her since she dragged me up off the bed and made a start on my drastic make-over.
“All in good time my little sapling.” Is all she says. It’s Saturday night and this is a world away from how I imagined spending it. “Come on. We don’t want to be late.”
I give myself a final once over in the mirror before turning around and following Jessica down the hall. “Remind me why I’m doing this.” I ask as nervous energy swirls deep within my stomach, warning me that this is nothing but a bad decision and I need to put my foot down and back out before it’s too late.
I don’t like crowded places and I don’t like mixing with strangers, and I’m confident one, if not both of those things will be on the agenda for tonight.
“Have you always been so boring?” Jessica calls back to me and I choose to ignore her, but she continues to waffle on with herself anyway, which I’m soon realizing seems to be the norm for Jessica. “You don’t know it yet, but I’m giving you a once in a lifetime opportunity tonight, so loosen up a little bit and enjoy.” She winks at me before her perfectly manicured hands reach out and grab the door handle. “You need to live a little, Avery. I promise you’ll thank me for it.”
CHAPTER SEVEN
AVERY
After a short drive, Jessica pulls up outside Monty’s and kills the engine, right at the same time that my heart drops down into my stomach like a dead weight.
“Seriously, Jess?” I sigh. “Please don’t tell me you’ve dressed me up into slut of the year just to come and hang out at your local diner?” I really hope this is some kind of joke, because I remember Jessica telling me not so long ago that this is the place where all the cool kids hang out from school and boy, I could really do without bumping into the likes of Cole Ashford right now. Especially while I’m dressed like this. These next couple of days were supposed to be my ‘people-free’ days but I guess once again the universe has other ideas.
“We won’t be here for long. I’m just meeting a girlfriend. We can have a few drinks and then after, that’s when the real fun begins.” I have no idea if she’s being completely honest with me, but what choice do I have? There’s no way I’ll be able to make it back to the farmhouse on foot, and definitely not in these killer heels. No doubt my mother will freak when she finds out Jessica has raided her designer stash.
I carefully climb out of Jessica’s truck and almost fall flat on my ass as I stumble on the uneven parking lot. Maybe the owners need to invest in a new re-surface before someone does themselves an injury. I just about manage to pull myself together and it looks like Jessica has already gone inside without me. I guess I shouldn’t expect anything less from her.
“Avery? Is that you?”
I hear a familiar voice call out my name from the opposite side of the parking lot and I’m torn. Do I turn around and say hello, or is it better for me to head inside and pretend I haven’t heard her? I don’t’ have much time to think about it because suddenly my choice is taken away from me when I feel a cold hand on my wrist, and I’m spun around to face her.
“Oh, my god. It is you. I knew it.”
“Hey.” I reply quietly and I offer Emily a weak smile, and I’m surprised when she doesn’t return it. Instead she narrows her eyes suspiciously at me.
“You look hot, Parker.” Emily steps closer to me as she searches my face with her eyes as though the person she’s looking at isn’t really me.
“Thanks. I think…” I don’t know what else to say and it’s absolutely freezing stood outside Monty’s and my teeth begin to chatter. “What are you doing here?” I ask, trying my best to make conversation and distract myself from the arctic chill that’s swirling around me. Damn, I knew I should have worn a bra but no matter where I looked, I couldn’t find my strapless one for the life of me and now I feel like my nipples feel like they’re about to fall off.
“Oh, never mind me.” Emily whistles and I can feel the heat of multiple sets of eyes burning into me through the large windows at Monty’s. “Where are you going all dressed up to impress? Did you change your mind?”
“Change it about what?” I’m not really listening to her as well as I should be as I look over toward the entrance to Monty’s, hopeful that Jessica will hurry up and walk back out the door at any moment.
“Cole’s party?” Now that gets my attention as I snap my head back towards her. “That’s where you’re headed, right? You know I can always come with you. Tag along and keep you company?”
“Oh, no. I’m not going to Cole’s party.” I tell her affirmatively. Why the hell in God’s name would I be going there? Emily and I have already had a heated discussion about this yesterday after school. Surely, she can’t have forgotten already. Just in case I decide it best to remind her. “Didn’t you hear what I said yesterday? I’d rather walk bare foot over hot coal than spend a moment more than I have to with him.”
Emily eyes me suspiciously and I know she isn’t buying what I’m saying to her. But it’s the truth. “You know there’s no other parties happening in Riverstone tonight, don’t you?”
“I’m not going to a party. I’m out with my cousin.” I hate having to explain myself to people. I’m not a liar and if I was going to Cole Ashford’s party, I’d have no problems telling her. “She’s just popped inside to grab
her friend.”
“Avery, you coming or what?” I hear Jessica call over to me.
Finally, I can prove I’m not a liar, not that I should have to. I nod my head in Jessica’s direction and say, “See.”
When Emily doesn’t say anything, I turn my head back to face her, but she doesn’t say anything. In fact, she doesn’t do anything except stare Jessica down and it seems Jessica is glaring at Emily in the same way.
What the hell have I missed here? “Is everything okay?” I ask Emily after a few moments of awkward silence has passed.
“Wait,” Emily snaps her head back to me and says, “Jessica Parker is your cousin?”
“Erm, yeah.”
Emily’s eyes look sad and she shakes a full head of ginger hair at me. “Why shouldn’t that surprise me?”
“Hey. Emily, I don’t know where we’re headed. I promise. Jessica won’t tell me until we get there but why don’t you come with us? I could do with having you around.” I know having a familiar face will make me feel a whole lot better while I’m off to only god knows where with Jessica and her friends, but Emily doesn’t look impressed with the idea.
“Thanks, but I’d hate to cramp your style.” Now it could be the cold air, but Emily’s eyes seem to glisten a lot more when she looks at me. As though she’s fighting back the tears she doesn’t want me to see. “I’ll see you Monday.”
Nervous energy consumes me once again as I watch my friend, the only friend I have in Riverstone turn around and walk away, and there is nothing I can do or say to stop her.
What did I do? Was it something I said? I really hope I haven’t gone and done something to upset her.
“Yo. Avery, get your goddamn ass over here.” Jessica cries out again.
I continue to watch Emily’s retreating figure as she grows smaller in the distance and I sigh heavily before turning around and making my way towards Monty’s. Even though my whole body is screaming out for me to leave here and head back to the farmhouse where I’ll be safe.
Monty’s was full of life, but then I guess this little hotspot will be on a Saturday night. I see a couple of faces I recognize from school when I allow my eyes to scan the room, and I’m happy and comfortable in the knowledge that Cole Ashford is nowhere in sight.
And I thank the lord for small mercies.
“Hey, everyone. There’s someone I’d like you to meet.” Jessica shouts across a table of girls. “This is Avery. Avery, these girls here are my people.” She reaches out and grabs my wrist before dragging me into a crowded booth and I see it’s full of the same kind of people. Overly enhanced and made up looking like a collection of barbies.
I quickly look down at my low-cut black sequined mini dress, which really doesn’t leave much to the imagination, and it suddenly makes perfect sense why Jessica said she needed to make me look the part.
Goodbye comfy Plane Jane, and hello super slut patrol.
All eyes land on me which makes me feel a little uncomfortable and totally out of place, and I can feel the heat rising to my cheeks. Thankfully, I think Jessica probably applied enough cement to keep it covered for the foreseeable.
“Hey.” I smile weakly when Jessica nudges me and the stares start to get too much to handle, and I just about manage to hold up a fingerless-gloved hand in acknowledgement.
“Oh, my. Where did you find this one?” The girl to the right of Jessica asks while she looks me up and down and she doesn’t look the least impressed with me being here. Actually, I’d go as far to say that she’s looking at me in utter disgust right about now.
I instantly get a bad feeling about her. She’s like a snake. Sly, poisonous and would strike at any second, without so much as a moment’s hesitation.
“Outside trying to mingle with the trash.”
“Seriously? If I were you, I would have left her there.” The mouthy bitch narrows her eyes at me and its fair game to say we definitely don’t like each other.
Jessica laughs before turning back to me. “Oh, shut up. I’d never do that. Plus, Avery’s cool.”
“If you say so, Jess. Not that you’ve got the best track record with friends.” Queen bitch is quick to pipe up again while she zones in on me. Well, two can play at that game. I’m not here to make friends, but I won’t stand back and allow anyone to speak to me like a piece of trash.
“And, you are?” I demand, and the whole table descends into silence as they wait for her response.
“Who am I?” She laughs like she can’t quite believe what I’ve just asked her. “Tell me something. How long have you been at Riverstone, Avery?”
“Since January.” I tell her firmly. Not that it’s any of her damn business. Jeez, if these are the cool kid’s that Jessica was telling me about then she can keep them.
“Not long,” Queen bitch sucks her straw into her mouth, takes a sip and says, “I guess I can let you off. But just as an FYI… the name’s Mia. Mia Campbell.” She flicks her hair and pouts her lips as though her name is supposed to mean something to me and her little herd of bitch’s cackle in unison like she’s just said something majorly funny. When I don’t say anything, she must feel the need to elaborate as she says, “head of the cheer squad and the most popular girl in this town.”
“Not too popular for the new girl to know anything about you, though.” I laugh. “But kudos to you for that amazing achievement. You know I bet your parents are so damn proud.” I plaster on my best fake smile. About as fake as everything about her while I try to pick my brains. I’ve heard her name before. I just can’t remember where.
“Oh, such sass.” Mia snarls back at me while giving her perfectly manicured nails the once over. “Let me give you a little advice. If you want to survive in this town then you need to befriend the right people. Riverstone’s a small place with hardly anywhere to hide, so I’d think real carefully before you start making any enemies.”
And just like that I remember why her name sounded so familiar.
Mia Campbell—as in Cole Ashford’s ex-girlfriend.
“Oh, I’m sorry. I do remember who you are now. Rumor has it you’re no longer on top of the food chain anymore.” I smile back and I hear Jessica gasp in shock beside me. But I don’t care if I’ve offended anyone. Instead, I focus on lowering myself down into booth so I’m directly facing the leader of the wolf pack.
“Avery…” Jessica tries to warn me, but I’m quick to ignore her. I don’t need anyone to help fight my battles. I’m more than capable of doing that on my own. Plus, Mia is the one who decided to pick a fight with me, and it’s been a long time since I allowed my frustrations to break free.
CHAPTER EIGHT
COLE
“Jake. I need you to do me a massive favor, man. But I need it to stay between the two of us, you hear me?” I slide a beer across the island in his general direction while Tommy’s too busy scrolling through his phone like the desperate pussy he really is.
“What?” Jake cocks a brow and looks at me like I’ve just grown two heads.
Maybe I have grown two heads because what I’m about to ask him is concerning for all of us. “Ah, look.” I run a hand gingerly through my hair, not sure how to word what I want to ask him. “It’s complicated. Look, how do you feel about mixing it up this weekend? Maybe open the party up to the whole of Riverstone High. But seniors only.”
“Come again?” Jake almost falls off the stool, totally shook by my request, and I’m shook by my own thoughts too.
“It’s no big deal. All you have to do is send out a mass event. Maybe you could even invite that Emily chick you used to dig so much.” His eyes pop out of his head and if he wasn’t already sat at the island, I know he’d me melting right about now into a mass pile of mush onto the floor.
“You can’t be serious, man.”
“Why wouldn’t I be? It’s my fucking party and I can invite whoever I want, or has something changed that I don’t know about?” I shrug back, pulling my beer to my lips and taking a long pull.
&nb
sp; Jake narrows his eyes at me and takes a quick look at Tommy to see if he’s still occupied with his phone. “Emily’s a no-go area man, and you know it. I’m telling you if you bring her on board, you’re gonna cause the mother of all shit storms.”
I can’t hold back the laugh that escapes me. It’s evil and vindictive and I fucking love it. “I know.”
“You’re fucking crazy.”
“That may be true, Parker. But not as crazy as you used to be about that ginger kitten.”
“Fuck you, Ashford.” Jake scowls back at me before pushing up from the island, but I can already tell he’s thinking about it. “Jessica would hit the roof, and Tommy…”
“Shut the fuck up and look at me.” I demand and I know I have his attention. “You’re Jake Parker, a walking prince of Riverstone High. All the girls want you and guys want to be you. You can do no wrong. Now are you seriously telling me you actually give a damn what your sister and those wannabe chicks she hangs around with think?”
“No.” He mutters back at me and I barely hear him. Fortunately, I know Parker well enough to know what he’s thinking.
“You’re constantly giving Tommy shit for being pussy-whipped, yet you’re too scared to disturb the dragon too.” I scoff before Tommy slowly makes his way over to us. “You’ve got a mahoosive set of balls, Parker and it’s high time you started using them.”
I watch as Jake opens his mouth to argue his case but then he closes it just as fast when Tommy’s giant hand comes slamming down and connects with his shoulder. “Oh, someone’s tense, Parker boy.” He laughs before he looks at me and his face turns more serious. “I hate to be the one to be the bearer of bad news, but it looks like Jessica doesn’t want to play ball. Apparently, Mia’s coming and there’s nothing she can do to stop her.”
