The Sister Code (D.O.R.K #2)

by Haley Allison

  Maybe someday…

  Violence has always been something I kept strictly limited to video games and shooting my rifle at a gong target back at home, but this pain I’m going through has me ready to punch a koala. The visual of punching a koala has me almost giggling as I pull the last school essential from my locker and prepare to close it up for the day. I must be in a horrible mood if such a thing could even enter my head. Shaking it off, I reach down in my bag to get my phone.

  All of a sudden, as I’m about to lock my phone up per school rules, my text alert goes off.

  Logan: I woke up early today just so I could send you virtual hugs. Hang in there. I’m rooting for you, heartbreak buddy.

  I chuckle, feeling warmed by his sweet gesture.

  Me: “Heartbreak buddy.” That has to be the saddest thing I’ve ever heard. Thanks, though.

  Logan: Yeah, we’re pretty pathetic. Guess we can be pathetic together at BlizzCon this weekend.

  My heart sinks low in my chest. I had completely forgotten about our plans for the weekend.

  Me: Actually, I’m not so sure I’m up to that.

  Logan: Thank God. I’m not either.

  Me: Why don’t you just come over and we can watch it together in our living room? I can stream the live broadcast from my computer. That way we don’t have to see people, but we won’t miss anything.

  Logan: What about our tickets?

  Me: We can sell them or give them away. I’m sure somebody would want them around here.

  Logan: Sounds like a good idea. So I’m coming to your place then. Should I bring anything?

  Me: Nah, we’ve got you covered.

  Logan: Okay, cool. See you Friday, sweets.

  Me: See you then :)

  Sweets…

  A smile I only get for Logan tugs at my lips. Chandler notices and clears her throat.

  “What’s going on?” When I glance up at her, she’s grinning at me with deep dimples.

  “I’m hanging out with Logan this weekend.”

  Devon exaggerates a groan. “Ew. She’s drooling over my cousin.”

  “Oh…you don’t mind, do you?” I search her face for any warning signs.

  She smirks teasingly. “Nah, go for it. You two are cute together.”

  “Thanks.” I smile, and Devon reaches for my upper arm.

  “You sure about this?” She searches my eyes with her deep brown ones. “I’m all for you and Logan hanging out, but I know both of you just got broken up with.”

  I shrug. “I don’t think anything’s going to happen. I have a foolproof plan for keeping our hands off each other.”

  “Oh really? What’s that?”

  I lean over and whisper in her ear, “My virginal dorky glasses.”

  ***

  I arrive at Chorus class early, and as usual, Dalton’s already in his seat studying before class begins. When he glances up and sees me, he motions for me to sit in the seat next to him. I cross the room and set my books on the desk next to me as I take the seat.

  “Hey…what happened this weekend? I heard you and Gio broke up, but I don’t know the rest of it,” he starts gently.

  A deep sigh escapes me. The last thing I want to do right now is relive the events of the worst weekend of my life, but Dalton deserves to know. I go on to tell him everything I know, right down to seeing Raven and Gio kissing in his bedroom and Kiki filming the whole thing. Dalton drops his head into his palm with his elbows braced on the pull-down desk at the end of my story.

  “Goddamn. I knew Raven was crazy, but Gio? I…” He sighs into his palms, shaking his head in disbelief. “Believe me, I had no idea.”

  “I know you didn’t.” I lay a hand on Dalton’s shoulder. “Guess we’ve both been played for fools.”

  “Gio fooled me good. I thought he was legit. Everyone did. People love him in this school, and now to find out he’s just another one of the bad guys…and what he had the nerve to do to you…” Dalton slams his fist down on the desk with a caveman grunt. “I should punch that fucker in the face.”

  “But he’s your best friend, Dalton—”

  “Not anymore.” Clenching his teeth, Dalton huffs toward the front of the room. “No friend of mine would treat an innocent girl like this. He’s just an asshole.”

  “Dalton, I’m going to be okay. I’m strong.”

  “Yeah, but that doesn’t mean you deserve to suffer.” When he turns back to look at me, I can clearly see the pain written in his hazel eyes. “Neither of us do.”

  I squint at him. “Are you talking about Raven?”

  A muscle in Dalton’s jaw bulges with tension. Looking back toward the front of the room, he nods. “You know that song “Over and Over” by Three Days Grace?”

  “Of course.”

  He swallows and drops his gaze to his clenched fists on the table. “That song sums up the way I feel about your sister.”

  Tears prick my eyes. It’s the first time Dalton’s admitted to me outright he has feelings for Raven. People trickle into the room, but before I leave to go to my seat, I lay my hand on his forearm. I can’t even imagine being in love with someone that ruthless…

  Or maybe I can.

  “I’m sorry, Dalton.”

  He folds his hand over mine and nods. Squeezing his arm, I stand. Then I grab my books and head to the alto section, wishing not for the first time that I didn’t have an evil twin.

  Playlist

  http://spoti.fi/29OjNBc

  Hollow Moon (Bad Wolf)–Awolnation

  Everybody’s Fool–Evanescence

  Wherever You Will Go–The Calling

  The Good Life–Three Days Grace

  Look What You’ve Done–Jet

  Somewhere I Belong–Linkin Park

  Bad Reputation–Adelitas Way

  Let Me Live My Life–Saint Asonia

  Hot For Teacher–Van Halen

  Teenagers–My Chemical Romance

  My Immortal–Evanescence

  Right Here–Staind

  Again–Flyleaf

  Ship to Wreck–Florence + the Machine

  Santa Monica–Everclear

  Dirty Little Secret–All-American Rejects

  Tear Down The Wall–Art of Dying

  Human–The Killers

  Lies of the Beautiful People–Sixx A.M.

  Paparazzi on Mopeds–The Cranberries

  Lost in Hollywood–System of a Down

  Shake It Out–Florence + the Machine

  Survival–Muse

  BEFORE YOU GO…

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  Acknowledgements

  To the readers, bloggers, and fellow authors who encouraged me when I felt like giving up on this second installment of the D.O.R.K. Series—writing this second book was not easy. So many times I felt like I was never going to get through the first draft. I kept stopping and starting over, but you all kept an interest in me even though I’m releasing this a lot later than I first said I would. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for sticking with me through the roller coaster ride that was The Sister Code.

  To my friends, whether inside the publishing world or out—thank you for keeping faith in me and telling me I was a rock star even when I acted like a whiny wimp. You all mean the world to me. Brittney, Kiarra, Samatha, Taylor, Sarah, Lauren L., and Chrissy, your support and feedback while writing and rewriting this book was especially appreciated. So many people have dived into the deep end with me over the past few months and helped me really shape this series. If your name isn’t listed, know you are loved and appreciated even though my brain is fried from hours of staring at a compute
r screen and I’m currently finding it hard to remember everyone.

  To my PA’s, Angela and Mitsy, my street team, and my friend Rebecca who loves promoting other authors—you all are the foundation I stand on. People don’t know about my work until you shout my name far and wide, and you do, and it’s awesome. You give me hope that this series and my future works will be successes, so thank you.

  To the network of authors, artists, and art supporters I interact with every day—thank you for your contributions to the writing world. Whether it be a writing article or a funny meme you share, the works you pass on to me encourage me and help build me up when life, writing, and stress get me down. We’re all in this together, even if not all of us get along.

  To my editor, Sydnee, who combed through this work of art and helped me eliminate everything that wasn’t appropriate or necessary—you were a breath of fresh air this tired author definitely needed. Thank you for picking up on the things I couldn’t see and encouraging me when I had moments of self-doubt.

  To my Squad—you know who you are—thanks for being the people I can vent to about anything and everything writing related, knowing I’m never going to be judged. Together, we’re a force to be reckoned with. I can’t wait to see what we accomplish together in the future.

  About The Author

  Haley Allison is a native of South Carolina. She discovered a love of writing at age fourteen and hasn't been able to turn off the motor fingers since then. Today, she lives in a quiet country home with her husband, son, and Boston terrier. She is a Graphic Design major at Southern New Hampshire University and hopes to graduate with a B.A. degree sometime in the next couple of years. Her hobbies include composing piano music, nature photography, and blogging about books and authors.

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  Note from the Author

  Dear Reader,

  Thank you for taking the time to read The Sister Code. If you enjoyed this book, please connect with me at one of the links above and consider telling your friends about it or posting a short review. Word of mouth is an author's best friend and much appreciated.

  Thanks,

  Haley Allison