D.O.R.K. Series Box Set

by Haley Allison

  Logan and I laughed about that all the way to the BBQ joint that rivaled every one I’ve been to in Kentucky. This place had the most tender pulled pork and tangy BBQ sauce I’ve ever tasted. We sat on the same side of a dark booth in a corner, and while we were waiting on our food, Logan pulled me into his lap right there and continued what we were doing in the car. I’ve never experienced this much passion for someone. It feels as if we have to be near each other or we’re going to starve. That’s how desperate we are to be together.

  He said I was stuck with him, that I’d have to break up with him or let him die, one or the other, before I’d lose him. I know we’re not labeling things, but that kinda sounds like a boyfriend thing to say.

  We went to a movie after dinner, but I don’t think I saw five straight minutes of it during the whole thing. It’s insane how much I kissed him tonight. I’d do it over and over again every day, though.

  Mid-terms are going to be such a bummer after this. At least there will be a month-long break from school to look forward to after them. God knows I need it. This has been the hardest school semester I could ever imagine. I hope the next one is easier, but I have a feeling it won’t be.

  Ttyl,

  Mads

  By the ninth day of December, my brain feels like an aching pile of possum remains that’s been run over repeatedly by a tractor-trailer. I never knew anything could drain me this much. As I sit next to Michelle in Physics, taking my last scheduled midterm, I can’t imagine thinking about one more thing for the next week and a half. The only clear thought I can form is that I’m so glad I don’t have to worry about studying over break. I need a true vacation—from the media, my classmates, the L.A. scene—everything. My dream was always to go to the beach for winter break, but now that I live near the beach, I’m thinking some snow is in order.

  My eyes bug in and out and remind me I’m supposed to be taking an exam. I squint at the paper in front of me, scared that my vision might be changing already. Considering I just got these contacts this past summer, that would be a bad sign. I’m pretty sure it’s only because of my excessive reading and studying over the past week though.

  I’ve suddenly forgotten what the word adiabatic means…

  Sighing and rubbing my forehead, I resign myself to a long hour ahead.

  Bursting out of the double doors, my classmates and I pour out of the entry hall into the covered walkway at the front of the school. People chatter and cheer as they reunite with their friends, having enthused discussions about plans and non-plans for winter break. Chandler and Devon are waiting for me on a concrete bench. They stand quickly and come to each side of me to link their arms through mine. I sigh and relax happily into them.

  “No more school for four whole weeks,” Chandler sing-songs.

  “Doo-dah, doo-dah.” I lean my head against hers, which is slightly lower than mine, and we giggle like the silly schoolgirls we are.

  “I am happy to be out of school, but I have to admit, I’m going to miss seeing you guys every day,” Devon counters, pooching out her lower lip in a pout.

  “Aw, Dev, it will be okay.” I squeeze her arm against me. We leave the covered walkway and head back toward my car. They’ve started parking near me so I won’t have to walk in alone.

  “I know.” A skip enters her step. “And we could always have a sleepover sometime to make up for it.”

  “Hell yeah!” Grinning, I press up against her in my excitement. Since Ana was basically my only friend growing up, I’ve never had a real slumber party. The idea exhilarates me more than it would a seven-year-old girl. “Do you guys think you could come over tonight? Dad and Cass are out of town again, so we’d have free reign of the house.”

  “I know I could,” Devon confirms. “Dalton and Rob won’t give a shit.”

  “My parents are pretty cool about sleepovers. I could call them real quick,” Chandler offers.

  “Sweet!” I hug my friends around the shoulders. “We’re going to stay up late painting nails, sneaking drinks, and talking about boys. You’re invited to my place. Bring anyone you want.”

  “Even boys?” Devon waggles her eyebrows in a hilariously naughty fashion.

  I give her a look. “Dev, do you honestly think my father would go for that? Having a sleepover with girls while he’s gone is pushing it.”

  “No,” she concedes with a giggle. “Even without any guys there, I’m sleeping over at the Grim Weeper’s mansion. This is badass!”

  “Don’t tell Dalton where you are, or he’ll beg to come along,” I joke, making us all laugh.

  After Devon and Chandler go to their cars, I whip out my phone to call Ana, practically shaking in my excitement. Chastising myself for getting so worked up over a damn slumber party at age eighteen, I take a deep breath to calm myself and wait for her phone to ring. It takes two rings and then she answers.

  “Hey!”

  “Hey, girl. I was just calling you to ask if you’re free tonight.”

  “Sure, J and I don’t have any plans tonight.”

  “I’m having a slumber party at the mansion. You’re required to be there, of course, being my best friend and all that jazz.”

  “Oh, that sounds fun! Do I need to bring anything?”

  “No, you know we’ve got you covered,” I remind her. Clothes, beds, food…we’ve got enough of all of the above to furnish five slumber parties at once.

  “Well, all right then. I’d love to come.”

  “Awesome. See you at seven.”

  “See ya.”

  Standing by the front double doors, I quiver with anticipation as I await my slumber party guests. I may have gone slightly overboard with preparations. I’ve got a full spread of food laid out, a mani/pedi station, cushions spaced out on the floor in the living room in front of the TV, and acceptable-to-me EDM music pumping in our house-wide stereo system. I dressed in sweats and a tank top because I wasn’t sure if I should be wearing cute PJ’s or a regular outfit, so this seemed like a good in-between. My hair is in a long side pony and I put on minimal makeup in case we decide to do facials or makeovers.

  One by one, my girls start filing in. Devon and Chandler are the first to arrive, then Michelle from Physics and a couple of other girls from Chorus. They all comment on how cute I look as they walk in the door. “Cute” is a better word than “sloppy” or “grungy” I suppose, so I’ll take it.

  After about twenty minutes of high-spirited banter and giggling, I receive a guest that I’m sure is Ana based on the limo dropping her off. However, when Kelsey opens the door, Kiki is standing there with a couple of girls I recognize from Raven’s mob. They’re all carrying tote bags with their initials monogrammed on the front and wearing matching sets of fleecy pajamas.

  “Uh, hi,” I stutter, feeling heat rise up my neck into my mass of black hair. What the hell is going on? I didn’t invite Kiki or any of these other questionable people, but I don’t want to be rude and send them away. Then again, even Nana admits that self-preservation can be more important than manners sometimes…

  “May we come in?” Kiki asks with sparkling brown eyes. She pulls her lips into a cheesy grin that I’m sure is supposed to look adorable and pleading, but actually adds to the inherent creepiness of this moment.

  Glancing back and forth between the other two girls, I search for a legitimate reason to turn them away. If my memory serves, the tiny one with pin-tight tow blonde curls is named Elizabeth—she likes to be called Liza—and the other one, a tall girl with butt-length auburn hair, is named Celeste. They were always quiet in Raven’s group, didn’t talk much or draw much attention to themselves. It’s possible they’ve chosen to follow in Kiki’s footsteps and play double agent. The risk that they haven’t and came here to spy on me is a little too big for my comfort, though. I decide to pull Kiki aside onto the patio so we can talk. The other two girls linger on the opposite side from us.

  “Hey, how did you hear about my party?”

  “Chandler invited m
e,” Kiki explains. “She’s still one of my close friends, and she told me you were having a party and I should come. I figured you wouldn’t mind since you know I’m on your side now.”

  Crossing my arms in front of my chest, I huff and glance at the wall. Every time I look over at the stone barrier between my house and Giovanni Abate’s house, I remember that horrible night and seeing Kiki recording my heartbreak for the purpose of sending it to the media. If I’m being honest, I still don’t trust her fully and I probably never will. There is no scenario where I ever pictured or wanted her showing up at my home uninvited. I certainly didn’t intend for any others in Raven’s posse to be here either.

  “Sleepovers are supposed to be for divulging secrets and being yourself with no limitations,” I tell her. “How do I know you didn’t come here just to take intel back to Raven?”

  “How do you know I didn’t come here for the purpose of divulging her secrets to you?” Kiki counters with a sly eyebrow raise. “My coming here is completely innocent and Raven knows nothing about it. This is our chance to talk outside of school and come up with a plan to take her down once and for all. Don’t you think you should take it?”

  My body goes to war with itself. My mind and my gut scream in unison—

  Send her away!

  But the wicked part of me wants to know Raven’s secrets. In a way, it’s kind of sad I have to learn these from strangers. Raven’s supposed to be my twin, the closest individual in the world to me. We shared a womb, yet we couldn’t be further apart. Now she’s my sworn enemy, and I have to go behind her back to figure out what makes her tick. I wish she would let me be her sister instead of her prime target, but this feud she started is something I plan to finish before I take off to rock the world.

  I’m the “good twin.” No one ever said I was an angel.

  “Come on in.” I nod Kiki inside and smile at the other girls as I grant them entrance.

  While we’re heading inside, Jerica’s limo pulls up and she and Ana both step out of it hand-in-hand. I smile and wait for Ana at the doors, pulling her into a tight hug when she reaches me.

  “Thanks for coming.” I turn to Jerica and shake her hand. Judging from the silky pajamas she’s wearing, I’d say she came to stay. “I didn’t realize you’d have time to come or I would have extended a more formal invitation.”

  “Madison…” Jerica chuckles and hooks an arm around the back of my neck. “You’re the best friend of the love of my life. My guess is you’ll be the maid of honor at our wedding someday.”

  “Really?”

  “Yes, so you don’t have to treat me like some kind of unreachable tycoon. We’re friends now. I’m happy to be at your party.”

  I wrap my arms around Jerica and return her hug. I’m friends with a billionaire, my future stepmother is also a billionaire, my mom is Jacie Redinger…whose life am I living anyway?

  When Devon and Chandler break out in a full-on Reddi Whip shooting food fight, I officially know I’ve gone too far with this party. The EDM pulsing through the walls of the house and the vapors from the nail polish seemed to give us all some weird kind of high. Now that we’ve momentarily run out of activities to do, people are getting bored and taking drastic measures to keep the party going. Nervous giggles and screams resound through the kitchen as all the girls gang up on Devon and Chandler, pelting them with chocolate-covered strawberries and bits of banana crepe. I was under the impression these were teenagers, not eight-year-olds. Dad is going to kill me if we stain the walls with all this lunacy. I clench my lower lip between my teeth, wanting to shout at them to stop but also not wanting to be some lame-o buzzkill. If I screw up this party, I doubt any of them are going to want to come back or be my friend anymore. I don’t want to lose any friendships right now with a psycho twin sister on the loose. The last thing I need is to lose people’s loyalty.

  While I’m stressing out over the mess in the kitchen, I feel a buzz in the low pocket of my grey sweatpants. I pull out my phone, grateful for the distraction.

  Logan: Hey, beautiful. I hear from Devon you’re having a party. It stings I wasn’t invited. I thought you knew I could party with the best of them.

  Me: It’s a girls’ slumber party. The only one I’ve ever had.

  Logan: Oh, so I guess you’re having a blast! Don’t let me interrupt you.

  Me: You’re not interrupting. Please come and save me. Ten screaming teenage girls is almost more than I can take.

  Logan: Lol, sweetheart. You’re a bit of an introvert, aren’t you?

  Pressing my lips together, I fight my goofy smile, but it’s no use. He’s never lengthened his usual “sweets” to “sweetheart” before. I like it like crazy.

  Me: Just a bit. Blame it on being raised as a hermit for the better part of eighteen years.

  Logan: Well you’re the cutest hermit I’ve ever met, if that makes you feel any better. ;)

  Me: It does. :) I miss you.

  Logan: Miss you, too. We’ll see each other soon. Just plug your ears and it will be over and we’ll have the weekend before you know it.

  Me: Will do. Lov—

  Dang it. I almost typed “Love you” again. What is up with that? I erase the “v” and type around it so it will make sense.

  Me: Will do. You’re the best, Lo.

  Logan: See you soon, Sweets.

  Me: See ya. :)

  When I lock my phone and slip it into my pocket, I pinch myself to try to squeeze the insanity out of me. I’ve got to stop inching so close to the brink. It’s too soon—frightfully soon—to be feeling those three words, let alone saying them. I’m going to scare him away if I try to push a commitment on him too quickly.

  Cold, gel-like liquid smacks me in the face out of nowhere. Something tangy and sweet runs into my mouth. I open my eyes and swipe my forefinger down my cheek to discover there’s some of Cass’s mango jelly in my face. We usually dip a special kind of tarts she makes in it to eat it, and it’s all shades of delicious, but I have to admit having it on my face isn’t preferable.

  I scan my surroundings and my gaze locks onto Ana, who’s stifling a laugh behind a hand with a jelly-covered serving spoon in it. The evidence convicts her. She’s the culprit behind the stickiness plastered on my face.

  “You’re dead where you stand,” I inform her coolly.

  Ana bursts out with a loud guffaw. “Empty threats don’t scare me, Madison Alexandria Daley.”

  A smirk curls my lips. “Empty, huh?” I cross to the bar with the grace of a ballerina, take my cup of ginger ale punch, and casually dump it right over her head. She gasps and sputters as the fizzy, fruity liquid washes over her face. “What’s empty now, Ana Grace Lincourt?”

  Jerica hands Ana a towel. She swipes it over her hair and face, and then growls, “Okay, now you’re the one who’s dead.”

  Giggles ring out all over the room when I take off running around the island and Ana chases me at full speed. I loop around into the sunroom and jerk the door open to run out to the patio. All the way, the girls chant behind us—

  “Pool! Pool! Pool!”

  My stomach lurches with fear. She wouldn’t. Would she?

  Just as I’m rounding the corner of the deep end of our pool, Ana catches up to me and snakes an arm around my neck. She forcibly walks me out on the diving board and I whimper when my toes creep out over the edge. I’m not afraid of falling in the water, but I know I’m going to get soaked, and I’m wearing a bright purple bra under this thin white tank top. It’s just girls here, but I’m still not used to other people seeing my underwear, and after what happened at Gio’s party, I’m extremely self-conscious about how much of myself I show to others.

  “Ana, don’t. Please,” I beg, trembling.

  “Relax, I won’t,” she whispers in my ear. “I’m making drama for the girls. You looked a little lost.”

  “I am.” Swallowing back the lump in my throat, I admit, “I don’t know what to do.”

  “You should be having fun.
It’s just a party.”

  “Yeah, but…I’m not used to being a hostess. It’s a little overwhelming.”

  “Everything will be okay. Just leave it to J and me. You relax and enjoy the party. Oh, and say uncle.” Her arm squeezes around my neck.

  “Uncle,” I rasp, my throat collapsing on itself in Ana’s death grip. She’s ferocious when she wants to be.

  Releasing me with a grandiose dramatic gesture, Ana shouts to the other girls, “She said ‘uncle’! Who wants to play Truth or Dare?”

  Amidst the girls’ shouts of assent, I rub my neck, feeling grateful to have a friend who would choke me for the sake of my pride.

  After gathering around in a circle in the living room, the girls calm down outwardly, but an air of tension fills the house. Now things are about to get real. Truth or Dare is a game that can screw up your social standing if you play it right…or so I’ve heard. If they ask the wrong questions or give me a cruel dare, I’ll be in over my head.

  Yep, I’m looking at you, Kiki.

  I meet Kiki’s dark eyes, and she flashes me an attempt at an innocent smile, but it twists into something mischievous. When I first met her this past summer, I hadn’t a clue she could be so devious. If she’s really on my side, she could be my salvation. If not, she’s the last nail in my coffin.

  I’ve got to play this game right, or it’s all over.

  “Okay, so we’re going to play this game a little differently.” Ana places an empty wine bottle on the floor. “This is ‘Spin the Bottle’ meets ‘Truth or Dare.’ Instead of being boring and going around in a circle, we’re going to have the asker spin the bottle to find out who they’re going to be questioning.”

  Everyone nods their head in agreement. Secretly, I hope I might be the first one to ask a question after Ana. I’m going to have to utilize some aiming skills I could have practiced at the arcade with Logan if we hadn’t been engulfed in each other’s lips the whole time.