Page 22 of Between Now and Forever

He’s smiling, but his eyes are full of warning that say I better keep my mouth shut.

Oh, he doesn’t have to worry about that.

I’m not afraid of a fight, but I would be outnumbered here and right now, all I can think of is how I’m going to get home.

“Nice-nice to meet you, too.” I want to kick myself for the slight stammer in my voice.

“I didn’t say it was nice to meet you.”

She looks me up and down, her satisfied smirk still firmly in place. I struggle not to fidget.

“Your dress is a little fancy for our lake party, and your wig is on crooked.” She eyes the pink dress I threw on in hopes that Duke would tell me I looked pretty in it. She looks up at Duke. Her eyes widen as they share a smile, like they’re sharing an inside joke.

And it’s clearly at my expense.

I amsucha fool.

“I had something else before this, today. It was a costume party.” I flush hot at the giggles that bounce around the group gathered around.

“I’ve got my suit on underneath,” I add, and they laugh even louder.

She sweeps a quelling glare over the little crowd of people and the laughter dies down immediately.

“Guys, we’re being so rude. Stop. She’s new,” she drawls with a saccharine sweet insincerity before she turns her attention back to me. “You should take it off if you have your suit on, we were just getting ready to go for a swim.”

My gut twists like it’s caught in a vice.

No way in the world am I taking my dress off in front of these people. It’s damn hot and the lake would feel great, but I don’t plan on staying long enough to find out.

There’s something sinister in the air here. Something more than just pranks and teasing. I can feel it.

“Actually, I think I’m just going to go home. My brother will come get me.” I hate how meek I sound, but I can’t help it.

She laughs, but I’m not sure at what. Her teeth glint in the sunlight, and there’s something vicious about her that turns her from beauty queen to villain for an instant.

I know I’ll draw her. At some point. And I know that when I can’t get her quite right on paper, I’ll wish I’d been able to capture it with my camera.

“You should relax. Have a drink.” She holds out an open beer bottle.

I look from the bottle to her face and find the beauty queen smile back in place.

I look at Duke and find him watching me. He smiles but not quickly enough to hide the look of annoyance that was there before it.

“Can I talk to you?” I ask him, and want to die when he nods at my drink.

“Don’t be a drag, Liz. Have that drink…you look like you need it!” he snaps.

I glance around, and their little group is watching me—some suspiciously, some wearing that look of fake friendliness.

I don’t understand it. I don’t know any of them, and yet, they all seem to dislike me.

“Go on,” she sneers.

“Yeah, come on and then we can get back partying.”

I eye the bottle warily as I consider my next move. It’s just a tiny sip. The sooner I do this, the sooner I can get away from them.

I put the bottle to my lips and take a sip.

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