Page 15 of The Prom

IMOGEN

A week has passed since we moved into The Elusive House and it’s as if we have always been here. Perhaps it’s because our friends are under the same roof and I must confess, it sure makes things easier.

I love being part of the family and wandering into the kitchen and seeing their familiar faces is a pleasure I never understood.

It’s the same now as I head in to fix some breakfast and find Cassie and Siri already there.

“Hey, Imogen.” Siri smiles. “How’s your ankle?”

“Better.” I reach for the coffeepot and smile. “It was merely a nasty sprain and now I’ve rested it, it feels normal.”

“I’m glad.” She giggles. “I’m guessing Jesse’s magic touch had a hand in that.”

“Jesse?”

She rolls her eyes. “Your boyfriend. Honestly, Imogen, keep up.”

I don’t miss the concern in her eyes and I seek to reassure her.

“Sorry, of course, Jesse. My, um, boyfriend.”

I force a bright smile on my face as Summer joins us and huffs, “I am seriously thinking of moving out. Do you know what Frankie did last night?”

“What?”

Cassie’s eyes widen as Summer hisses, “He freaking locked me in.”

“No way.” Siri is angry for her friend and I love how they work together. If Summer is pissed, Siri is too, and I’m guessing it’s much the same as my relationship with Cassie and Jack.

Summer’s eyes gleam.

“Luckily, I have someone on my side who isn’t afraid to step up, and Luca let me out when I texted him.”

She glances at Cassie and grins. “If you’re wondering where my brother is, you will find him in his room with no way out. Let’s see how he likes it.”

“You locked him in.” Cassie bursts out laughing.

“I’m saying nothing.”

Siri giggles. “I would love to see his face right now. How did you manage that, Summer?”

“It was easy. Ever heard of a chair propped up under the handle? He’s going nowhere fast.”

“He will be pissed.” Cassie shrugs as she butters her toast. “I’ll give it thirty minutes. He could use a lesson in control.”

It certainly lightens the atmosphere and as we take a leisurely breakfast, it strikes me how much I love being around these women. They are all strong and capable, fierce even, and whatever happened with the sprinklers certainly did us a favor.

“What are your plans today?” Cassie whispers as the others chat about people they know.

“After class, I intend on heading into town.”

“Do you want company?”

“That would be great.”

I offer her a warm smile because it’s been a while since I spent a few hours alone with her. Frankie is usually cemented by her side, and I love watching them together. Back home, Cassie is a force to be reckoned with. It kind of goes with the territory given who her father is. Ryder King is the fiercest guy I have ever met and has taught his daughter well. Nothing gets past Cassie, and it’s obvious Frankie was made for her. I’m still not loving that idea because I always wanted her and Jack to work out, but even I must admit, Frankie fits well with Cassie and vice versa.

After breakfast,Cassie heads off to free Frankie and Summer disappears with Siri, leaving me to gather my stuff for class. As I apply makeup and fix my hair, it strikes me how careful I’m being with that today. I’m telling myself it’s because I want to look nice for my journey into town but if I’m honest, it’s because I have history first period and it will be the first time I’ve seen Mr. Bellingham since he rescued me in the forest.

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