Page 35 of Wish You Were Her
“I don’t need to hear,” Allegra told the other girl when she began to explain. “If you don’t want to answer, you don’t have to answer.”
“Yeah, this is getting boring,” Kerrie said brightly, getting to her feet. “I’m heading back into town if anyone wants to walk.”
“I do,” said Allegra. “Grace, you too?”
“Yes,” said Grace quietly. Her two friends from the ballet also stood up.
“Grace, you don’t have to be so serious all of the time,” Skye said with a disingenuous smile. “This is all very unserious; you don’t need to get worked up.”
Allegra watched Grace experience a tumult of emotions before she finally levelled Skye with a withering stare. When Grace spoke, it was with calm conviction. “You’re rude andmean to people because you know in your heart of hearts, you’re boring. And you’ll be stuck here forever.”
The remark landed like a glove being thrown down. Skye’s face suddenly looked years younger, as she stared up at Grace Lancaster. She seemed unable to formulate a response.
Allegra whistled. “I don’t know, you guys. Lake Pristine could give any audition room a run for its money, this place is lethal.”
She made for the door, offering Grace her arm. The latter gladly took it.
“I’ll walk you home, Allegra,” Simon volunteered, jumping to his feet. “If you want some proper company.”
She gave him a small smile, still trying to remember his endearing email persona. “I’m good with the girls, thanks. See you at work.”
She left his house, hoping that she would start to see more of the Simon she was getting to know from their emails.
She liked that version so much more.
Chapter Eleven
“What was she asking you, Grace? Do you feel okay telling me?”
Allegra asked the question softly once she and Grace had dropped off the others and were the only two left walking home. They were on the woodland path that would eventually link up with Main Street and the air felt warm, but not soupy. It was a pleasant balm against their skin after a lively evening and sudden exit.
“She was asking if I’ve ever had sex,” Grace confirmed, her tone forgiving and resigned all at once. “Don’t worry about me, Allegra. I’m used to people like that. I’m a lot tougher than I used to be.”
“Yeah, I can believe that. But it’s still gross. Nobody’s business. Some things are off limits, even in a game.”
“Hey.” Grace examined the other girl. “It’s honestly fine. This is small-town stuff. This is just what it’s like here. Nothing ever really happens so people have to make drama out of nothing.” They reached the main square of town and passed the dance studio. Grace brushed the outer wall of the building with fond familiarity. “Skye graduated high school at the beginning of the summer, just like me. But I’m going to school. I’m going to dance. She has nothing. I don’t care if she’s a bitch, I feel bad for her. This is all she has. You don’t have to defend me.”
Allegra felt slightly embarrassed. “Sorry. I… take things too personally. I would have been really upset.”
“That’s because you’re an actress. I bet people are always overstepping. Even when they’re being nice.”
Allegra was taken aback by the accuracy.
“I appreciated you standing up to her, though,” Grace said. “You reminded me of my sister.”
“Your sister?”
“Well, Arthur’s girlfriend Jasper. She’s a sister to me.”
“I thought I wanted the normal, pre-university summer experience,” Allegra said, as they reached the town square. “But I’m a massive fish out of water here.”
“I think people are just intimidated by you.”
“Grace, can I tell you something?”
“Of course.”
The town was partially lit up in firefly-like lights, the sun having set, and it was still summertime warm. The kind of evening that made walking home a pleasure. Grace was heading toward the Arthouse and it shone out ahead of them. Allegra stopped walking so she would have more time to explain.
