Page 8 of The Spider Queen
Before I could reply, the bathroom door closed. Sighing, I headed to my white, sparse room. I hated clutter and distraction. Anita’s walls were covered in magazine collages.
Hard to believe we shared DNA.
I discarded the dress and skirt options. But I liked the third outfit she’d chosen for me. Skinny jeans and a black sweater. Red ballet flats that belonged to her.
Well played, manipulative cousin, well played.
We were out the door at a quarter after nine. My hair was in a sleek ponytail, and I wore my glasses. I felt surprisingly comfortable. At the last minute, I added my light bubble coat. If I got hot, I could take it off. But knowing me, I’d be cold.
Anita looked like a glamorous, untouchable goddess. Her long, blond hair was down and wavy, her makeup was demure, and her red dress was classy but seductive.
“Whoever this guy is,” I said, locking up our house, “won’t stand a chance.”
“That’s the hope,” she said with a red grin. She must’ve been distracted by thoughts of him because she said nothing about my non-stylish jacket.
I turned toward the row of pastel-colored houses that were mockingly called “Frat Row.”
“Where are you going?” she asked.
“Frat houses are that way,” I stated, pointing.
“Party is this way,” Anita said, gesturing to the opposite direction. “It’s not happening at the Sig Ep house.”
“So tell me about this guy,” I said.
She linked her arm through mine and we walked. “He’s hot.”
“Obviously.”
“His name is Jonah. He’s a starting forward on the varsity soccer team.”
“Nice. How did you guys meet?”
She laughed. “We haven’t.”
“What?” I dropped my arm from hers and halted. “You’ve never met him?”
“I’m about to.” She tugged my hand to get me moving, but I remained still.
“What is it you expect me to do?”
“Run interference for me,” she replied. “Engage his friends in conversation. I just need fifteen minutes with him.”
I raised an eyebrow. “Fifteen minutes? That’s all it’ll take to ensnare him in your web?”
She rolled her eyes. “Ensnare? Web? I’m not trapping him. Can we please get going? I don’t want to get there and have him already tanked.”
“He sounds like a winner.”
“Poppy—”
“Best behavior, promise.”
“Just hold in the sarcasm, if you can.”
“That’s like asking me to hold my breath for five minutes.”
“Just remember you love me and you want me happy.”
