“Maybe that’s your problem, you think too much. Kris, you’re too damned practical.”
“Is that your kind way of calling me boring?”
Sidney is silent for a brief moment. “Truth or well-intentioned bestie lie?”
I release a groan. “I am not boring.”
“Name one thing you’ve done lately that wasn’t planned or thought out?”
Her question has me falling silent.
“Exactly,” Sidney confirms. “Here’s some homework for you. Do one thing this week that you wouldn’t normally do. You’re new in town, you can be anyone you want to be, Kris. Have some fun for once.”
A creak sounds from in the hall outside the room. “Hold on, Sidney,” I interrupt. I abruptly sit up and rise from the bed, walking to my open doorway and peering out into the hall. It’s empty. “I should go. We just arrived about twenty minutes ago. I’ll call you later.”
“Okay,” Sidney says with disappointment.
I tuck my phone back into my pocket and look around. This is not how I envisioned my senior year beginning.
* * *
I don’t bother showering before going down to the kitchen for breakfast the following morning. I hadn’t slept very well, especially after my shoe had hit the spider, and instead of squishing it like I’d intended, the spider dropped to the floor and had scurried beneath my closet door. I’d kept imagining it sneaking out and crawling under my sheets during the night.
It also hadn’t helped that the house had kept creaking and settling overnight, startling me to alertness since I am unaccustomed to the sounds. Then there’d been the heavy silence of the wilderness, with weird sounds reaching my ears every once in a while. I’m used to the city, and I feel a little lost and out of sorts here.
When I reach the kitchen, I find that both Mitch and my mom are already up and about. Mitch is sitting at the table eating a bowl of cereal, and my mom looks up from where she’s standing.
She looks like she’s been up for hours with her dark blonde, sleek bob perfectly styled and her makeup already applied. In fact, she’s dressed and has her purse slung over her shoulder. “Morning, honey. I’m going into town to buy paint and groceries. Want to come with?”
I can’t believe I came from that woman’s womb. She’s always been an early riser, and it’s ridiculous how peppy she is in the early hours of the day, whereas I tend to act like a zombie until mid-morning.
“I just woke up,” I tell her.
“I can wait until you’re ready,” she offers.
“That’s okay. You go ahead.” Does she really think my anger with her diminished overnight? I’ve decided to give this town a chance to grow on me, but that doesn’t mean I still can’t be peeved that I’m here in the first place.
“You should learn your way around town,” she suggests, making one last-ditch effort to tempt me into tagging along.
I walk over to the nearest cupboard and peer inside, looking for bowls. “What’s to learn? Everything important is all in a three-block radius.” I open the next cupboard, and bingo, a row of bowls sits next to some plates. I grab one and turn back around.
“Actually, there’s more of the town that is spread out, but you can explore when you’re ready, right Jolene?” Mitch says lightly, his eyes telling my mom to just let it go.
“Right,” she says brightly. She leans down and gives Mitch a brief kiss. “I’ll see you both later,” she announces. Then, she slips out the porch door and it clangs loudly shut behind her.
Mitch rises to his feet and opens a cupboard door on the other side of the kitchen to reveal three boxes of cereal. “We’re low on groceries, so this is breakfast. Utensils are in the drawer next to the stove.”
I walk over to the open cupboard after he settles back into his chair, and I scan the boxes before pulling one out. “I take it you’re not much of a cook?”
“I can work a microwave, but that’s about it.”
After pouring my cereal and grabbing a spoon, I find milk in the refrigerator and then settle into one of the empty chairs across from Mitch.
“It’s not as bad as you’re thinking,” he says.
My spoon halts halfway to my mouth. “What’s not?”
He gives me a rueful smile. “Yes, Ambler Ridge is small, but Manchester is only a quick twenty-minute drive from here. Manchester is guaranteed to have anything you’re looking for.”
I nod and scrounge up a smile for him. “Good to know. Thanks.” I might be mad at my mom, but I draw the line at being rude to Mitch. I’m a little uncertain of him and their marriage, but it doesn’t give me a free pass to forget my manners.
“Krista, I’m sorry your mother and I approached you about our relationship the way that we did. It was well-intentioned but wrong. I just wanted to make her mine before she changed her mind. There is just something about her that makes me feel like an idealistic teenager, and if she had real concerns over you halting what I admit was a rushed wedding, then I was in full agreement with approaching you after the fact. I apologize.”
I’d just shoveled a spoonful of cereal into my mouth, and I chew as I think over what to say.
Mitch continues before I can decide upon a reply. “I swear my intentions towards her are genuine. She’s amazing, and she makes me feel more alive than I have in years.” He peers at me a bit sheepishly. “Does that sound weird?” he asks, looking slightly embarrassed.
“You make her giddy,” I say quietly.
“Giddy?”
“Yeah. She’s only thirty-six, but she’s always acted older than she really is, you know, being a single mother and all. She’s…happier now. Her outlook on life has changed, and as much as I don’t like how fast this happened, you seem to be good for her. Though combined, your guys’ decision making lately sucks, just so you know,” I tack on, not forgetting that my life has been completely turned upside down.
Mitch chokes back a laugh as he pushes aside his empty bowl. “Yeah, we figured that was your opinion.”
I nod, turning my attention back to my cereal. “Why is she buying paint?”
“She wants to paint the kitchen and living room.”
His reply has me scanning the white walls before my eyes fall upon him again. “Not surprising; she hates white. Why didn’t you go with her?”
He shrugs. “I hate shopping, and I figure she’ll be at it for hours.”
“So you’re leaving the color choice up to her?”
“I don’t care what color the walls turn out to be. If they make her happy, I’ll grow to love whatever she picks.”
“You’re going to regret leaving it up to her when you end up eating in a purple kitchen and watching TV in an orange living room,” I muse.
Mitch looks around the kitchen, frowning. “Purple?”
“There’s a reason why couples go through an engagement period. You shouldn’t have bypassed that step.”
Two
I stare at myself critically in the mirror as Sidney’s words echo in my head. You’re new in town, you can be anyone you want to be, Kris. My eyes slide over my slightly wavy, dark blonde hair and my hazel eyes framed by naturally long eyelashes, then my gaze moves on to roam over my features.
My head tilts to the side.
I’m five-foot-six, with a slim but ‘curved in all the right places’ kind of body. I wouldn’t say I’m a stunner or anything, but I don’t think I’m bad to look at, either. Shane hadn’t seemed to think so. In fact, before I’d started dating Shane, I’d gone on plenty of other dates with guys from my old school.
I reach up and pull my hair back away from my face, debating if I should wear a ponytail for my first day of school. Then I release my hair, frowning at my reflection. I’m not boring, am I? I’ve never been the type to want attention, I like to leave that to Sidney. I am good at school and get good grades, but yet I’d still gone to parties with my friends. I was even with Shane and his friends when they’d used a fake ID to buy alcohol at an outlet store.
&nb
sp; My nose wrinkles when I recall trying to talk them out of it first. Well, dang. I guess I am a ‘follow the rules’ kind of girl. Sidney’s right, I could be a different person here, but do I want to be? I’ve never felt that I’ve needed to change before.
With a shake of my head, I leave the small bathroom and walk back to my room. I don’t need to change who I am, but maybe I do need to start trying new things and venturing outside my comfort zone.
I slip on my favorite pair of jeans and pick out a sleeveless, black shirt that does great things for my bustline. Unlike Sidney, I dress for comfort. I practically live in jeans, tanks, and sweatshirts. I only dress up when the situation or occasion requires it. After slipping on my canvas sneakers, I spray on a little perfume and grab my backpack and car keys.
Unfortunately, school here in Ambler Ridge had started two weeks ago just as it had in South Bend. I’m going to be the only one searching for classes and looking lost. Thanks mom, I think as I make my way down the creaky stairwell.
The very last person I want to see today is standing in front of the stove, stirring scrambled eggs in a frying pan. The kitchen smells of sizzling bacon and lingering paint fumes. The walls have been painted a dark yellowish gold that compliments the dark wood and the brown, patterned counter tops. There are now apples in a basket on the counter, and little touches of my mom here and there make the kitchen look cozy and lived in.
She looks up, smiling. “Morning. Mitch already left, but he wanted me to pass on to you that he hopes you have a wonderful first day.”
Mitch works in Manchester as a building inspector, and my mom is a hairstylist. The income in this household is going to be way below what Mitch was used to with his ex, and I wonder if it bothers him that he is no longer living in luxury.
My mom motions to a chair with the spoon she’s holding. “Sit down,” she urges.
I glance at the table, which now has a fresh bouquet of flowers for a centerpiece, and then glance at the clock on the wall. I’m kind of relieved that the morning has already passed by far too quickly. I know she’s trying to be extra nice today since she’s feeling guilty, but I’m not in the mood to deal with polite pleasantries.
“Thanks, but school will be starting soon, and I still have to find my way there.” I tighten my hand on my backpack strap, knowing she’s likely going to try to argue.
My mom looks at me with surprise as she turns away from the stove to face me. “You can’t go to school on an empty stomach,” she protests.
“Honestly, my stomach is so twisted in knots that I don’t think I could eat anyway.” I pull out my car keys, trying to avoid her hurt expression.
“Okay. I hope you have a good day,” she says quietly.
“Thanks. See you later.” I hurry across the kitchen and escape out onto the porch.
The drive into town is uneventful, and the school isn’t all that difficult to find. I simply follow the traffic that seems to be heading in the same general direction. The school parking lot turns out to be much smaller than what I’m used to, and I have to park down the street since it’s already full.
After I lock my car, I approach the school building, studying and comparing it to my old school. This one is only one-story instead of two, and it seems to be spread out. As a group of students walk towards the glass entrance doors, I take one last look around as I say goodbye to the cheerful sunlight before following the students into the brick building.
The school’s colors must be blue, because I see blue accenting everywhere. The flooring is white tile, and I pass a large, trophy case as I leave the lobby and walk down a hall that will hopefully lead me to the office.
Students look at me curiously, but no one goes out of their way to greet me. I’m tempted to ask someone where the office is, but then I think I spy it further down the hall. I’m almost to it when I see Riley striding down the hall from the opposite direction with a couple guys in tow. His eyes land on me, and they gleam as he smirks. He even nudges his friend and nods my way.
I decide to ignore them as I pass by the group, and I quickly step into the office and move to the end of the line so that I can pick up my schedule. Riley’s definitely going to be a problem, I can see that already. The thing is, I can’t blame him for hating me. What his dad did to his mom was wrong, and it was even worse to bring us here, but Riley’s not going to care who’s at fault for his parents’ failed marriage. I’m the daughter of the woman that ruined his family, so it’s natural for him to hold it against me. I suppose if it were the other way around, I’d feel the same. I just wouldn’t be so mean about it.
“Hi, you must be new,” a voice says, breaking into my thoughts. A pretty, petite brunette stands before me, her bright blue eyes sparkling with interest.
Finally, someone’s going to take pity on me. “I’m Krista,” I introduce.
“I’m Jenna. Need some help finding your way around?”
“That would be great. I just have to grab my schedule,” I say. The line moves up, and soon it’s my turn as Jenna waits patiently at my side. When the secretary greets me, I give her my first and last name, and a minute later, I am walking out of the office with my schedule in hand.
Jenna peers around my shoulder. “What do you have first?”
“AP Chemistry.”
“That’s in the north wing. I’ll walk you. Should we find your locker first?”
“Do you think we have time?”
Jenna glances at the slim watch on her wrist. “I’d say skip.”
“Jenna!”
Jenna’s head swings around, and she breaks into a warm smile when she spies the owner of the feminine voice. “Later!” she calls. “I’m showing the new girl around.” Then she turns on me and gives me an apologetic look. “Sorry, you’ll be known as ‘the new girl’ until your name gets around.”
“I figured as much.”
We walk down the crowded hall, and a few students look at us, but most are busy gossiping or digging through their lockers.
“I love it when we get someone new here. Most of us grew up with one another, so it’s always nice having a fresh face among the crowd.” Jenna leans in close. “Oh, and since you’re pretty and new, you’ll probably be asked out several times before the day is over. Just don’t commit to anyone until you know more about who’s with who, or who wants who. Go after the wrong guy and piss off a catty girl, and you’ll be blackballed real fast from every group in the building,” she murmurs.
I turn my head so I can peer at her, my brow creasing. That sounds a little extreme. “Really?” I ask.
Jenna nods. “I wonder what the big city schools are like. Here, we’ve got one group of students that rule everyone else. Piss one off, and you piss them all off.”
I think of Riley and his expensive vehicle and arrogant personality. “Let me guess, Riley Channing is one of them,” I say with a sigh. As I wait for her reply, I tuck a stray strand of hair behind my ear.
Jenna pauses near the corner of the hall, and her lips part in a silent O. “You’re the stepsister?”
“That’s me. That bad, huh?”
She grimaces. “Well, there aren’t any rumors going around or anything, just a whisper here and there that his dad remarried, and he’d acquired a stepsister.” She looks at me sympathetically. “Riley’s not the kind of stepbrother I would wish on anyone.”
“I don’t have to live with him, so I guess I should be thankful for that,” I quip.
“You have no idea. Come on, let’s get you to class,” she says lightly.
We step back into the flow of traffic, and I double my steps to keep up with Jenna, who I’m finding likes to speed walk. “Any other advice that will help me get through the day?”
Jenna mulls my question over as we approach a small commons area, and then our direction changes as we head down another hall. “I guess I would just concentrate on adjusting to the school and learning who’s-who first. Try not to make any enemies your first day, so avoid Riley and his friends. Ju
st sit back and figure out your best approach for making friends, and be friendly but not overly friendly, or you’re going to look desperate.”
“Got it.”
Jenna looks at me curiously. “Were there a lot of popular groups at your old school, or just one that acted like they owned the entire student body?”
“There were multiple groups at my old school. Most were actually really nice with the exception of a few that were snobby and mean. The school was just too big for one group to rule over everyone else.”
“Interesting.” Jenna leads me to a classroom. “This is you. I have to run all the way back to the west wing, so this is where we part ways.”
“Thanks, Jenna.”
She smiles. “I’ll look for you at lunch so you have someone to sit by.”
I flash her a grateful smile before she turns and rushes off.
The rest of the morning goes by surprisingly smooth, and I manage to find my next class easily since it’s also in the north wing. I receive plenty of stares, and a few girls tentatively greet me. I smile back, trying to be friendly but not desperate.
I’m sitting in the middle of my marketing class right before lunch when we hear the intercom click on. The teacher pauses his lecture and glances at the ceiling, waiting for whatever announcement the office is going to make.
There’s a rustling sound, then another click with a hint of static. Then my voice is heard through the speakers—slightly muffled but yet clear enough to understand. “Riley’s hot. He’s got a good body, too. Yes, I’m horny. I’ll do the entire football team—Shut that off NOW!” A stern masculine voice echoes loudly throughout the school before the intercom is abruptly turned off.
The heat rising to my cheeks tells me my face is likely bright red with mortification and anger. Riley must have eavesdropped on my conversation with Sidney, then pieced it together to make me look bad. He’s just sealed my fate as the school’s new slut, and I haven’t even slept with anyone.
Someone behind me coughs, “Slut!”
I stare down at my desk, lips compressed tightly as I avoid meeting anyone’s gaze. Riley has turned my first day of school into a social nightmare.
WHO KILLED EMMALINE? Page 2