Knowing Phoebe’s big mouth, I probably only had a few minutes until Chloe was at my door wanting to share her visions of my life. I pushed off the bed and checked myself in the mirror. I was a bit paler than usual, but at least I’d kept in the tears so my eyes wouldn’t be puffy for hours after. Porcelain skin, Nanna always called it. More like a freckled window to my soul.
A short knock preceded Chloe’s entrance. She looked mildly concerned, but it was easy to be calm when you knew everything that was going to happen.
“Hey,” she said with just a bit too much casualness in her voice.
“Phoebe has got to be the fastest gossip in town.” I gave a semi-smile. It wasn’t Chloe’s fault. The two of them were natural snoops. They just didn't understand that I wasn't much into sharing. Emotions were a private thing, and most people didn’t want everyone to know everything they felt. “Despite what I’m sure Phoebe said, I’m fine.”
“Oh, sweetie, you and Dylan are gonna be okay.” She used her big sister voice granted to her originally by her five minute and thirty-eight seconds head start on life and now by a seven-inch advantage.
She gave me a more successful hug than Phoebe, and for a moment, I truly believed what she said. Then reality checked me back in. Nothing was going to be okay with Dylan and me, because I didn’t want it to be.
“I don’t know what crap Phoebe is feeding you, but you and Dylan have always been perfect for each other. Just because you haven’t said it yet, doesn’t mean you won’t.”
“Have you seen anything?” Normally I didn’t ask her about my future. When we were little, I’d ask all the time, wanting the security of knowing what would happen, thinking it would give me some control. It didn’t. It only made me realize how little control I did have, and knowing things I couldn’t change only made me feel sick. But right now, I wanted something to hold on to. Even if I didn’t know what I wanted that to be.
“I saw you guys going to junior prom, and homecoming, and then he'll be here at Christmas. Next year you guys will go to senior prom together.” She smiled down at me, thinking that was what I wanted to hear. What would she say if I told her that was the one thing I didn’t want? “Now let’s go make pizza. Dad won his case and he’s going to want to celebrate.”
I followed her up the stairs, glad to be out of my room, away from the photo of Dylan.
“Are you sure?” I asked just before we joined Phoebe in the kitchen.
Chloe’s smile faded. “I saw it, Lils.”
She’d been wrong lately, though. While everyone else came though spot on for her, Phoebe and Tonya’s futures had been a complete disaster for Chloe to see. I could only hope she was wrong about mine, too, and I wondered if that made me more messed up than Phoebe thought.
***Coming Spring 2013***
About the Author
Angela Fristoe grew up in Alberta, Canada. She dreamed of becoming the next Dian Fossey or Jane Goodall, until she realized she wasn’t all that keen on the outdoors or animals. Instead, she went into education and focused on elementary education and helping struggling readers. Her passion for writing grew gradually after being ignited with The Hunger Game and Twilight crazes. Angela lives in Colorado with her husband and daughter, continuing to teach while pursuing her writing career.
You can learn more about Angela on her website and her blog.
Acknowledgements
When I first started writing, it was a secret I shared only with one person. My husband, Brandon. Since day one, he has encouraged, prodded, and harassed me to keep writing, to know what my ultimate goal is, and to be realistic. Without him keeping me grounded and focused, I probably never would have finished a single book.
Thank you, Mum and Penny, for being my final revision sounding board, and Dad for encouraging me to keep going.
Thanks also go to Linda Ulliseit, DelSheree Gladden, Susan Stec, Apryl Baker, Terri Wood, Maggie Banks, Tess and all of the wonderful authors and reviewers from TheNextBigWriter.com who have been with me since word one.
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