Cipher c-1

by Cindi Madsen

  Summer took out her Oreos, deciding to attack them before eating her sandwich. She pressed them together, watching the delicious frosting ooze out. “Aren’t her parents divorced?”

  “Yeah, but the nanny’s like twenty-five.” Lexi glanced from face-to-face, obviously hoping to see the shock.

  Summer didn’t have it in her to fake it. “So what?”

  “Oh, that’s right. It doesn’t bother you because your dad likes younger girls, too.”

  Summer dropped her Oreo. Heat was rising up, burning through her veins. She glared at Lexi, fighting the urge to lung across the table and strangle her. “Tiffany’s not that young.”

  Two creases formed between Kendall’s eyebrows. “I thought you didn’t like her.”

  “If she makes my dad happy, who cares?”

  “Hypocritical much?” Kendall put her hand over Summer’s. “Come on, we’re only talking. Don’t get so worked up.”

  Summer slid her hand free and picked her Oreo back up, even angrier at Lexi when she discovered most of the frosting was now smudged on the table.

  The conversation moved to the new shoes the girls had gotten at the mall. Kendall and Lexi described their new purchases in excruciating detail. The whole time Summer kept wondering what was going on at The Misfits’ table. When she’d first sat with them, she’d longed to get back to her old friends. Now that she was here, all she wanted to do was go talk and laugh with her new ones.

  * * *

  “So, why have you been ignoring me in favor of the Reject Group?” Kendall asked, climbing the stairs to her bedroom.

  “I’d appreciate if you didn’t refer to them as that.” After dance practice, Kendall insisted Summer come hang out. She had tentative plans to meet up with Ashlyn, but she knew mentioning that wouldn’t go over too well, so she’d told Kendall she could only stay for a little while. She had no idea it was going to turn into a bash session. “They’re nice people and I feel like I need a change.”

  “And that means dumping your best friend?”

  Summer sighed. “I’m not dumping you. You’re busy with Jack. We do different things. I understand that. It doesn’t mean we’ll stop being friends.”

  “But I’m still your best friend, right?”

  “Of course.”

  “Good. ‘Cause I need you. Lexi’s been driving me crazy.” Kendall walked into her bedroom and stepped in front of her closet. “Tell me what you think about the new dress that I bought for my party.”

  “Party?”

  “My birthday party on Friday, silly. I know it’s going to be weird for you to come with the recent break-up and all, but you absolutely have to be at my birthday party.”

  “Right,” Summer said, then tried to inject some enthusiasm into her words. “Can’t wait.”

  * * *

  Summer walked into her house and tossed her keys off to the side. Female laughter floated into the room, meaning Tiffany was here. Thinking about what she’d said earlier today about her dad’s girlfriend, Summer plastered on a happy face and moved toward the kitchen.

  “I’m home,” Summer said as she neared the kitchen. Always a good idea to warn people of your entrance when couples are involved. She waited a few seconds and then stepped through the doorway.

  Tiffany was clacking around the kitchen in four inch stilettos. Her dark brown hair was styled in a sleek updo, and she had a frilly apron covering her wrap dress—she had a dress like that in every possible color and pattern. Dad was sitting on the stool, watching her like a lovesick puppy. Ugh.

  “Hey, Dad. Tiffany.”

  Tiffany beamed at her. “Hi, Summer.”

  Summer worked up a genuine smile and actually waved. There. She’d been nice. “I’m going to head upstairs and—”

  “Tiffany decided to make us dinner,” Dad said. “Why don’t you set the table?”

  “I really need to make a call because—”

  “You can do it later. Right now, I’d appreciate you helping us out.” Dad shot her a look, making it clear it was more than a polite request.

  Summer trudged over to the cupboard to get the dishes. The plates they owned no longer coordinated, and half of them were chipped. She grabbed the closest in color scheme. “It smells really good.”

  Tiffany cracked the oven door open and peeked inside. “Your dad said you like lasagna. I hope you like mine. It’s a family specialty.”

  “Anything other than soup or take-out is pretty special to us. I’m sure it will be as good as it smells.” Balancing the silverware on top of the plates, Summer headed into the rarely-used dining room and set them down on the table. A big pile of mail sat in the middle, so she scooped it up and stuck it off to the side. Most of the time she and Dad ate in front of the TV, and she preferred it that way.

  Dad brought in salad dressings and placed them in the middle of the table. He stepped closer and lowered his voice. “Tiffany put a lot of work into dinner, hoping to get some time to talk to you. She wants to get to know you better.”

  “I don’t see the point,” Summer whispered. “I’ve already got more friends than I can handle, and she’s dating you not me.”

  Dad crossed his arms and locked eyes with her. His hurt expression made her feel two inches tall. “Dating me involves getting to know you, too. You know that, so try to be nice.”

  “I am trying.”

  “Try harder,” Dad said and then headed back into the kitchen.

  A few minutes later, they were all sitting around the table, eating dinner. Summer put a lot of effort into listening to Tiffany and adding to the conversation, trying her best to make Dad happy. Again, Summer couldn’t help thinking Tiffany was all wrong for him. The woman liked opera and plays. She sold extravagant works of art for a living. Her fancy personality just didn’t mesh with Summer and Dad’s fast food, low-key lifestyle.

  “Doesn’t the feta cheese and dill add an interesting kick?” Tiffany asked, pure excitement stretched across her porcelain features.

  Even her food’s pretentious.

  “It was delicious. The whole meal was amazing.” Dad tossed his napkin onto his plate.

  “Thank you, John.” Tiffany leaned over and kissed his cheek.

  There it was. The way she said John. The way she kissed his cheek. The way she came into their home and rearranged things. The way she was nothing at all like Mom. Of course, Summer would’ve hated it even more if she was like Mom.

  “I really should go do my homework,” Summer said, not wanting to watch any more affection between them. It was easier to be nice from afar.

  Dad started stacking plates. “I’ll have to remember that when the choice comes between dishes or homework, Summer will choose homework. I’ve finally cracked the code.”

  “You’re hilarious, Dad, honestly.” Summer stood and turned to Tiffany. “Thanks so much for dinner.”

  Then, before she got roped into another conversation she didn’t want to be part of, she hurried away. What she really, really needed to do was call Ashlyn. Just when she’d been making progress on their friendship, she’d accidentally stood Ashlyn up.

  “Hey,” Summer said when Ashlyn picked up. “What’s up?”

  “I’m just watching some television. You know, since my friend never showed up to hang out.”

  “I know. I’m so sorry. Practice went long, Kendall needed something, then I got home and Tiffany had cooked dinner. Apparently the world was going to implode if we didn’t all sit down together to eat it.”

  “I figured you decided to ditch me and go back to your old friends,” Ashlyn said, and though her voice sounded the way it had when they’d first met, Summer could hear an edge of vulnerability in there, too.

  “I swear it’s not like that.” Summer couldn’t get the words out fast enough. “I was really bummed we couldn’t hang out.”

  The silence on the other end caused Summer’s stomach to drop. Great. She’s back to hating me. Her chest tightened, and she was picturing a disappointed Angel of De
ath. That sick sensation was even filling her body again.

  “Well, you’re going to make it up to me,” Ashlyn finally said. “Tomorrow morning. Meet me at my place at five forty-five.”

  “Wait? Like in the morning?”

  “That’s what I said. Bring your swimsuit and your clothes for school. You’re not going to stand me up again are you?”

  “Are you going to murder me and throw me into the ocean?”

  “Yes, of course,” Ashlyn said. “And I want you to be in your swimsuit so it doesn’t look suspicious.”

  Summer laughed, glad to hear the humor back in her friend’s words. “I’ll see you first thing in the morning.”

  Chapter Eleven

  Ashlyn thrust a wetsuit at Summer. “Put this on.”

  Summer squinted at the first rays of the day. The chilly air bit her nose, and goose bumps crawled up her arms and legs. “I can’t believe you got me up revoltingly early for this. When you said swimsuits, I was thinking hot-tubbing. Something warm and relaxing.”

  Ashlyn stepped into her wetsuit. “You wanna be a Barbie girl, or a real Cali girl?

  “Real.” Summer rubbed her arms, trying to warm herself up. “The kind that lies in the sand and doesn’t go into the freezing cold water at the butt crack of dawn.”“First thing in the morning is the most exhilarating time. Now, suit up.”

  The rubbery wetsuit gripped Summer’s skin, as if it was rejecting the thought of going into the ocean, too. As soon as she zipped it up, Ashlyn handed her a tall surfboard, then grabbed a shorter board. “This is going to be fun. You’ll see.”

  Summer groaned before following Ashlyn to the sand. “I’m not that much taller than you. Why do I get the giant board?”

  “It’s a long board, and it’s easier to learn on. First we figure out your stance and find the sweet spot. Then we’ll work on the rest.”

  Ashlyn went over the how-tos of surfing and demonstrated how to stand. They practiced a couple times on dry land, until Summer thought she was ready to try in the water.

  Icy needles stabbed through Summer as she entered the frothy water, every part of her body coming alert. Caffeine had nothing on this kind of jolt. Salt water splashed in her face as she paddled out after Ashlyn. Already she’d changed her mind about learning to surf. That Too late to turn back now saying popped into her head.

  When they got out into the deeper water, Ashlyn sat up on her board, dangling her feet off the sides. Summer followed suit. They floated, staring at the cloudless gray sky while waiting to catch a wave—or what Ashlyn called baby waves.

  Ashlyn’s body tensed. “Here comes a wave. Now, remember all the things I said and try to catch it.”

  The wave came toward them, and Summer tried to stand up. She put too much weight on the back and ended up toppling off her board. Fighting for her bearings, she flailed in the water until finding her board again. She climbed back on, choking on saltwater.

  Okay, so it was harder than it looked, but Summer was determined to catch the next one. She looked behind her, watched the wave approach, and tried to remember all of Ashlyn’s tips.

  Time after time, wave after wave, Summer got the same tumbling result. She got to her knees a few times, but every time she tried to stand, she crashed. Just when she was about to give up, she stood and rode for a few short seconds before falling into the water.

  That small win was enough for her to get back on her board and go again and again, until every muscle in her body ached and it was time to get back to shore.

  As Summer and Ashlyn walked onto the beach, their wet footprints trailing behind them, Ashlyn’s breath came out in jagged bursts. She dropped her board to the sand and clutched her chest.

  Summer rushed over to her. “Are you okay?” Dread seized her, her insides turning as cold as her skin. She’d gotten so caught up in having fun with Ashlyn, she forgot she’d started hanging out with the girl due to her freaky job. A job involving making peace between Ashlyn and her mom—something Summer hadn’t come even close to doing.

  “I’m fine,” Ashlyn wheezed. “I get a little short-winded when I surf. Or do most anything, it seems.” She took a step, then bent over, hands on her knees, and took a few more deep breaths. “Just give me a minute.”

  For the first time, Ashlyn looked weak. Summer hadn’t known her long, but already she considered her a friend. One she couldn’t bear to lose.

  Terrified of what she’d see, Summer reached out a shaky hand and placed it on Ashlyn’s shoulder. If this was the end, she needed to say or do something, and fast.

  Nothing. She and Ashlyn were still standing on the beach, no flash-forward movie images forcing their way into Summer’s mind. She breathed a sigh of relief and glanced around the empty beach. “Maybe I should go get a lifeguard.”

  “No, I’m fine.” Ashlyn took in another breath and slowly let it out. “We better get going, or we’ll be late for school. Mother will write me a note because it’s exercise, but that doesn’t help you.” She picked up her board and nudged Summer. “Admit it. You loved being out in that water chasing waves.”

  Summer grinned. Because Ashlyn looked much better now, and somehow, even with being coerced into the biting cold water and the frustration of trying to catch a wave, she did love it.

  * * *

  With approximately ten minutes to change and get ready for school, Ashlyn showed Summer a bathroom she could use, then headed to her bedroom to get ready. Summer took the quickest shower known to man and threw on her clothes. In Chicago, she never wore heels and a skirt to school—the weather and icy sidewalks didn’t permit it. She stared at the lacy skater skirt and wedges combo now, wishing she’d brought jeans and flip flops instead. She didn’t have anything else, though, so it’d have to do.

  A quick swipe of mascara. Lip gloss. Summer dug deeper into her bag, her hand not finding what it was looking for. “Oh, holy crap. I forgot my hair serum.” Right now her curls were damp. As they air dried, they’d get bigger and frizzier. But like her outfit, it was too late to do anything about it now.

  When Ashlyn wasn’t in her room, Summer continued down the hall to the kitchen.

  “If you lost some weight, you could wear the new clothes I bought you,” Pamela said. “All you have to do is watch what you eat and up your cardio.”

  “I’m doing the best I can, Mother.” Ashlyn’s voice cracked, the pain in it clear. “I just got back from surfing, and I’ve been eating tons of fruits and veggies.”

  “Ashlyn?” Summer said, nice and loud, and then took the remaining steps into the kitchen. “There you are.”

  Pamela brought her hands together as she looked from Summer to Ashlyn. “You two should start jogging together—it’s always more fun with someone else. Or you could even come into the gym.” She raised her eyebrows at Summer. “I could get you in on a free pass.”

  Summer had no idea what to say. The only person who wasn’t uncomfortable was Pamela, who seemed clueless that every word she said insulted her daughter in some way. She racked her brain, trying to find a good solution and coming up empty. Yelling at Pamela to leave Ashlyn alone hardly seemed like the thing to do to make peace between them. “Ashlyn taught me to surf this morning. It was amazing exercise.”

  “That’s a good start.” Pamela took a sip from her water bottle—she looked like she was on her way to the gym now. “Did you know that if you feel full at the end of a meal, you already ate too much?”

  “Thanks for the tips, Mother. We’ve got to get to school so we’re not late.” Ashlyn walked past her mom, and Summer followed.

  Ashlyn shook her head. “Sorry about that.”

  “It’s fine. I’m sure she just cares about you.”

  “She just cares about how much I weigh. I’m so sick of her bringing it up every few seconds. Like I can’t see myself in the mirror.” They stepped outside, and Ashlyn slammed the door behind them.

  Summer followed her to the car, feeling useless, desperately wishing she could think of someth
ing to say that wouldn’t make Ashlyn feel worse about herself.

  * * *

  Summer had come in to first period too late to talk to Troy before it started, so she made sure to catch him after class as they headed out of the room. “Hey, Mister Bond. Guess what I did this morning.”

  “Came to school,” Troy said, a big smile on his face that made it clear he thought he was hilarious.

  “Yes.” Summer drenched her words in sarcasm. “That’s what I wanted to tell you about. Exciting, huh?”

  His grin widened. “You’re feisty this morning. So, what did you do?”

  “Ashlyn forced me into the ocean at the butt crack of dawn and taught me how to surf.”

  “Without me? I’m jealous.” Troy had offered to teach her to surf before, but something—or someone, technically—always got in the way. “You better call me next time. I’d like to see you on a surfboard.”

  “Hi, Troy,” a female voice purred, lots of breathiness behind it. Lexi. She shot him a big grin, complete with eye batting. Kendall was with her, but her attention was on her phone.

  “Lexi. Hey.” He tucked his books under his arm. “I better get to my next class.” He took a few steps, then spun around, and gave Summer the nod. “Later, Sunshine.”

  “Wait, Troy.” Lexi hurried after him. “I want to ask you a quick question.” Yesterday at practice, Summer had told Lexi that Troy liked someone else, but apparently she wasn’t going to let that minor detail get in her way.

  “Did you run out of product?” Kendall poked at Summer’s curls. “Your hair is huge.”

  “I forgot it.” Summer patted the top of her head, assessing the frizzage. “It’s not that bad, is it?”

  “As your friend, I feel I’m obligated to tell you the truth, even if it hurts. So yeah, it’s bad.”

  Summer gave her a tight smile. “Well, thanks.”

  “You should pull it back.”

  Summer shrugged. “Whatever.” Her leftover high from surfing this morning made her crazy hair not seem like that big of a deal. Besides, she’d decided to run with the crazy today.