Monsoon Summer by Mitali Perkins

Author:Mitali Perkins [Perkins, Mitali]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, cookie429, Kat, Extratorrents
ISBN: 9780307433572
Publisher: Random House Children's Books
Published: 2009-04-25T14:00:00+00:00

EIGHTEEN

Rini, Sonia, and Lila applied layers of makeup and lipstick carefully, as if they were getting ready for a prom. I watched in amazement. This was just their usual Friday after-school activity, wasn’t it?

Sonia sprayed me with perfume. “Here, Jazz. We don’t want to smell like the inside of a school, do we now?”

I coughed and tried to fend off the fierce, musky smell.

“Want some lipstick?” Lila offered.

I shook my head. Neither Mom nor I ever wore makeup. Mom thought it was a waste of money, but I avoided it for another reason. Lipstick, perfume, and mascara seemed to announce that I cared what I looked like. By going natural, I didn’t have to compete with the experts—girls who’d been practicing with eyeliner, blush, perfume, and jewelry since the fourth grade. Girls like Miriam Cassidy.

“We’re thrilled you decided to join us,” Sonia said. “Especially the boys. My chauffeur will drop you at home when we’re done. You’ll be so glad you changed your mind.”

I was already glad for two reasons. First, of course, I’d had the perfect excuse to turn down Danita’s invitation. And second, when Steve described Miriam’s party, I’d have a bit of my own social life to talk about.

We piled into the Seths’ car, and the driver headed for the center of town. Sonia led the way into the club. The place was already crowded with teenagers, but she managed to find an empty table directly under some flashing strobe lights.

Most of the kids dancing and sipping soft drinks were dressed in school uniforms, but a few older people had slipped in somehow. One of them, a tall guy wearing jeans, a white T-shirt, and a black leather jacket, strolled over to greet Lila. She introduced him as her cousin, a student at the university. He planted himself beside me and yanked an unopened bottle of beer out of his pocket.

The others at the table looked shocked. “No drinking before eight o’clock,” Lila warned him in an undertone. “You’ll get us in trouble.”

Ignoring her completely, her cousin flicked open a Swiss Army knife, uncapped the bottle, and took a big swig. Then he leaned closer to me. “I’ve been looking forward to meeting Lila’s new American friend. She’s been talking nonstop about you. What do you think about India? A real mess, isn’t it?”

I knew I should just smile and nod to cut off the conversation, but I was irritated by his question. India was my mother’s birthplace. And his, too, for that matter. “It’s a wonderful country,” I answered firmly. “I’m glad I’m half Indian.”

In spite of Lila’s frantic gestures, he tipped his head back and emptied the bottle. I inched my chair away from him, but he stayed close, pressing his leg against mine until I felt like punching him.

But Lila’s cousin wasn’t the only reason the disco was getting warmer by the minute.

“Er . . . would you like to dance?”

I looked up in surprise. It was one of the guys in Sonia’s clique—Mahesh or something like that.

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