Smoke, Wings and Stone by Dee Ernst

Author:Dee Ernst [Ernst, Dee]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: 235 Alexander Street

12

Erin Carson was the closest thing I had to a best friend. We’d sat next to each other in concert band since the fifth grade. She didn’t mind that I was a music freak. In fact, I think she was actually proud of me. We didn’t hang out together a lot outside of school, but she was the person I sat with at lunch, and we always managed to have classes together. Because of her, I had a group of girls to be around when I needed to step outside of myself. She also loved clothes, just like me. We spent lots of time texting about where we were shopping.

She nudged me at lunch. “Where did you get that jacket?” she asked. “It looks amazing. And I did not see it in Forever 21.”

“It’s vintage,” I said. That was almost the truth. I had seen a maxi-skirt from the ’70s on eBay, sage green with dusty roses on it. I bought the skirt and Amelie made a tight-fitting jacket out of the fabric with a ruffle below the waist and slightly puffed sleeves. It fit like a glove and looked amazing with a lace cami and straight-leg jeans.

“Where are you shopping vintage?” she asked. “Or is that going to be another one of your big secrets?”

I looked at her in surprise. “What do you mean?”

“Well, you never tell me anything anymore. You’ve got this hot boyfriend that you never talk about, but he shows up and blows away Jack Keller like some kind of superhero. Your sister is an über-jock with the girls’ soccer team, but you never show up for her games. Ethan Sullivan, cutest junior ever, is making a big play for Carrie, and you won’t even give me the inside scoop. What the hell is wrong with you these days?”

“Ethan and Carrie? Really?”

Erin snorted and shook her head. “Please don’t tell me you don’t know. Ethan is a huge catch, and he’s been panting after your sister, who, by the way, has been polite and friendly and nothing more. I thought it was because of the new kid, Chris, but she doesn’t seem to be hooking up with him either. I’m usually not concerned with the romantic goings-on of underclassmen, but Ethan is a big deal. And Carrie is your sister. So I’m keeping an eye on the situation.”

I stared down at my half-finished lunch. “I’ve been busy getting ready for my auditions,” I said, suddenly feeling miserable.

Erin nudged me until I looked up into her eyes. “You have always been busy with your music,” she said. “Ever since the fifth grade. But you’ve always had a life, too, with me and a few other friends who care about you. But lately you’ve blown everyone off. I can see where a guy like Luc would be a major distraction, but I miss you, you know? And Carrie is your sister, for God’s sake. You should at least be paying attention.”

It suddenly felt like too much. My eyes filled with tears that came out of nowhere, and my throat started to close.

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