Staged: (Oliana Mercer series Book 2) by Marguerite Ashton

Author:Marguerite Ashton [Ashton, Marguerite]
Language: eng
Format: azw3, epub
Publisher: Criminal Lines Publishing
Published: 2017-09-29T04:00:00+00:00

By seven that evening, I’d changed into a summer dress with suspenders. A need to express my steampunk tendencies had been pushed into overdrive. I was once again single, heartbroken and needed to vent.

I scrolled through my friends’ posts. Everyone was either out of town or preparing to leave. Others were expressing the sadness they’d felt over losing Devin. Me, I’d been down that road. It was time to let go and do something positive. For Devin’s memory, that led me to one person.

I texted Brandi. “Still want to hang out?”

“Sure.”

“I’m leaving now.”

Brandi’s reason for inviting me was still unclear. For all I knew, I was walking into a trap. Was she doing this make herself look good to the marching band? Rumor in school was that Brandi hung out with people that I know would’ve given my parents a heart attack if I’d even thought about it. Had James gotten over the loss of Devin so quickly? Did he ever care for her? Was Brandi a substitute?

Instructions from my phone zapped me out of my jumbled emotions. The map showed I was nearing the final turn leading to Brandi’s townhome. Jet trails in the blue sky continued, leading me to Brandi’s driveway and disappearing behind the roofs of other houses behind hers. Lush gardens and bike trails zigzagged throughout the gated complex.

After Brandi let me inside, I froze, afraid to touch anything. Everything was white. The walls, furniture, and carpet.

Brandi pointed to a small rug behind the door. “Take your shoes off.”

I did what she said, letting the quietness surrounded me. “Where’s everyone?”

Brandi had on cut-off shorts and a tank top with a vest. “I never said there were going to be others.” She ushered me down the hallway, still limping.

As we rounded a corner, abstract paintings and photos came into view, covering the walls from top to bottom. The den was decorated with white tiled floors and area rugs.

She pointed to the sofa. “Want a wine cooler?”

The leather cushions felt cool against my legs as I sat down. “I’m not thirsty.” A bowl of unfinished popcorn sat on top of the entertainment center. A hint of butter lingered in the air. “What’s the real reason you invited me here?”

“My parents are on another one of their trips. Which means I don’t have to be the perfect daughter or friend. When I’m around the other girls, they expect me to be, you know, perfect. Also, the collage for Devin.”

My muscles relaxed as I caught sight of pictures with Devin in marching band and on stage. I picked up one of her from junior year. She was in costume for a play called The Graves. It was her first lead role.

“I’m glad high school’s over,” said Brandi. “There was always so much drama. At least we graduate tomorrow.”

“Yeah. We should get started?” As I reached for the scrapbook, I noticed sunglasses with worn scratches along the rims. “Is James here?”

Brandi seized the glasses off the table and dropped them into her purse.

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