The Gathering Darkness by Lisa Collicutt

Author:Lisa Collicutt
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: Romance, Fantasy, Young Adult
ISBN: 9781620070932
Publisher: Curiosity Quills Press
Published: 2012-09-15T03:55:36+00:00

Chapter Twenty-One

Jared and his girlfriend Amy, who had gone out of her way to make me feel welcome during lunch earlier, came over to the truck to talk with Marcus and I. Amy came to my door. I rolled down the steamy window.

“Hiya, Brooke. I’m so glad you came tonight. You can hang out with us.”

Her excitement was contagious. I couldn’t help but smile back.

“Wow, that’s a hot dress,” she said, sticking her bouncing, strawberry-blonde curls through the window. “Nice bling, too.”

Before I knew what was happening, she reached her hand into the cab and picked the pendant up off my dress. I held my breath. From the corner of my eye, I saw Marcus watching intently, probably holding his breath. I waited. Nothing happened.

“Awesome,” she said, and let it fall back to my chest. “So, are you guys coming or what?”

I looked at Marcus and lifted my eyebrows. I was as ready as I’d ever be. We got out of the truck and walked toward the school with Amy and Jared.

“Hey wait up,” a female voice called out from behind us.

The four of us looked back. Christy, another one of Marcus’ friends, and a couple of guys I’d seen around but hadn’t met yet, caught up to us.

“Hey, Marcus, Brooke. Glad you guys came,” Christy said, bouncing on her heels in front of us. Clearly, she was as excited as Amy.

“Cool dress, Brooke.” Christy nodded approvingly.

“Thanks. You two look awesome too.” I gestured to both Christy and Amy, who were dressed similar to me—short dresses and high heels.

“This is Dave and Jamie. Guys, this is Brooke,” Marcus said, finishing the introductions.

Jamie nudged me in the arm with his elbow as if he’d known me for years. “Nice to meet you, officially.”

His little gesture of friendliness built up my confidence. Dave just smiled and nodded. I returned his greeting.

The seven of us walked across the school parking lot together. Amy had eased herself in between Marcus and me. She and Christy were on either side of me now. They talked about their outfits and mine and how hot we looked. With the exception of Marcus and me, everyone babbled at once. I tried to keep up with all of the different conversations that were going on around me.

“What’s gotten into your cousin lately, anyway?” Christy, the bolder one, asked. “She and Megan have been acting weird all week. I couldn’t help but notice how rude they’ve been to you.”

Geez, did the whole school notice? I hesitated, searching for an answer that would satisfy her enough to drop the subject. “I think it started with Megan—”

“Ugh, that bitch,” Amy said.

“You got that right, girl,” Christy said.

They waited for more from me.

“Um, I don’t think she’s liked me from the start, and Sammy is her best friend, so I guess that’s what it’s all about. Maybe she’s jealous,” I offered, as an afterthought. I shrugged and tried to look as confused as they did.

Amy put her arm around me. “Well, screw them. Stick with us.

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