The Society by Jodie Andrefski

Author:Jodie Andrefski
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: E. Lockhart;We Were Liars;Scandal;Pretty Little Liars;sorority rush;boarding school;secret society
Publisher: Entangled TEEN
Published: 2016-02-27T05:00:00+00:00

Nineteen

Even if you fall on your face, you’re still moving forward.

—Victor Kiam

My face stared back at me from a postage-stamp-sized square on my brand-new driver’s license. I looked like someone had shone a spotlight directly in my eyes before the bored-looking guy behind the counter at the DMV snapped the photo. Huge bug-eyes made me look perpetually startled. Not my best look, but at least I was legal to drive.

Aunt Loretta stood by me as I collected my license, and leaned over to give me hug. “I’m so proud of you, sweetie. I knew you’d do just fine.”

I didn’t know about just fine. Parallel parking wasn’t my strong suit, and I had a feeling the test instructor took pity and passed me despite my many attempts to get between the bright orange cones.

“Thanks.” I smiled, and I felt a rush of pride as I slipped the laminated card into my wallet.

Aunt Loretta had seemed to sense my mood earlier, and suggested heading over to the DMV after dinner. Maybe my promises to keep my grades up last time we’d talked had convinced her to change her mind. Or maybe she realized that with her health deteriorating, she couldn’t always do all of the running that needed to be done, trips to the store or whatever. Knowing that I could drive myself places and not be dependent on her or Jeremy, or even Ransom, definitely boosted my bum mood.

I wiggled the keys in the air. “So this means I get to drive home, right?” It felt so nice to see her feeling okay, the Aunt Lor I used to know. I wanted to hold tight to each moment, and pretend the other times were a bad dream.

Her eyes twinkled. “It certainly does.”

“Yes!” I pumped a fist in the air and ran over to the car. Aunt Lor followed me at a slower pace. When she caught up with me standing beside the old Buick, I opened the passenger door for her with a flourish. “Your chariot awaits, madam.”

She tittered at my theatrics.

My euphoria dimmed just a bit once seated inside the car. The driving instructor was cake compared to Aunt Loretta’s watchful eye.

“Make sure you don’t drive too fast,” she instructed me.

“Got it.” I put the key in the ignition and turned the engine on.

“And don’t forget to use your turn signals.”

“I won’t.” I pressed down on the brake and shifted the car into reverse.

“Not too fast now!”

“I know,” I said through gritted teeth. I checked the rearview mirror and backed out at a snail’s pace to mollify my aunt.

“Make sure—”

I braked to a stop before I even left the parking space and faced her. “Aunt Lor, seriously. Stop. Please. You’re making me nervous.”

She sat quiet the rest of the way home after that. We made it in one piece, and I pulled in front of the trailer, grinning like a hyena.

“Ta-da! Home again, home again, jiggety-jig,” I sang.

She looked over at me, and smiled gently. “I’m proud of you.”

I smiled back.

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