Page 3 of Not Your Little Girl Anymore

I run my fingers across my screen, letting her know I’ll meet her there, and slide my phone back into my pocket.

This will be good for me.

Slipping on my combat boots, I jog down the stairs. Just as I open the front door, Dad comes inside.

His eyebrows draw together. “Where are you going?” he asks.

I shuffle by him. “Out with Chloe. Don’t wait up.”

***

When I park my car, I get out and rush over to Chloe. She doesn’t notice me at first because her eyes are glued to her phone while her fingers speed across the screen.

“I’m surprised your eyes haven’t fallen out of your head by now.”

Her head swings up, and she smiles, wrapping her arms around me. “Missed you, bitch. How are you holding up?”

I shrug, biting the inside of my cheek. “As good as anyone would be.”

“Come on.” She tugs my arm toward the entrance.

A tall woman with straight dark hair greets us. Chloe pulls out her ID, and I follow suit. To be honest, I have no idea what to expect coming here. Growing up, the town didn’t have many events. At least not that I’m aware of. The female snaps two bracelets onto our wrists; one grants us access and the other verifies we’re above the legal drinking age.

Adrenaline courses through me as I take in the crowd of people walking around the open field. But then, a familiar feeling slithers down my spine—I am out of my comfort zone, and left feeling overwhelmed.

Chloe senses the change and nudges me in the arm. “Relax. It’ll be fun. A change, if you will.”

I laugh, following her lead.

Growing up, we were always the opposite. She was the spontaneous troublemaker, and I was always the good girl. But somehow, we balanced each other out and soon became inseparable.

My eyes focus on the stage in the far back against the beautiful, towering trees. “What exactly is this?”

“A concert, duh.”

My eyes narrow. “Since when did they start holding concerts in town?”

Chloe shrugs, stopping in front of the concession stand. “Shortly after, you left for college and dropped off the face of the Earth.”

I gasp. “I did not drop off the face of the Earth.”

“You sure did.” She smiles at me, turning back toward the employee at the stand. Her name tag says Nora.

“What can I get you?” Nora asks Chloe.

“Long Island Iced Tea, thank you.”

Nora nods and turns around to the small shelf that holds a variety of liquor. To the right side is a medium-sized fridge that has cans of soda.

While waiting for Nora to make Chloe’s drink, I look off to the side and read the canvas in front of the large field.

Devil’s Riot.

I’ve never heard of them before.

Chloe takes her drink from the employee’s hand and looks at me. “Want something?”

“Orange soda, please.”

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