Page 14 of Vicious Sentiments

Chapter Thirteen

Istay on the chaise in Margo’s bedroom, wearing a plush robe, while she takes Marney to ballet. Julian hasn’t come back and the house is quiet in its grandness. The balcony doors in the bedroom are slightly open with the sound of crashing waves. Something about the distant ocean and the hulled version of myself has me in a tranquil state. I sit cross-legged, just staring at my hands in my lap until she returns.

She frowns when she does me. She had told me to take a bath, touting the epsom salts may help, but it’s clear I haven’t done so. When she comes and sits beside me, she says that we don’t have to go shopping but then Marney comes in and squeezes onto the chaise.

“I absolutely need a new blow dryer,” She starts explaining. “And if we’re going to the salon, then Mipsy can tell you the Dyson is worth it. She uses it every time we go and Courtney has one and it’s aninvestment.”Marney scooches in next to me.

“An investment huh?” Margo raises her brows.

“Yes!” she chirps. “It will last a lifetime!”

“For six hundred dollars it better last two lifetimes,” Margo mutters.

“It will!” Marney drags out the last word. “Please?”

Margo puckers her lips dubiously as I furrow my brows. I thought a Dyson was a vacuum. And six hundred dollars? I’ve never had a blow dryer but I know they only cost like twenty bucks at CVS.

“Maybe,” Margo finally says. “But I don’t think Hailey is up for it today.”

“Oh, my god. Yes, she is!” Marney grabs my arm. “Aren’t you?” She turns to Margo when I don’t say anything. “She doesn’t have any clothes! Don’t you want pajamas at least?” She looks at me again. “I only sleep in Belle Luna.” She flicks her hair. “We can get you some. They are so soft. And they have matching eye masks.”

I think Marney has more excitement in this moment than I’ve had in my entire life. She’s animated and bubbly without a care in the world except if her pajamas come with a sleep mask. When I was thirteen I had to use my only sheet to hang over my window to stop Lester, our neighbor, from looking in at me while I slept.

“Pleaseeeee.” She wraps her arms around mine. “And we’ll go to the salon and get pedicures after your hair is done.”

“You just had a pedicure,” Margo interrupts.

“It’s for Hailey!” Marney defends. “Don’t you want a spa day?” She peers up at me. “We can get facials together and they let you hook your phone in and I’ll even let you pick the music. It’ll be so fun!”

The idea seems like a dream. I don’t think I’ve ever even used nail polish. And a facial? What does that entail? The only ‘facial’ I’ve ever gotten was from Kyle and it turns my stomach to think about it.

“And what are the beautiful women of the house conspiring?’ A guy walks into the room. I quickly pull up the shoulder of the robe that has slipped when he notices me. “Oh, um, hello, other beautiful woman that I have not met.” He looks back out the door and pauses. “Should I—am I interrupting?” He steps back.

“Just your sister pestering another poor soul.” Margo gives a lazy smile. “Come on in, meet Hailey.” She motions him forward and she looks at me. “This is Dillon, Marney’s brother.”

He has on black joggers and a Nike beanie that shows little puffs of golden hair similar to Marney’s. He crosses the room in two stridesand sticks a hand out.

“Don’t let my sister talk you into anything. Give in one time and you will end up in tights on Halloween.” He gives a wide smile and shakes my hand.

“Stopppp!” Marney whines. “I’m not talking her into anything. She wants to go. Don’t you?” She looks at me with big eyes.

I look to Margo for help but she just shrugs. “You heard him. I ended up at a four hour concert for One Direction and the songs are still stuck in my head.”

“I don’t even like them anymore!” Marney protests.

Dillon laughs, bright blue eyes crinkling though he can’t be older than twenty, and Marney crosses her arms.

“What is she trying to get you to do?” he asks me.

“Um, a facial.”

“And a pedicure,” Marney adds.

“Well, that doesn’t seem too bad.” He raises a brow.

“Hailey still has jet lag.” Margo winks at me, trying to help.

“Oh.” Dillon takes a closer look at me. “You’re the one who came back with Julian?” He frowns. “How old are you?”

---