Page 79 of The Prom Queen Project
Eighteen
I was lying on my bed, splayed out on my back, when the book clutched between my fingers gave way, falling onto my face with a dull thud. Groaning, I picked the book up off my face and palmed my cheek.
Of course, Ihadto be reading the hardcover edition ofThe Summer I Turned Prettyby Jenny Han. Never thought a book would end up bitch-slapping me before Meredith did.
I twisted my torso, rolling onto my stomach as I glared at the book that had just assaulted me. Resting a pillow under my chin, I held open the pages, getting lost in the words once more. My mind felt as light as a feather, drifting effortlessly. The soft glow of the ivory candle cast a warm hue over the pages, its faint scent gently swirling through the room.
My shoulders bounced as I read the scene where Belly struggled to walk in high heels, wobbling with every step she took.Relatable.
The smile was wiped from my face as my mother’s voice called out to me. “Clarke! You have a visitor!”
When I glanced up from the book, I was surprised to see the sun had sunk much lower in the sky than I remembered. The clock perched on my bedside table illuminated 6:50 p.m.Who the hell was coming to see me at seven o’clock?I shoved a bookmark between the pages and pushed myself off the bed.Was it Elliot?My feet gathered speed as I bounded down the stairs, a surge of giddiness brewing in my abdomen.
As my eyes connected with the person standing in the doorway, my face fell.
Kendra.
My eyelids became slits as I stared at her, my jaw tensing as my steps slowed.
She stood timidly at the entrance of the house, clutching the purse on her shoulder with both hands.
My mom stared back and forth, looking quizzically between the two of us. She had no idea I wasn’t hanging out with Kendra anymore.And I wasn’t in the mood to enlighten her.
With a slight tilt of my head, I subtly signaled for my mom to give us some privacy.
Her eyes widened as realization dawned on her.
“Okay, then…” She cleared her throat. “I’ll just leave you girls to it.”
She pivoted on her heels, and as soon as her back was to Kendra, she discreetly raised an eyebrow at me before slipping away.
I clasped my hands together, refusing to speak first as Kendra closed the door and stepped toward me. Avoiding her gaze, I looked down—only to be met with the atrocity that was my outfit. Oversized basketball shorts and a sweatshirt. Nothing I would ever wear to school.Welp, too late to be embarrassed now.
When I glanced back up, Kendra seemed just as uncomfortable as I was. She hesitated before breaking the silence. “Can we, um…can we talk?”
“You want to talk to me?” I placed a hand on my hip, scrunching the fabric of my nylon shorts. “What would Meredith think about that?”
“I don’t care what she thinks.”
I squinted at her. “Let’s go out back.”
We made our way down the corridor, heading toward the back of the house and stepping out through the glass sliding door.
A gentle breeze brushed my hair across my face. I tucked the stray strands behind my ear and glanced up at the clouds, hoping to catch a glimpse of the sun peeking over the horizon.
Though the South Carolina weather was beginning to warm, the crisp air still lingered. Wrapping my arms around myself, I rounded the bend near the pool and settled into a patio chair beside a circular table.
Kendra wore a weary expression.
“So…” I tugged at my sleeves, shifting uncomfortably in my seat. “What did you want to talk about?”
“I just…I heard what Meredith did.” She gnawed on her bottom lip, sighing. “I’m sorry. She can be a real bitch sometimes.”
“Wow.” I nodded aptly, my gaze fixated on my lap. “Who let you out from underneath her thumb?”
“I should’ve reached out sooner, I know.”
A strong wind swept across the yard, causing the shutters to rustle.
