The Arrangement Anthology 1(77)

“Awh, it took twenty minutes to get those just right,” Marty whines.

I smile and sink into the new pillows and sigh happily.

“Yeah, but look at her face.” Mel says. Her hard edges soften a bit. She glances at Marty. “You did a good thing, here. I’m glad you weren’t doing that thing over there, because I’d have to smack you around with a stupid stick for that.” Mel jabs her thumb at Amber.

“I can hear you,” Amber sneers as she answers from her bed.

“I know,” Mel yells back and rolls her eyes. “I said it loudly, you daft hoe.”

Amber mutters something, but I talk over her. “You guys are great. Thank you. I needed this.”

Marty grins and claps his hands like he’s five. “That’s what I was hoping you’d say. You know what happens now, right?” A huge grin sweeps across his face. “Sleepover!”

Amber groans and covers her head with a pillow, while Marty shows me the inflatable beds with matching sheets that he put in one of the drawers under my new bed. We stay up until everyone passes out—everyone except me.

I can’t sleep. Every time I close my eyes, I see Sean’s face and hear his words, I’m going to tell Black to send another girl. You can go.





CHAPTER 4



The days pass slowly with little sleep. It’s hump day. Three days since I last saw Sean. Three days since he ripped a hole in my heart. In two days I will work for Miss Black and not get paid. In two days I will pay for my mistakes. I can’t think about it. Not now.

I slip out of bed before Amber and jump into the shower. The hot water beats some of the tension out of my sore body. Quietly, I move in the room and get ready for the day. As I dress, I look for my Mom’s cross. I feel myself sinking and I want it. I dig through my jewelry and fail to see the necklace.

The last time I had it was over the weekend at Mom’s grave—then the beach. A shiver slips over my spine. If it fell out of my pocket at the beach, I’ll never find it again. I dig through my dresser again, but it’s not there. A frantic feeling is squeezing my throat. I find the clothes from the beach—still filled with sand—and dig through the pockets. My chest constricts. I can’t breathe.

My eyes have the stinging panicky thing going on when Mel pushes the door open. “It’s pancake day. Get a move on girl.” She snaps her fingers at me. Amber rolls over, muttering nasty comments at Mel. Mel steps inside and finally takes a good look at my face. “What’s the matter?”

“I lost my mom’s necklace. It isn’t here.” I clutch my face, trying not to freak out. I turn to Mel and drop my hands to my sides. “I must have dropped it on the beach.”

Mel knows how much that necklace means to me. A sad smile softens her features. Mel jerks her head toward the door and says, “No problem. Field 5, here we come.”

“But—”

“But nothing, Avery. Come on. I bet we have time to grab some hotcakes to eat in the car. It’s not the same thing, but it’ll be better than nothing. There’s an hour and half before class. We can totally make it there and back in time. Come on.” Mel turns and heads out the door.

I’m on her heels. We pretty much run to her car. Mel is wearing a nice pair of jeans with rhinestones on the back pockets and a form fitting sweater that shows off her curves. I’m wearing ratty jeans with holes in the knees, a tank, and my holey sweater. The wind cuts through it, stinging my skin.

Mel takes a fast detour through a McDonald’s drive-thru and grabs us breakfast. Then, she speeds out to Jones Beach. The bridges are empty at this time of day. The only people up this early are deer and cops.

Mel stuffs her face with a pancake rolled up like a burrito. When make it to the parking lot, she says, “Okay, we have about 45 minutes before we have to leave. I know where you guys were, but let’s start from where you parked and then head out onto the sand.” I nod and point to where we parked that day. Mel rolls the car into a slot and kills the engine. We both get out and start looking.

The huge parking lot is empty. The wind blows hard, tangling my hair behind me. When I see the beach, a new set of memories floods my mind. Sean. His hands, his touch. Oh God. I wish I never met him. I wish he ignored me that night, like every other person on that road. Why’d he have to help? Why’d I ever talk to him? Every time I blink, I see Sean’s eyes and hear his voice. His smile comes racing back. Everything from the kite hitting his head to the way his lips pressed against mine comes back in a rush.

“You okay there, Avery?” Mel says, staring at me.

My eyes are wide. I haven’t blinked. I’m gazing at the sandy boardwalk leading out to the beach. Clutching my hands into fists, I work my jaw and say, “I’m fine. Let’s go.”