Going Down in Flames (Going Down in Flames #1)(12)

“We live frugally most of the time. Today we’re splurging.”

Bryn frowned at the bland clothes. “If we’re splurging, can we buy some fun colors?”

Beth waved at Bryn from a few clothes racks over, holding up a red blouse with thick black stripes. That was more like it.

Her mom whispered, “I thought you might want to blend in.”

“I’m the daughter of rebel outcasts,” Bryn whispered back. “I should look wild and untamed.”

Her mom chuckled.

Beth waved a black blouse with silver thread woven through it.

“I love that one.” Bryn joined her friend. They picked out a dozen striped and patterned shirts, which a saleslady placed in a dressing room.

Beth moved on to skirts. She picked one off the rack and frowned. “Why are they all so long?”

“They’re standard length,” Bryn’s mom said.

“Standard for who?” Beth asked. “Nuns? Oh crap. Tell me you aren’t going to an all-girls school.”

Bryn chuckled. “No. There will be boys.” And one boy in particular she wouldn’t mind wearing a shorter skirt for.

After Bryn tried on the blouses and skirts, it was time to face ugly reality. “Where do they keep the stupid panty hose?”

Beth darted across the room and came back with a package, which she thrust at Bryn. “Check these out.”

“Thigh highs?”

“If you have to wear something, you might as well wear something cool,” Beth said.

Bryn held the package out toward her mom. “What do you think?”

“Don’t tell your father.”

Bryn went to investigate the thigh highs and found a clearance table covered in lingerie decorated with various animals.

“Are those bumblebees?” Beth pointed at an orange bra.

Bryn smiled. “They’re cute.”

Beth picked up a lime green bra with pink flamingoes. “You have to get this.”

“Good thing none of my blouses are white.”

After they paid for everything, Bryn’s mom said, “I have a few errands to run. You two can go grab a cookie and meet me at the car in half an hour.”

“Me want cookie.” Beth did her Cookie Monster imitation, which she’d perfected when they were in kindergarten.

Bryn laughed and slung an arm around Beth’s shoulders. “Come on.”

While they waited in line, Bryn did her best not to think about all the things she’d miss. Beth sniffled.

“Don’t,” Bryn warned. “No tears until we drop you off.”

“I make no promises.” Beth swiped at her eyes.

Bryn studied the menu posted on the back wall. “We should split the colossal cookie.”

“The last time we did that, you puked,” Beth reminded her.

“Please. I was ten, and we’d just eaten a large cheeseburger pizza.” Bryn grimaced. “Mustard on pizza should be illegal.”

“Agreed.” Beth moved up to the counter and placed their order.

Bryn carried the plate, which felt heavy in her hand. The twelve-inch cookie, covered in every topping known to man, had to weigh over a pound. And for the first time, she wasn’t worried about the calories. That might be the one true plus to her weird, new life.

While they ate, Beth talked about everything except Bryn leaving. Which was good, because the more she thought about it, the harder it was to swallow the cookie over the lump in her throat. She took another bite and felt something plop onto her chest. A glob of white icing and some toasted coconut had jumped ship.

Beth rolled her eyes and shoved a stack of napkins at her. Then she grabbed a wad of napkins and stuffed them into her purse. “I’ve used all my Kleenex,” she explained.

Bryn checked the time on her cell. “We should go.”

“I hate this.” Beth stood, grabbed the plate, and chucked it into the trash can.

“Me too.”

“You can come home on weekends to visit, right?”

Could she? “I’m not sure.”

“You better text me.”

Crap. “No cell phones allowed on campus.”

Beth clutched at her chest. “That’s inhumane.”

“I know.”

On the ride back to Beth’s house, Bryn gave up and let the tears flow. They’d gone to school together since kindergarten. The idea of life without Beth on a day-to-day basis made her chest ache.

“We’re having a sleepover for your birthday.” Beth sucked in a breath. “You’re not just going to fly off into the night and disappear.”

Oh, the irony.

“Sounds good.”

“I’ll call Destiny and Britney. They’ll want to see you…” Beth’s voice trailed off as she let out a sob.

Bryn wanted to stamp her feet and yell, “I don’t want to go.” Not that it would do much good, but the crushing weight pressing down on her chest made it hard to breathe.

“We’re here,” her mom said from the front seat.

When had they pulled into Beth’s driveway?

Beth hugged her. “Don’t go.”

“It’s okay,” Bryn lied. “We’re going to have the sleepover to end all sleepovers. We can still talk on the phone and Skype and email.”