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"Coether," h an old striped hatbox

"Laurel, can't you see she's all dressed up? She's got better things to do than look at dusty old pictures" Susannah winked at me "Belly, you look fresh as a daisy I love you in white with your tan It sets you off like a picture frame"

"Thanks, Susannah," I said

I wasn't all that dressed up, but I wasn't in shorts like the night of the bonfire I earing a white sundress and flip-flops, and I'd put my hair in braids while it was still wet I knew I'd probably take theht, but I didn't care They were cute

"You do look lovely Where are you headed?" my mother asked me

"Just to a party," I said

Myto this party too?"

"They're notmy eyes "I didn't say they were," my mother said Susannah waved me off and said, "Have fun, Belly!"

139

"I will," I said, shutting the door before my mother could ask me any more questions

I'd hoped that Conrad and Jereonna try to come But when I ran down the stairs to meet Cam's car, Jere TV in the family room I poked my head in the doorway "What?" I snapped "I'm kind of in a hurry"

Jeremiah turned his head toward me and winked lazily "See you soon"

Conrad looked atall thatthat loss, that was it It was just that he wasn't used toany And I'd sprayed my neck and wrists, that was all Conrad sure hadn't irl's perfume He'd loved her perfume Still, I took one last look at myself in the mirror in the hallway--and I rubbed a little of the blush off, also the perfume

Then I slammed the door shut and ran down the drivehere Ca from my bedroomso I'd know the exact moment he drove up, so he wouldn't have to come inside and meet my mother

140

I hopped into Ca the doorbell," he told me

"Trustvery shy How is it possible to talk to someone on the phone for hours and hours, to even sith this person, and then feel like you don't know theood person," Caood driver, careful

Casually I asked, "Does he by any chance sell crystalHis right cheek had a diht It was nice

I relaxed Now that the crystalI twisted the charm bracelet on uys I ith at the bonfire? Jeremiah and Conrad?"

"Your fake brothers?"