Page 118 - My FlipBook

L IS A J. L A W R E N C E

Like she would either start singing to forest creatures or
kick them in the ’nads.
“Who are you?” she barked. Ash opened his mouth, but
before he could answer she said, “And why in the holy hell
do you think you can live at my dad’s house for free?”
Alice.
“We’re…” Greta started but trailed off when Alice’s eyes
burned her.

“You think this is this some kind of a shelter?” Alice
asked, her voice fake-kind. “Are you comfortable in my old
room?”
Elgin appeared at her elbow. “I told you already.”
He sighed. “Their parents abandoned them.”
“And why is this my problem?” Alice asked, turning to
look at him. ADVANCE READING COPY

“Alice!” Elgin scolded.
“No, really. Who are these people?”
“A little humanity, please,” he said.
She scoffed. “This, from you.”
Ash pushed himself off the bed, a textbook clunking to
the floor. “We plan to pay. We’re both looking for jobs and
waiting for our aunt to get back from Arizona.” Greta knew
that voice—the calm before the storm. “We’re fully aware this
isn’t a shelter.” He stepped close to her and pulled himself up

tall. Somehow Alice seemed taller.
“And this future hypothetical money is supposed to help
me how?” she asked. Ash’s between-the-eyes line matched
Alice’s forehead lines.

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