Page 44 - My FlipBook

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

Rachel’s and a pair of yoga pants that didn’t fit Sam anymore.
On Halloween day, Rachel dressed up as Posh Spice. Priya,
with her untamable black hair and Cleopatra eyeliner, was
appropriately Scary Spice. Blond, curly-haired Sam was Baby
Spice. She had a wide, friendly face. Big bones, as Patty would
say. Chloe—Ginger Spice—sprayed red streaks in her hair
and giggled a lot without making eye contact. Greta floated
on their high through the hallways and cafeteria, others stop-

ping them constantly for pictures and selfies.
That night Rachel picked her up and drove her to a party
at Priya’s house, which looked like the boss of show homes.
Priya answered the door, taking their coats and laying them
across a nearby bench. Shiny wood floors, pristine furniture,
vases, original pieces of art on the walls.
“Don’t touch anything,” Priya said to her. “My parents are ADVANCE READING COPY

gone until tomorrow, and they don’t know I’m having a party.”
Rachel rolled her eyes as soon as Priya turned her back.
“Yeah, Greta,” she whispered when Priya stepped down a
staircase to the basement, “try not to wreck the house.” Greta
stifled a laugh.
The house had caught her off guard. Also, Greta had
imagined something different when Rachel said “Halloween
party,” like the ones in movies—pounding bass, a crush of
drunken people dancing and wandering around in elaborate

costumes, strobe lights. Greta had thought she would wander
around, too, get lost in all the noise or find a quiet corner.
In reality, a few people sat on couches arranged in a square
in the middle of the room. The ceiling was low, lit by pot

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