Wraithsong

  Chapter 7

  I see Ashley in the distance, standing outside of a department store, talking on her phone. Once I arrive, she hangs up and we hug.

  “So, how was your lunch date?” she asks. We head into the department store toward the formal dress section.

  “It was good. Anthony made chicken salad sandwiches and lemonade,” I say.

  She gives me a blank stare. “I don’t care about the food. How was Anthony?”

  I smile like it was just another lunch appointment. “He’s good.” I nod as casually as I can, pretending that my heart doesn’t beat twice as fast at the mention of his name. Thinking back to the moment when I kissed him on the cheek and he kissed me on the collarbone makes me weak in the knees, but it also strikes me with guilt because I shouldn’t have given into my urge to kiss him. Sadly, now I’ll never know whether or not he likes me for me, and not because my flair is controlling him. I really wish I was just a normal girl.

  “Are you going to make me pry out the information? Give me the juicy details, Sonia.” We arrive at the formal dress section and Ashley leafs through the dresses like she’s a professional shopper.

  I laugh. “We had a great time. He didn’t kiss me, but we hugged.”

  “That’s sweet.” Her rounded eyebrows rise.

  “Yeah, it was.” I refrain from telling her the rest of what happened and that it was the most romantic experience of my life so far, and that all I want is to be back in his room with his arms wrapped around my waist.

  “So did you ask your mom about the prom yet?”

  “No, I thought I’d get my dress first, and then maybe if she sees how great I look in it, she’ll let me go.”

  Ashley nods proudly. “Now you’re talking.”

  “What about the other stags?” I ask. “Are any of them going?”

  “Yes, they all think it’s a great idea.”

  I wish I were going with Anthony, for after what happened today, I know I’ll get jealous when I see him dancing with another girl.

  “What’s the matter?” Ashley asks.

  “What? Oh, nothing.” I mumble.

  “Yeah, right, you look like you’ve just been told the world is going to end!”