Free Runes (Paranormal Romance, YA,) by Ednah Walters

or not, he was still the most aggravating guy I’d ever met.
    I yanked the curtains, something I’d never done during the day, then removed the offending T-shirt and shoved it in the garbage. A shower didn’t make me feel any better. I needed to live a little, starting tonight.
    Being seventeen and never been kissed sucked.

    ***

    “Ready to see the result?” Cora asked me hours later.
    I nodded, turned, and studied my reflection. She’d blow-dried and curled my hair, and guilted me into wearing one of her outfits—a white and sea-green organza dress with double spaghetti straps and asymmetrical hem. It appeared to move when I moved. On my ears and wrist were green earrings and a bracelet, birthday presents she’d bought for me earlier at the mall. My makeup was flawless. For once, my eyes had more green than brown.
    “Well?” Cora asked.
    “I love it, though I feel like I’m looking at a total stranger.” I stepped into medium-high heeled sandals, the only footwear I had that weren’t ballet flats or boots, and went back to studying my reflection in the full-length mirror. “You sure this is not too much?”
    Cora sighed. “You look amazing, but you don’t have to take my word for it. You need a second opinion? You’ll get it. Let’s go.”
    Panic washed over me. I wasn’t ready to see anyone. Eirik had dropped off Cora and left. That left Torin, and I’d never ask his opinion on anything. Cora, on the other hand, was bold enough to brave it. Excitement skidded under my skin.
    “Where are we going?” I asked.
    “To see your mom. She’s in her room waiting to see the results.”
    Torin indeed. I was becoming too fixated on that guy. Making a face, I tucked a wavy strand behind my ear and left the room. Cora knocked on Mom’s door and pushed it open when Mom told her to come in.
    “We’re done, Mrs. C,” she said.
    “Oh, sweetheart. Look at you.” Mom walked toward me, her hands clasped in front of her chest. “Turn around.”
    I did and chewed on my lower lip as I waited for her verdict.
    “My baby grew up when I wasn’t looking,” she mumbled, her eyes overly bright.
    I sighed. “Mom, it’s just the dress, and it’s not even mine. I borrowed it from Cora.”
    Mom chuckled, cupped my face, and kissed my forehead. “It’s perfect on you. You did an amazing job, Cora. You should be a stylist. You know what flatters a person.”
    Cora blushed. “Thank you, Mrs. C. She just needs to wear green more often. It enhances the color of her eyes.”
    “It does, doesn’t it?” Mom grinned.
    “Uh, thanks for talking about me like I’m not here,” I mumbled.
    Mom fluffed my hair, grabbed a tissue from her dresser, and dabbed at some of the lip-gloss. “You look beautiful. Not that you don’t always. It’s just that you never care about styling your hair or wearing makeup.”
    “We have to go, Mrs. C,” Cora said.
    I sighed with relief when Cora spoke before Mom could expand on how I downplayed my looks. It was a recurring lecture.
      “Of course. I already spoke with the guys, so they know I will hold them accountable if anything happens to the two of you. No drinking.”
    Cora giggled. “It’s teen night on Fridays, Mrs. C. No alcohol.”
    Mom nodded. “Good. Are you spending the night here, Cora?”
    “Oh yes. We’ll have plenty to gossip about later tonight.”
    While Mom and Cora continued their exchange, I wondered which ‘guys’ Mom was holding accountable. Who was downstairs? I hadn’t realized Eirik had come back. Obviously he wasn’t alone. Who was with him? My heart kicked up a notch.
    Mom kissed my cheek, whispering, “I added more money on your card, so take it.” Then she added louder, “Have fun. Be back by eleven.”
    I went to get my cell phone, wallet, and jacket, and followed Cora downstairs. Eirik was in the kitchen wolfing down pizza, until he saw me. He dropped the slice and got up, his gaze admiring, his usual wisecracks missing. I guessed that meant he