Free The Secret Diary of Ashley Juergens by Courtney Kelley : Turk Ashley; Turk Juergens Page B

I was tempted to tell Henry it’s more flattering—and might have a better outcome, seduction-wise—to say, “You ARE the most beautiful girl I’ve ever met.” But I didn’t want to interrupt him. I have to admit, it was nice to hear. I can see why girls get sappy about that stuff. I can also see why Amy did what she did. Being told you’re pretty leaves you open and vulnerable. And why wouldn’t you be open if it meant you might get more compliments like that? I could tell Henry was in love with someone else and I was just a happy distraction, but it still made me feel good because he picked me as the distraction. How lame is that? I bet Ricky used that same line on Amy at band camp. If only Amy had realized she was merely a distraction. . . .
    Also, with all the Amy stuff and my parents probably getting divorced, it was nice to have someone ignore all that and just see me sitting there. To know I was alive in this back room. I felt like I was being paid attention to for the first time in a while. So I was glad Henry didn’t leave. Even if he did keep staring sort of creepily.
    I almost forgot—I ended up crying AGAIN . Great. So I’m a crier now and a sucker for clichéd compliments and my dad gave me half a bed. At least Henry promised he wouldn’t tell anyone about the crying.
    8:27 P.M.
     
    The night got worse after that. I should have never let my guard down with Henry, because when you let your guard down and bad stuff happens . . . well, it hurts a lot more.
    Dad’s been cheating all right. But not just with any woman. It’s Adrian’s mother (and if mother is anything like daughter we are in real trouble). So he’s not only dating someone else, he’s living with her family. He’s replaced us with a newer model.
    Amy figured it out when Ricky showed up to see Adrian. I should have known, a drawer full of condoms next to the bed—of course it was Adrian’s room. How stupid does Dad think we are?
    I wanted to ask him if Adrian’s mom is a “nice” girl since that’s what he says guys like. Mom’s a nice girl, even if she does get on my nerves sometimes. He’s such a hypocrite—and now he’s a liar, too, for pretending he’s living alone instead of with a new family. Like we never would have put two and two together.
    You know what that means. What reason does he have to ever move back? I know my family is annoying and dysfunctional, but I’d like everyone to be annoying and dysfunctional under one roof. It’s what makes us a family.
    9:35 P.M.
     
    Amy and I came home to discover Mom had had company of her own. Ben’s dad, Leo, was over. It was nothing romantic, but still . . . it made me want to put a no trespassing sign on our front lawn. Leo came over to tell Mom he was okay with Amy and Ben dating. Wow, Ben’s dad is okay with his son dating a girl who’s pregnant with someone else’s baby? He’s really understanding. I wonder if he’d let me move into his mansion. I bet I could test his patience.
    At least something good happened to someone tonight.
    Mom started interrogating us about Dad’s dating life. The last thing I wanted was to talk to Mom about it, but she wouldn’t stop with the questions. I told her about Adrian’s mother but Amy said Dad assured her they aren’t dating anymore and he was just using her condo for our visit. It still doesn’t excuse the fact he cheated on Mom with her, but I’ll take it anyway. Maybe this will make Mom jealous enough to let Dad come back home. But I’m starting to have mixed feelings about that.
    Honestly, at this point, I don’t think I need to go to high school because my family is providing me with more drama than I can handle: dating other parents, jealousy, rumors. It’s like some sort of horrible soap opera. Parents are always worried their kids will grow up too fast, but I feel like mine are forcing it to happen. And Amy’s helping, too. I should just move into the garage and use the driveway as a hallway to the main