Free Searching for Beautiful by Nyrae Dawn Page B

wants to go with you. My mom couldn’t care less.” Ellie frowns.
    “That’s not true. She’s just busy right now. You’re way too cool for anyone to not want to hang out with you all the time.” I hug her, knowing how hard dealing with her parents is for her. They don’t spend time with her, or eat dinner with her every night like Mom and Dad do with me, or even Diana’s parents do with her. It’s like they have their own life and Ellie is just baggage.
    Ellie squeeze me back. “Thanks, Brynn. You’re the best. I don’t know what I would do without you and D.”
    “Friends for life.” D holds out her hand. I link a pinkie with her, and then Ellie does the same.
    She’s always been super sentimental, though she only shows it with us. She’s also really tough, too. She makes herself hard so she doesn’t feel hung out to dry because of the way her parents pretty much ignore her, but Diana and I both know how important the people in her life are to her. She needs to know we’ll always be there.
    “Always,” I say first.
    “Always,” Diana adds.
    Suddenly, Ellie looks toward the ground. “I have to tell you guys something, but you can’t say anything. Not that I don’t trust you, but I don’t want Kevin or Ian to know and tell Todd.”
    I put a hand on her shoulder. “I’d never tell Ian something you didn’t want me to. You know you can trust us.”
    Diana agrees with me.
    After a few deep breaths, Ellie says, “I think I’m going to…you know, go all the way with Todd after the dance. I’m going to surprise him. It is a dance, after all. That’s what you’re supposed to do, right?” Ellie giggles.
    “What?” My grip on her loosens and my eyes go wide.
    “Oh my God! Maybe Kev and I will do it, too. I’ve been trying to hold him off. But I love him, and if you guys are going to… It’ll make the night perfect.” Diana bounces excitedly.
    I don’t think I want to have sex with Ian. Not the way we break up and get back together. He’s never even told me he loves me.
    They continue talking about it and I nod and agree, even though their words are fuzz. It would be kind of cool, though. The three of us losing our virginity the same night. Maybe it’ll even bring Ian and me closer together, so we can be more like Diana and Ellie are with their boyfriends.
    “Now hurry up and go shopping, Brynn. You need to get a dress before all the good ones are gone.”
    We all jump out of the car and hug good-bye before Ellie and Diana take off and I head inside. My body feels all electric. I can’t wait to go shopping with Mom. To find the perfect dress for the perfect dance and to maybe even take that next step with Ian.
    “Hey. I’m home.” Walking into the living room, I see Mom sitting on the couch. “Are you ready to go?”
    Looking over at me, she gives me a sad smile. “I’m not sure if today is the best day, kiddo.”
    The buzzed feeling starts to dim. “What? You promised. There’s only a week left until the dance and you and Dad are going to be gone tomorrow.”
    “We can go after. I’ll make sure I tell Dad we have to leave early for our mother/daughter shopping trip.”
    “But I was going to stay at Diana’s tomorrow night, remember? Let’s just go now. It won’t take long.”
    She knows how much I love dances. Diana, Ellie, and I have been making plans for this one for two months.
    “I have a headache, and I’m feeling a little nauseous.” Mom shifts on the couch.
    “I’ll grab you some Tylenol.”
    I move toward the stairs but Mom stops me when she says, “We’re just going to have to wait, Brynn, okay? You’re being ridiculous.”
    I flinch slightly. “Dude, you’re the one who wouldn’t let me go with Diana and Ellie. You don’t have to snap at me and make this my fault.”
    She sighs before standing. “I’m not.” Mom grabs hold of the couch and leans on it. “I’m not trying to snap at you but I also don’t appreciate you getting so upset. It’s not