Free Beautiful Torment by Paige Laurens Page A

something!
    “Sure,” I’m short with her. If I say no she’ll just call Mom, who will in turn make me drive her anyway. “But I’m going to the movies and coming straight home, so be ready when I say, and we’re leaving in five.”
    “Okay,” she nods.
    I start emptying my purse and transferring the items into a different one when I hear Gracie clear her throat. I look up, seeing her still standing in my doorway.
    “Thanks for not telling Mom about Derek,” she hesitates.
    “Gracie,” I sigh. “I didn’t say those things to you to be mean. I just know he’s a total weirdo. I mean, everyone knows that! Do you know how many girls he’s slept with?”
    “I don’t care… I really like him,” she defends.
    “Did you know that it’s mostly freshman, because he thinks they’re so easy?” I ask, making sure she understands. “He has a reputation. He has sex with them and then brags to everyone on the baseball team, like it’s some sick contest.”
    “Please stop judging me,” she comes in and sits on my bed.
    “Oh my God,” my eyes go wide. “Tell me you didn’t already sleep with him!”
    “He drives me home when you stay after school,” she confesses. “I love him, Luci. He’s the one .”
    “You’re fifteen! You don’t even know what love is!” I’m beyond anger, and when I look over at her she’s quiet. My voice becomes low, even, and sad. “Gracie, please tell me you realize you’re going to do better and bigger things in life than date Derek?”
    “Have you ever even had a boyfriend, Luci?” She stands up confidently. “You’re so pathetic.”
    I abruptly stand too, outraged.
    “You said I don’t know you anymore, and you’re right,” my eyes sting as I spit out my words. “I always thought my sister would make smarter decisions,” I pause. “And FYI, calling your ride pathetic isn’t going to get you a ride. Find your own way to the mall.”
    I want Monday to come already. I want to knock sense into Gracie. And right now, I want to do anything but go to the movies.
     
    I pick up Hannah and take the long way to the mall, never climbing over the posted speed limit. She’s giddy and excited, the exact opposite of my mood.
    I leisurely pull into the mall parking lot, and stop to let shoppers cross the street - about five different times.
    “There’s a spot right there!” Hannah shouts as I weave in and out the rows of cars.
    “It’s too far,” I complain. I’ve already said that about the last three spots she pointed out, procrastinating.
    “You really don’t want to go to the movies with Nick, do you?”
    “No,” I confess.
    “Good,” she perks up and I look over out of the corner of my eye. “Because… I kind of really like him.”
    “You do?” I make a face. Way to make this even more awkward, Hannah.
    “Are you mad?” She scrunches her nose.
    “No,” I sigh. “Seriously, he’s a friend, but I don’t like him like that.”
    “Oh thank god,” she exhales heavily. “Do you think maybe you can talk to him for me?”
    This is exactly what I don’t understand about girls my age. Why does someone else have to do the talking? Why can’t everyone just do their own talking? Why make things even more complicated than they have to be? You like someone, talk to them!
    “Um, why don’t you?” I prod. “He’s going to be at the same movie we’re going to.”
    I think she insulted by my words, as she shrinks back into her seat quietly. I didn’t say it to come across as mean, but it’s just the obvious thing to do, no? Why should I get involved?
    “It’s just,” she sighs. “He obviously really likes you, so I thought maybe you could persuade him, sort of send him my way.”
    “Right,” I whisper, finally pulling into a spot.
     
    Nick is waiting near the entrance as Hannah and I walk inside.
    “You look great, Luci,” he says as he meets us, giving us both a hug. It’s so weird.
    I offer Hannah an apologetic smile over his words. This was