Free This Side of the Sun (The Sun Trilogy) by M. Lauryl Lewis Page A

my borrowed clothes, wrapped myself in a bathrobe, and crossed the hall to the bathroom. Once inside, I locked the door and took an overly long shower. I was hoping everyone would be gone when I came out.
    Once towel-dry, I put on a touch of make-up and lightly dried my hair. I decided to wear it down, but brushed it away from my face with a white cloth headband. To my relief, I didn’t hear any more yelling from the main floor of the house. I put a simple pair of small silver hoops in my ears and headed back to my bedroom.
    I could hear Miranda calling up for me as I slipped into pink lace panties and matching bra. I slid into a pair of faded blue jeans that I knew hugged my hips just right. I layered two tank tops, one lavender and one light blue, and threw on a lightweight white sweater, which I left open in front. I ignored Miranda and eventually she gave up on calling for me. A pair of white sandals left me ready to leave again. I looked at the clock and saw that it was only two o’clock. I checked myself in the full length mirror on the back of my door. My tanks were both low cut, the top one more so than the bottom, and I was pleased that just a touch of cleavage showed. Voices below began again. I picked out Justine’s over the others. I really wished they’d all just leave. I picked my new cell up off the dresser and flopped onto my bed. I had forgotten to plug it in, so fished the charger from the bag and rolled onto my stomach so I could reach a nearby outlet. Once attached, the phone chirped and an image of Saul smiling at me came on the screen.
    “Goofball,” I said to myself.
    I tuned out the sounds from the rest of the house and searched through the menu on the cell. I clicked the e-mail icon and smiled to myself when I saw that I had a message already.
     
    To: Sunshine & Honey
    From: Saul Meyers
    Hi Hattie. I miss you. See you at 3:00. Saul.
     
    I rolled onto my back, glad the charging cord was long enough. I hit the reply button and quickly typed a message back to him.
     
    To: Saul Meyers
    From: Sunshine & Honey
    I miss you too. It’s only 2:00. Wish it was 3. Yours, Hattie
     
    I began to glance at other menu items, and sighed when I hear a knock on my door. I sat up, placing my phone on the bed beside me to charge.
    “Who is it?” I called out softly.
    “Miranda.”
    She went ahead and opened my door without waiting for my permission. Her eyes were red. She had obviously been crying.
    “Hey,” I said.
    “Hey Sweetie. Can I sit?”
    I nodded and patted the bed beside me.
    “We were all really worried, Hat.”
    “I was fine, I promise.”
    “Okay. Can you promise me something, though?”
    “Hmm?”
    “If you’re going to disappear, at least call me or Joe. Just let us know you’re okay? You know I love you like you were my own.”
    I leaned against her and nodded. “I know. I just needed space. So much has happened the past couple days, Miranda. It feels like I can’t breathe sometimes.”
    “You know I’m always here if you need to talk, right?”
    “I know.”
    “Let’s head downstairs? I’ll make tea.”
    She stood, and I followed her lead. I grabbed my new phone and charger and headed downstairs. Joe and Justine were sitting on the loveseat together, holding hands. Neither said anything to me at first, for which I was glad. I walked to the end table that sat beside the larger sofa and plugged my phone in before sitting across from them.
    “I’m sorry I worried you,” I said apologetically.
    “Hattie, if anything ever happened to you…” Joe’s voice trailed off. “Just be careful, okay? Too much has happened.”
    I leaned my head back against the couch cushions and took a deep breath. Time was creeping by too slowly and I was starting to feel nervous about my date with Saul. After several long minutes of silence, Miranda came back into the room carrying two mugs of tea. She handed one to me, and one to Justine.
    “Thanks,” I said, truly grateful that this woman was