Free Dolmarehn - Book Two of the Otherworld Trilogy by Jenna Elizabeth Johnson Page B

should have known better than to lay all this out before her and not expect to make some payment in return.  This was Robyn, after all.
    “Okay, I’ll cover for you,” she eventually conceded, her voice cool and in control.  “But you have to tell me what is so important that you’ve got to lie to your parents and stay out all night.”
    I grimaced.  I knew this was coming, and whatever I told her next had to be scandalous enough to garner her support.
    I took a deep breath and said, “I’m meeting a guy.”
    Robyn nearly choked on her soda.  She coughed a few times, but once her breathing returned to normal she shot me a pointed glance.  “Are you freaking serious!?”
    “You can’t tell anyone, okay!”
    I looked away and scowled.  Why hadn’t I come up with a better story before pitching this to her?
    “Way to go Meg!  Oh, you have to tell me about him.  What’s his name?  Is he cute?  Does he go to our school?”
    I blinked, stunned.  She was actually smiling.
    “I’m going to give my mom and dad your cell phone number,” I continued.  “I’ll tell them your parents don’t ever answer the phone unless they recognize who is calling.  So if they call you, say I’m in the shower or the bathroom or something.”
    “Wow Meghan,” Robyn said with a mischievous grin, “must be some guy.”
    “It’s not what you think,” I mumbled back.
    Well, at least I was pretty certain it wasn’t what she thought.
    “Uh huh, sure it isn’t.”
    “Thanks Robyn, I owe you one.”
    “I want all the juicy details when you get back.  And I hope we get to meet this mystery man some day.”
    “Okay.”
    I waved a hand over my back as I started off across the track, seeking the path leading off into the swamp.  When I reached the oak tree closest to my house, I pulled off my backpack and ripped a piece of binder paper out of a folder and dug around for a pen.  I quickly wrote a note to Cade, telling him I was free this weekend to go to Eilé with him.  I rolled the letter up and placed the small tube in the knothole.
    Once inside, I found the house dark and empty.  Thirty minutes later, Mom arrived with the boys.  I told her about my plans for the weekend, how I was staying over at Robyn’s.
    “That’s nice honey.  It will be good for you to get out of the house for a while.  Just be sure to leave their number.”
    I grinned to cover my grimace, trying not to feel guilty about my double lie.  Not only would Mom and Dad be appalled at my intention to spend the night with a boy, but they would never let me stay over at a friend’s house if their parents were gone.
    Shaking off the pall of guilt, I descended into my room, turned on some music and tackled a pile of waiting homework.
    The next morning I checked the oak tree and found a reply.
    Meghan,
    I’ll meet you tomorrow morning in your backyard before sunup.  Be sure to set two alarms this time.
    -Cade
    I sighed, my breath forming a cloud in the early December air, and folded the note up, placing it in my pocket.
    As I walked to Tully’s to catch my ride to school, the anticipation which had begun as a small kernel started expanding in my stomach.  I was going to the Otherworld with Cade, to stay overnight.  I tried to hide my smile, but Tully noticed.
    “Have a good dream last night or something?” she asked as we climbed into her car.
    My grin widened.  “You could say that.”
    * * *
    An annoying buzzing sound woke me way earlier than was considered decent by most people.  I groaned and cracked open an eye.  Four in the morning.  Why on earth had I set my alarm clock for that early?  Then my mind cleared.  I shot up in bed.  Cade!  The Otherworld!  I tossed my sheets back and started getting ready.  I had a small backpack loaded with what I’d need: a change of clothes, a few sna cks, necessary toiletries . . .
    I scribbled a note to my parents, explaining that I decided to go over to Robyn’s early and I’d be back on