Free Signs of Love: Stupid Cupid by Melody James Page B

Savannah’s eyes with red eyeshadow
and is working on a thick lining of black.
    I wait while she adds the finishing touches: whitening Savannah’s complexion till it’s vampire-pale and then mixing Savannah’s crimson lipstick with a drop of eyeliner to make
a lip-stain so dark it’s scary.
    ‘Now for the clothes,’ I smile.
    Between us, we manage to cover most of Savannah. We swathe her, head to foot in black. Ripped tights, tight dress, all swamped by a flowing coat I borrowed from Mum three years ago when it was
already fit for the recycling bin. I’ve got some purple hairspray left over from Halloween to tint a few strands around Savannah’s face.
    I look at my watch. Finished with five minutes to spare.
    ‘What do you think?’ Treacle asks as Savannah looks in the mirror.
    Personally, I love it. She’s a gothic nightmare. Dracula would eat her up. But clean-cut, carb-cutting LJ will recoil in horror.
    ‘I look a bit pale.’ Savannah pinches her cheeks. She doesn’t look entirely in love with the style-change.
    ‘Come on.’ I start hustling her toward the door before she bails. ‘We don’t want to miss the bus.’
    Treacle gasps. ‘I’ve got to be at Jeff’s in fifteen minutes.’ She’s first downstairs and out the front door.
    I follow with Savannah, ushering her after Treacle before I poke my head round the kitchen door.
    Mum looks up from the stove where she’s stirring risotto. ‘Are you off?’
    ‘Got to catch the bus.’
    ‘What about dinner?’
    ‘Save me some,’ I tell her. ‘I won’t be late.’
    ‘Half past ten,’ she calls as I head for the front door.
    ‘OK,’ I yell back.
    Ben is standing in the living-room doorway, staring after Savannah as she flutters out of the house like a bat. ‘Is it a fancy dress party?’ he asks.
    ‘Shh!’ I’m terrified Savannah will hear. ‘It’s just a look she’s trying out.’
    Ben looks thoughtful. ‘She doesn’t look pretty any more.’
    I wave him away, secretly pleased. ‘I’ll see you in the morning, Ben.’ Before he can say anything else I follow Treacle and Savannah on to the driveway.
    ‘Bye, Treac!’ I say as we part at the corner. ‘Good luck.’
    Treacle wanders away, shoulders drooping as she heads for Jeff’s.
    ‘You’ll be fine!’ I shout after her.
    ‘Don’t forget to smile!’ Savannah calls.
    Savannah and I head for the bus stop, arriving just as the bus does. ‘ You mustn’t smile,’ I tell her as we get onboard. ‘Smiling isn’t part of the
look.’
    Swaying as we head upstairs to find seats, I start to feel like a freak next to Sav. I look stupidly normal by comparison and I’m kind of embarrassed to be seen with her. Guilt pricks me
and, when I spot Marcus with Ryan, Bilal, Sal and Chris McClaren at the back of the top deck, I feel even worse.
    ‘Oh my God!’ Sal comes racing down the aisle. ‘What have you done to yourself, Sav?’
    I cringe. Shut up, Sal. It’s for her own good!
    ‘What?’ Savannah’s blinking at her.
    ‘You do know LJ will be there, don’t you?’
    Savannah flicks a purple strand of hair over her shoulder. ‘Well, duh!’
    ‘So why are you dressed like Kurt Cobain just died again?’ Sal is clearly in shock.
    ‘I’m trying out a new look.’ She gazes at me fondly. ‘Gemma told me boys think it’s hot.’
    Sally looks over her shoulder at Ryan, Bilal and Chris. They’re sniggering and poking each other, glancing at Savannah. They don’t exactly look over-heated. Then she takes in my
clean-jean ensemble. ‘Not hot enough to try it herself, I see.’
    I defend myself, guilt choking me. ‘I’m – er – not interested in anyone . . .’
    ‘I’m glad.’ Sal switches her attention back to Savannah. ‘If we had one more Goth on board, we’d reach critical mass and implode into a black hole.’
    Savannah’s red-rimmed eyes spark with worry. ‘Do I look silly?’
    ‘Don’t worry,’ Sally comforts her. ‘It’s good to see you trying something . .