Free The Gossip Web by Chelsea Lynn Charters Page A

faintly.
                  Smiling as the tension ceased, I rushed across the kitchen to give him a hug. “Thanks for understanding, Daddy. This dance is really important to me.”
                  “Okay, but I need to trust that you’ll behave yourself. You haven‘t been around boys much, Jade. Maybe it‘s time you and I have that special chat…”
                  Wrinkling my nose at the thought of discussing “that” with him, I slugged his arm lightly. “Yuck, Dad. Don’t gross me out now. I’m in a phenomenal mood.”
                  “I couldn’t help but overhear you two,” Erika interrupted as she sauntered into the room. Today she was wearing a very expensive-looking nautical ensemble, complete with all the accessories. I frowned at how luxurious she looked and wondered where she got the money to pay for such clothes. I’d never heard her speak of working---or even having a job for that matter. I glanced over at my dad and prayed that he wasn’t paying for the all her shopping escapades.
                  “You’re going to a dance, Jade? That’s great! I’m so happy for you.” She had a cheery smile on her face but I didn’t let it get to me. Erika could go on pretending like she cared what I did or what happened to me. I didn’t mind it at the moment because I had Trace.
                  “Thanks,” I said, forcing a smile.
                  “Did you decide what dress you want to buy?” Erika asked me.
                  “Yeah, I think so. But the winter formal is a few weeks away…so I still have some time to buy a dress,” I assured her.
                  “That doesn’t matter! You should start looking for one right away,” she replied with a sparkling grin. “That’s the most important thing to buy for a dance, I think. I used to love dress shopping for my formal dances.”
                  “I have a great idea!” My father exclaimed, and I instantly freaked. His opinion of a “great idea” meant a terrible experience for me.
                  “Why doesn’t Erika take you shopping for a dress this weekend? I’m sure she would love to help you, Jade,” he said merrily, looking between me and his prissy girlfriend. Erika smiled back at him, but I knew she couldn’t be happy with the arrangement. I was put off by her fake expression of interest.
                  “Dad, I don’t---” I began to say, hoping to derail this disaster. Besides, I wanted to go dress shopping with Heidi. She was my best friend, the perfect person to share the moment with.
                  Erika, however, interrupted me before I had a chance to turn down the idea. “That sounds wonderful, Lucas!” She told my father happily. “Would that be alright with you, Jade?”
                  It was amazing how she could turn everything around and make it about her. I could feel my temper turn icy, but I ignored it. Glancing at my father’s ecstatic expression, I realized I couldn’t turn her down now. Damn her.
                  I gritted my teeth but I kept my cool. “Sure, Erika. That sounds fun…”
                  And it was settled. I had to go shopping with that…two-faced monster. How could my day go from fabulous to horrific just like that? I wasn’t sure, but I was positive that I would hate every minute I had to spend with Erika. Trace asking me to the dance was one of the greatest moments of my life, and of course, Erika had to go and ruin it.
                  Why couldn’t I catch a freaking break?
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    11
     
     
                  “YOU’RE LYING!” HEIDI SAID, twirling a piece of her honey hair between her fingers as she stared widely at me. “Trace Gibson did not ask you to winter formal!” She whispered excitedly. We were standing