Free Destiny Date by Melody James Page B

and carefully, never braking too hard and pulling
away so gently I can hardly tell we’re moving. It’s like he’s transporting nitroglycerine. One bump or shake and
BOOM!
we’re body parts and the car’s spread
over half the county.
    ‘We’re here,’ he says at last, pulling into the school car park.
    ‘Thanks, Mr Harris.’ Cindy lets herself out. She heads towards the cloakroom.
    ‘Thanks for driving us, Mr Harris.’ I tug my door handle. ‘I had a great time.’
    Mr Harris smiles at me past his headrest. ‘It sounds like you had quite an adventure.’
    ‘I did.’ I grin back. ‘I can’t wait to tell Treacle and Savannah.’
    I climb out and run past the cars and up the slope to the field. There’s two minutes till the bell for afternoon registration. Students are wandering across the grass towards school. I
spot Savannah and Treacle lounging beneath the horse chestnuts. When I wave, they spot me and leap to their feet.
    ‘Hi, Gemma.’ A familiar voice sounds behind me. I turn and see Sam loitering at the top of the slope.
    He whistles as I face him. ‘You look great.’
    I’d forgotten about my hair and make-up. Suddenly self-conscious, I touch my hair with my hand. ‘A bit over the top, isn’t it?’
    ‘It really suits you.’ Sam looks sheepish. ‘I love curly hair.’
    ‘Really?’ I blink at him, flattered.
    ‘Yeah.’ He casually scuffs a pebble with his shoe. ‘It’s much better than straight hair.’
    Joy floods me. I feel like punching the air. One-nil victory for curly hair! Then I remember Cindy – the straight-haired girl he’s dating.
    I freeze.
    What a creep!
    Does he tell Cindy he prefers
straight
hair?
    Rage boils under my skin. How dare he? I can’t believe that Sam is such a fake. I thought he was lovely. Suddenly memories are flashing in my head like danger signs. The way he’s
always really kind to me at webzine meetings. The way he turns up out of nowhere, like a stalker. Is he using me to make Cindy jealous? Or is he the kind of boyfriend who thinks it’s fine to
hit on other girls? Either way, for the first time
ever,
I feel sorry for Cindy.
    ‘Gemma!’ I hear Treacle and Savannah hurtling closer. I don’t want them to see I’m angry with Sam. They’d want to know why. I barge furiously past him and head down
the slope. They catch me up as I reach the car park.
    Treacle hugs me. ‘You’re back!’
    ‘You look fabulous!’ Savannah stares at me admiringly. ‘Where are the photos?’
    I glance back at Sam. He’s standing at the top of the slope like a dog that’s lost its stick. I scowl at him and turn away. ‘I had the best time
ever
!’ I hook my
arms through Sav’s and Treacle’s. ‘I bet you can’t guess what I did.’

 

    ‘She can’t waste her new look.’ Savannah wide-eyes my mum. ‘It’s been created by
professional
stylists.’
    Mum leans against the kitchen table and crosses her arms. ‘It’s a school night.’
    ‘We’ll be home by nine,’ Treacle promises. ‘How many times does a girl get a makeover like that? She needs to make the most of it. It’ll be smudged and messy by
tomorrow. She has to go out tonight.’
    Savannah and Treacle hatched a plot during double history. They decided that we
had
to spend the evening at the skating rink, showcasing my hair and make-up. When I reminded them about
Mum’s strict not-going-out-on-school-nights policy, they escorted me home.
    Now they are in our kitchen, pleading, while I stand in the doorway, chewing my knuckles.
    Savannah’s laying it on thick. ‘If you’d just been turned into a supermodel, you’d want to show it off, right?’
    Mum sucks in her lips. ‘You’ll be home by nine?’
    ‘Of course.’ Savannah’s eyes sparkle.
    ‘Homework done before you leave?’
    ‘Haven’t got any,’ Treacle tells Mum. ‘It’s nearly the end of term.’
    ‘OK.’ Mum nods and I whoop with delight.
    ‘Thanks, Mum.’ I push past Treacle and hug her.
    ‘Nine o’clock
at