All about you, part 1 (Love & Hate series #1) Read Free Page A

it’s all like mushy peas. All because of Oliver’s brother, Christian.
    I pull skinny jeans over my long legs and put a low-cut top on. I stopped using makeup two years ago, but tonight Dora wants me to become the old India, the one from high school. Ruthless and flirtatious, the kind of girl that she expects me to be. I went through a transformation after Oliver left to go to University. He was nearly two years older than me and as soon as he graduated high school, he took an offer of a scholarship in Scotland and vanished from Gargle. I’ve lost him, so I stopped being cruel, wild and obnoxious towards others. He wasn’t around anymore, so I couldn’t pour out my frustration on anyone else anymore.
    Throughout the year, I quietened down and understood that I pushed him away, hurt him and ruined his life. It was time for me to share my secret with him, but then it was too late, because he was already gone and no one knew if he was going to come back.
    Dora still likes to be the center of attention, as she never received enough from her father. Her mum was always pleasant. She kept inviting me over so I could use their pool in the summer. They live in the better part of Gargle in a large house. Her mother works as a solicitor. Dora never had to worry about money. If she wanted something, she just got it.
    I live on the outskirts of Gargle in a more modest location. After my father died, Mum had to handle the responsibility of looking after us alone. She never let us think that we were poor, but she had to count every penny. I remember that my sister wanted to do gymnastics like her friends, but Mum couldn’t afford it. But mum always made sure that we were reasonably happy.
    I bring back all these silly memories, wondering if I’m ever going to be happy in Braxton. Oliver changed. He isn’t weak anymore, and I’m certain that he still remembers how I treated him.
    Dora smirks at me when I leave the bathroom; she approves the clothes that I chose. Tonight she is showing off her cleavage, wearing a mini skirt with her high boots. She knows how to use her assets. I made a promise to myself before I left. I don’t want to get involved with anyone. After Christian died I went out with a few guys, lost my virginity to one of them, hoping to forget. That didn’t happen, and I was back to square one.
    “C’mon, let’s see if we can find ourselves a guy for this fine evening.” She giggles, taking one last glance at herself in the mirror.
    “Looking like that, you probably will,” I say, as I finish styling my caramel hair. I can’t do anything about the freckles. I hate my fair completion. I can’t even go outside without a high factor screen when it’s sunny because I burn so quickly.
    Dora places her hands on her hips and narrows her eyes. “I don’t understand, India. You are hot, but you’re playing like no one can replace Christian. Just go out there and have fun like in high school.”
    “I’m not interested in dating, Dora. This isn’t high school. I told you I would have to work hard to keep up with all those nerds. Plus I’ve got rowing training to think about.”
    “Rowing?” she says, laughing. “Are you seriously considering doing that crap?”
    I hate that she is so opinionated about everything. She has no idea what makes me happy. She likes to be in control, and if she loses that control she locks herself up and pretends that everything is all right.
    “It’s a sport, Dora, the sport that I like, so stop being so negative about everything.”
    She looks away, chewing her upper lip. “I’m not negative. You just need to chill out. You don’t seem to want do anything these days.”
    “Partying isn’t on my list of priorities anymore, Dora, so get used to it. Otherwise I’ll forget we’ve been friends for so long,” I say. “Now lets go out. I’m starving.”
    Outside, Dora quickly forgets about our tense conversation and keeps cracking jokes about Oliver. The evening is warm, the