Beautiful Lies Read Free Page A

Holly complains. She makes a face like she’s tasted something bad. “Nicholas.” She pouts. “I’m so thirsty, baby.”
    “You want something to drink?” he offers.
    She nods. “Yes, please. Lemonade.”
    My stomach flutters as we get closer to the ride. I stare up at the highest seat, imagining how it will feel to be stopped at the very top, swinging back and forth, helpless, and a twinge of panic ripples through me. I can smell the hot oil that greases the gears, the odor deeply unsettling for some reason. I’m not sure why I’m so afraid—the feeling has come from out of nowhere. All I know is that I don’t want to get on.
    “You need me to buy you some lemonade right now?” Nicholas asks Holly.
    “Yes. Hurry up and you’ll be back before we reach the front of the line.”
    He ducks away, disappearing into the crowd. My friends and I take small steps, getting closer and closer. I feel dizzy with dread.
Get a grip
, I tell myself.
It’s a freaking Ferris wheel.
    But I can’t calm down. I press a hand to my stomach. The air feels much colder all of a sudden. I can hear bits of conversation coming from all around me, but I can’t focus on any of them, not completely.
    “Rachel.” It’s my sister. She’s beaming, cheeks flushed from the cold. “Come on!”
    We’re at the head of the line. She tugs me toward the empty seat. I don’t know how Kimber can even think about ridingalone. I’m sweating in the chilly evening, unable to speak, arrested by anxiety. I don’t know what’s wrong with me.
    We sit down beside each other, and she rests her head on my shoulder. For the moment, sitting so close that I can hear the rhythm of our breath in sync, I feel a little bit better.
    The ride’s operator approaches us, ready to lower the metal restraining bar across our laps. Nicholas appears behind him, holding an oversize Styrofoam cup.
    “Yay!” Holly claps from her place in line. “Thank you!”
    The operator turns around. “Nope,” he says, shaking his head. “You can’t cut in line, man.”
    “Dude, I just stepped out for a second.” Nicholas’s tone is light, friendly. “Come on. I’m with my girlfriend.”
    “Sorry, kid. Can’t do it. You’ll have to wait for the next one.”
    And before I have a chance to realize what’s happening, my sister slides out of the seat we’re sharing. “You can ride with Holly, Rachel.” She begins to back away, waving with both hands. “I’ll catch up with you after. I want a candy apple!”
    She turns on her heel and rushes away from us. It is such a typical Alice move—restless, impulsive—but I feel like she’s only acting this way because that’s the kind of behavior everyone expects from her. Almost immediately I lose sight of her in the thick crowd.
    Holly climbs into the seat next to me. Nicholas is still standing beside the head of the line. He shrugs at us before stepping away, giving the finger to the ride operator’s back.
    “I guess that worked out,” Holly says, clutching her purse against her chest. Without any warning, she raises her voice and screams “I love you!” at Nicholas.
    The operator leans over us. With one hand, he pulls the metal bar downward, securing it tightly against our laps. “Enjoy your ride.” His voice is flat as his eyes stare into mine. His breath on my face is so sour, so sickening, that I have to look away before I gag.
    Our seat rises into the air. Beneath us, previous riders climb out, replaced by Kimber.
    I search the crowd for my sister, looking everywhere for a glimpse of her red hair, for a sign of the face I recognize so well.
    The wheel turns slowly at first, then begins to speed up. Across the field, the band starts to play. I recognize the music. It’s “Sleep Walk” by Santo & Johnny. It was my parents’ wedding song.
    “Holly.” My voice barely breaks a whisper. The music is too loud, the ride too fast.
    “Whoo!” Holly kicks her feet with glee. Even though it’s fall, she’s