Panic Read Free Page B

in the store so often that the owner knew them by name.
    â€œWelcome back, mes cheries. What do you need on this rainy day?”
    â€œWe need nude tights—size adult medium,” Diamond said.
    â€œAh, oui ,” she said. “Of course. And have you seen these new leotards with the cutout backs?” Madame Jolie asked, pointing to a display. “ C’est très sexy!”
    â€œOh, that’s what’s up! I gotta try this red one on,” Mercedes said excitedly.
    Diamond checked her watch. “Look, girl, you got a weakness, but I’m starving, and we’re gonna be late forrehearsal. Meet me at the food court in ten.”
    â€œGotcha. Get me a plain cheese slice, okay? I’ll eat it in the car.” Mercedes was already disappearing into the tiny dressing room.
    Diamond paid for her tights and stuffed them into her ballet bag. Slinging it back over her shoulder, she waved good-bye to Madame Jolie and headed out.

4
DIAMOND, Saturday, April 13 2:30 p.m.
    â€œOur last glimpse of her shows her at the window,
    watching them receding into the sky until they were as small as stars.”
    â€”from Peter Pan
    With headphones snugly in place, Diamond glided down the mall, so intently focused on the music that she nearly crashed into a man heading in the opposite direction.
    â€œOh, I’m so sorry, sir. I wasn’t paying attention,” Diamond said, pulling out the buds.
    â€œNot a problem, young lady. I’m just here to pick upmy daughter, and this place is a maze! Can you point me in the direction of the food court?”
    Diamond laughed. “Turn around. It’s right behind you.”
    The man, who looked to be about forty or so, was slender, handsome, and well dressed in a charcoal business suit. His dark blond hair, which looked to be spiked with just a touch of mousse, almost gleamed.
    â€œForgive my manners,” the man said cordially. “I’m Thane English. My daughter is Chloe—maybe you know her? She a freshman at Broadway High School.” He reached out his hand and shook Diamond’s with a confident squeeze.
    â€œI’m Diamond. I go to Broadway High too,” Diamond said. “But I’m a sophomore. I don’t know all the freshmen—it’s a pretty big school.”
    â€œWe just moved here a few weeks ago,” the man told her. “Chloe’s still adjusting; Broadway High is a lot different from the school she went to in California.” He fell into step with her as they approached the sparsely populated food court. It smelled of cinnamon buns, strong coffee, and onions.
    â€œI’d give anything to go to school in California,” Diamond admitted as she bought two slices of cheese pizza.
    â€œWhy is that?” He glanced around, evidently looking for his daughter.
    â€œI don’t know. Close to Hollywood. Movie stars. The ocean. All that stuff,” Diamond replied.
    Thane tilted his head. “You have that look, if you don’t mind my saying so.”
    â€œHuh? What look?”
    He checked his watch. “Where can that girl be?” Then he looked back at Diamond as if he’d just remembered her question. “That star look. You’re a dancer, right?”
    Diamond’s eyes went wide. “How did you know?”
    â€œWell, you walk like a queen—tall and graceful. And it says ‘dance’ all over that bag you’re carrying.”
    Diamond laughed. “Well, duh! Yeah, I’ve been dancing since I was four. My dream is to get on one of those shows like So You Think You Can Dance or Dancing with the Stars .”
    â€œYou can do better than that,” Thane replied. He looked around the food court once more. “She better not be late again,” he grumbled.
    â€œWhat do you mean?” Diamond sat down at a table and nibbled her pizza.
    â€œChloe is always late—drives me bonkers,” he said, still glancing around.
    â€œNo, I