The Crimson Key Read Free Page A

held her mouth. Marcy’s already scrunched face grew twisted with anger and embarrassment. It was always her Achilles’ heel to be called a bitch. She stepped forward, not showing fear either. This could possibly turn ugly if she let it. I had never gotten into a fight, but I would love to punch her. She had tormented too many people at Wilson High and nobody ever stood up to her except for me.
    “Watch your step , Branson,” she said as she moved around me. I thought for a moment I saw a tear in her eye. Throwing her clothes to the ground, she walked out of the store.
    Lyn laughed. “That was epic , Brylee. You managed to insult her and keep your face in one piece.”
                 
    After we paid for our stuff, we went into the Starbucks to order lattes. My mom wasn’t there yet, so we waited. I didn’t mind hanging out with Lyn for a while. It had been too long since we had some alone time. Every time we tried, she was always too depressed. She had no hint of that depression today, though. She sipped her drink and we talked about school and our summer plans. Ephraim’s graduation was only weeks away and our summer would begin. He didn’t make plans for college this fall, which was a huge mistake. Ephraim didn’t think there was hope for him, I didn’t agree. This curse was ruining his chances at doing anything with his life. I tried to make him understand that I would find a cure even if I died trying. He usually ignored me or changed the subject.
    “So did you get a new bathing suit yet?” Lyn asked , taking me away from thoughts of Ephraim.
    “No , not yet. I will just wear my old one. No one will care.” It was the last thing on my mind, going to the beach. However, Lynley seemed to be doing so much better with the air coming from it now, that I thought she wanted to spend as much time here as possible.
    “Hey , Lynley, do you think your mom doesn’t like me?” I didn’t want to discuss it, but I felt I needed to. I loved them both so much that I couldn’t stand someone disliking me.
    “Why? Did she say something to make you think that?” The pain in her face made me think this was a huge mistake.
    “No, of course not. It’s just me, I bet,” I lied. “I guess I got the wrong impression.” She bought my lie and we talked summer again.
     
    Mom had bought three new outfits for summer and she suggested we walk the boardwalk. I’d been looking forward to it since we moved here. After hearing so many great things about saltwater taffy, I craved it. We hit that store first, stuffing our faces with all the flavors there were. I knew I would regret that decision very soon as my stomach had already started to grumble.
    “Let’s go look at bathing suits ,” Lyn suggested after we left the candy store. I stared at her in amazement. The pale girl who never goes in the sun wants to look at suits? Okay, I’ll play. We left my mom in a bookstore to search for the right place. After visiting two stores, Lyn found a cute shop that had one piece suits that fit her style.
    Not wanting to hang out and wait for her to try on the seven she had picked out , I asked, “Do you mind if I look around for a bit outside?”
    “No way! Go , I’ll meet you back her in a bit.” She ducked inside the dressing room and I ventured outside. The seagulls call was beautiful, so I went to the other side of the boardwalk to look at the ocean. It was furious with frothy waves that slammed the shore. I noticed a slight chill in the air and thought maybe a storm was coming. One thing I would never understand was New Jersey weather. It could be beautiful and sunny one day, and freezing rain the next. Sighing, I went back toward the shops. I didn’t see the woman approach me until she was up in my face. Her sleek black hair reached the back of her knees in length; her brown eyes were wide and her lips grim. She looked terrified as she grabbed my arm, yanking me toward a small shop that smelled like too much incense