The Wrong Path_Smashwords Read Free Page A

Claudia.
    Sitting beside Claire was the biggest honor the girls in the group could have, and Annabelle couldn’t help but feel pleased she had been chosen. She stuck her straw in her milkshake with a smile.
    Claire discussed all of the gossip she had accumulated in the last day, which was enough to keep them entertained well through the meal and then some, especially with the other girls interjecting more gossip and their opinions. Annabelle enjoyed being included in the epicenter of the high school—knowing everyone else’s business and being able to discuss it all. There was something comforting about knowing something about everyone, as if it made the school smaller; made even people she barely knew almost like friends.
    Out of nowhere, Annabelle watched Claire straighten, deliberately resuming control of the conversation. Her laugh suddenly became louder; her presence more commanding. She had paused in “casually” looking around, fixing her eyes on her friends.
    Someone Claire had wanted to catch the attention of and impress had clearly come into the food court.
    Sure enough, a moment later, Annabelle’s suspicions were confirmed. To her delight, Trevor Scarlett and his best friend Zach Coffman appeared at the end of their table. Both boys were dressed in polo shirts and lettermen’s jackets, their short hair styled to perfection. Zach had been Trevor’s best friend since they were kids, and as far as Annabelle had ever been able to tell, they were together all the time.
    “Hey ladies,” Trevor greeted, smiling in his cheerful, friendly manner. Annabelle’s heart skipped a beat at the sight. Trevor was incredibly handsome, with dark brown hair and warm brown eyes set against deeply tanned skin. He was large, but not overpoweringly so, and Annabelle admired his ability to be so tough on the football field and yet not intimidate people on the street.
    “Hey Trevor; Zach,” Claire greeted, in almost a purr. “What are you guys doing here?”
    Trevor grinned. “Just grabbing some food.” He paused and studied them with a curious, polite look. Annabelle tried not to fidget under his scrutiny. “Did you guys get your hair done?”
    Delighted he had noticed, Annabelle’s heart sang with more adoration for him. “Yeah,” Claudia confirmed. “We all did. We just stopped here for something to eat while Mary finishes up.”
     “It looks nice,” he complimented. He was so sweet, Annabelle had to stop herself from swooning.
    “You guys should join us when you get your food,” Claire suggested. She smiled, her perfectly painted red lips curling up to reveal straight, white teeth. “We can discuss the party tonight.”
    Trevor looked back at Zach, who grinned at the girls. “Of course,” Zach agreed. “Who doesn’t want to be surrounded by beautiful women as they eat?”
    The girls all laughed, calling him “flirt,” and “tease,” as they giggled. Zach was almost as big of a ladies’ man as Parker, often hopping from girl to girl without ever seriously dating any of them. Annabelle was grateful Trevor had never picked up the same behavior.
    As soon as the boys left to go get their food, the girls leaned forward and spoke in quiet whispers. “How delicious does Trevor look?” Claudia asked dreamily.
    Annabelle tried not to flinch. If it was a contest for Trevor’s heart, history showed Claudia would win every time. She tried not to think about seeing Claudia wrapped up in Trevor’s arms or wearing his letterman’s jacket, but her imagination was already running wild. The image almost brought her to tears.
    “Hey,” Claire snapped suddenly, startling all of them into silence. “Trevor is Annabelle’s, Claudia. Don’t even think about moving in on your best friend’s guy.”
    Annabelle stared at her in gratitude and awe. Claire was fiercely protective, and she was always willing to put someone in their place when she thought they were going to do something that would hurt one of her friends.