The Wrong Path_Smashwords Read Free Page B

She really was a great friend. Once again, Annabelle found herself incredibly grateful to the blond girl.
    Claudia shook out her long hair. “I was just saying he looks extreme,” Claudia declared shortly, almost protesting. She gave Annabelle a reassuring smile. “I would never do anything to hurt you, like go after your guy.” She leaned forward, her eyes dancing mischievously. “In fact, I was going to ask if you wanted to borrow a dress for the party tonight. It’ll look gorgeous on you. Trevor is sure to notice.”
    Annabelle shook her head immediately, feeling guilty. If Claudia really did like Trevor, what right did she have to stand in Claudia’s way? It wasn’t like she was dating Trevor. Trevor had never even asked her out. “No, no. I don’t mind if you go for Trevor. Really. I’m happy if he picks one of us.”
    They were interrupted from discussing it further as the boys reappeared, adorably pulling chairs up to the end of the table between Claire and Claudia and sitting backwards in them as they pulled out hamburgers and fries.
    Their food smelled amazing. Annabelle longed for a cheeseburger.
    “So, the party tonight,” Claire started, smiling impishly. All traces of anger had completely vanished from her face, replaced with that irresistible twist of her lips all the boys fell for. “You guys are coming, right?”
    “Of course,” Zach answered, grinning flirtatiously at her. “As long as you girls are.”
    The girls burst into giggles. Even if it was cliché, it was still really cute, and Annabelle felt lucky to get to be around people who had so much confidence in themselves.
    “You know Caleb is supposed to have, like, five kegs,” Erin stuck in from the other end of the table, looking desperate to be part of the conversation. “He said he bought them off his brother since they had too many at their last party.”
    “Sweet, keg stands,” Zach declared, flashing another charming smile. “You ladies need any help, I’m there.”
    Again the flirtatious laughter rang throughout the table. Annabelle dared to sneak a look up at Trevor, who was grinning at Zach and shaking his head slightly, looking amused. Feeling tongue-tied and shy at Trevor’s close proximity, Annabelle looked away and stirred her milkshake, trying to keep herself from blushing.
    “Annabelle?” Startled, she looked back up at Trevor, who had turned his kind smile on her. “Do you need a ride tonight? I can drive you.” He smiled around the table. “Unless you girls are already going together, that is.”
    For the first time since she had turned sixteen, Annabelle was overjoyed her parents had refused to buy her a car.
    And then she remembered. The girls had all planned to get ready at Claudia’s house and go together. As much as she was dying to say yes, Claire would be furious if she ditched them.
    But Claire surprised her. “Oh, Trevor, you’re so sweet. Would you bring Annabelle? That would be so awesome. You guys live so far away from everyone else that going out to grab her was going to add a ton of time to us actually getting to the lake.”
    Annabelle could have kissed her. She knew the other kids at school didn’t love Claire for their own reasons, but Claire was a true friend. “Thanks, Trevor,” she said, hoping she sounded confident and flirtatious, and not as embarrassed as she felt.
    “Sure,” he agreed, smiling a cheery, friendly smile.
    Annabelle felt weak as she furiously sucked on her straw, filling her mouth with melted strawberry-flavored vanilla ice cream. She prayed she wouldn’t blush, relieved that her brown hair had fallen around her, creating a veil between her and the world. Trevor had offered to give her a ride. Trevor Scarlett had actually offered to give her a ride to the party. In front of everyone. It was practically a date!
    “Can you guys excuse me?”
    She lifted her head at the bristled sound in Trevor’s voice even as he stood from the table. She, and the others around