First Light by Samantha Summers Read Free Book Online

couldn’t help but feel slightly envious at her effortless glamour.
     
    ‘How are you?’ she asked.
     
    ‘ Pretty good,’ I said. ‘Not that it isn’t good to see you, but why are you here?’
     
    ‘It’s my house too Ron, I don’t need an invite to come over.’
     
    I resisted a roll of my eyes and went back to my room, running mascara over my lashes.
     
    ‘I need a favour,’ she added, following me in.
     
    ‘I can’t tonight Rach, I’m going out.’
     
    ‘Ronnie, I’m desperate. Just for a few hours.’
     
    ‘I can’t. I haven’t been out of this house since... well, for a long time and tonight, for once, I have plans.’
     
    Her eyes narrowed as she stared at me. ‘Plans with who?’
     
    ‘I’m not dignifying that with an answer.’
     
    ‘Veronica, I’m in charge now that Daddy’s gone.’
     
    ‘I’m going out with Mae, okay? With Mae!’
     
    She eyed me skeptically, looking for a lie. Finally, with a huff, she gave up trying to wear me down, muttering to herself as she claimed a hair dryer and brush from the bathroom.
     
    ‘I just can’t rely on anyone! My stupid babysitter had an argument with her boyfriend and is refusing to come out of her room. I’ve been left completely in the lurch. That’s what I get for trusting a school kid.’
     
    Rachel stood at the door waiting for me to change my mind like I usually did. I refused to give in. I had to start taking control of my life and that meant getting one. Mae and I needed a night out and even if technically I was breaking the law by a few months, I was going.
     
    Eventually, Rachel left, slamming the door behind her, but not without telling me how I was ruining her evening. I wanted to point out that perhaps if she hired a more mature babysitter in the first place I wouldn’t be held accountable for night ruining, but I didn’t bother. I had enough bad news to share with my sister without arguing over trivial things. I could handle a Rachel tantrum. I booked a cab and continued getting dressed.
     
    ***
     
    In White Lies, Mae was sitting beside me looking at me like I was mentally challenged. She drummed her long fingernails on the bar in front of us.
     
    ‘Ron? You’re not listening, are you?’
     
    I’d managed to lose myself in one of my fantasies while she was talking to me. Quickly, I tried to recall what she’d been saying. I had nothing.
     
    ‘Um, sorry, I guess I was just thinking about Dad,’ I ventured.
     
    ‘No, Ronnie, you don’t think about what’s actually going on. You never do. I know what you were thinking about, it’s the same as always. I’m trying to help you have some fun and you’re dreaming of a guy that doesn’t exist.’
     
    ‘He does exist!’ I gave myself away of course, but it was annoying that my own best friend didn’t believe my version of events as to how I was saved four years ago. It was bad enough that everyone else thought I was crazy, without her believing it too. I focused on her face, trying to be more attentive, but her eyes had glazed over.
     
    ‘I wasn’t thinking about him anyway,’ I insisted. ‘I was just in my own world. Sorry.’
     
    ‘Fine, I’m sorry too,’ she said with a pursed smile. Pulling her thick shiny curtain of black hair over one shoulder, she continued with a softer tone. ‘I was saying that my mum said you’re welcome to stay with us for a while if you want. Save you being in the house on your own, so soon after, well, you know – so soon.’
     
    I could tell she was struggling; she had really liked my dad. Mae had known him for as long as we’d been friends and was practically family.
     
    ‘ Charlotte’s living at university now so you could have her room.’
     
    ‘Thanks, but I have to stay and take care of the house. Lord knows Rachel won’t.’
     
    ‘Ron, the house doesn’t need taking care of, you do. For once, why don’t you let someone help you?’ She took my hand and squeezed it. Then her face brightened.