Star Power by Kelli London Read Free Book Online Page B

shrugged. “It’s simple really. Since we’re twins, our parents divvied us up so we wouldn’t feel cheated of attention. My dad focuses on Mya, my mom focuses on me, so, in a way, we’re pretty close to having the lives of only children—I guess. Both of them parent us though.”
    Charly nodded, then flipped the book back over, and gulped. Mya and Nia had been identical in every sense of the word before: bad hair, worse clothes, and all. She turned the page until she got to their individual student pictures, then noticed that Nia didn’t have a scar then. She wondered what happened. What had made Mya transform into one of the beautiful ones, and Nia delve deeper into Yuckdom? She closed the cover partway and looked at the year. It had only been a couple of years ago. “So when did you—”
    Nia took the yearbook from Charly, and put it back in the bookcase. “Don’t you have to go to the pharmacy? I thought that was so important.”
    â€œSee. I thought you’d understand,” Charly said, smiling. She was glad her plan to drive Nia batty enough to make her want out of her space had worked. “I knew you were the only one I could ask to do this favor for me.” She got off the bed. “You’ll take me then, right? Otherwise, I’m stuck here until”—she shrugged—“who knows?”
    â€œOkay, Charly.” Nia caved, grabbing an awful-looking purse from the desk chair, then took out keys. “You’re difficult,” she said, a slight smile parting her lips.
    Charly breezed past her, snatching off the camel-colored bonnet, then headed to the bedroom door and opened it. She shrugged. “Sorry, I couldn’t help it. That bonnet’s been killing me since I saw it, and, trust me, it’s been killing you too. You just don’t know it,” she said, looking over her shoulder, her hand still on the knob. “And I’ve heard that I’m difficult a lot.” Nia’s smile grew wider, then her eyes lit. She reached up and touched her now-exposed dusty-looking brown hair, and slid her hands over it, smoothing out a ponytail. Charly didn’t think her statement warranted that much glee. She knew she was right when she realized Nia’s focus and grin wasn’t for her, but were directed past her. She turned back around, and almost jumped. A guy was standing in the hallway, and she hadn’t heard him approach.
    â€œHi,” he said, first looking directly at Charly, then he glanced at Nia, giving her a quick wave and an even quicker half-grin that bordered on politeness, not want. He turned his attention back to Charly, smiling wholeheartedly. “I heard you guys were going to make over the mayor’s office. I just wanted to see if there was anything I can do. I can help with the set.”
    Charly quickly looked over her shoulder again, and saw that Nia’s face still held interest. She turned to the guy and sized him up with one indifferent swoop of the eyes. He was average height, had a fresh haircut, a brilliant smile, and that was it. There was nothing about him that screamed hot boy or remarkable. His looks, style, and magnetism scored a whopping zilch to Liam’s off-the-charts record of extraordinary fineness. She shrugged. She just didn’t get what was so magnificent about him that was obviously attracting Nia. She beckoned Nia to come closer. “I’m not sure. Nia, what do you think?” she asked, when Nia was by her side. “Can the show use . . . What’s your name?”
    â€œTrent. The name’s Trent,” he told her with a smile. “Nia can tell you I’m a good guy. I can be pretty handy.”
    Charly looked at Nia for confirmation, then paused. In less than a second Nia’s smile flatlined. Quickly, she turned back to Trent to see what had happened, and she locked eyes with Mya, who had somehow made her way in front of