Ember X (Death Collectors) - By Jessica Sorensen Page 0,22
the jack-o’-lanterns on the porch of the house across the street, remembering when Raven’s dad helped us make one that looked like a cat. It was one of our rare perfect moments, full of weightless laughter, pumpkin seeds, and the gentle autumn air.
“I know. It was my mom and her stupid drug habit.” She pauses, her jaw taut. “How did we end up with such crappy parents?” Her eyes widen. “Oh crap, I didn’t mean that. Your dad was a good guy. He just had some bad habits.”
“Like stealing cars,” I mutter, gazing up at the clear sky.
“I said I was sorry… Look, I’m still pissed off about that guy last night and I don’t even know why I’m saying this stuff.”
“It’s fine.” I flick a gnat off my knee. “But I have to know something.”
She rubs some lip gloss over her lips. “What’s up?”
I know what she wants me to say—what will make her feel better. “How hot was the guy?”
Her eyes light up and she squeals, kicking her feet up and down. “Oh my God, he was so fucking hot. Seriously, Em, like hotter than any of the losers in town.”
“And how old is he?” I wonder. “He wasn’t old, like that one guy you dated a few months ago… and he wasn’t married, right?” With her, I have to check. Raven’s list of guys is endless and there are no limits with her. She will date anyone who she deems hot worthy, which has gotten her into a lot of trouble. I keep waiting for her to change, mature, but she never does.
“I think he’s the same age as us... He actually just moved here from New York.”
A lump rises in my throat. “Oh yeah? New York, huh? That’s pretty awesome.”
“It’s not pretty awesome. It’s amazing.” Her smile is bright. “And he’s got these really beautiful dark eyes and his sexy eyebrow ring.”
“Sounds like your type.” Jealousy burns under my skin as I realize who she’s talking about. Asher. My Asher. No, not really, but I wish. “But I mean, you said he wasn’t into you, right?”
She narrows her eyes at me. “Not yet, but he will be. And you’re going to help me.” She pulls me up by the arm, her nails digging into my skin, and I wince. “His first day of school is tomorrow so I have to look fabulous.” Her eyebrows furrow as she stares at the empty driveway of my house. “You never told me where your car was.”
“I wrecked it last night,” I say with no desire to explain it to her. “On my way home.”
“Oh no, Emmy, I’m so sorry.” She gives me a big hug and kisses me on the cheek.
I hold my breath, balling my hands into fists. “It’s okay.” I give her a soft pat, desperate for her to let me go. “It was just a car… Raven, can you let me go please?”
“Oh, sorry.” She steps back, freeing me from the burden of her death. “Is the car fixable?”
“Not unless we can get it out of the lake.” My tone is sunny, but my heart is charred.
“Wait a minute. You drove it into the lake?” She swats my arm and I flinch. “Why didn’t you tell me last night when I made that comment about your clothes?”
“You were upset.” I scuff the toe of my boot against the rocks in the driveway. “I didn’t want to make it worse.”
“I’m sorry.” She frowns. “I’m a terrible friend.”
“You’re not a terrible friend,” I assure her. “You were just distracted by your own problems.”
She nods in agreement as we wander down the sidewalk toward her townhouse right next door. The street is quiet and the air is gentle against my skin. Crisp leaves flurry from the branches of the trees and cover the lawns with pink and orange. It’s late October and the lawns are ornamented with Halloween decoration: witches, fake tombstones, and plastic skeletons.
“Em, how did you get out of the lake?” She pauses to readjust a loose strap on her sandal. “Alive?”
“All those survival tips my dad always crammed into my head finally came in handy.”
“You got out by yourself? How? And how are you walking around completely okay?”
“I guess I’m just really lucky.” I don’t know why I lie. It’s like there’s this part of me that doesn’t want her to know.
“Lucky? More like a freaking, walking miracle.” She moves to the side and steps in front of me, looking me in the eyes. “I can’t