Shadows of the Redwood - By Gillian Summers Page 0,40

to the spa and had a detox avocado body wrap with a lemon juice tonic.” She stretched her arms. “What did you do?”

“I used a calm charm to help you recover from your fears,” Keelie answered.

“A charm? Isn’t that the magic thing your Dad did to whammy that town council woman at the Wildewood Faire?”

“It’s one of the charms the elves use most,” Keelie said. “I’m learning.” She gazed down at the Compendium.

Laurie’s expression darkened. “I’m not going to have any side effects, like growing cat ears or a tail?” She pressed her hands to her face. She touched her nose as if seeking reassurance it hadn’t returned to its pre-surgery shape.

“I don’t think so.” Keelie hadn’t thought of side effects. She’d have to ask Elianard about them. She wanted to be confident in front of Laurie, but she’d have to keep an eye on her friend.

“Is this appropriate for L.A. and the mall?” Risa walked into the room, holding out a beautiful green gown with flowing sleeves, the elven fashion norm. She held up another one, a blue empire gown (Jane Austen inspired) with puffed sleeves at the shoulder.

Laurie and Keelie exchanged looks.

Keelie hauled out the street clothes she’d packed. She had jeans, T-shirts, and tennis shoes. Her wardrobe had become sort of rustic since living with Dad. Back to basics. When you lived in the Dread Forest, you didn’t wear Dolce or Stella to the Edgewood Diner.

“You want me to wear this?” Risa sneered, inspecting the clothes.

“You’ve been shopping online from Enviro Girl, haven’t you?” Laurie said with disbelief in her voice. “I told you to stay away from that website.”

“I’m a tree shepherd—I can’t go around wearing Prada in the forest. I have to at least attempt to blend in.” Keelie was about to pack her clothes away. Let Risa wear her elf clothes and face the ridicule.

Risa lifted a shirt with the tip of her index finger. The shirt hung limply, like the droopy flag of some forsaken country that had lost its independence.

Laurie frowned. “Your clothes aren’t cute. There isn’t any style to them. It says Nature Geek.”

“What do you mean they aren’t cute?” Keelie couldn’t believe what she was hearing. She picked up a green T-shirt with a crackled and fading image of the planet and the words “arth, a Great Place to Live.” The “E” had disappeared several washings ago.

Risa nodded. “They’re ugly, too.” She wrinkled her nose as she held up a pair of camo cargo pants with several pockets down the leg.

Shocked, Keelie looked at her wardrobe. Risa and Laurie were right. A lot of her clothes were various shades of green and brown—like a tree. She was dressing in forest colors. She’d buy some bright new happy colors at the mall in L.A.

“Maybe we need to stop at La Jolie Rouge,” Laurie suggested.

Risa turned to Laurie. “What is this La Jolie Rouge?”

Laurie beamed. “It’s this awesome store with cool clothes.”

“I would like to go shopping at this La Jolie Rouge,” Risa pointed to Laurie’s shirt, a pink and white top with an embroidered sunflower. “I like your clothes. Maybe you can guide me in my selections?”

Laurie’s face lit up with radiant happiness. “I’d love to be your stylist.”

Keelie listened as Laurie and Risa talked about clothes. The two had similar styles. Laurie and Keelie used to talk about clothes at Baywood Academy, when her life had been focused on the mall, fashion, and their friends. Now it was the trees and Dad. Keelie lifted her battered “arth” shirt. She had changed a lot.

“I need to get ready for tonight’s show,” Risa said, looking out the window and noting the position of the sun in the sky. She turned to Laurie. “Why don’t you come with me, and we can continue our discussion about fashion.”

Laurie was about to agree, but she stopped and her eyes held Keelie’s with a searching gaze. “I think we’re going to go to that French restaurant in Juliet.”

Keelie nodded.

“Perfect. We can all meet after the show.” Risa smiled like she’d just negotiated a treaty for world peace.

“Works for me …” Laurie said tentatively. “Keelie?”

Keelie glared at Risa. She hated how the elf was worming her way into every aspect of her life. A sharp pain lanced through her temple, and just as quickly as it had appeared, it was gone.

Suddenly, fatigue drained the energy from her muscles. Keelie sat down. Maybe she was tired from using the charm. She didn’t have the energy or the inclination