Sinful Ever After - Vivian Wood Page 0,15

look nervous. The dress has a sweetheart neckline that is probably not meant for a fourteen-year-old. But my friend Tanya practically dragged me all the way here to the mall and made me pick between three dresses that she pulled out of her backpack.

While she was tugging on a similar dress in black, I wiggle into this one. We both pad our bras with toilet paper and put on loud matching lipstick. Then she giggles as we stuff our regular clothes in her backpack and she stashes it in a janitor’s closet.

I pause, hesitating, my own backpack in my hands.

“Come on. Like anyone ever even looks in here,” she says, rolling her eyes and popping her ever-present gum. “That would mean that someone would have to clean up regularly. Do you know how long it takes to even get a spill mopped up here? It’s gross.”

I nod, glancing around nervously. Tucking my backpack away in the back of the closet, ever suspicious. I’ve been a foster kid for long enough that I know not to leave anything valuable out of my sight for a second. Anyone could be watching, waiting to swoop in and take what little I’ve got.

Until this year, I never came to the mall. I was under the vigilant eye of my big brother and he didn’t approve of just hanging out here. But Grayson enlisted in the Navy a couple of months ago.

No more Grayson making sure I get my homework done, although I usually do. More importantly, no more babysitter. I get to do what I want now.

Or in this case, what Tanya wants. Looking at the neon signs and the bright fluorescent lighting, I swallow again. Tanya takes the lead and takes my arm, walking in lockstep with me. It’s really outdated-looking in here, all white walls and gleaming beige floors. Here and there you can catch a wide planter. They are supposed to be something to look at, I guess. But the maintenance crew at this mall have let them wither.

It makes me wonder what this mall originally looked like, back when this section of town had money. Ignoring the glaring blankness of a few shuttered stores, I push on.

Tanya and I parade down the wide marble floors to pass the perfume store and a cute boutique where I got my ears pierced.

“Hey, do you wanna go look at earrings?” I ask, slowing down.

Tanya favors me with her best side eye. “Let’s go check out the food court first. There are usually a bunch of super cute guys hanging out there. Like… older guys.”

She squeezes my arm and I realize that she means that to be a good thing. Widening my eyes, I allow her to pull me along. When we are past the Bath & Body Works, I start to smell something.

Lifting my nose into the air, I catch the scent of the food court. More specifically, it’s a mixture of greasy Chinese and fresh baked cookies. We come around a corner and there is the whole food court laid out before us.

The food vendors are set up in a U shape, the space between them filled with chairs and tables. Well, at least most of the food places are open. A couple are permanently closed, their bright neon lights turned off.

Tanya digs her nails into my arm. “Oh my god. Look.”

I follow her gaze to the cookie place. There is an attractive blonde girl behind the counter, and milling around the other side are half a dozen teenaged boys. The average age of the group seems to be about sixteen. Tanya is looking at them with such longing and excitement that I can’t do anything but allow her to pull me across the food court.

She hauls me up to the pretzel vendor next to the cookie booth.

“You want something to drink? Maybe a pretzel?” she says, her eyes going up to the big sign board behind the counter. “I need a pretzel.”

I bite my lower lip, thinking of the wrinkled ones and loose change that I keep in the front pocket of my backpack. Even if I had my backpack with me, I would think twice about using what little cash I’ve got on a snack.

“Uhhh…” I stammer.

Tanya looks at me. “Don’t be so stupid, Olivia. It’s my treat. I’ve got my mom’s credit card.” She brandishes the card, giving me a devilish grin.

“Oh.” I wasn’t expecting that. Then again, I already knew that Tanya was from money. The dresses we’re