Where Silence Gathers (Some Quiet Place #2)(20)

Loretta Roan—Georgie’s mom—walks over, glowering. She has big platinum curls, staggeringly red lipstick, and one too many buttons undone. There’s no mystery as to where Georgie gets her flair. “Anything besides the coffee, darlin’?” she asks. Shouldn’t you be in school? her tone really asks. I shake my head. After a long look, she moves to pour the town pastor another cup. I take a drink from my own mug and my lip catches on the chink of missing glass. It seems like everything in this town is either chipping, rusting, or breaking.

The front door opens and a gust of wind blows a stack of napkins off the long counter. A moment later someone slides into the seat across from me. Her perfume tips me off before her voice does. “Considering there aren’t any mines to work in anymore, graduating high school is more necessary than it used to be.”

“Not now, Georgie.”

“When, then? When it’s too late? When you finally decide to get your head out of your ass?” She smacks the table to get my attention. “I’m not Briana. I’m not going to bake you cookies and tell you nicely that you’re ruining your life.”

“I’m not—”

“Sorry, not in the mood to listen to bullshit right now. We can finish this later. Come on. A bunch of us are going to the lake. Some of the guys are going to build a bonfire. Should be fun, right? Oh, and we already called Saul and Missy.” Georgie scoots out of the booth, adding “Hey, Mom” as Loretta hurries by. She lifts her coffee pot in a quick greeting.

There’s only one reason we build bonfires in Franklin. “The last time I got drunk, Saul gave me the job of cleaning our attic. No thanks.”

“Good. Someone has to drive me home. Which reminds me, we’re taking your car, since mine conked out again and Briana’s brother stole hers. Now get up.”

Sighing, I allow Georgie to pull me out of the booth. I grab the laptop, still thinking of possible passwords, and follow her to my car. Briana is already sitting in the passenger seat, reading a book. They must have walked here from school. Georgie steals the keys out of my hand and sashays to the driver’s side. As she opens the door Briana lifts her head. That bright smile stretches across her face, blinding me, and Shame squeezes my shoulder while I get in the backseat. His touch makes me remember how I left her the other night.

“Hey, you,” Briana says, twisting, completely unaware. “I brought your jacket. You forgot it at my house.” She tosses it to me.

Alexandra.

Neither of my friends notices me stiffen. My grip makes the jacket bunch up. Georgie starts the car, and we leave the diner behind.

“Are you sure you want to go tonight?” Briana asks, marking her page with her finger as we squeal down Main Street. Really, the town’s only street. “I mean, we don’t have to. We could just stay in and make a—”

Georgie snorts. “As if. We’re going to have fun tonight, even if I have to force you guys. Plus, I need someone to protect me from Billy. He’s been more persistent than usual.” She grimaces. The rest of the way to the lake, she talks about L.A. and how annoying the boy from school is. Briana nods and makes noises of agreement and I watch the world pass us by.

Then we’re bumping down a back road, and water glints in the distance. “Ready, girls?” Georgie demands, practically bouncing. She’s pulling my jacket onto her bony shoulders. A group of kids are already here, teeth glinting in the twilight as they laugh and talk and pretend that this life is enough for all of us. The bonfire reaches for the sky with quivering orange fingers.

We get out. I wrap my arms around myself. The Bentley twins wave at us. Rachel Porter stands beside them, the violet streaks in her hair glinting in the firelight. A muscle tightens in Briana’s jaw, and when she leaves to talk to her, she’s followed by Apprehension and Longing.

Georgie must have disappeared without my realizing it, because a few seconds later she hurries back and puts a beer in my hand. She ignores my protests as she abandons me again. Billy Jenkins stands by the flames and greets her with a wide grin. I don’t need to see her face to know she’s grinning back. Protect her, indeed.

“Hey, Alex.”

A shadow falls over me, and I tense before seeing who it is. “Oh, Mark. I didn’t know you were in town.” My fists unclench.

Georgie’s cousin smiles. He graduated from Franklin High a year ago, but like most people from this town, he seems unable to leave it completely. He towers over me, and my neck begins to hurt from looking up. Mark has the friendliest face, though. I don’t think I’ve ever seen him frown.

“Just for the night,” he replies, running a hand through his thick curls. “Georgie invited me. How have you been?”

“Fine,” I lie. “And how are classes at Green River going? Is Andrew still your advisor?”

“Classes are great, and yeah, Andrew is the best. Just one more year to go and I’ll have my degree. I’m actually thinking of moving back up here and—”

“Mark! Get over here!” Georgie, of course. Mark turns toward her and holds up one finger.

But I’m already retreating. “Actually, go ahead. I’m going to get another drink.”

“Are you sure?” A wrinkle deepens in his forehead. “I mean, we can talk. I haven’t seen you in a while, and I was hoping we could catch up.”