True Colors (The Masks #1)(25)

“I’m not trying to—”

“Guys like Carter never acknowledge my existence so when one finally does, I’m not going to reject it. Why can’t you just be happy for me?”

“I’m sorry. I just—”

“Stay out of my business.” Libby shouldered past me before I could say anything else. I didn’t bother chasing her. I’d probably end up doing more harm than good.

Damn it!

Blocking people out was so much easier. I didn’t want to get involved with this drama!

With my mood fully blackened, I headed to my locker. The hallways were now crowded again and I worked overtime making sure to put layers back on every single person’s face. I didn’t want to see another damn thing!





Chapter 11




By the end of the week I was blocking out everything. I was surprised by how quickly I’d managed to get a handle on my power. It felt good. I was in control again and I was determined to keep it that way.

The basketball game went well with an easy victory against Santa Monica High. Micah, the star player, who also happened to be my biology lab partner, had been on fire as usual, pretty much winning Pali High the game. Stella and I followed the revellers to Indie’s house in my car. She was planning on getting plastered tonight and asked me to be the designated driver. I was more than happy to do it. I still hadn’t really acquired a taste for alcohol and only drank it when I absolutely had to. Tonight I had the best excuse in the world.

We bustled into the party, knocking shoulders with the crowd. Indie Swanson was the daughter of Dominic Swanson, big time movie producer. They lived in a palatial mansion and now that her older brother, Maverick, was at a college in Texas, Indie basically had the house to herself. Her father was away shooting yet another film and the live-in housekeeper was so passive, she basically let Indie do whatever she liked. I had heard that Liam, Indie’s boyfriend, slept over most nights. They were like living together. Some girls thought it was so romantic. I still hadn’t decided what I thought.

The humongous house was crowded. Liam had obviously invited everyone he knew. I hated being around this many people at one time and made a beeline for the quietest area I could find. It was the movie room, just off the main living area. It was dark and filled with couples mauling each other on various couches and beanbags. Stella was not impressed with my choice and pulled me back into the main area. The doors leading out to the pool were all open making the partying space a massive expanse, chocked full of people. Knowing I’d lost the battle, I pressed myself against a free space of wall and studied the crowd. Stella was flirting overtime with the guy beside us. I didn’t recognise him. He looked older than us, just Stella’s style.

Not being able to help myself, I practiced putting people’s masks on and off. I didn’t study what lay beneath their expressions, I just let the layers start to slip then quickly put them back in place. I loved that I was getting better and could do it in a second now. I spent the next half hour happily controlling myself, feeling all proud for doing it, but then I spotted something I couldn’t ignore.

It wasn’t Libby, who I had secretly been keeping an eye out for. I hadn’t seen her since we arrived and part of me hoped she’d chickened out and gone home after the game.

No, what I saw was something totally unexpected. It kind of threw me and I ended up having to look again. It was Indie, the quiet aurburn-haired beauty that everyone wanted to be like. She was an enigma almost. Her soft smile and kind blue eyes made people like her, but she was so cool that no one had the courage to really go near her. She was like a celebrity at her own school. I had to admit that I was proud to call her my friend. I mean I didn’t know her that well, but we hung out together all the time.

But I’d never seen this about her before.

Fear. It was stark white all over her face.

I blinked, quickly replacing the mask. Her calm veneer was back in place. She was smiling at Liam as he said some joke to the people in front of him. His arm was around her waist, keeping her close. They looked so in love.

I frowned and tentatively let the smile slip from her face. There it was again. She was scared. Not like timid scared, but like hell scared. Her eyes were wide with fear, her lips quivering. The hand perched on Liam’s shoulder was practically shaking.

I put her mask back on to compare what I was seeing. Her fingers were fidgeting with Liam’s collar as he spoke. He gazed down at her tenderly and whispered something in her ear. She giggled and gave him a coy smile.

I whipped her mask away and saw her neck muscles strain tight. The smile was hiding a grimace and when she looked up at her boyfriend I saw a mixture of terror and loathing.

My lips parted as I reverted my gaze to Liam. Stripping away his affectionate smile I snatched a glimpse of something that gave me goosebumps, a dark possession that had my stomach clenching. The arm around her waist wasn’t loving at all, it was holding her in place, keeping her in line. Another layer began to slip from his features and I flinched, quickly putting it back in place.

I didn’t want to see this. No. Indie and Liam were the perfect couple. Everyone at school aspired to be like them. They were cool, but really nice. They were accepted by every social set in the school. No one despised them. They were like the golden couple.

My breathing was punchy as I looked away. What had I just seen? What was I supposed to do with that?