Read Online Amigas and School Scandals by Diana Rodriguez Wallach - Free Book Online Page B

she breathed in the sauerkraut’s pu-gent odor.
    She winced slightly. Then she lifted a slice of kielbasa to her mouth, her eyes mildly confused, and quickly brushed her tongue on the meat. I smiled.
    â€œYou’ll like it,” I whispered. “It’s kind of spicy.”
    I strutted back to the table and plopped down in time for my mom to catch my dad scanning the business section.
    â€œLorenzo, don’t you think you’re setting a bad example for our guest?” she asked, her blue eyes round and bulging.
    â€œShe’s not really a guest, Mom. She lives here,” I said as I bit into my kielbasa.
    My father folded the paper in his lap.
    â€œSo how was the first day of school?”
    â€œFine,” I grumbled.
    His eyes swung toward Lilly.
    â€œGreat,” she chirped as she walked toward the table with her tiny portions of food. “Everyone was really nice. I met this girl named Betsy, who is an all-star tennis pro, and she managed to get me on the team. Mariana said I could borrow her racquet. Practice starts tomorrow. And I met a bunch of really cool guys. This boy, Chad, drove us home. He was super nice, and he knows Vince. I think they played baseball together. He even tried to speak Spanish to me, which I thought was funny and kind of cute... .”
    My father stared at Lilly, his face altered with shock. She could have been speaking Spanish, English, or Swahili for all it mattered, because he was fundamentally unable to understand “girl.” That’s why I never told my parents any personal information. Sure, I kept them updated on my grades, extracurricular activities, and ballet schedules, but that was about it. Madison, Emily, and I made sure to keep our conversations to a minimum when around any of our parental figures—so did almost every teenager I knew. It was basic survival. Lilly, however, was from an alternate dimension where families were close and her mother was her confidante.
    My mom’s eyes sparked to life while my dad’s gaze turned back to his stock reports.
    â€œThat’s great, Lilly! So, tell me all about this boy, Chad. Mariana do you know him? Did you make any new friends today?” asked my mother, dripping with excitement.
    My dinner quickly lost its flavor.
    â€œMom, I’ve been going to Spring Mills for ten years. Do you really think there’s anyone there I don’t know?” I stared at my plate and shoved another mound of pierogi into my mouth.
    â€œWell, possibly. Lilly’s new, and she made new friends. Maybe Chad has a few friends you would like... .”
    â€œMom!”
    â€œWhat?”
    â€œI have friends. I don’t need any more.”
    â€œEveryone could use more friends.” She sighed as she fixed my father’s plate.
    I shot Lilly a look and kicked her lightly under the table.
    â€œ Sorry ,” she mouthed.
    â€œMaybe if you just gave people a chance ...” my mom continued, her blond hair sweeping into her eyes as she spooned the food.
    â€œSpeaking of giving people a chance,” I interrupted, hoping to shift the focus off me. I knew the mention of Teresa should do it. “Dad, I have to tell you something.”
    I spun toward him. “Dad.”
    He didn’t look up.
    â€œDad!”
    He flinched and put down his newspaper.
    â€œWhat?” he asked firmly, his dark eyes tired.
    â€œLilly got an e-mail from Teresa while you guys were at Cornell.”
    He sat up straighter.
    â€œShe met some guy on the Internet. And she’s moving to be with him.”
    I paused a moment and looked at Lilly.
    â€œDad, he lives in the States. In Jersey.”
    My mother dropped her serving spoon, and my father cleared his throat.
    â€œI thought you should know.”
    My father said nothing.
    â€œI mean, the way Uncle Diego reacted ...”
    â€œMariana, I’ll handle this,” he said matter-of-factly, rising from his chair.
    â€œWait, did you