Read Online Fast-Tracked by Tracy Rozzlynn - Free Book Online

many people working on it at once made the work go by quickly.
    Next we hit the mall and all of its most expensive stores to find just the right outfit for me. I tried to protest that it wasn’t necessary and reminded my mom that all of my clothes would be provided for me. But she wouldn’t hear of it. So I tried to change strategies and gushed over the cheapest outfits I could find. She wasn’t falling for it. Instead, once again, she announced that I had been fast-tracked. Immediately, I had the entire women’s department surrounding me with clothes. They even brought in a tailor so that any needed adjustments could be made while I waited.
    The whole thing made me feel like a celebrity and I decided right then and there I would never become an actress. They seemed determined to show my mother and me every outfit in the store before allowing me to pick one. Every time I said that I liked one, they put it aside in a consideration pile and shoved another outfit at me. In the end, my mom and I decided on a pale pink suit that had a skirt and matching flats. I refused to wear heels.
    My mom tried to grab a late lunch while we waited for the alterations to be completed, but I convinced her to just get a smoothie. I still had no appetite for food and wanted to save her the credits.
    “I hate seeing you so sad,” my mom sighed as I slurped on my straw. “I wish there was something I could do about it.” She reached over and grabbed my hand.
    “After grandma died you were sad for months, weren’t you?” I asked in an attempt to have her understand how I was feeling.
    “Well, yes. But no one has died. It’s just that things are different for you and Byron now.” She patted my hand. Still trying to fix me and cheer me up.
    “Mom, different is a gross understatement. I’ll never see him or talk to him again. Do you know how painful that is? I almost think it would be easier if he had died. At least then I would be allowed to properly mourn him and I’d know he was at peace in Heaven. But to know he’s still out there, but out of my reach and miserable… right now I’m just trying to get through the day. Maybe over time the pain will fade, but I doubt it will ever completely go away. And I don’t really want it to.” I pleaded with my eyes for her to understand and just allow me to wallow.
    “You know there will be other boys, honey.” She smiled encouragingly at me.
    God. Sometimes she could be so infuriating. “Byron wasn’t… isn’t just a boy. He was my best friend growing up, and that friendship turned into love. It’s more than a silly schoolgirl crush, so don’t you dare treat it like one!” I fumed at her. Needing to get away from the conversation, I stood up, returned my half empty cup, and marched back toward the store. They better be done with the alteration by now; I can’t take much more of this.
    “Alexandria, wait,” my mom called after me as she hurried to catch up. “I’m not trying to trivialize what you feel. I just want you to know that there’s hope. One day you just might find love again.” She put her arm around me and hugged.
    “Okay, fine. I get it. But right now I need you to allow me to be sad,” I demanded as I hugged her back.
     
    The alterations were done, so once more they had me try on the suit, nylons and all. It fit like a glove and I had to admit it looked great on me. I went to take it off, but my mom insisted I keep it on until we got home. My dad wouldn’t get to see it tomorrow morning, and she wanted to enjoy seeing me so stunning for a little bit longer.
    I agreed to keep it on, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that she had an ulterior motive.
     
     
    Sometimes I hated being right. I stepped off the tram to see Mrs. White dart back down our row. She had always been a nosy body, but even for her that was strange behavior. I turned the corner and groaned. The entire neighborhood was throwing me a celebration, and if I wasn’t mistaken, there was a news