Read Online Gone in a Flash by Lynette Eason - Free Book Online

question her friend further, she spotted Serena Hopkins pushing through the crowd and heading their way.
    Giving a rare squeal, the usually dignified Serena waved her diploma and then gave each girl a massive bear hug. “We did it!”
    Alexia couldn’t help laughing. Serena could always make her laugh, even when she thought she had nothing to laugh about.
    Midnight black hair that looked almost purple danced around her shoulders. Tall, poised, and runway gorgeous, Serena was confident in the dark good looks her Spanish mother had bestowed upon her, not to mention her serene personality and flashing chocolate eyes that drew guys to her like a moth to the flame.
    And she made it impossible to hold her wealth against her. Although Alexia often wondered what attracted Serena to the two girls from the wrong side of the tracks, she’d never worked up the courage to ask her. It was enough to bask in the friendship and Serena’s loving family.
    So different from her own.
    “Are we going?” Serena demanded. “The party’s starting.”
    “I’m in,” Alexia said.
    “I’ll be there too,” Hunter Graham said over Alexia’s shoulder.
    She shivered as his breath caressed her left ear. And his bright blue eyes had that little glint in them that she’d started seeing every time he looked at her. The little swoop in her stomach failed to take her by surprise this time. But she’d sworn off guys forever after Devin’s betrayal.
    She frowned as she pictured her ex-boyfriend. She’d thought Devin was different.
    Obviously, she had lousy judgment in guys and wasn’t to be trusted when it came to picking one out. Although she had to admit, if she were interested in trying the whole boyfriend thing again, Hunter would be the one she’d choose.
    But she wasn’t.
    Besides, he was only going to the graduation party to keep an eye on his brother and sister, who’d just graduated with Alexia. Chad and Christine Graham were twins who had a penchant for trouble. Which was why Hunter often drew the short straw and got chaperone duty. She wondered how they felt about his big brother eye now that they were eighteen.
    She considered him again. He was already a junior in college. Alexia knew she’d never be worthy of his interest.
    Not that she wanted his interest, her mind insisted.
    Right?
    Right. Besides, she was on the next bus out of here.
    Frowning at him, she started to tell him to get out of her space—in a nice way, of course—when Jillian said, “I’ll be there in a little while. I have to run an errand first.”
    The girl’s voice trembled and Alexia shot a glance at Serena to see if she’d caught it. The frown on her face confirmed she had.
    Glancing at Hunter, Alexia said, “Excuse me.” Taking Jillian’s arm, she pulled her to the side.
    Serena followed.
    Hunter got the hint and walked off.
    Alexia rubbed her hand up her friend’s arm and gave her shoulder a reassuring squeeze. “Tell us what’s wrong, Jilly.”
    Jillian waved a hand. “Later. I need to go. I’ll catch up to you at the party, all right?”
    Serena grabbed Jillian’s hand. “Promise?”
    “Promise.”
    Jillian whirled and headed for the door.
    Alexia looked at Serena. “What’s her problem?”
    “I have no idea. We’ll get it out of her when she gets to the party. Now let’s go!”
    They raced for Serena’s car—a sweet little BMW Roadster—and within ten minutes arrived at the school gym.
    Alexia looked around and smiled. The decorations looked great, the music was loud, and her friends were at her side. Life was good.
    Soon she’d be on a bus to wherever, USA, and she’d never have to come home again. No more living with the craziness of her home life. The thought of her mother shot pain through her. She really didn’t care if she never saw her dad again, but her mother . . .
    Memories of her mother’s arms around her when her dad had been gone—or passed out—flitted through her mind. Whispered words of her mother’s