Read Online Lipstick Apology by Jennifer Jabaley - Free Book Online Page B

like emerald green.”
    â€œColored contacts?”
    â€œQuit it! I’m serious. He’s beautiful. And he actually seems interested in me.”
    â€œAnd why is that so hard to believe?”
    â€œBecause the girls here are beautiful and I’m just afraid he’s only interested because I’m the new girl . In a few weeks I’ll be like old stale bread and then I’ll have no one.”
    It was quiet for a second on the other end, then Georgia spoke. “Em, you just lost your parents. It was a major shock and I think it’s normal to be afraid you’re going to lose everything, to feel alone. But you don’t have to worry, because I’m always here. Besides, stale bread makes the best pudding. Just channeling my grandma for a sec.”
    â€œI know, I know,” I said, maybe a little too sharply. “But Georgia, I need friends here. I need to start over. I don’t want to be Emily of the accident anymore. And Andi and Lindsey seem to like me, but G, these girls are flawless. And they’re super-rich.”
    â€œThat doesn’t make them especially interesting,” Georgia said with a subtle bite.
    I sighed.
    â€œCome on, Em. We didn’t bond talking about eyeliners and designer clothes. Maybe these girls aren’t the kind of friends you need.”
    â€œWe met when we were six,” I snapped. “It was different.”
    â€œOkay,” Georgia said softly.
    We hung up, and for the first time ever I felt like Georgia just didn’t understand. Everything had changed.
    Everything had changed forever.

chapter six
    â€œSO WHEN IS HE COMING?” Jolie asked. It was a brisk evening in early October and she was wrapping a luscious black cashmere scarf around her neck while looking at me with worry in her eyes.
    â€œFifteen minutes,” I said, putting my chemistry lab book on the kitchen table. “Anthony’s totally going to regret asking me to be his partner when he realizes how useless I am at this stuff.” I thought about how that comment would have irritated my mom because she always preached the power of positive thinking. But Jolie just laughed.
    â€œI remember chemistry. Ugh!” Jolie shuddered as she grabbed her keys. “You’ll be okay? I don’t have to go.” She paused in the hallway, guilt flashing across her pretty face.
    â€œJust go,” I said. “You haven’t been to a party in like five days!” I teased.
    Jolie smiled and touched my cheek. Her dangly earrings sparkled. She looked so pretty when she was going out, it made me feel even worse that my presence had deprived her of that for so long. “I won’t be out late. Call if you need anything.” As Jolie opened the door, she collided with Anthony, a white bakery box in his hand.
    â€œAnthony?” Jolie asked.
    â€œYup,” he answered.
    â€œWhat’d you bring me?” Jolie asked, nodding toward the box.
    â€œDonuts,” he said, unraveling the string and opening up the box.
    â€œI like you already,” Jolie said, scooping up a Boston cream. “The chemistry queen is awaiting your arrival.” She waved goodbye, then left.
    Anthony walked in. “Was that your aunt?” But without waiting for a reply, he stepped into the living room and said, “Wow, nice place.” He went over to the window. “Great view.”
    I walked over toward him and followed his gaze. Looking through the oversized windows made you feel like you were in a bird’s nest amid the copper and rust leaves, observing the Hudson River Park bike paths and piers. I could see the appeal to others, but for me, the Hudson was a constant reminder that I was no longer in Pennsylvania. The water was rough and impersonal here, with barges passing slowly through all hours of the night and day. At home the river was lush and relaxing; here it was lined on both sides by concrete, and the impersonal skyline of New