Read Online Shifting by Bethany Wiggins - Free Book Online Page B

recovered from the fight?”
    I glanced at Mrs. Carpenter. “More or less.”
    â€œGood. Are you still going to prom?”
    â€œNope. When Bridger brought me home yesterday, Mrs. Carpenter told him I’m grounded.”
    â€œGood. O’Connell doesn’t deserve you.” There was a pause. “This is going to sound totally paranoid, but I promised my grandpa I’d call.”
    Curious, I pulled the desk chair out and sat. “What’s up?”
    â€œSome guy came into the restaurant last night asking about you. My grandpa didn’t like him, said he had negative energy.”
    â€œThat’s weird. What was his name?” I asked, twirling my finger in the spiraled phone cord.
    â€œHe wouldn’t say. But after he came in and asked about you, even though we said we had no idea who you were, the dude sat out front in his car and watched the restaurant. My grandpa ended up calling the cops.”
    Goose bumps shivered up my arms. “Weird.”
    â€œYeah, totally. We thought you should know.”
    â€œThanks, Yana.”
    â€œSure. I’ll see you at school.”
    I hung up the phone and felt Mrs. Carpenter hovering, so I looked over my shoulder. She was still dusting the gun case and watching me.
    â€œEverything all right?” I asked. The feather duster stopped.
    â€œI’ve been thinking. Since today is your birthday, I’m going to unground you until midnight.”
    â€œWhy am I getting a Cinderella vibe?”
    She chuckled. “I have no intention of being your fairy godmother. But you’d better call Bridger and see if he can still take you. And then let’s go birthday shopping at Wal-Mart. You can pick out a new pair of jeans, a dress for prom, and some heels. My gift to you.”
    â€œReally?”
    â€œAbsolutely.”
    I jumped up and hugged her.
    It was the second dress I’d worn since I was twelve years old. Every time I moved, air swirled up the skirt and against my thighs. The dress was beautiful—creamy white and made for warm weather, with thin straps and an empire waist, and a skirt that fell right above my knees.
    I also got new hair dye, a dark auburn almost the color of a plum, but not quite so purple. I leaned in close to the mirror and attempted to put on mascara, but my hand was trembling. It took two tries.
    Danni and Yana’s warnings about Bridger kept running through my head. Even so, I was hoping Bridger would kiss me after the dance—just a simple good-night kiss. It seemed like my stars were finally lining up. My first real date. My first school dance. My birthday. A guy I liked a little more than I should. A full moon. A beautiful dress. My first kiss would be the perfect end to such a night.
    I took a step away from the mirror and looked at myself. Mrs. Carpenter had helped me curl my auburn hair and pile it on top of my head with a gazillion bobby pins; plus she’d loaned me a pair of real pearl earrings that matched the dress perfectly. I could hardly believe the girl in the mirror was me, Maggie Mae the foster child. A smile spread over my glossy lips.
    I went to my room and checked the clock. It was five to seven, five minutes until Bridger was to arrive. I took a deep breath and left my room.
    Mrs. Carpenter was waiting in the living room with a camera.
    â€œOh, Maggie Mae, you look absolutely picturesque!” she exclaimed, putting her hand over her heart. “Let me take a photo.”
    She pointed the camera at me and I smiled just as the flash burned splotches into my vision.
    â€œWhy don’t you sit down and wait,” she said. I shook my head. “Do you know where he’s taking you to dinner? You’ve got to tell him it’s your birthday so your server sings to you and brings you a slice of complimentary birthday cake.”
    My hollow stomach growled at the thought. Chocolate cake was my favorite food. “I don’t know where we’re going to