Bittersweet by Michele Barrow-Belisle

by then. Promise me you won’t do anything rash or impulsive while I’m gone.”
    â€œA few more days are all we can spare,” I said sullenly. My chest sank at the thought of him leaving me again. A million worries crept into mind. What if the veil sealed while he was gone? What if Venus tried something again?
    Moments later a round of not-so-subtle throat clearing came from down the hall. Another minute and Mom would be back here to personally escort Adrius out the front door.
    He picked up his jacket, taking her hint. “I should be going anyway, there’s something I need to check on.” For the first time since I’d known him I saw a flicker of worry in his eyes. “I’ll see you tomorrow, Lorelei.”
    I nodded. And he left without kissing me good-bye.

 
    Chapter Eleven
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    â€œA karaoke club? Seriously?” Mom leaned against the doorframe of my room. Her keen lie-detector gaze scanned my face and then the signed permission form she clearly hadn’t bothered to read earlier. “ That’s your class field trip?”
    â€œYep.” I shrugged. “Teacher’s orders.” Mr. Smythe was notorious for unusual field trips, but this one was a first. I heard he went through reams of red tape to get clearance for this trip to Dissonance, a night club in the city where we could live out our rock star fantasies. No way was I missing it. He’d even reserved a private room with a stage, just for our class. “He’s a huge Glee fan.” I shrugged. “And it counts toward my final grade, so I have to be there,” I reminded her, while searching for the trendiest jacket I could find.
    I’d never been to a night club, and had no idea what to wear. Brianne had offered up a few suggestions, which all involved micro minis or belly shirts. Needless to say I took a pass. My ripped jeans, Hard Rock Cafe T-shirt and high heeled ankle boots would have to do.
    Mom gave me the once over and wrinkled her nose. “Is that what you’re wearing?”
    Sigh. “You have something else in mind?”
    Apparently that was all the invitation she needed. She nearly sprinted down the hall to her room, throwing open the door to her walk-in closet. I cringed at how much of it sparkled. It looked like it had been bombed with pixie dust. But she made her living in the public eye. Glittery low-cut ball gowns made for a clever distraction to hide who you really are behind a showy false persona. Although, I suspect she did it more to hide from herself.
    She pulled out a dress and I shook my head before she could even hand it to me.
    â€œNope. No dresses. I’m keeping the jeans.”
    My mother rolled her eyes. “Fine, then how about this?”
    I liked a little shimmer as much as the next girl, but really? This one was more sequins than fabric. It was like a liquid mirror. Way too Vegas. I was about to reject it too when she took it off the hanger and pushed it at me.
    â€œIf you’re going to be on stage, you have to get used to being the center of attention. Nothing catches the light and the eye like sequins. Just try it.”
    For a change I did as I was told, and to my own horror, it wasn’t half bad. Fitted but not too clingy, with enough black to make it nightclub worthy. Even the sequins weren’t too much. I liked the way they reflected the soft chandelier lighting in her dressing room. And since she’d picked it up in Milan, the chance of anyone else having the same thing was zero. Nothing like my usual style, but then I was nothing like my usual self. Life was all about broadening horizons, right?
    Not to mention I was actually looking forward to this assignment. A nightclub in the city could only be fun. A much needed distraction from, well… everything else. Being away from school and Drearyton Cove just seemed best for now. I finished getting ready and plodded down the stairs to wait for Brianne who’d