Spiralling Out of the Shadow (The Spiralling Trilogy) by Michelle Dennis Evans Page A

Stephanie's life before we were able to restore our best-friendness.
    I woke up the next day still stewing over Steph and Jason, how my best friend had changed, and how I needed to get used to it. After jumping out of bed and turning on the shower, I let the hot water wake me up until I was interrupted by someone knocking.
    ‘ Are you going to be long?’ Stephanie stumbled over her words as she spoke quickly. ‘I’ve got to get to work.’
    ‘ Be out in a minute.’
    With my hair still full of shampoo, I turned the tap on a little harder and tussled my fingers through until the suds dissipated. Then I rubbed through some conditioner, shutting off the water before rinsing. A treatment, perhaps?
    ‘Shower is free,’ I called before I was ready to leave the bathroom—only to find my rushing had been wasted. ‘Oh. You’re already dressed.’
    ‘ Yeah, why were you in the shower so early?’
    ‘ Church. Are you on your way to work?’
    ‘ Yep, bye. Got to go,’ Steph said as she skipped down the stairs.
    I continued to get dressed, pulling my conditioned hair back in a tucked under ponytail. A spurt of steam grew inside. She could have told me not to rush. I should have stayed in there until I rinsed out the conditioner. With a quick glance at the timetable, I discovered I had to make a two-minute dash to catch the next bus.
    ‘ You don’t look your usual bubbly self today.’ Shelly greeted me when I arrived.
    ‘ Guess not.’ I still had half-washed hair and Steph on my mind.
    ‘ Come on in. I’m sure you’ll feel better after the service.’
    The music began and the lighting dulled. Peace resided on my shoulders and the tension fell away. I sat with Shelly, Priscilla and a few other girls who were opening their lives up to me. They were all so inclusive, forever inviting me to join them when they met up through the week. Up until now, hanging out with them twice a week had been enough to boost me through everything else going on.
    ‘ Would you like to join us for lunch?’ Shelly asked after church.
    It would mean I didn ’t have to face Stephanie for a while longer. I could always get my assignments done later. ‘Sure.’
    They took me to their favourite coffee shop within walking distance of th e church. The conversation wasn’t about parties or boyfriends or school. They talked about life and living and freedom. My whole perspective began to change. That little green-eyed monster that dwelled within me was out of control most of the time. How had I become so self-centred? When did that happen?
    Shelly dropped me home a few hours later. I settled into an afternoon chat on the couch with Mum, but was interrupted when the phone rang.
    ‘Stephanie, it’s for you,’ Mum called.
    Stephanie raced down the stairs like she’d been anticipating the phone call.
    Her face bloomed. This time I made a conscious effort to keep my green -eyed monster at bay.
    ‘ Yeah, I’ve missed you too.’ With a wide smile, her voice took on a new tone.
    I waved, trying to get her attention. I don ’t know why, but I wanted confirmation that it was Jason. She answered my question by turning away from me.
    ‘ I don’t know when I’ll get back to Toowoomba. I’m really busy. I’ve got a job,’ she said.
    I knew I should stop listening. But I lingered, trying to urge myself to walk away.
    ‘Yeah, I’m back at my old school. It’s great being around my friends again.’ She turned back around to smile at me.
    At that point I knew I needed to walk away. I found Mum in the kitchen washing the dishes, so I grabbed a tea towel and dried.
     
     

CHAPTER 17
     
     
    ‘ Stephanie seems pretty hung up on that guy.’ Mum sloshed water over a pan.
    ‘ Yeah, she really likes him.’
    ‘Are they serious?’
    ‘Yep. They were pretty serious before he went overseas. And it seems he’s back again.’ I wanted to change the subject. Steph was in the next room and could walk in any minute. ‘Um—’
    ‘ I hope he doesn’t