When The Puppet Falls For The Puppeteer

When Fear Smells Like Cologne

Myra

"What party?" I asked, bewildered.

"C'mon, it's the first night of summer break. We have to party," Ash said, tugging me into a sitting position.

"Are you crazy?" I asked, stunned.

"He's not in town. At least, not yet. He won't even know."

"Have you met him?" I scoffed. He knows everything.

"Even Dan's out partying with his football team," she pouted.

"Why didn't you go with him?" I asked. Usually, they were inseparable at parties.

"Because I wanted to party with you, my best friend. Please?" She grinned, doing her signature puppy eyes.

"Why are you stirring trouble for me? You know he doesn't like me partying late," I said, pouting. If he finds out—and he always does—he'll flip.

"He's not your father, Myra. What do you mean he 'doesn't like it'? Why let him control you so much?" she asked, frowning.

I sighed. If only I knew the answer. No matter how hard I tried, I just couldn't shake him.

"I don't," I lied.

"Then come with me. Prove it." She jumped on the bed, striking a superhero pose. "Come on. I even got us into Club Panache!"

"Wait, what? You're kidding. That place is exclusive—it's invite-only!" I stared at her. Panache was owned by the Claytons, just like half the town's nightlife, but it was the elite spot.

"Let's just say... I got to know the maître d' pretty well," she winked.

"No way! You and Riverbridge's Robert Pattinson? Since when? Why didn't you tell me?!" I gasped. Davis Collins, the maître d' of Panache is the prettiest man of Riverbridge. He literally looked so groomed that many people say he is gay.

Ash giggled. "Met him at Dairy Queen last weekend. And well—babe—Daddy couldn't resist this," she gestured to herself, and we both burst out laughing.

She might be a weirdo, but damn, she was sexy. Her bold Gothic look gave her an extra edge. I admired how free she was. Sometimes I envied that.

"Please tell me you didn't do anything crazy. What about Daniel? Does he know? Ash, don't screw this up."

I knew her well. She wasn't a one-man girl. She claimed she was too much for one guy. But Daniel... Daniel made her happy. Happier than I'd ever seen her. He was loyal, kind, smart—even if he had that rich brat confidence. He felt things deeply. Unlike his brother—a full-blown sociopath.

"Relax, girl. I know my history, but I'm not messing this up. Dan's perfect," she said dreamily, and I couldn't help but laugh.

"So, you coming?" She wiggled her eyebrows.

"Nope," I said, flopping back with a pillow on my face.

I can't risk it.

"Ughhhh," she groaned, yanking the pillow from me. "How would he even know?"

"I don't know. He just... always does."

"And what will he do? What exactly are you so afraid of, Myra?"

I opened my mouth, but nothing came out. Because I really don't know. It could be anything—from a death glare to...

"Okay, fine. But on one condition," I said, mustering all the courage I could.

"Anything, my love," she said dramatically.

I punched her arm. "We leave the moment I say so."