Enchanted Secrets by Kristen Middleton

“Definitely.”
    She walked me back through the house to the front door and handed me something.
    “It’s my phone number,” she said. “If you ever run into any problems with Mark, call me. Seriously.”
    “Uh, okay , thanks,” I said.
    She closed the door behind me , and as I walked away, I glanced back towards the house. Staring down at me from one of the windows above, was Adele. Before I could raise my hand to wave goodbye, she vanished into thin air.
    I’m losing it , I thought, as I turned on my heel and walked home.

Chapter Eight
     
     
     
     
     
    “Where’ve you been?” asked my sister as I walked in the door. It was almost six o’clock.
    I shrugged. “I went shopping and then stopped at a friend’s house.”
    She raised her eyebrows. “ You went shopping?”
    I nodded. “ Yes. Enough about me, what’s going on with you and Mark?”
    Kala smiled. “I’m not sure yet. He’s super sweet , though.”
    “He’s as sweet as a moldy lemon,” I muttered.
    “Whatever,” she said. “He invited me to a party this weekend and mom said I could go.”
    My jaw dropped. “A party? Really?”
    “ Um, yeah, she said it was fine – if you come with us.”
    I snorted. “Fat chance of that.”
    “Oh, please?” she pouted, following me as I walked towards our bedroom. “She seriously won’t let me go if you don’t come with us. Pretty please? I’ll do anything.”
    “ Kala, any party that Mark’s going to will be trouble.”
    She scowled. “What do you mean?”
    “Come on! You’ve heard the stories from last year. You know there’s probably going to be alcohol and drugs. I heard Mark’s a total lush.”
    “No, he doesn’t drink anymore. I asked him.”
    I snorted. “Right…”
    “Listen, if I don’t go to this party, my friends will think I’m lame, and I’ll never live it down. Please go with me? I will do anything, absolutely anything!”
    I sighed.
    “This could be good for you, too, Kendra! If people get to know you, they might be nicer to you at school. Come on, I’ve never asked you for anything.”
    She was right about that. My sister was always of fering to do things for me and never asked for anything in return.
    I owed her.
    I sighed. “Fine, I’ll go, but if anyone is rude to me or I see something I don’t like at this party, we’re leaving.”
    She squealed and gave me a hug. “Thank you! We are going to have such a blast!”
    Something told me I’d be regretting this decision, but I bit my tongue and decided to hope for the best.
     
    ~~~
     
    “So, how was your shopping experience?” asked my mom during dinner.
    “It was okay,” I answered. “I also stopped by Megan’s on the way home and her mom Adele said to say ‘hi’.”
    She raised her eyebrows. “Oh, okay.”
    “I didn’t know you even knew Megan’s mom. ”
    “I really don’t,” she answered and then stood up. “Does anyone want seconds on the casserole?”
    “Uh, no thanks, mom,” I said, not really caring for the tofu surprise that night.
    “Megan and her family are really weird,” said Kala.
    “ Megan seemed pretty nice,” I replied.
    “No t very hungry tonight?” asked mom, pointing to my plate.
    “Sorry,” I said. “I’m just not into tofu, mom.”
    “It’s so much healthier for you.”
    “Mom, it’s gross,” I said.
    She turned to Kala. “So, you actually managed to talk your sister into going to this party, huh?”
    Kala’s eyes lit up. “Yes. I spoke to Mark and he’s picking us up around seven on Saturday. I’m so pumped.”
    “Just make sure he gets you both home by midnight.”
    “Midnight?” pouted Kala. “Nobody leaves a party by midnight. Besides, we’re eighteen now!”
    “ I don’t care. Your curfew is midnight until you graduate, then you can stay out later.”
    “Fine,” mumbled Kala.
    “And I want to meet Mark before he brings you girls to this party.”
    Kala’s face looked stricken. “Oh , God, mom. Don’t make me drag him in here with