Читать книгу Circle - Elina Wainwright - Страница 5

…I spent the next two weeks doing the usual things: writing some kind of songs of my own (by the way, it didn’t work for me), walking around town with Lizzie, learning Spanish, and once I went to the mall downtown with Diana and Chris.

«What do you think of the girls?» Camellia asked me.

«We-ell…» I stretched out, «I can’t say yet. I have ambivalent feelings. But there was a strange incident. We were in a sports store, and there was a consultant. The girls got him talking and chatted with the guy like they were old friends, and as soon as he turned away, they whispered amongst themselves that he was weird and stoned,» I remembered.

«Duplicity?» Cami asked.

«I thought so, too,» I agreed. «Also, Chris has a weird style.»

«In what sense?» Camellia became interested.

«Well, with her we went exclusively to expensive stores, but it felt like we weren’t picking out things for a young girl, but for a mommy who still had to make it to her son’s PTA meeting in the evening.»

Cami laughed.

«Also,» I lowered my voice, «remember I told you that Lizzie met a guy here?»

«So-o-o…»

«So, anyway, it seems like we live in the same neighbourhood,» I began. «He also works with Jerome. He’s constructing him some new building.»

«Wow, does Lizzie know?» Cami was surprised.

«Yes, but there’s something else Lizzie doesn’t know,» I continued even more quietly, afraid my sister, who had been in the bathroom, would hear.

«What is it?»

«He’s dating Chris,» I informed her.

«Wow, what kind of love triangle are you going through there, friend?» Cami asked cheerfully.

«I hope it will pass me by,» I mumbled.

«Are you sure you don’t want to write a book about it?» my friend asked me playfully.

«No, I don’t! You know I’ve given it up.»

I used to write books. At first it was just a way of pampering and self-therapy: in books I was a god and the others were my toys, the ones who did whatever I said. Yes, I published my books in a local publisher in Quebec, but it was two years ago that I decided that I would not take up the «quill» and would devote myself to singing. It’s hard to become a popular writer. It’s much easier to become a singer.

«But look at the stuff you have,» continued the friend.

«I don’t know how much this story has to hurt me to write a book about it,» I stretched out. «I promised myself. And you know I always keep my promises,» I answered proudly.

«Well, see for yourself. Something tells me it’s not going to be that easy.»

«God forbid,» I rolled my eyes. «You know I’ve had enough drama with Eric in the past.»

«He’s a real abuser,» Сami agreed. «Though your rematch was more beautiful than any of his shenanigans.»

«He shouldn’t have played games with a girl who was better than him,» I recalled proudly, as I stomped on the feelings of a guy who had toyed with my feelings for five years, even though we’d never even dated. Now Eric says I’m a bitch when he mentions my name in public, but inside he still thinks I’m his best rival in the game of «hot-cold».

I’m sorry, Eric. I will always be your best trophy that you never got.

If my sister was brilliant in science and beautiful on the catwalk, I was brilliant in the world of human psychology. If you need someone to give you support at three in the morning or to come up with a plan to get back at your ex-boyfriend without that asshole knowing it, you’re welcome. Lindsay Stone at your service.

«Who are you cooing with?» Lizzie came into the room.

«Camellia,» I answered.

The girls exchanged pleasantries, and I said goodbye to Cami.

I spent the evening strumming the guitar, trying to play a few decent chords, but I couldn’t get anything out of it. Apparently, covers were the limit.

I got a message on my phone from the conversation.

«What’s in there?» Lizzie asked.

«The boys will have a general meeting again,» I answered.

«You’re coming!» Lizzie stood up abruptly.

«But I don’t want to.»

«You need to socialise,» my sister insisted.

«But not with them. They’re boring,» I continued.

«But you don’t even know them.»

«I know Chris and Diana. They’re boring. Then the rest of them are too, since they’ve found common ground,» I continued to insist.

«If you don’t go, I’ll put wax cream on your eyebrows while you sleep,» Lizzie threatened.

«You know I don’t have a problem staying up all night.»

«I’ve always wondered how you can sometimes stay up all night and stay awake.»

«Some people have nice legs, and some people have other talents,» I retorted.

«Your legs are okay, too. Don’t forget, we have the same genes,» my sister pointed out.

«Yeah, except I got the uglier ones.»

«Silly girl. Come on, get up. I’ll get you ready for the ball.»

«I hate you,» I moaned, but I got up anyway.