Shadow's Kiss (Monstrous Hearts: Fleur's Story)

Chapter Three

"Fleur!" Hayley's voice rose into a shriek as she ran down the driveway and pulled Fleur into a breath-strangling hug. "I missed you so much."

Fleur remained stiff, her hands caught up in the handles of her luggage. Over Hayley's shoulder, she saw her mother beaming at them both from the car. Her father just looked irritated from running late, and gave his wife a pained glance when she also got out.

Hayley's mom had also walked over to join the group. At least, Fleur guessed it was Mrs. Miller. The woman was barely recognizable from what she remembered, now with bleached blonde hair and dead eyes. She was also painfully thin and wore tight gym leggings and a tank top to prove it. The overall effect was of someone hard and brittle, like a single smile might crack her face in two.

Mrs. Miller's expression remained grim even as her voice turned artificially bright. "Fleur! It's been ages. You've grown so much. And Denise, how are you? Ready for your trip?"

Fleur didn't hear her mom's response, instead trying to disentangle herself from Hayley. Hayley squeezed even harder before letting go. "I'm so glad you're here. It's hell living with her."

Fleur just nodded, wanting to pretend disinterest but unable to keep herself from staring at the girl she had hated for the past five years. The girl who had ruined her life. The girl who would always be the first friend she'd ever had and the original friendship to compare all others to.

Hayley also looked different, but it suited her. She'd always gone for a beach girl vibe, but now her streaked blonde hair was long and pin-straight. She wore white shorts and a navy shirt that glowed against her tanned skin, and her eyes, which she had always bemoaned as grey-blue instead of bright blue, were rimmed with heavy eyeshadow, emphasizing the excitement in them.

Fleur blinked, unsure of what to even say. She had spent all night lying awake, trying to figure out how Hayley would act. They had both done a great job of ignoring each other at school.

Just at that moment, she heard her mother call out a final goodbye and then the sound of the car pulling away. She waved numbly, trying to figure out what the hell she could do.

As soon as it disappeared down the street, Mrs. Miller dropped her attempted smile. "God. That woman never shuts up. Hayley, take care of your little friend. I have a lot to do this morning."

Hayley rolled her eyes but said nothing until the woman had disappeared back into the house. "She's such a bitch. You hungry?"

"No."

"You're so lucky. I'm always hungry. I finished breakfast ten minutes ago and I'm already starving." Then she started walking away, body language indicating that Fleur should follow.

She did, not knowing what else to do. Amazingly, she still remembered the layout of the massive house, and found herself looking around to see what had changed. Nothing had. The white walls were the same, and so was the artwork hanging from them. The kitchen was the same huge space of stainless steel appliances and wide countertops.

The smell of chlorine from the pool waiting out back left Fleur overwhelmed with a sudden memory of her and Hayley shoving chips in their mouths while looking through a magazine selling horseback riding gear—yes, Hayley had been interested in horses, too... once upon a time. That giddy feeling, that sense of loving the same thing as someone else and being able to share it with them, felt so present and strong that Fleur stopped in her tracks and looked over at Hayley, half-expecting to find her seven years younger and back in braces.

Hayley glanced back. "Are you okay? You look a little sick."

Fleur blinked rapidly to free her mind from the memory, and tried remembering what Hayley had just said. "Sure. I'm fine. What'd you eat?"