The Skylar Experiment : Dead Ending (second draft)

88. Arlington Heights

LUC

"HOT," I COMMENTED PROUDLY as she ambled out the bathroom. 

Riley twirled a strand of the hairpiece, which was about the same length as her real hair currently. She'd managed to sneak off into the night to get my sister to fix it. The wig framed her face with soft, platinum blonde waves and bangs. I had yet to investigate what might have been discussed during that girl-time.

I stepped forward and slid a pair of glasses on top of her nose. Her lashes fanned up at me, flashing the deep blue in her eyes. 

"This feels ridiculous."

"It looks better than you feel."

She disappeared into the bathroom again, muttering, and I walked over to the chair in the corner of the room. I picked off my hoodie and slid it over my head, pushing my arms through the sleeves. It was 8:50. In ten minutes, we'd be out of here. I was so ready to ditch this place. 

I didn't know what to expect once we'd settle into Ray's home or what that might look like. I didn't know how Lauren would stand this situation, especially with him in the picture. So far, I haven't been able to figure out jack about what remained between these two.

My fingers closed around the bag handles on either side. I placed them near the door and waited. Riley emerged at last, her backpack slung over a shoulder. 

"Ready?" I prompted. Before I knew it, my hand was running up her arm. 

She attempted a smile. "Ready for the unknown."

My hand trailed back down to hers, and a static charge sparked when our skin touched. It reassured me that she squeezed back, letting me know she was present, in the moment. She was still holding on. 

I slipped on some sunglasses and the hood over my head. I swung the door open and we made our way down the staircase. In the parking lot, Ray and Lauren waited already by the car. She was leaning against the trunk with her arms crossed, face hidden by a baseball cap. Ray sat on top of it. He waved us over, two keys chiming from his thumb. 

He caught the pair I tossed at him. "Speaking of the devil. Sleep well?"

"Like a baby." A baby who can't sleep.

"You look as cuddly as a porcupine." 

All I did was smile for a little too long, and I knew how off it looked with the sunglasses under the hoodie. Ray huffed and hopped off the car, announcing us he'd return the keys to the front desk. 

Lauren's eyes met mine, and they were different. Colored lenses. She looked over at Riley and her elbow slipped off the back of the car. "We should give this look a name. You look like an Audrey."

"I can't keep track of all the nicknames anymore." Annoyance clouded her tone. 

I grinned broadly at that. "We can do it for you. Audrey, it is. Sounds kind of sexy." 

I earned myself a few prickly comments on both sides that I tried to fend off. Raymond returned in the parking lot, a hand slapping his back jean pocket. "Let's get this show on the road." 

❃ ❃ ❃ 

"Do you have any idea how dangerous this plan is?" I demanded, leaning forward in the leatherette couch as Riley wiggled in discomfort. 

We arrived Pittsburgh hours later without a hitch. It made sense how Raymond had chosen this city, with all its competitiveness in computing and electronics. He was like a moth attracted to light.