Darkly Devoted (Book 1, 2, 3)

LOMD Chapter 6 - My Sister's Boyfriend is a Snack

Chapter 6

AFTER SCHOOL Vivienne found Janun sitting by an oak tree in wait. She wasn't alone. There was a tall, hunky, dark-haired boy with Vivienne's sister. Watching her sister giggle with the boy's every glance, Vivienne suddenly understood why Janun was upset at the idea that they might have to run away again. Janun was in love.

And why shouldn't she be? The boy looked like he belonged in a magazine. No, even the heartthrobs in the most lustful movies couldn't match the looks on that boy. He had a jaw that went on for miles, shoulders that belonged on a Greek God, and a laugh that belonged to an angel.

Vivienne had to admit; she was jealous. At least Janun was getting what she deserved — what every girl deserved — a love story wasn't marred by death and horror.

As Janun turned and caught sight of Vivienne, her glowing smile turned into a glower.

"My baby sister is here," Janun said with a sigh. "My mother said she has to come with us to the fair. Let's go, Julian," Janun said, tugging at his arm. "I am starving for some popcorn and cotton candy."

"Hey, Janun's little sis," Julian said with a smile that could only be described as rakish. "Nice to meet you, Vivienne. Janun talks about you all the time."

Janun laughed and playfully punched him in the chest. "He's joking. I never mentioned you until now."

The carnival was taking place in a meadow a short walk away from the school. All the lively revelers of all ages amid the twilight forest were a sight to behold. There was a fortune-teller stand, funnel cake cart, dozens of rides, and even a tent containing a petting zoo. Most spectacularly, were the fall colors on the trees lining the carnival. It was as though the forest wanted to be a part of the joyous affair and colored all the trees in vibrant reds and oranges.

Remin wasn't a large town, and Vivienne realized with dismay that most of her class were there. Vivienne decided to keep her head down and follow her sister and Julian closely to keep from being recognized. She wished she had stayed home instead of hardcore third wheeling.

Julian and Janun got into line for the Ferris Wheel which was surprising to Vivienne because she thought Janun had a lifelong fear of heights. Vivienne also noticed that each car only had enough room for two people, which meant that she would be sitting alone.

"So, you picked your dress for the ball yet?" Julian asked, nonchalantly. He pulled a glasses case out of his pocket to reveal a pair of wooden spectacles. He placed those on his face to get a better look at the giant Ferris Wheel. Vivienne didn't even know how it was possible, but the geeky glasses actually made him look more dashing and handsome. It was like he was a bookworm trapped inside the body of Adonis.

"I think my sister is probably sick of parties by now," Janun said sarcastically in Vivienne's general direction.

"I don't see what the big deal is," Vivienne replied, trying to act cool. "It's just a costume party, right? Maybe I'll just put on a black dress and go as the color black."

Julian chuckled at that. "I keep forgetting you two are new here. It's more of a coming of age party around these parts, like a debutante's ball."

"Janun is right, that doesn't sound like my kind of scene at all," Vivienne replied.

Vivienne caught sight of Zissa and her crew out of the corner of her eyes. There were about six or seven pretty girls with shiny hair and miniskirts in the group. Nicole was with them, and so was Sam. They were giggling and showing each other pictures on their cell phones. In the blink of an eye, they all headed into the tent that was marked the Fortune Teller. Vivienne felt a pang of jealousy. What she wouldn't give to have a pack of friends again, or even one good friend?