WATTPAD FEATURED NOV 2020 AND OCT 2021 - FROM OUR STARS LIST
WATTPAD MULTICULTURAL FEATURED SEP 2022 - AUSTRALIAN WHISPERERS READING LIST
It's difficult to save someone who doesn't want saving, particularly when they're lying to you.
...
Claudia and...
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When we arrive at Heather's house, it feels like stepping into a dream.
Big, crystal chandeliers hang over the entryway, sending shattered light raining around the hall and falling on the coat rack beside the door. I almost expect a woman in an 1800s-ballgown to appear, but there's only the thumping of bass, the rise and fall of tipsy laughter.
Jake comes to a stop beside me and we both stare.
"I didn't know houses actually looked like this," he says.
Aleisha laughs. "Few do."
"Emmy!"
Heather appears, pulling Emmy into a hug that Emmy shrugs off before sending a nervous glance my way.
Heather seems unfazed by this reaction.
"I'm so glad you came. And you brought friends!"
Heather's voice loses some of its shine as her eyes travel over Jake and I, but she quickly recovers.
"There're spirits in the kitchen. Check the fridge for mixers. Otherwise, we have some beer and wine. You can all help yourselves."
Jake and I share a disbelieving glance as Heather moves away again.
"I would appreciate it if there were no punch ups tonight," she calls back. "Mum wouldn't be happy if we got blood on the floors."
The awe I had been feeling dissipates, my face falling flat, and Aleisha gives me a gentle nudge.
"Ignore her," she says, and then she turns to Jake. "Do you two want a tour?"
We nod and let ourselves be led around this freak show of a mansion. Somewhere along the way, Aleisha hands us cups of sweet wine and I'm just feeling nicely warm and fuzzy when I spot Lewis Kozak in the crowd.
Jake notices him too and they nod at each other in that strange way guys do before Lewis splits away from his group and walks up to us.
"Hey Jake, hey Claudia," he says.
I take a sip from my cup, glancing away. "Hello."
There is a moment of awkwardness and I can feel Aleisha and Jake watching me. I don't blame them. While it is public knowledge that Jake and Lewis are somewhat friends now, it's also known that Lewis and I are decidedly not.
"I didn't think you'd be coming tonight," Lewis says, his eyes fixed on me.
I shoot him a thin smile. "Sorry to disappoint."
And then I push past him onto one of the many balconies, relieved when he chooses not to follow.
The tennis courts are a floor below, perched on the edge of a cliff that drops to the rest of Sydney, and I lean against the railing and look out at the twinkling lights.
