Through the Zombie Glass. Gena Showalter

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      Chapter 3

      Can’t Go Back to Yesterday

      While Kat and I had run the treadmills side by side, and I’d tried not to worry about the vision with Gavin and Cole’s behavior before and after, Nana had been out buying me a big, puffy blue gown. Not from the thrift store. The shiny monstrosity had a lacy corset top, stripes on the skirt and a black hat to top things off.

      I wasn’t sure what I was supposed to be—other than a Southern belle magician on crack.

      Normally, I wouldn’t leave the house at night wearing anything with colors. And never anything this fantastical. I liked to blend with the shadows. Needed to. Tonight, however, I was making an exception.

      I wanted Cole to see me in something other than the tee and shorts I’d sported the past few weeks, and the workout clothes from this morning. I wanted his eyes to light up, and for him to spend the night complimenting me, unable to keep his hands off me. We’d dance. We’d laugh. He’d kiss me. I’d kick myself for worrying about him and Veronica-slash-Ronny.

      We weren’t allowed to fight tonight, but I wrapped a utility belt around my thigh anyway, my daggers hanging from the attached sheaths. I never left home without them.

      I wondered what costume Cole would be wearing. He hadn’t said. Well, other than the naughty nurse, but I knew that had been a joke.

      I stepped into the dress, hooked everything together and studied myself in the mirror. Not bad. Quite fancy. I wished my parents were here to see me. They’d—

      I cut off that thought before it could fully form. I’d cry.

      Something warm and wet trickled down my cheek. Great. I was already crying.

      My cell phone chirped, signaling a text had just come in. I wiped the tears away with the back of my hand.

      Cole McHottie: Sorry, Ali, but making plans w/U was a mistake. I need a break. Stay in & we’ll talk 2morrow

      I had to read the words three times before reality set in. He needed a freaking break? Seriously?

      From what? I wanted to scream. And what, exactly did “need a break” mean?

      My anger and disappointment were as sharp as a blade.

      Me: WHY? What’s going on w/you? Respect me enough 2 talk 2 me! Apparently that’s how relationships WORK.

      A minute passed. Two, three. He didn’t respond.

      I threw my phone across the room, and then had to rush over to make sure I hadn’t cracked the screen.

      What the heck was he planning to do on this “break”?

      And whom was he going to do it with?

      This can’t be happening.

      My cell phone chirped. Heart racing, I checked the screen.

      Mad Dog: Where are U?

      Me, pressing the keys a little too forcefully: Home.

      Mad Dog: U ditched Cole??

      Me: No. He ditched me.

      Mad Dog: UH, HE’S HERE. Just walked in.

      Wait, wait, wait. He’d meant he needed a break from me?

      Yeah. He must have. He had to know Kat would contact me. He had to know I would find out he’d gone to Hearts without me.

      He just didn’t care.

      I trembled as I typed What’s he doing?

      Mad Dog: He’s talking w/Lucas, Veronica & that hobag Trina & get this: he’s wearing a costume that says he’s a bad mofo—meaning, he’s not in costume.

      Veronica again.

      Me, grinding my teeth: He told me he needed a break from me.

      Mad Dog: WHAT? Oh, I’ll give him a break—in both of his legs!! 1st, of course, I’ll spy.

      For the next hour, I received nearly fifty texts from Kat.