Chapter 1
"And then, get this, he said 'shaken or stirred?'" Mandy Crane laughed as she rolled past two kids. "I mean, who says that anymore?" She stopped to lean against a gate. Her friend, Amy Ringer, laughed along with her. She stopped, but then turned toward Mandy.
"You know, I hear he's looking for a girlfriend," she said thoughtfully.
"Well, he can keep on looking! I've heard he's only after one thing in his girlfriend!" Mandy tossed back her black hair and smiled. "Besides, I've got my eye on Josh Howards," she added with a gleam in her eye. The two giggled and continued skating.
"What are you doing this summer? I'm gonna try to get a job. But you know me…always tanning, never working," Mandy shrugged. She was the daughter of a model and always looked for ways to encourage her beauty. Amy glanced at her, smiling a little. She was jealous of Mandy. With that curved mouth, high cheekbones, and flawless skin…she had a right to be. Amy was plain. Nothing more than pretty. Sure…she had nice skin and perfect teeth. But Mandy glowed when she stood next to Amy, always outshining her.
That's why Amy was sure Josh Howards would love her best friend. "I hope to actually grow this summer," Amy answered. Though she meant to sound jokingly, Mandy knew her best friend was disappointed. Amy was pretty. But she hadn't grown over last summer. She had no legs, no chest, not even hips. She wasn't even as tall as Mandy. Mandy secretly wished Amy would grow. She hated seeing her like this.
"Oh… leave it! You're beautiful, Amy. You don't need to be developed to like yourself. Just be thankful you're pretty," Mandy sighed.
"I can't. Mandy. Look at you! It's easy for you to say! You're the proud owner of a bra. You even have to get jeans that could fit over your hips. Don't even try to sound as if you're like me. Mandy, face it. You're a natural born model. Me? I'm just a girl who has to settle for plain pretty," Amy snapped. She skated towards a soda stand. She rummaged through her purse to get some money for a soda.
Mandy hung back. This was how Amy got whenever they were on the subject. It was best just to let her cool off. But Mandy was still troubled by what Amy had said. Was she really model material? It was as if Mandy had been punched in the stomach. She didn't want to be the reason why her friend had low self esteem. Amy skated back towards her. She smiled, looking as if she wanted to say sorry.
Amy never reached her. Her eyes turned panicky, and she gave out a small squeal. Her skates skidded across the sidewalk and Amy was heading for the road. A milk truck roared down the street. Amy desperately tried to grab something. Mandy was already skating to catch her. She screeched to a stop. Mandy closed her eyes, wincing. Then, she could only hear sounds. The sound of Amy's painful scream, the sound of a crack, and then the sound of squealing tires.
Mandy couldn't open her eyes. She did, though. Mandy covered her mouth, began backing up and sputtering. What was left of Amy… was a pool of blood.