Disclaimer: See something interesting? Chances are, I don't own it.
Casey and Emily had been waiting for about fifteen minutes when a sleek silver car pulled into the driveway.
"She got a new car," Casey said somewhat disdainfully.
Victoria stepped out of the car and took in the yard, the house, and the two figures sitting somewhat stunned on the steps. She was wearing a black sundress and black sunglasses with silver rhinestones (at least Casey guessed they were rhinestones) along the edges. The dress stopped haltingly at her knees and a pair of black high heels finished the outfit.
"Going to a funeral, dear cousin?" Casey asked with sarcasm as she and Emily walked forward to help carry Victoria's bags. Casey gave Victoria a hug.
"How's your new life?" Casey asked. Victoria sneered. "That bad, huh?"
"Hi Casey!" Casey turned around at the sound of my voice. "Sandra, what are you doing here?" Casey asked.
"Just dropping off the book you asked for, Casey." I said, handing her The Hunchback of Notre Dam. Victoria's eyes widened at the thickness of the book, and I smiled inwardly. Casey was always an avid reader.
"Thanks Sandra. Would you like to stay for lunch?" I looked at Emily and Victoria. "Thanks Casey, but it looks like you have enough company already."
"Oh no, Sandra, it's fine, you're welcome!" Casey said, her voice shrill with thinking she'd offended me somehow.
I smiled. "Thanks Casey."
We all sat around the table with delicous salads.
I read somewhere that where people sit at a table tells you something about their personality. Victoria sat at the head. I could tell that she was a stylish person, and beautiful. She knew it, and made a point of flaunting it. Yet, somehow, I sensed a vulnerability that was well hid. She was a very interesting girl. Emily sat next to her. Oh, Emily. She was a mystery to me. I had a habit of trying very hard to figure people out, and I knew I was good at it. Yet Emily was strange. One minute she seemed completely normal and happy, and yet...she dumped Sheldon? That was so un-Emily in itself that I was caught a little off guard. Yes, Emily was a puzzle.
"Oh...Sandra!" Nora said, upon walking into the dining room. "Are you here to see Derek?" she asked. I laughed.
"No, Nora, we broke up, remember?" I said. She sighed. "Oh, right. Too bad..."
I caught Victoria staring at me. "You dated Derek?" she asked. I nodded. Strange. She seemed to emphazise the ''you''.
I finished the last of my salad. "Thanks for the salad, Casey. Now I've got to go home to an empty house," I sighed. Casey raised her eyebrows.
"Empty?" she asked.
"Yeah, my parents are out of town. I'm home, all by my lonesome,"
"Why don't you stay over, Sandra? We've already got our own mini sleepover party, one more wouldn't make a difference." Casey said. I smiled.
"Great! Thank you so much, Casey. I'll get my stuff."
As I walked out of Casey's kitchen and down the front stairs, I couldn't decide how I felt. I couldn't wait to evaluate Emily and Victoria -- as I mentioned before, figuring out people is one of my favorite things to do. But seeing Derek could potentially be hard.
By the time I actually made it to my front steps, I decided that I was happy. I had a chance to meet some new people and spend time with one of my best friends, instead of facing an empty house all weekend.
Besides, I was eager to observe. I had noticed some things. One of them being very, very interesting.
Upon meeting Victoria, Emily talked little. I also noticed that as Emily helped carry Victoria's bags inside, I noticed a dark look about Emily. And one other thing -- I couldn't help wondering why Emily stared at Victoria's legs a bit longer than she should have.