My Little Phony - 13 (23 page)

“Thanks, Buddha,” Charlie whispered, stepping out into the tropical sunshine of Alpha Island. She yanked the elastic out of her ponytail and liberated her brown waves. She had her answer. She finally knew what to do.

The only question left was: could she go through with it?

2

APOD MESSAGE

TO ALL STUDENTS AND FACULTY

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 26TH

5:00 P.M.

FEEL THE BREEZE?

CHANGE IS IN THE AIR.

ASSEMBLY AT THE PAVILION.

6:00 P.M.

DON’T BE LATE!

—SHIRA

3

OUTSIDE THE PAVILION

ISLAND PATHWAY

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 26TH

5:44 P.M.

Hurrying down the gravel path between the dorms and the Pavilion, brushing past palm fronds, giant ferns, and fragrant plumeria, Allie A. Abbot’s heart was soaring like the wings of the phoenix-shaped building in front of her.

Surrounded by Alphas in their school uniforms—clear gladiator sandals, balloon-sleeved button-down shirts, and pleated metallic miniskirts that twinkled in the twilight—Allie may not have been among friends, exactly, but at least she wasn’t in disguise anymore. Her blond hair was back, navy blue eyes no longer hid behind fake green contact lenses, and she’d finally rebooted her golden tan. A beauty must-have she was forced to sacrifice while pretending to be Allie J. Abbott, the pasty eco-maniac who accused her of stealing sun from the flowers… along with her identity.

Unfortunately, the identity part was true. But oh, well. That was more behind her than the butt floss she proudly
called underwear. The days of wearing recycled granny panties were over.

Over the past couple of months, Allie’s self-esteem had congealed faster than food court Chinese food. The image of her boyfriend Fletcher, and best friend Trina, making out had been burned into the pleasure center of her brain. But now the burn was starting to scab over and Allie could put her energy toward scar-free healing. No more crying over the pieces of her broken heart. No more posing as Allie J. Abbot, the mega-famous folksinger whose acceptance letter she had accidentally received in the mail. No more black hair and bare feet. She had Charlie now. She had Darwin.

She had hope.