C I N: "Lynn, Lynn, the city of sin. You never come out the way you went in." (The C I N Series) (12 page)

“Can we go shopping now?” I asked. My heart beat furiously. What did she mean help them? How could she do anymore than what she’d done and what secret was she talking about? Was she rich or something?

“Sure, come on.”

I followed Ally into Ross. She glided through the aisles on her tip toes like a ballerina. “Look at these shirts!” She twirled around, waving blouses at me. “These sweaters would look good with your eyes.”

Ally was right. The sweaters were pink and my eyes were black. I went over to a mirror and held up the sweater.

Hmmm…

Why were my eyes a light purple? Maybe the lighting?
 
“Ally, come here.” I called. She skipped over, holding a pair of red, leather boots. “My eyes, they’re purple!” I leaned in closer to the mirror.

Ally looked over my shoulder and squinted. “They look nice. Maybe they’ll lighten to a gray color.”

“You’re not helping. Maybe the lighting inside this store is doing this to me,” I stammered. Ally shrugged, disappearing down an aisle of skirts. Her eyes were not changed by the lights.

“What do you think I should get to match these killer boots?”

“Why are you not concerned about my eyes?” I yelled across the store. “I may need to go back to the hospital.”

“No, don’t be silly. Your eyes have appeared purplish before. You look like the same homely girl that arrived a few days ago.” Ally bent down and snatched a faded pair of jeans that flared at the ankles. “These pants are perfect!”

I scratched my head. My eyes were purplish? Why hadn’t I noticed before? “I’m not homely.” I looked closer at myself in the mirror. Was my hair lighter, too?

“No, you’re not homely. At least you won’t be after today anyway.” Ally smiled. What did she mean? Not after today?

“What is that supposed to mean? Are you planning another exciting adventure for me?”

“This is what our uniform looks like.” Ally held up khakis and a short sleeved collared shirt. “You can wear khaki shorts, skirts, pants and any color polo shirt you want. It’s a horrible uniform. Please pick something out.”

“Don’t change the subject.” I folded my arms across my chest. “What do you have planned for me?”

“You’ll need shoes, too,” Ally grabbed some Keds and flat ballet slippers. “Which would you rather wear?”

I pushed the shoes away and glared into her eyes. “Ally!”

“It’s a surprise.”

“I don’t like your surprises.”

“Well, this one is different.”

“It better be.”

“Lisa, please pick a pair of shoes! I’m trying really hard to be helpful,” Ally screeched, stamping her foot. “You’re very difficult to please.”

“Get used to it,” I said. “I’m a mole that isn’t going away anytime soon.”

Ally actually laughed.

“You are not a mole. I apologized for that, remember?”

“Yeah, well, I’m not convinced just yet.”

Ally placed the ballet slippers in the cart along with pink and green school shirts for me. Where in the world did she get all this cash? Did she work? Were her parents rich? They certainly didn’t live like it.

“Thanks for getting me all of these clothes,” I whispered. “It’s very nice of you to do it.”

“It’s only money,” Ally said, scooting her cart away. She tossed in a few skirts and motioned for me to follow her to the check out lane. “We have an appointment to get to,” she said.

It was a hair and nail salon. Ally had me get a pedicure and manicure. The Chinese woman plucked my eyebrows and another lady created long layers in my black hair. I noticed it was definitely lighter than normal. Maybe the lightning had changed my appearance. Maybe the purple tint to my eyes was from the lightning, too.

“Look how pretty you are!” Ally squealed, twisting me around to face the mirror.

I couldn’t believe my eyes. Was it really me? I looked almost as attractive as the girls from C I N. I wasn’t nearly as beautiful as Ally, but the transformation was incredible! My purple eyes sparkled, my cheeks were a nice pink blush and my complexion was creamy ivory. My hair was a shade lighter and almost looked like dark brown instead. My mom would be ecstatic if she saw me.

My mom.

By now, the mental hospital would have let her call. My mom, the one person in this world that I wanted, wasn’t calling. I shook my head and blocked the thought.

“What are you thinking about?” Ally questioned. I frowned. Was it worth it to tell her? Would she care? It didn’t matter. My mom wasn’t calling, which meant only one thing – she wasn’t coming back for me. When she put me on the train, it wasn’t just for a short visit, it was forever.

“I have one more surprise for you, so don’t get all sad and depressed on me.” Ally smiled, grabbing my arm.

Bill and Poppy stood outside, with a hamburger in hand. “Thanks again, Ally!” Bill said. She nodded and tossed a bag of clothes over her back.

We walked home. Ally told me all about each of the students at C I N. She went into very explicit detail, too.

At home, Alex sat on the porch swing. He had scissors and was cutting up pieces of cardboard. “It’s done,” he grumbled.

“What do you think of my masterpiece?” Ally grinned, pushing me forward. “Isn’t Lisa beautiful?”

Alex stared at his scissors. “She’s always been beautiful.” He grabbed another piece of cardboard and cut it in half.

“You didn’t even look at her!” Ally complained, “Stop that and check her out.”

I recoiled, racing into the house. What was it with her? She couldn’t avoid humiliating someone – even when she was trying to be nice.

It was nice to hear Alex say something kind about me, even if he didn’t actually look at me when he said it. He thought I was pretty? I giggled.
Alex thought I was pretty.
I never would’ve guessed it. Not in a million years. I crept down the hall and opened the bedroom door. I put the bag of clothes on the bed and shrieked.

There was a television in my room. Well, it was in Ally’s room but it was just as much mine as it was hers at this point. Where did it come from? Who put it there?

“Ally, there’s a TV in here!” I giggled, jumping up and down. A remote sat on the shelf next to my parents’ picture. There were some DVDs too. Whoever picked them out did a terrific job. All my favorite movies were there. Had my mom come? Was that the surprise? The
real
surprise!?!

Ally leaned against the wall. “Surprise.” She frowned. “You look like you were expecting something different.”

“Is my mom here?” I whispered. “She knows all my favorites and they’re all on this shelf.”

“You don’t want a TV?” Ally questioned. “I even forced Alex to put it in here. I threatened to let Michael inside; it was the only way to get him to agree. He picked out the movies for you.”

“Alex picked my movies and not my mom?” I sighed. “My mom isn’t here?”

Ally shook her head. “No, I’m so sorry, Lisa.” Her eyes actually watered. “I know you miss her. I miss my mom too.”

“At least, you know your mom is coming back,” I stammered, crossing my arms. “Thank you so much for getting a TV. It’s really perfect.”

“Do you forgive me now?” Ally winked, disappearing down the hall. I couldn’t help but smile. She came back with some popped kettle corn, two sodas and twizzlers.

“What is this?” I grinned. “Are we having a slumber party?”

“I told you I was going to try, okay; we will see how this goes. I haven’t ever watched movies all night long before, so be nice.”

Ally was asking
me
to be nice? What an interesting concept!

“You’re like a totally different person today. What motivated this sudden epiphany of yours?”

Ally shrugged her shoulders and opened up a DVD case. It was X-Men, the original. “I don’t like losing people, but now that I’m certain you will be here forev—, well, for a long while, I don’t have to worry about getting attached.”

I didn’t understand a word of what she said. Whatever, Ally was being nice. Isn’t that all that mattered? “X-Men, good choice since that’s what the reporter thinks I am.”

We laughed.

“What’s so funny?” Alex inquired, peeking inside the room.

“The reporter for the local paper thinks Lisa is a mutant like the X-Men in this movie we’re about to see.”

“Ca-can I watch it with you?” Alex whispered. “I want to know what the reporter was referring to.”

Ally scooted over and I crawled into the middle of the bed. “Sit right here, Alex.” I patted a small space of empty mattress. “You might have to touch me since we’re in close quarters here. No shouting at me if it happens.”

“I’ll try not to,” he said, slowly and cautiously inching his way under the sheets.
 
The side of his arm lay gently on mine.

I winced with pain. It wasn’t unbearable but more addicting. I didn’t want him to move away but wished the pain would subside. Alex feared me knowing the truth. What truth? How did I know what he feared anyway?

Ally sat closer and put her leg against mine. The pain from Alex’s touched faded and I didn’t hurt anymore.

“Alex, we’re going to be watching all four X-Men tonight. No sleeping for us.” She laughed.

“Well, let’s get started, then.” Alex turned and faced me. His light eyes softened and he reached over and touched a strand of my lightened hair. “You really are beautiful,” he whispered.

Fourteen
Saturday’s Bonfire

Ally was a different person. She was fun, she laughed, shared her things, let me put make-up on her, put it on me and even agreed to go to the bonfire on Saturday. It was a miracle! What had changed her mind? I didn’t know and I really didn’t care. She was nice and that was all that mattered; right?

Alex wasn’t half as bad, either. His transformation wasn’t as amazing as Ally’s, of course, but I had to admit, I looked forward to waking up in the morning to feed the hens with him. He smiled at me sometimes and even laughed when I told him stupid stories. At night, sometimes he joined us for movies, complaining about how they were damaging the creativity of our youth. (Sometimes, I think he thought he was a grown man.) He ate popcorn and even forced himself to touch me.

In the morning, when we were done feeding the chickens and collecting eggs, he sat at the same bistro table as I (stealing my grits, of course) and if I decided to watch music videos off the television, he would sit in the recliner next to me and eat
my
breakfast, then he would complain about my music videos, which did get a little annoying…
 

Alex knew a lot about the woods and even showed me some of his favorite spots, like the little hill that overlooked the graveyard where Jane Mood was buried. His eyes always watered when we went up together on that hill. Sometimes I wanted to ask him who she was to him and why he cared so much about her, but the right moment never came up. Sometimes, I wanted to hold his hand. I hated the pain that shot through me but somehow longed for it, too. He always jerked away when I tried to slap him and wouldn’t let me chase him through the fields like Michael did. Was he jealous? I doubted it, but who knew. Maybe Alex had a secret crush on me. Ha, ha, yeah, right. The day Mr. Uptight liked anyone besides himself would be the same day that the Earth came to an end!

Anyway, Ally and I were going to the last bonfire of the summer. I was going to get to see Michael and Donna again and meet the rest of the students from C I N Boarding School and then, Monday I’d be moving into my dorm room with Donna. Ally even suggested maybe she’d bunk with us, too. Since she was supposed to be staying at the school anyways, it would only make sense. A few days ago I would’ve thought that to be the worst idea ever concocted but, she was different now, fun even.

“Lisa, where is that black stuff you put on my eyes yesterday?” Ally shouted from the bathroom. Pig and I crossed the hall and peeked inside. She sat on the toilet seat with a vanity mirror in her hand. “I’m nervous, what if the other kids don’t like me?”

“If you’re nice they will.” I smirked. She rolled her eyes and kicked me in the shin.

“Not cute.”

“The mascara is in the medicine cabinet.” I reached above the sink and took the cosmetic bag from the top shelf and handed it to her. “I’m impressed. You’re putting your own make-up on.”

“It’s harder than it looks. I keep putting too much blush on and the wrong shade of lipstick. I look like a clown but if everyone else wears make-up I guess I better upgrade to the 21
^st
century, too.”

Sometimes she still talked like she was from another era. “Where is Alex? Is he going to come?”

“No, my brother has decided to stay home, as always.”

“He’s such a bum. I’m gonna go get him. Is he in his room?”

Ally nodded. “Yes, but don’t expect a warm greeting. He’s mad at us for wanting to go to the bonfire. He disapproves.”

“Why? What’s the big deal?” I stomped down the hall and pounded on his door. I could hear his shoes against the wooden floor. He peeked out of a small slit in the door.

“What do you want, Lisa?”

“Come with us.”

“I said no.”

I put my fingers in the small crack and pulled with all my might. Alex resisted and I stumbled back. He slammed his door shut.
Jerk
. We were better off without him anyway.

“Come on Ally, let’s go!” I hollered. Pig sat in the hall with his head perked. “See you later, Bipolar.” I grinned.

Ally and I crossed the yard and made our way down the street towards the beach. We could see the fire burning a few yards ahead.

“I can’t do this.” Ally clamped her hand on my arm. “It’s a bad idea.” I could feel her tremble.

“Don’t be ridiculous. Why would it be a bad idea for you to make friends?” I dragged her forward. Ally dug her heels into the grass and resisted with all her might.

“You don’t understand,” she cried. “I’m not a very nice person when—”

“I KNOW that, duh!” I rolled my eyes and grabbed her by the shirt. “You were just awful to me when I first met you but once you warm up to a person, you can be wonderful.”

“Alex warned me about this,” Ally mumbled. “T-that you wouldn’t understand.” She jerked away.
 
“I’m not going to the bonfire. You never should’ve tried to convince me to do something that dangerous.”

“How is a bonfire dangerous?” I asked. What was going to happen? Was she going to catch on fire or something? “Are you serious, Ally, really?”

“It’s a bad idea for me to interact with the kids at C I N. I have a problem. I do things—”

“Ally, please, you’re different now. I tell you what,” I grabbed her hands. “Let’s just go for a little while and if you start to feel uncomfortable tap me on the shoulder and we’ll leave; okay?”

Tears brimmed in her eyes. “Okay, as long as you promise to leave with me right away before I—”

“Scout’s honor.” I grinned. “Now, let’s go! I see Michael with that Brace Face kid.”
 

“I’m so screwed,” Ally whined. I jerked her forward and we ran down the hill and flicked off our flip flops underneath a bench close to the boardwalk. Michael spotted us and jogged over.

“Lisa, I feel like I haven’t seen you in a hundred years.” He laughed. I loved it when Michael smiled. He made you feel comfortable and safe. “Do you remember the guys?”

“Hi there again,” I waved, squinting to see their eyes. All four boys had light eyes very similar in color. They were hazel and shined in the firelight. It must have just been a coincidence.

I spotted several teenagers sitting in small groups around the fire. Most were couples roasting marshmallows. Michael wrapped his arm around my shoulders and guided me over to a boy and a girl cuddling close to the fire. The couple was a Puerto Rican girl with long light brown hair and light hazel eyes and her boyfriend, who was Irish with blond hair and pale green eyes.

“This is Lisa,” Michael said. “Lisa, Pete and Marie. They go to C I N and are my closest friends.” He turned and looked over his shoulder at Ally who stood alone a few feet away. “Ally, come here!” He motioned for her. She inched her way close. Was she scared? Maybe a party wasn’t the best idea for her. Her eyes glowed in the moonlight and she walked stiffly towards us. “You know, Ally, right?”

Marie and Pete nodded. “Sure we do.” Marie smiled. “How are you, Ally?”

“I’m good. I’ve had company for the summer.”

“I see that. I think it was for the best, don’t you?” Marie said. Ally nodded.

“Yes, Lisa was a great change to our lives this summer.”

“Will she be like us now?” Pete blurted. Marie nudged him in his ribcage.

“You know the rules,” Marie whispered. Pete rubbed his side. “Why, you interested?” She growled. “I’m going to get a soda.”

Pete stared at Michael. The two guys burst into laughter. “The rules,” Michael jested, putting his hands up in the air. “You’re such a rebel, Pete.”

“If Alex were here,” Ally began. The guys stared at her nervously. “Well, he isn’t, so who cares; right?” Pete’s eyes lit up and he grabbed her arm, tossing her in the sand next to him. She squealed. “What are you doing? Are you crazy?” Pete put her in a knuckle hold and rubbed sand in her blond hair. “You freak!”

“Lisa, watch Pete, he’s a prankster. He’s worse than Ally.” Michael whispered in my ear. “They used to hang out a lot until he fell in love with Marie.”

“Oh,” I blinked. Ally used to have a friend. Maybe she’d had a crush on Pete in the past. Was that why she didn’t want to come tonight?

“Hi, Lisa!” Donna shouted across the fire. She jumped up and down, excitedly. I waved back and met her halfway. She wrapped her arms around me and squealed. “Did you see what Reginald did?” She babbled. “There is a warning up about surfing because of the tide and the current is so powerful tonight. Well, he stripped down to nothing but his briefs and surfed! The coast guard stopped him and gave him a warning! It was so funny.”

“Who is Reginald?” I asked. She led me to the other side of the fire to a group of three girls and a tall, handsome Haitian. His head was shaved and he had a snake tattoo that covered his left arm and there was barbed wire around his right wrist. His eyes were light brown. Everyone really did have light eyes! What was it with this place? I observed the three girls, too. One had light blue eyes, one hazel and the other, light green. My heart beat furiously. Had something happened to them, too? Why was it that people who were typically born with darker features seemed to have such unusually light features? Why was it as if something drained them of their color?

“Hi, Lisa; Michael and Donna haven’t stopped talking about you. I feel like I know you already.” Reginald said. He offered his hand and I shook it. His body was ripped and his muscles pulsed. I blushed. He was still in his white briefs and they were soaking wet.

“Hello, Reginald.” I grinned, turning away. Michael came to my side, brushing his hand through his hair. He had a cigarette hanging out the side of his mouth, unlit.

“So you’ve met Reggie, I see.” Michael replied, resting his hands on my hips. “He thinks he’s God’s gift to women.”

I giggled. He was. Reginald was perfect in every way.

“Can I bum one, man?” Reggie asked, pointing at Michael’s cigarette.

“Sure, why not.”

“Where have you been hiding this one? Did you check out her purple eyes? She’s pretty.”

Michael chuckled, lighting his cigarette. “I’m not the one keeping her hostage.”

“Well, I can see why they do.”

“Are you guys going to talk about Lisa like she isn’t right here listening?” Donna complained, placing her hands on her hips. “How rude can you get? Hey, did Ally come with you?”

I nodded. “Yes she was getting mauled by some guy named Pete.” I looked across the fire. I didn’t see her. Pete was sitting there with Marie but no Ally. “I better go find her.” Was seeing Pete with Marie too hard for her?

“I’ll help you look,” Donna decided, intertwining our arms together. “Allison Moody, where are you?” She yelled. People stared but Donna didn’t seem concerned. “Oh, Ally.”

“I forgot that was her last name. It’s similar to Jane Mood. What is the story with Ally and her Jane obsession?”

Donna ignored me. “Let’s find Ally before she panics.” She dragged me away from the crowd.

“Ally!” I shouted. “Where are you?”

“I’m right here,” she said. We turned around and spotted her sitting on the swing at the beach playground. “It was too much seeing Pete with Marie. I miss him.” Her eyes watered.

“Oh, Ally,” I sighed. “I didn’t know about Pete. You didn’t tell me.”

“You didn’t ask.”

“Well, technically, I did.”

“Your questions are always so vague.”

I sat down in the swing next to her and leaned close to her face. “I’m sorry, if I had known, I would never have made you come.”

“You would’ve just gone with Michael and left me home.”

“I don’t know.” Would I have done that?