The missing excerpts for October 17th, 18th, and 19th.

Tourist

I felt like a tourist in my own city. The cacophony of lights and sounds blinding my senses. I was wide eyed with curiosity at the various degrees of typography on stamped on casino buildings. My favorite by far had been the Belagio. Maybe I was a little bias as I loved the water show the casino was famously known for.

I wasn’t your typical girl raised in Vegas. You know, the ones that like to party endlessly into the wee hours of the night. I couldn’t even suggest a place of pleasure to a tourist as I have only ever walked the strip a handful of times. My idea of pleasure was sitting at home on my comfy chair reading and sipping on hot chocolate.

I crossed my arms against the cold air as if that would somehow keep me warmer. I never understood how girls could wear skimpy dresses in the middle of November. There was a cold front for the last week; the days sunny at low 50’s and nights plummeting below 30. I never should have listened to Laini. Now, I was one of those girls who wore skimpy dresses freezing her ass off. I was also miserable. Guy hunting was not worth hypothermia.

What was so great about clubbing when I could just as easily meet a guy at a coffee shop and actually have something in common with. A guy at a club would most likely be a manwhore or if by any luck, there would be a guy who was in the same situation as I. In any event, I would rather have taken my chances with crocodiles than a pack of cake powdered mean girls.

It was going to be one hell of a night.

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Play

Cara let out a slow breath, letting go of her nerves, and breathe in confidence. At least, that’s what she told herself. She stared at her reflection in the mirror, admiring the beautiful costume jewelry she was lucky to wear. Her costume gown was even more exquisite, tailored exclusively for her.

She was to portray Elizabeth in a modern interpretation of Pride & Prejudice. Cara never thought of acting, let alone starring in a play. But she had fallen in love with the art in college, studying various acting methods and plays, spending countless of hours auditioning for roles, and volunteering as a tech behind the scenes.

Tonight was the night she shined. Not only was she part of the production; she was the star.

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Comrade

I bit the tip of my pencil as I  read To Kill a Mockingbird during lunch. Maya and Xander were off at the library, getting together the final touches to their chemistry project. I was the unfortunate third wheel and was paired with the school’s insufferable bastard.

“Hey, Comrade.” Speaking of the insufferable bastard. Ben tousled my hair and sat across from me, taking one of my carrots from my lunch tray.

Not taking my eyes from the book I said, “I’m not your friend so I’d appreciate you not calling me that.”

From the corner of my eye I saw his brows quirk upwards. “Ooh feisty. I like a challenge.”

Agitated I set my book down and looked at him.  “What do you want?”

“We need to start our project. We only have two weeks and-“

“I’ve gotten taken care of. I just need you to show up for the presentation and look pretty.”

He chuckled. “As much as I appreciate it the thought I was actually looking forward to working with you.”

I found that really hard to believe. He was also delusional if he thought I would take a hit on my grades. There was no way in hell that he was going to help me. He would only drag me down.

“C’mon, Mary, give me a shot.”

I eyed him warily. In the end, I gave into his green puppy dog eyes. No wonder girls couldn’t stay away from him. He practically attracted the female species to his deceiving facade.

“Fine. But we are doing what I have already planned. Also, you are merely going to act as my assistant. Got it?”

He mocked saluted. “Yes, Ma’am.”

With his answer he walked away, his shoulders high in triumph.

xx